Pastor Roy Dennis, Family Ministries Director, Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) and organizer of the Men’s Convention that saw over 1,500 persons in attendance at the Mandeville SDA Church on October 30, 2016, made a passionate appeal for the Church and society to save our men and boys.
While greeting the congregation, and giving and stating the purpose of the Convention, Pastor Dennis said, “Men are one of the most endangered people groups in the Western world. If we do not take our boys off the streets, get idle hands employed, create opportunities for education and create a system of justice for all, there will be no peace in our society.”
Pastor Roy Dennis, Family and Health Ministries Director of Central Jamaica Conference outlines the purpose of the Convention to the gathering. | Credits: Damian Chambers
Pastor Dennis went on to explain that the Convention was organized to equip, educate and empower men of the Church and community. In that regard, each of the presentations made during the day’s service was geared toward men’s education.
Elder Anthony Gordon, Family Life Educator and former Family Ministries Director of the Central Jamaica Conference presented on the topic: “Creating a Men’s Mentorship Programme for the local Church”. He emphasized the key role that a male mentor plays in the healthy development of our boys from childhood into manhood.
Pastor Adrian Cottrell, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director, Jamaica Union Conference, presented the sermon during the Divine Service. He called for men to possess and practice integrity in their lives.
Pastor Adrian Cotrell, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director of Jamaica Union Conference presents the sermon during divine service at the Men’s Convention. | Credits: Damian Chambers
The afternoon’s programme consisted of two other very important presentations: – one by Pastor Gary Buddoo-Fletcher, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Chaplin of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the other by Dr. Bongelo Bombele, Senior Medical Officer at the Kingston Public Hospital who presented on the topics – “Keeping the Peace” and “Taking Care of your Health”
Besides the presentations, the congregation was also treated to rich and inspiring singing by various men’s chorale and choirs. These included the Gregory Park, Waterford, May Pen, Royal Flat and Manchester Men’s Chorales among others.
Elder Leslie Reid of the Mandeville Church directs the Manchester Men’s Chorale during the divine service. Four other men’s chorale also shared in the occasion. | Credits: Damian Chambers
The only female who was allowed to share the platform during the service was Dr. Loraine Vernal of the Jamaica Union, shared a brief presentation on “What a Woman Needs”. In her speech, she appealed to the husbands to be deliberate about discovering and meeting the needs of their wives and not to expect women to think like men.
Pastor Dennis shared that there are over 100 organized men’s ministry groups within the Churches of CJC. Through these medium, it is expected that the Church will nurture and empower men to be good fathers, mentors, lovers and leaders in our Church and by extension, the world.
Hundreds of men respond to the appeal made by Pastor Cottrell to be men of integrity. | Credits: Damian Chambers
