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St. Mary, Jamaica…Dane Fletcher/JAMU Communication Department

Kaldairo Carter, a member of the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central Jamaica Conference (CJC), and a recent recruit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force arrested the finals of the Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) Bible Connection championship held at the Port Maria Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Mary.

  [caption id="attachment_12381" align="alignnone" width="271"] Kaldairo Carter (left) jubilantly holds up his winning cheque at the 2023 Bible Connection finals, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Port Maria.[/caption]

The finals was held for the first time in the North East Jamaica Conference (NEJC) on September 28, 2023 where eight (8) diligent participants dutifully represented their conferences.

Carter came out on top with a total of 905 points followed by another CJC participant, Romario Hart with 885 points. Third place went to Avon Allen from the North Jamaica Conference (NJC) with 820 points.

By virtue of his win, Carter will go on to join the winners of the other 23 Unions of the  Inter-American Division (IAD) of Seventh-day Adventists and represent the JAMU at the Division’s Bible Connection finals in Bogota, Colombia on November 25, 2023. His trip is an all-expense paid trip courtesy of the IAD and JAMU. He also received the first prize cash award of $50,000.00.

When asked how he feels after winning the Bible Connection, and to state some  benefits/blessings of engaging in Bible Connection, Kaldairo Carter posited,  “While participating at the Jamaica Union level, you are aware that the others participating are very capable of greatness. Along with this, if you ace this level, the daunting  prospect of representing Jamaica among Unions of other countries is a constant reminder to study to show myself approved.”

Carter further added that, “Especially at this stage, interacting with people of the same faith, for me it's less about competition  and more about being disciplined disciples of the Word. It brings joy knowing there are other youth around the world building their house upon this Rock, and that the Seventh-day Adventist youth are truly proliferating ‘the advent message to all the world in my generation’."

All participants received a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Second placed Romario Hart received $30,000.00 for placing second and Avon Allen $20,000.00 for third place.

Youth Ministries Director of JAMU, Pastor Dane Fletcher, in recognizing all the participants, said “you are all champions. Reality is that only one person can go on to represent the Union at the IAD Finals. Above and beyond everything, maintain your connection with God. If you do this, only eternity will show the fullness of your reward.”

[caption id="attachment_12384" align="alignnone" width="300"] A laptop screen displays the ranking of competitors from the Bible Connection Finals 2023, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Port Maria.[/caption]

In his greetings, on behalf of the Administrators of the JAMU, Dr. Adlai Blythe, reminded the audience of the purpose of the Bible Connection.

“I am here to remind you of the true purpose of the Bible Connection. It is not a competition, but it is an experience for youth to get to know the Bible better. We have this challenge to excite youth to study God’s Word.”

Blythe further admonished the youth to be like David, and hide the word of God in their hearts, so as to resist the wiles of the devil.

“Our hope is that you be like Jesus, so that when the enemy comes; you will say, ‘Get thee, behind me Satan, for it is written...’ We hope that you use the Word of God as a tool against the enemy. In this regard, every participant is a winner, because you would have been so armed that you would be able to repel all the darts of the enemy,” Blythe added.

Eight youth represented their Conferences in the finals with two each from East, Central, North and North EastJamaica. West Jamaica was not represented.