About Us
Our Purpose
The Mandate of The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast is to:
- Foster and help maintain the unity of the nation among national and civic leaders through Prayer, Peace-Making, Reconciliation, Fellowship, and Dialogue.
- Organize events inviting leaders from Church, State, and Civic life to promote National Unity through Prayer, Peace-Making, Reconciliation, Fellowship, and Dialogue.
- Collaborate with the Umbrella Group of Churches and organizations to foster Prayer, Peace, and Reconciliation through initiatives like the National Prayer Breakfast, Contributions, Pledges, Prayer Campaigns, and Community Social Programs.
- To alleviate human needs through projects and donations for the benefit of the nation and the destitute in society.
Our Mission and Vision
A nation established and grounded in truth, faith, hope, justice, unity, peace, accountability, and care for the less fortunate and vulnerable in society.
Our Mission
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1. To pray for national leaders
2. To pray with national leaders
3. To care for, challenge and chart a course for leadership
4. To create a wholesome and peaceful society (reconciliation)
5. Sustainability of leadership and society
6. Enable leaders to recognize God as the source of leadership etc.
7. Influence leadership
Our Vision
- Foster and help maintain the unity of the nation among national and civic leaders through Prayer, Peace-Making, Reconciliation, Fellowship, and Dialogue.
A Brief History of NLPB
Since its inception in 1980, the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast has become an institutional fixture on the annual national calendar of events and national leaders have supported it by their significant presence.
One Nation Under God
The annual leadership event has kept its focus on the key role of leadership in fostering a climate of national unity, reconciliation, and peace, in an often fractious and divided nation. Not only have scores of Jamaica’s governance leadership and civil society leaders been encouraged to be “One Nation Under GOD”, but equally, concern has been focused on leaders showing empathy for others by direct social action to alleviate the plight of the poor and destitute in the society. In the four decades since the first event in 1981 millions of dollars have been collected at the event and given to specific projects for the destitute.
Our National Role
The Role and Importance of Jamaica’s Annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast
In 1980 Jamaica was seeking to emerge from a decade of devastating internal political conflicts and community wars during the 1970, including a long period of public emergency in 1976 and the suspension of ordinary rights of citizens. The island of Jamaica was in a major leadership crisis. In January 1981, the first National Leadership Prayer Breakfast was convened by the Church as a means by which the nation could be brought together to help overcome the grave dangers and threat of national self-destruction.
Political, business, civic, and religious leaders were invited to publicly meet for fellowship, prayer, and reconciliation. Since that moment, the national leadership prayer breakfast has become an institutional fixture on the annual national calendar of events and national leaders have supported it by their significant presence.
Rev. Samuel McCook
Chairman, 2021 - present
Past Chairpersons & Committee Members
As an ecumenical group, the leadership of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee has brought the strength of the church’s engagement with the Jamaican society to bear upon the need for national unity and reconciliation through prayer.
PAST CHAIRPERSON OF THE NLPB COMMITTEE
The annual prayer breakfast has been led by Church leaders and co-opted volunteers. Since its beginning in 1981, successive Chairpersons have been:
- Rev. Gerry Gallimore and Rev. Earle Thames (co-chairs)(1981-1985)
- Rev. Dr. Alston Henry (1985-1991)
- Rev. C. Evans Bailey (1991-1998)
- Rev. Raymond Coke (1998-2002)
- Dr. Las G. Newman (2002-2005)
- Rev. Dr. Alston Henry (2005-2009)
- Rev. Dr. Peter Garth (2009-2013)
- Rev. Dr. Stevenson Samuels (2013-2017)
- Rt Rev. Stanley G. Clarke (2017 – 2021)
PAST COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Over the years the Prayer Breakfast Committee has had men and women of distinction giving voluntary service to the planning and execution of the annual Breakfast including:
- Fr. Weeivle Gordon (deceased) – Anglican Diocese of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands
- Bishop Dr. Herro Blair – New Testament of God, Jamaica
- Bishop Dr. Carmen Stewart (deceased) – Jamaica Pentecostal Union of Apostolic
