Kingston, Jamaica – January 22, 2024:
All of the speakers who in any way addressed the 2024 edition of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Jamaica Pegasus on January
18, were unanimous in emphasizing sustainable faith.
Whilst they may have differed in their specific expression, keynote speaker Rev. Omar Morrison, Youth Speaker Kashief Barton and Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen each made the point that the better Jamaica which many seek was still possible, but that success was contingent on choosing moral values and upliftment over the “distractions” of easy material gain and self-satisfaction.
Morrison, Pastor of the First Missionary Church used the story of Christ confronting the demon-possessed man to illustrate that even though great trouble and challenges can persist, the power of the Lord to conquer evil and liberate souls was eternal. The country as a whole and the church, Rev Morrison said, “needed rescuing” from several failings in a manner similar to how the man needed to be rescued from the legion of demons tormenting him almost to destruction. Morrison added that even with “dark clouds” hanging over the nation, there were miraculous rays of sunlight evident all over the country in various acts of kindness and moral rectitude.
Barton, a sixth form student at Campion College and youth leader within his church and local community, began his stirring address with the description of life “as a tapestry” threaded with both joy and sorrow. His biblical model, fittingly for the event’s theme of “Choose Hope, Arise and Build” was the great prophet and rebuilder Nehemiah, who succeeded, Barton pointed out, through strategic action and persistent prayer over every decision and aspect of his life and work.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen also acknowledged that the stern challenges of the present moment were precisely what made the embrace of hope so very critical. This hope, he said, could be sustained when supported by the ongoing development of a “culture of compassion, and excellence” in national life.
National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee Chairman Rev. Sam McCook reiterated the need for the “preservation of a sacred space” that the event offered to be able to reflect on the previous year’s successes and shortcomings and renew the commitment to greater effort in the present year, and to be guided by God in deliberations on national development.
A slightly late start was overcome by a smoothly flowing yet efficient proceeding, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding reading the first and second lessons respectively, and with impassioned yet succinct prayers being offered over specific sectors: for the national leadership offered by Rev. Dr. Peter Garth; for the Public Sector, including the Judiciary, offered by Rev. Florene Parkes and for the combined private and social service sectors, as well as the diplomatic services and emerging leaders, offered by Rev. Dr. Rohan Ambersley.
The arts were also represented as the Dance Ministry of the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God, in Jamaica-themed costumes, delivered vibrant choreography to the tune of Carlene Davis’ equally stirring “This Island Needs Jesus”. Longtime vocal star, Pastor Junior Tucker delivered his own brand of upliftment with the heartwarming “Healing Me” and earlier in the proceedings led a brief yet spirited Praise and Worship session.
All the morning’s presentations were well received by a solid turnout, which the Chairman acknowledged as a further demonstration of the Breakfast’s continued relevance. The attendees, as well as those participating digitally, were asked to give generously to this year’s chosen project, the Educate to Elevate school support ministry of the Hope Gospel Assembly, which presently assists over 2,000 needy children with school supplies, laptop computers and scholarships (mainly for primary and secondary level students).
The VM Group has been a proud sponsor of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast since 1981 and has been collaborating closely with the NLPB Planning Committee contributing to the event’s success. A significant aspect of their involvement is the annual donation from VM Foundation to support the NLPB’s charity initiative for that year.
Annika Ellis
PROComm