Workers of Worth (WOW)! That’s how the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica themed their Recognition and Awards Ceremony to celebrate the “Year of the Adventist Worker 2017”, which was held at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Gymnatorium in Mandeville on Sunday.
Among the awardees was Laurian Chin, principal of the Adventist-owned Falmouth Preparatory School in Trelawny. She was recognised for outstanding service and for 40 years of service up to 2016.
“I appreciate it. As a human being, it is good to be recognised for doing good although the expected ultimate reward is in Heaven,” said an elated Chin. “This is my first job with the Church and I have not worked anywhere else. I have made a promise to the Lord that for all his blessings, I would give my service to His Church.” Chin has been a principal of the school since 1981.
Over Two Hundred Persons Recognised
Two hundred and seven workers from across the church’s schools, university, health institution and facilities, publishing ministry, conferences and union headquarters were recognised and awarded for long and outstanding services ranging from 11 to 51 years as at December 2016.
“The workers of the JAMU are the most important resource that we have,” said Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica. “Taking time out to publicly recognise their contribution to the organisation over the years is the least that we can do. We hope that this recognition ceremony will inspire the present and future workers to recommit and commit themselves to the mission of our church.”
Service For Half-Century
“It is a real pleasure for me to be working for the Adventist Church,” said Novelette Carter, who works in the church’s northeastern region as one of its ancillary staff. She was recognised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica for outstanding service. “It’s good to be working as part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind. I love what I do – catering to people’s physical need for food. I hope I will be able to work for God for another 20 years.”
Pastor Derek Bignal, who previously served in various capacities, including as Conference and Union president, is the longest-serving worker of the church. He was recognised for 51 years of dedicated service and now serves as an associate professor at the Northern Caribbean University.
The Adventist Church in Jamaica has approximately 1,500 workers serving in two institutions – the Andrews Memorial Hospital and the Northern Caribbean University – eight high schools, 19 preparatory schools and six regional headquarters.
