More than 125 communicators and volunteers were recognized for their selfless service during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that members and guests of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica remained connected.
The awards ceremony, themed “Recapturing the Spirit of the Mission,” took place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the NCU Gymnatorium in Mandeville.
When the pandemic hit, the Adventist Church in Jamaica moved services online as early as March 21, 2020, 11 days after the country’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed. The Government then implemented restrictive measures, including protocols that curtailed group gatherings in all public spaces, including places of worship.
The Church implemented additional procedures for its congregations and established an online interface for worship services, featuring a flagship broadcast called JA Adventists Online Worship. The brand (JA Adventists Online Worship) was used in each of the five conferences of the Jamaica Union every week, where NCU Radio and Television, along with Bless TV and other conference cable channels, websites, and YouTube channels, were utilized to spread the gospel and provided a worship experience for our members and visitors.
“We are happy that we had at the time in our church technical experts and organizers who could come together in such a short time after the outbreak in Jamaica to provide online service to our members,” said Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica. “It is for that very reason that we recognize them today because we understand the sacrifice they made to glorify God with the gifts and talents that He bestowed on them.”
The broadcasts were so impactful that they were featured on national television during Prime Time News on TVJ on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, for their innovation and inclusiveness, catering even to children.
During his address to the congregation at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lucea, Hanover, on Saturday, August 8, 2020, Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised the church for being among the first to provide online worship at the onset of the pandemic, highlighting it was a socially responsible initiative.
Awards were given in seven categories: Communication Director, Producer, Technical Producer, Information Technology, Graphics and Editing, Audio Engineer, and Production Team.
“While the work of the production team isn’t usually highlighted, the area of graphics is more so rarely recognized in this way. I appreciate it. It has somehow created a stronger connection to the mission for me,” said Ruth Ann Brown, Digital Media Coordinator/Graphic Designer in the church’s eastern region.
“I am proud that our team’s exceptional efforts during COVID-19 were recognized at this symposium,” exclaimed Kimarley Walker-Medley. “I am especially honored to have been acknowledged as a producer, and I commend the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU) for celebrating the resilience, creativity, and innovation demonstrated by so many during such challenging times.”
Seven special awards were presented in Media, Excellence in Media, Top Platform Viewership, Digital Evangelist, IT Excellence, and Leadership.
Among the special awardees was Pastor Glen O. Samuels, President of the Church’s western region. He was named Digital Evangelist for his consistent use of online platforms, through which thousands gave their lives to Jesus Christ locally and internationally during COVID-19.
In March 2022, Pastor Samuels served as the online evangelist for the Footprints of Hope Online Evangelistic Series, which was organized by the Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists for English-speaking regions, including Jamaica, the Atlantic Caribbean Union, the Caribbean Union, the Dutch Caribbean Union, and the Belize Union. After six weeks, more than 4,200 individuals were baptized.
“Thanks to the JAMU administration and the members of the Awards Committee for the recognition in the field of digital evangelism,” said Pastor Samuels. “I am not an expert in this area, but rather a passionate believer in advancing the Mission through the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe with all my heart that we must utilize all methods and modalities available to this generation to reach its people where they are. The technology at our disposal must be harnessed for mission fulfillment.”
Bless TV, one of two media awards, the other being the NCU Media Group, was recognized for broadcasting various online church services and evangelistic series, which resulted in several baptisms.
Owner and operator of Bless TV said, “I’m honored by the recognition. Independent ministry significantly contributes to the mission of the church. This acknowledgment from JAMU demonstrates that the Seventh-day Adventist Church supports independent ministry and that we are co-laborers in the salvation of souls. The Bless TV team is grateful for this award and looks forward to greater partnerships in ministry.”
The Leadership Award was presented to Adiese Jonas Murphy, whose foresight and exceptional leadership have impacted our online ministry. When COVID-19 arrived, she was ready with a detailed plan to transition our church services online. Her visionary approach led to the creation of JA Adventist Online Worship, a platform that continues to thrive today, extending its reach and inspiring countless lives. Her dedication and proactive approach ensured that our community stayed connected and spiritually nourished during the crisis.
“I am deeply grateful for the prestigious COVID-19 Pandemic Leadership Award from JAMU,” said Jonas Murphy. This thoughtful gesture reinforced my understanding of the primary reason for the Church’s existence: to be a witness in both thought and deed.”
“Despite the myriad challenges faced during the global pandemic, I wholeheartedly believe that it was all part of God’s plan, revealing His glory to fallen humanity and reminding this body of believers that the Church is not solely a building but a movement designed to dutifully fulfill its part in ushering in the second coming of Jesus Christ,” she added.
The top platform viewership award went to the West Jamaica Conference Online Worship Experience, while the IT Excellence Award went to Kristoff Williams, the Information Technology Manager at JAMU, whose dedication and expertise have been invaluable, especially during the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. He went above and beyond his responsibilities, ensuring that our Union office – and indeed, the entire Jamaica – could continue to connect, communicate, and thrive in a virtual space.
During the afternoon, three churches—Campbell’s Castle SDA Church, Petersfield SDA Church, and Vaughnsfield SDA Church—were recognized for celebrating 100 years of service to their communities in 2024.
The day’s symposium, which included the launch of an education fund in the morning, climaxed with a vesper charge from Pastor Phillip Castell, Communication Director of the Church’s eastern region. He challenged the Communicators to capitalize on the opportunities available through technology to share the love of Jesus Christ.
