Children and Adolescents
The responsibility of this department is to serve all the children of the church from age 0-14 years and to be committed to making sure that all church programs include spiritual, social and mental growth for this segment of the membership of the church.
Communication
The Communication Department acts as a facilitator to the Administration and all departments of the Church in witnessing to the community; as well as assisting in getting its’ message to both internal and external publics.
To do this, the department will use all available media, and produce content that is relevant to specific demographics within the respective publics.
MISSION: “Building Bridges of Hope”
THEME: Creative Disciples: Connect, Collaborate, Create
PURPOSE: Our purpose is to aggressively, yet lovingly and humbly share the message of the Three Angels of Revelation 14 in a way that souls will be favorably attracted to Jesus Christ, and elect to follow Him.
The desired effect of our mission and activities is to create a favorable image of the church, its mission, life, and activities, and to witness so that many may follow Christ and become members of His church.
Ministerial Secretary
The Ministerial Department of West Jamaica Conference exists to ennoble, affirm, and support the Pastors in fulfilling their ministerial functions, and the elders in carrying out their leadership responsibilities in the local church. Consequently, we recognize the importance of the united efforts of the local church in the fulfilment of Christ’s commission and to realize the mission to glorify God by proclaiming the everlasting gospel, meeting human needs, and discipling every believer in West Jamaica Conference. The Department thus assists the pastors, elders, leaders, and the diaconate in fulfilling this task. Therefore, they are served in the areas of Evangelism and Discipleship, Pastoral Leadership, Continuing Education, Internship, Retirees Connection, Pastoral Spousal support, PK’s Support, Local Elders Training and Development, and Deacons and Deaconesses Training and Development. They are further served through the following areas:
- Proclamation. Keeping the pastors ever conscious that their first calling is for the proclamation of the Word to the Church and the world, presenting Jesus as Saviour and Lord to all people regardless of race, gender, nationality, tribe, or economic status, and training and empowering our elders, leaders and members of the diaconate to do the same.
- Personal Growth. Encouraging pastors and elders in their personal growth, fostering a vibrant relationship with God that yield a strong sense of self-worth and pastoral mission.
- Professional Growth. Promoting the professional growth of pastors in the study and practice of ministry, representing their interests at the local conference, and enhancing the image of the pastoral ministry in order to attract qualified persons and keep them in its ranks. Training seminars will be continued so that the pastors, elders, leaders, and diaconate can be more fully furnished to carry forward the mission of the Church. These training seminars will allow the opportunity for elders, leaders and the diaconate to be more fully furnished to carry out the duties of leadership in the local church.
- Church Growth. Enabling pastors and elders to nurture their congregations so they may be centres of loving concern, dynamic evangelism, and the presence of the living
Lord.
Programs
LEAD:
This is a series of seminars intentionally designed to equip church officers (old and new) for quality service. It provides cutting edge, biblical approaches in church leadership while developing the skill set of those who have committed themselves to the sacred duty of leadership. Deeper synergy is formed through the interaction of departmental directors of the conference and the counterparts within the conference territory.
Parish Seminars:
This is a quarterly seminar/consultation held in each parish with elders and other officers who would meet with the Ministerial Secretary and their counterpart directors. It provides added training in leadership, facilitates one-to-one interaction and rapport, and facilitates the sharing of best practices in ministry leadership at the local Church.
C.E.L.P. - Church Elders and Lay Preachers Online Evangelistic Series:
This is the annual conference-wide online evangelistic series for elders and lay preachers which involves two of our elders/lay preachers speaking for two weeks. The main field preparation strategy involves elders/leaders preparing candidates in their locale for baptism during the series.
Stewardship
Statement of Purpose
The Stewardship and Trust Services Department of the West Jamaica Conference holds as its vision, “every believer living in readiness for Christ’s second coming – Putting God first.” Therefore, we are inviting people to trust God as owner and provider, and to partner in his final mission through regular and systematic giving. The Stewardship Department aims then to provide spiritual empowerment for all members, stewardship education for all people, while building trust and confidence in our partnership with God. these we aim to fulfill through growth and consolidation, education and training, health and family wellness, and the Church being alive in the community. Ultimately, it is our aim to lead all to acknowledge the inalienable ownership of God and that all man’s possessions; talent, treasure, time, and temple (body) truly belongs to him. This we will continue to do through Seminars, Sermons, presentations, practical illustrations, commitment ceremonies, interactions and other relevant activities.
History
The history of the Stewardship Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church began in 1958. At the Autumn Council, the Church Development Service was set up with W. J. Hubert as its Leader. Its primary duty was to organize fundraising and to provide counselling and direction to churches in North America. During the 1966 GC Session, a department was organized under the name Church Development Service. Then, at the Spring meeting of 1967, a committee was appointed to give study to its name and the scope of its work. The Committee reported at the Annual Council of 1967 where the department was established, and the name officially changed to Stewardship and Development. Thus, in 1970, under the leadership of pastor Glen E. Smith at the Inter American Division and Pastor W. A. Holgate at The West Indies Union Conference, the Stewardship Departments were established in the local Conference of our Union.
Women's Ministries
The Department of Women’s Ministries is committed to encouraging, challenging, equipping, and nurturing Seventh-day Adventist women as they do their part in carrying the Gospel message to the world.
Youth Ministries
The purpose of the Youth Ministries Department is to guide the youth into having a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and to develop constantly into disciples, which will be reflected in a life of service in the church and in the community.