Central Jamaica Conference
Youth Ministries Department
Report of Activities 2009
God has been leading the work of Youth Ministries thus far in this challenging year 2009. We have seen more and more of His mercy and grace displayed to all the Youth Leaders in their various stations throughout the Conference field.
We are emboldened by this and can say with confidence, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us…” We look towards the upcoming months without the smallest of fears for we
believe, God is leading His youth.
The main program sponsored by the Department in January was the Youth Summit which was timed to coincide with the Conference’s Officers’ Training program on
Sunday the 18th . The attendance was overwhelming as over three hundred youth leaders turned out for consultation, motivation and training.
Most of the work we undertook in February was related to the programs generated at the local level. Several Federation Zones had their inauguration services and rallies in this month. One thing that consistently shone forth was the new approach to the theme and theme song adopted by the department for this year. We saw a greater effort on the part of the Federations to get the local AY Societies on board with these emblems. The two inaugurations that stood out were the Old Harbour and Manchester North. We also participated in Pathfinder club induction services across the conference.
March was dominated by the Youth Health Fair and Symposium. The event planned for schools in the St. Catherine area was staged across three days at the Willowdene Group of Schools Complex. The program was not as well supported by all the schools invited. A total of fifteen schools turned out across the two days of the fair. Despite this, the event was given positive reviews by those who came. A wide range of presentations, displays, clinics and workshops were held with the focus being on Youth Health. The Power 106 broadcast took the program across Jamaica. Persons called in to say how pleased they were with the effort at reaching out to lives of the youth outside of the church. Special thanks must go to Sister Keisha Sterling and Sister Tahshiek Francis who had pivotal roles in this program. We also thank The Conference for their financial support.
The youth of the Portmore Zone also participated at the Pentecost and More
program at the Portmore Church on Sabbath 21st March. The youth presentation received high commendations from the WIU and CJC personnel. The Portmore zone also held an awards service in recognition of youth excellence in the
Sunshine City.
The week leading up to Easter was another busy one for the Youth Department. We welcomed the second group of volunteers from the Greater New York
Conference. The project this year was the refurbishing of a burnt out building at the Infirmary. Except for a few items that will be put in as soon as we can
mobilize the local youth force, the project was a great success and the work was well received.
We had a number of camps on the Easter week-end. The Director was able to visit some of them. Of interest was a two day camps held in the North Manchester area. This is a new concept and has great potential for youth mission.
The visitors from New York visited the day camp held at the Moravia Primary School in the hills of Christiana, Manchester. The fellowship was great. Clarendon had their largest Camporee for several years with over two hundred and fifty campers at the Elim Agricultural School in St. Elizabeth.
In April we also had the second training camp for senior Master Guides in the Conference. This training program is towards the Pathfinder Leadership Awards (PLA). We had a successful training program with the WIU Youth Director at Camp Verley.
On May 30th an investiture service was held for Ministerial Students who had been trained in the Senior Youth Program. The service was conducted by Area Coordinator Dr. Newton Cleghorne and Youth director Pastor Ivor Harry.
After a number of scheduled zonal sports day, we were able to stage the largest and most
successful sports day in three years at the NCU oval on Sunday May 17. The threat of rain marred the attendance from St. Catherine and Clarendon but those who came feasted on a simply delightful day of fun and relaxation. Manchester, the host parish took the lion’s share of the awards but all three parishes won something and there were no hard feelings at all. Hundreds of youth were in attendance and by early afternoon, the grounds were transformed to a sea of colors as various supporters cheered on their athletes.
A new chapter was opened in the history of Pathfinder in CJC with the launch of the first Pathfinder Club in a government school within the conference. The launch was held on the grounds of the Waterford Primary School on Sabbath May 9. The gathering was addressed by the Vice-Principal of the school, CJC Education
Director Pastor Dudley Mullings, Youth Director Pastor Ivor Harry and the
President of the Portmore Youth Federation Bro. Terrence Clarke. A subsequent meeting was held at Waterford to establish the format and limitations of the club.
The youth program continues unchecked at the local level. AY Leaders are taking their youth out into the field with more regularity as we push the concept of
missional youth ministry. There are plans in place for a youth evangelistic training program in the Summer to be followed by a number of youth crusades across Portmore. North Jamaica Mission is joining us for Summer Camp this year. Our big Pathfinder and Adventurer Rally/Fair is coming in September. We are excited and we look forward to the continued support of the Conference Administration as we lead our youth back to God.
Youth in Evangelism for 2009
The call to evangelism was answered by the youth all across Central Jamaica Conference as they went out preaching, teaching and ministering to the needs of the people within their communities.
In July, the Bog Walk Circuit of Churches launched the “Behold the Lamb” gospel series led by the youth of the Glengoffe S.D.A. Church. The blessings of the Lord was seen as God equipped His young people to do His service. The youth indeed worked the vineyards and saw a harvest of 11 souls.
“ In order that the work may go forward, god calls for youthful vigor, zeal, and courage. He has chosen the youth to aid in the advancement of his cause” (Gospel workers ), p. 67.
With this in mind, the Portmore A.Y. Federation held a youth evangelism training workshop at the Portmore S.D.A. church,. This training seminar looked at all areas of evangelism and was born out of the idea to mobilize the youth to serve.
The Manchester Federation of Adventists Youth, Launched their “school impact” programme at the Old England, Campbell's Castle and Prattville Primary Schools in January 2009. This Programme was designed to reintroduce and stimulate the devotional aspect of the school life. The students and members of staff of these institutions welcomed the efforts of the youth to revive the school family.
The youth federation in Manchester also had an outreach programme that focused on the law officers at the Mandeville Police Station.
During the month of November the youth across Central Jamaica Conference was called to leadership,. This programme was designed to give the youth an upfront, hands on experience in church leadership
