Despite the threat of rains and bad weather from the meteorological center in Jamaica, scores of Adventist students from none Adventist college campuses across the island turned up at the Jamaica College auditorium on September 24, 2022 to worship God and celebrate His goodness on Public Campus Ministries Day, celebrated under the theme, ‘Spiritually connected; reigniting the flame for Christ’.
President of East Jamaica Conference Pastor Meric Walker addressing students at Jamaica College Auditorium on Public Campus Ministry Day, September 24, 2022. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
According to president of Advent Fellowship Neisha-Ann Moyston, “being on a campus away from local church and regular friends and family can be a challenge. However, having a family away from home makes university journey much easier”. Moystton welcomed students from seven colleges and universities including, Mico University, Shortwood Teachers College, College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE), Church Teachers’ College and Advent fellowship from the University of Technology (UTech) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) who came together for fellowship and encouragement on PCM Day at the beginning of a new school year.
Advent Fellowship President, Neisha-Ann Moyston. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
In his message to the students, president of East Jamaica Conference, Pastor Meric Walker admonished them to grow intellectually as well as spiritually. Walker admonished students to remain faithful to their belief and not waiver even though they be exposed to different views from teachers and fellow students. “Don’t let any professor or student turn you around because you are the Lord’s. As you meet the trials of university and as you navigate mountains that you believe you can’t carry, I say you have to be deaf to those who will discourage you.”
The Conference president was passionate in his delivery and but focused on reminding the students of of the importance of their soul salvation. “Remember who you are and understand where you are. You are now able to apply the knowledge, to analyze and evaluate and process in a a rationale way the tenets of salvation.”
Public Campus Ministries (PCM) Day for the past eight years has been sponsored by Adventist Laymen Services & Industries ( ASI), East Jamaica Conference (EJC) Chapter under the leadership of Elder Alfred Thomas, president, ASI, EJC and seeks to inspire, educate, equip and empower our Seventh-day Adventist students who are in public campuses.
ASI President for East Jamaica Conference, Elder Alfred Thomas. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
”ASI is very pleased to be here to work with you because you are the future leaders of the church, of Jamaica and of the country you are from and as professionals in our respective areas of business, we are available to help you to survive campus,” said ASI East Chapter president Elder Alfred Thomas when he brought greeting to the students. “It is difficult, it is challenging, but we are saying to you , with God’s presence and with God’s guidance, you will be able to survive.” Thomas expressed the view that ASI was happy to give support to the youths and to provide mentor ship to them as they seek to survive and navigate their way on their respective university campuses.
ASI President for Jamaica, Elder Cecil Foster reminded the students that the ASI day was planned with them in mind and encouraged students to make and execute their plans for the future with God’s help. “Visionaries, and people who make things happen see things before they happen. Never wish for life to be easy, wish for the skills needed to take on the challenges of life and with the help of God you will be able to execute your plans for the future.”
ASI President for Jamaica, Elder Cecil Foster :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
Inter-American Division (IAD) ASI President, Elder Marston Thomas commended the ASI leadership in East Jamaica Conference for the the good initiative of giving support to the Adventist students on their campuses. “Some students come to these universities and get lost in the crowd but I am happy that the majority of you are not lost but you are focusing on Jesus,” Thomas said. He noted that the last two years were very challenging for some students because of on-line teaching but encouraged them to work hard, stay close to Jesus and love their parents back at home.
For Pastor Joel Jumpp, PCM representative youth ministries director at the Conference the coming together of university students each year is not just a good idea but shows that we love and care for our youths.
ASI President for Inter-American Division (IAD), Dr. Marston Thomas. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
“This is very critical because we want you to understand that we do not only care about you when you are in high school or if you are if you are in Northern Caribbean University which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church, but we care about you where ever you go, and we are here to support you”, said Pastor Joel Jumpp, Youth Ministries Director, EJC. “We don’t just want you to see that you are loved but we want you to transform others for Jesus Christ,” added Jumpp.
Sis. Yvonne Lawson, Pubic Relations Officer of ASI, Jamaica brought greetings on behalf of Pastor Dane Fletcher, Youth Ministries Director, JAMU under whose portfolio Publi Campus Ministries reside.
ADFEL student Ellen Eccleston shared her personal testimony how she learnt to invite Jesus Christ in her life when she realized that she was reaching nowhere without him. “If you want to get close to God you have to put away self and put Christ first in everything,”