GEORGE Otis Jr, the American Christian researcher and author whose unflattering comments about Jamaica just over two weeks ago have drawn flak from local church leaders, has claimed that he was reported out of context and misunderstood.

The Sunday Observer of May 12 had reported that Otis, in a speech to a Prayer 2000 meeting the day before, had painted a picture of Jamaica as a God-forsaken country which had little hope for transformation outside of a miracle.

The report quoted him as saying: “God would have already transformed Jamaica if He was comfortable here. God is not even stopping (here) long enough to give us an autograph.”

But Otis, in his letter, delivered to the Observer last Sunday night, said that his comment about God “not feeling comfortable here” was not in reference to Jamaica but rather to a “distracted and disunited Western church”.

Otis also said he could understand why Jamaicans would be suspicious and resentful toward “self-centred, patronising and hypocritical” American preachers, but insisted that he “did not come to Jamaica to continue this pattern”.

“I came in the hope that my reports of recent socio-spiritual transformation in small towns and entire nations might provide encouragement to those seeking renewal in Jamaica,” he said.

Following is the full text of Otis’ letter.

Dear editor,

This letter is being written in response to an article and follow-up editorial published by the Observer on May 12th and 13th, “God not comfortable in Jamaica, says US preacher”.

Normally I do not take the time to reply to news articles written about me or my work, but this time I feel an exception is warranted.

I am deeply saddened by your characterisation of my comments delivered at the leadership breakfast on May 11th — a characterisation that grossly distorts my purpose for coming to Jamaica and my heart for this precious land and people.

Your reporting and editorialising did a great disservice to me and to your readers. I am writing this letter to set the record straight.

To begin with, let me say that I am not a preacher. I have never pastored a church, nor have I ever held an evangelistic crusade or mass media programme.

While I hold in high esteem those who serve in such ministries, it is not my personal calling. Rather, I am a researcher and documentary filmmaker whose purpose for being in Jamaica was to share highlights of God’s transforming work in various communities around the world.

These accounts, and the principles associated with them, were presented with the intent of inspiring local Christians to trust God for similar blessings in Jamaica. I did not come to your nation of my own accord, but in response to a gracious invitation by several Jamaican churches and ministries — most notably Reconciliation Ministries International (led by Rev George Miller) and Prayer 2000 (led by Rev Neville Owens and Rev N L Ricketts).

These organisations extended their invitation after two of our documentary videos had been broadcast on Jamaican television and generated positive feedback.

In the opening paragraph of your article I am quoted as having characterised Jamaica as a “God-forsaken country”. In fact, this statement was NEVER UTTERED by me. You may confirm this fact by reviewing a video record of the meeting or consulting any of the 200-250 Christian ministers and businessmen who were in attendance.

I am deeply grieved by your choice of words, for this thought has never even entered into my mind. If I truly believed Jamaica had been forsaken by God, I would never have bothered to come in the first place!

It was costly for me to come to Jamaica, but I took time away from my family and other pressing duties because I am convinced that God is passionately in love with this land and its people. I believe He sees Jamaicans as I do, as a unique and lovely people; a people that are the object of His great and undying affection. Far from writing Jamaica off, God is preparing to send showers of blessing upon your society.

My comment about God “not feeling comfortable here” was in reference not to Jamaica but rather to a distracted and disunited Western church. I was simply repeating an observation I made initially to a group of Christian ministers, businessmen, politicians and sports figures — nearly all of them white — in Cape Town, South Africa two years ago. As anyone familiar with Scripture knows, judgment begins in the house of God. Isaiah 58 tells us that if we bicker amongst ourselves and fail to address the needs of the poor and oppressed, our prayers will not be acceptable to God.

You quote me as saying “There is no political hope for Jamaica”, but you left off an important qualifier “apart from God”. This may be said not only of Jamaica, but of all the nations of the earth. Human beings, however well intentioned, simply do not possess the wisdom and resources necessary to transform a complex and needy society. And yet I have seen God turn nations around, and quite dramatically, when their leaders submitted humbly to His leadership. Uganda, Fiji and Nunavut (an autonomous territory in the Canadian arctic) are recent examples of this.

In closing, I want to encourage you and your readers to obtain the full text of my comments, not only to the leaders in Kingston, but also to audiences in Spanish Town, Mandeville and Montego Bay (these are available on audio and videotape through Prayer 2000).

What you will hear is a message of hope for the Jamaican society. Indeed, the only thing required for God to release His full blessing is for those of us who are called by His name to commit ourselves to holiness, faith and humility.

While I was disappointed by the mischaracterisation of my remarks — and I hope this was just an innocent misunderstanding on the part of your reporter — I can understand why Jamaicans might feel suspicious and resentful toward American preachers.

I will be the first to acknowledge that my country has sent out too many self-centred, patronising and hypocritical ministers. You are right to reject such messengers. But I did not come to Jamaica to continue this pattern. Rather, I came in the hope that my reports of recent socio-spiritual transformation in small towns and entire nations might provide encouragement to those seeking renewal in Jamaica. I also came with a dream that your revival might one day spread to my own needy nation.

May God bless Jamaica.

George Otis, Jr

President, The Sentinel Group

Editor’s note: The Observer stands by its story and editorial.