Photos and story by Nigel Coke
For the second consecutive year, Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) came out as winners of the Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) Annual Heritage Quiz.
The finals, held at the NCU Gymnatorium in Mandeville, was keenly contested among the East, West and Central Jamaica Conferences on Saturday, November 12, 2016. The CJC team won with 94 points ahead of West Jamaica on 92 and East Jamaica finishing third with 80 points. Only three Conferences participated in the quiz.
Members of the winning Central Jamaica Conference team
“I must say thanks to God for helping us to do well. I know we studied hard, but God help us to achieve it,” said Joselyn Brown Kerr, captain of the CJC team. It also helped us to study His Word and it was good that we could study His Word and come out victorious. Thanks to everyone who assisted and supported us.”
This year the Heritage Quiz took on added dimensions with an essay competition which was opened to children under 15 years of age and adults over 15 years. Clyve Bowen, a member of the Church for just over a year copped the adult section, while there was no entry for the under 15 segment. The topic was “The Adventist Advantage,” which was done for members to demonstrate how well Adventists can defend their faith.
Mr. Sydney Dorsett (left) and members of his team accept their incentive award from Mrs. Sharon Barrett (right), Associate Treasurer of the Jamaica Union Conference
There was also a written quiz specifically created for NCU students. Three groups of three members participated with each group having a theology major student. The group lead by Sydney Dorsett, an Elder and Personal Ministries Director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at NCU came out winners.
Cash and kinds were awarded to all the teams who participated on the day including members who participated by questions posed to the audience.
“The programme was a good exercise in that it helped both the participants and the congregation to assess their knowledge of the Church’s doctrine and history,” said Pastor Astor Bowers, Stewardship Director and Ministerial Secretary of JAMU. Whichever team won, all would have benefited from the exercise, which provided a stimulus for continuous study.”
Pastor Bancroft Barwise (right), Treasurer of the Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) presents the winning trophy to the Central Jamaica Conference team. At left is Keisha Barwise, Assistant Information Technology Manager at JAMU.
The main objective of the both quizzes and the essay challenge is to develop and enhance the knowledge of the members of our history and our doctrine.
“In light of the time in which we live with regards to the present and future challenges to our faith, each member needs to know the doctrines of the church because it has been predicted that many will walk away from the faith because of inadequate knowledge of God and the Bible teachings of our Church,” Pastor Bowers added.
The Heritage Quiz is an annual challenge quiz, which takes place in the churches from March to October with the finals in October which is celebrated annually as Adventist Heritage month.
