Left-Right, Left-Right were the commands given by the Drill Instructors to the members of the parade representing Certified Drill Instructors, Master Guides, and Senior Youth Leaders in Training.
The moment was a notable one, as for the first time in two years, the Training School of the Youth Department of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists held a Face to Face Investiture Service and Launch on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at The Half-Way Tree Seventh-day Adventist Church under the theme “Beating the Odds: Committed to Serve.”
Masterguides and Investees stand together during Investiture Service on April 3, 2022. :: Photo credit: Pastor Ryandro Brown
It was a fitting theme as the stipulations of Covid-19 restrictions dictated that there was a change in how courses were taught and learned in the past year and a half. The excitement seen on the faces of the trainees was not just one of relief but also of pride having unbuckled their seatbelts as the journey described by trainees CDI Tricia Bryan-Lewis, MG Barbara Curtis and SYL Shakarah McCrae was likened to a roller coaster ride with three cars, each representing a programme within the training school. The recount lived up to the name as a journey, as with each presentation one could observe laughter, cheers and nods of confirmation.
Greetings were brought by Pastor Brian Shaw, Youth Director, East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Pastor Dane Fletcher, Youth Director of Jamaica Union and Dr. Eric Nathan, President of East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Pastor Amiel Summerbell, the Youth, Children & Adolescents Director of the North Jamaica Conference was the guest speaker and in what was a powerful charge reminded us that one plus God equals the majority. He took us through the story of Gideon to remind us that as leaders, we will have doubts but when we are called by God and we put our trust in Him, He will guide and allow us to be victorious even when the odds of the world are stacked against us.
Pastor Amiel Summerbell, Youth, Children & Adolescents Director, North Jamaica Conference speaks during Investiture Service and Launch of Training School on Sunday, April 3, 2022. :: Photo credit: Pastor Ryandro Brown
Special Awards
CDI Tricia Bryan-Lewis, St. Ann’s Bay SDA; MG Tieace Dawes-Morgan, Ebenezer SDA and SYL Sherika Paul, Shortwood SDA were awarded trainees of the Year.
The Youth Director’s Awardees were CDI Noga Brown, Sandy Park SDA; MG Kimberley Hutchinson, Johns Town SDA and SYL Sherika Paul. Other special awards included the Training School Advisor's Award which went to SYL Cadienne English, Harbour View SDA; Vice Principal’s Award, SYL Tiffany Liscombe from Regent Street SDA; Principal’s Award, SYL Shakarah McCrae from Goldsmith Villa SDA and the Oneil Hardie Award of Excellence went to MG Kimberley Hutchinson, Johns Town SDA, St. Thomas.
The Training School for 2022 was then officially launched by Pastor Brian Shaw, and PLA Maureen Campbell, the returning Principal for the school. After a year of being on a roller coaster and a day of being face to face, it ended with winning smiles, 2 Certified Drill Instructors, 19 Master Guides, and 12 Senior Youth Leaders invested in the army of The Lord, for His service.
Masterguides, Senior Youth Leaders and Drill Instructors demonstrate skills during March Pass on April 3, 2022. :: Photo credit: Pastor Ryandro Brown