Truly the saints were in high spirits as they came together on the night of the Memorial Feast of the Lord’s Passover. We enjoyed a wonderful, spirit-filled time as we ate the Feast and participated in the Holy Communion on this first night.

On the Sabbath and the First Day of Unleavened Bread, we returned ready to continue our rejoicing. The Word bore fruit as three souls came forward and claimed their birthrights. We bless the Lord! First Day, and the Second day of Unleavened Bread, saw us going to the waters to bury four souls in the waters of baptism. The Whole Armour was placed on them immediately following. This day, allotted to the Youth, saw them singing high praises to God. That evening we had the HFM Dinner where the youths from some of the tabernacles participated in a Son and Daughter competition. They were asked to write a qualifying essay entitled, “If I were the Leader of the Church, I would…..to advance the cause of the youth in the church and community at large.” They paraded in their uniforms and “strutted their stuff”. The talents they displayed were overwhelming. The sinners for each category received a JMD$5,000 scholarship and the runners-up received a JMD$2,500 scholarship.

On the Third day, being Resurrection date, this day was allotted to the Ministers of Israel. The Ministers all stood and sang to start off the programme. The Sister Ministers had a representative to speak for them. The Deacons also had a representative to speak for them, and so did the Elders and the Evangelists. The Acting Pastor of Lucea, Hanover, Deacon, Kenneth Osbourne, was elevated to the office of Elder and pastor of the tabernacle, after the laying on of hands by the Presbytery Board. A Ministers’ Meeting followed that evening.

The Fourth Day was allotted to the Singers of Israel. Again, the Lord brought more blessings, as Bro. Raymond Munroe was reinstated as Elder Munroe. Shepherdboy, St. Roy Williams was elevated to the office of Called-Deacon for Lucea, Hanover, tabernacle. The singers made their presentations. They were addressed by the Choir Coordinator, St. Anne Marie Grant, S.E. regarding their duties and responsibilities. That evening, some of the saints visited the hospital to see about the sick and afflicted. We were able to minister to them in songs and prayers.

The Fifth Day was allotted to the Daughters. The Island Exhorter, St. Almira Reynolds, Sister Elder, was in charge. The District Mother Sarah, other Mother Sarahs and officers gave talks. The Daughters were instructed along the line of righteousness. The Island Exhorter preached a rich sermon. That evening, the Sister Elders, District Mother Sarah and other officers met for a workshop on the Assembly reports and other instructions.

The Sixth Day was allotted to the children. Truly, “a little child shall lead them”. The children truly worshipped the Lord on this day. A National Youth Meeting followed that evening.

On the Seventh and Last Day the saints came in to rejoice in the beauty of holiness. Following the testimony of the saints, the choir marched, the sermon followed and then the communion of the saints. Following the recess hours, the Sabbath was called to order by the General Superintendent, Evangelist George Whyte. After the recitation of the preliminaries, the names of the winners of the Son and Daughter contest were announced. All the participants were awarded with certificates of participation. The winners, runners-up and other special talents were awarded additional prizes. We ended this day with wonderful words of exhortation from the spirit of the Lord, delivered by the Executive Officer, Evangelist-at-Large A. E. Hall. We ended with a shout! We then began the Beginning of the Sabbath Service. Lord we thank you for seven wonderful and glorious days!

The Daylight of the Sabbath saw a new burst of praises. One would never have believed that we had been praising and worshipping God for seven days. The waters were troubled and so were the souls of all. Two more souls were blessed, and as the call came from the spirit of the Lord, we saw souls coming back to claim their birthright as the doors of mercy were opened. This season saw a total of 17 souls; this included blessed, returning members and new converts. We thank our God for the bountiful harvest.

Please continue to pray for the work here in Jamaica. O Give Thanks Unto the Lord for He is Good for His Mercy Endureth Forever!