The Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (CJC), through its Youth Ministries Department, is hosting a recreational football League which is expected to build deeper relationships between the church and community.
The League, which had its first set of matches on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Homestead Community Centre in St. Catherine is expected to host matches in all three (3) parishes in the Conference – St. Catherine, Clarendon and Manchester.
Team members of the eight (8) football teams who were present on the opening day of matches, line up for devotion and registration. Damian Manderson, captain of the Waterford team raises his hand as he prepares to introduce his team to the group. | Credits: Damian Chambers
According to Pastor Kevan Barnaby, Youth Ministries Director of CJC, “the league is geared towards wholistic development of the social, physical and spiritual ‘fitness’ of our youth.”
The League is open to the over 200 churches in the Conference that will participate by providing a football team that would be made up of at least 30% of non-Adventist players. So far, only sixteen (16) teams have signed up for the League.
Members of the Bellas Gate Football team (including their Pastor, Pastor Jermaine Swaby [right]) pose for a group photo | Credits: Damian Chambers
The League is expected to run until March 2017.
On the opening day of the tournament, eight (8) teams were present, clad in their jerseys and gears. These include Waterford, Sydenham, Kitson Town, Blue Hole, , Riversdale, Palm, Old Harbour and Tent City.
Pastor Damian Chambers, Communication Director of CJC gave the devotional charge to the group of over 150 persons, including team members, members from the community and other members of the church who were present.
Member of the Waterford team takes possession of the ball during the first game of the opening day. | Credits: Damian Chambers
Pastor Chambers charged the group to demonstrate Christlikeness and respect for each other on and off the playing field.
At the close of the opening day, there were three (3) wins and one (1) draw as follows:
• Waterford 2 – Blue Hole 1
• Kitson Town 3 – Sydenham 0
• Riversdale 1 – Old Harbour 0
• Tent City 1 – Palm 1
The next set of games is expected to be held on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at the Chedwin Garden Community Centre in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
Pastor Barnaby stated that the recreational League was inspired by a football competition that has been run by a few churches in the Portmore area since 2014.
After discussion and negotiation with the group, the Conference’s Youth Department decided to adopt the League as a Conference-wide outreach programme.