- Rev. Raymond Coke – United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman
- Major RalphLatricaek Mason (deceased)– Salvation Army of Jamaica
- Rev, Dr. James Douglas – Christian Fellowship World Outreach Inc
- Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin – Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica
- Fr. Richard Albert (deceased) – Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica
- Rev. Christopher Mason – United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman
- Rev. Gary Harriott – United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman
- Dr. Patricia Holness – Jamaica Pentecostal Union of Apostolic
- Rev. Alwyn Walters – Open Bible Standard Churches of Jamaica
- Dr. Elaine McCarthy – Jamaica Pentecostal Union of Apostolic
- Pastor Adrian Cotterel – Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
- Dr Las Newman – Anglican Diocese of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands
CURRENT SERVING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The annual prayer breakfast has been led by Church leaders and co-opted volunteers. Since its beginning in 1981, successive Chairpersons have been
Rev. Samuel McCook
Chairman, 2021 - present Pastor, Hope Fellowship Church
Pastor Claudia Ferguson
Vice-Chairman, 2021 – present Pastor, Jamaica Seventh Day Baptist
Bishop Dr. Stevenson Samuels, JP
Past Chairman, 2013 - 2017 Leader Pastor, New Testament Church of God in Jamaica
Rev. Barrington Payne
Treasurer, 2022 - present Pastor, Transformation Church of God
Rev. Major Canute Chambers
Secretary, 2021 – present Pastor, New Life Apostolic Church, PAW JA. Inc Executive Member, Jamaica Pentecostal Union Apostolic (JPUA)
Rev. Florene Miller-Parkes
Assistant Secretary, 2018 - present, Senior Pastor, United Holiness Church of God
Mr. Elon Beckford, CD
United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
Mr. Patrick Thompson, JP
Youth Director – Swallowfield Chapel National Youth Director for Christian Brethren Assemblies, Jamaica
Pastor Kavan Allen
Youth Pastor, Fellowship Tabernacle Church
Rev. Dr. Peter Garth, CD, JP
Past Chairman, 2009 - 2013 Pastor, Associated Gospel Assemblies
Rev. Dr. Rohan Ambersley, JP
Pastor, Sterling Castle NTCOG
Mr. Clyde Edwards
Christian Brethren Assemblies
Miss Marcia Leair
Breakfast Decor, Missionary Church Association of Jamaica
Rev. Dr. Wayneford McFarlane
Jamaica Council of Churches
Sheldon O'Connor
Communication & Production Team Lead, 2022 - present Jamaica Baptist Union
Rev. Rennard White, OD, JP
Missionary Church Association of Jamaica
Rt. Rev. Stanley G. Clarke
Past Chairman, 2017 – 2021 Pastor, Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
To foster unity amongst the nation leaders and create an opportunity at the beginning of each year for leaders to pray and seek God’s guidance.
The third Thursday in January of each year.
The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast is a fully sponsored event. Guests do not pay to attend.
Attendance at the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast is by invitation only and includes leaders of church, state, and civic life. Members of the public can participate by viewing and listening to the Breakfast across all media platforms: television, radio, and social media.
Contributions to each year’s Breakfast project can be sent to any of the following accounts:
1. Bank: National Commercial Bank
Type Account: Chequing
Branch: Knutsford Blvd
Account no. A/C #241282791
2. VM Building Society
Type account: Savings
Branch: Halfway Tree
Account no. A/C #22684518
Submit a proposal to:
NLPB Committee, 11 Ardenne Road Suite B4, Kingston 10
The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast is concerned about:
- Crime and Violence
- Church’s role in responding to the socio-economic challenges facing Jamaica
- Youth – how is the church responding to the challenges of our youths
- Education – the extension of the church’s contribution to education
- Societal stability and reconciliation
- Leadership Development: prayer for national leaders, prayer with national leaders, caring for, challenging and charting a course for leadership in the nation
Recommendations can be submitted via email to: [email protected]
The Organizing Committee is comprised of representatives from the following umbrella organizations: Jamaica Council of Churches, Jamaica Evangelical Association, Jamaica Association of Full Gospel Churches, Jamaica Union of Pentecostal Association, and Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.
Yes. The NLPB Committee has various areas where youth participation is welcomed. If interested, send your resume to [email protected]
Our Leading Contributors
Our Partners & Sponsors
