Pastors Admonished to Preach the Gospel Despite COVID-19

Mount Salem, Montego Bay…France Chambers/JAMU |

Amidst the spread of the Coronavirus worldwide, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica continues to be focused on the mission of the Church of saving souls for God’s eternal Kingdom.

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, the Church’s western region set-aside five pastors for the proclamation of the gospel throughout the world during a Service of Ordination held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mount Salem, Montego Bay.

Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica delivers the charge to the ordinands during the Service of Ordination held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mount Salem, Montego Bay on Saturday, December 19, 2020 (photos by Nigel coke)

With all COVID-19 protocols observed, the ordinands were charged by Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica to preach the gospel in and out of season and even more so during the current pandemic.

“Our call is to preach the good news of salvation,” declared Brown. “You are to make men and women aware that there is a Saviour, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we are called to preach it in season and out of season. We are called to preach during COVID-19 and outside of COVID-19; nothing must hamper, nothing must thwart, nothing must compromise our dedication to the preaching and the teaching of the gospel.”

Brown also charged the pastors to remain focused and reminded them that their ministry is non-negotiables as service to God is a priority.

“Your commitment is to the preaching of the Gospel and to nurture and to take care of the spiritual welfare of the members of God’s Church—His flock is not negotiable; it is imperative. Your devotion and faithfulness to God must supersede all other earthly interest,” said Brown.

“I am here this evening to lift up One, who if you continue to focus on Him, if you make him the frame of reference for your ministry, your ministry will never fail,” Brown added.

The five Pastors who were ordained were: Delgardo Black of the Grange Hill District of Churches; Rockey Blair of the Southfield District of Churches; Rohan Goldbourne of the Magotty District of Churches; Lascelles James of the Coote Savanna District of Churches; and  Christopher Johnson of the Dias District of Churches.

The service was watched by more than 5,000 viewers online and supported by a small local gathering onsite.

Pastor Delgado Black and his wife Windy
Pastor Rockey Blair and his wife Avia
Pastor Lascelles James and his wife Rosemarie
Pastor Christopher Johnson and his wife Monique
Pastor Rohan Goldbourne and his wife Sashane
Delgado Black greets his wife with a kiss after he was ordained as a pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica places his sanitized hand on the head of Pastor Christopher Johnson during the Prayer of Dedication at the Service of Ordination for five pastors at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mount Salem, Montego Bay on Saturday, December 19, 2020