SALT SPRING, St James – The pouring rain did not stop a group of Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday as they marched to show their disgust with the high level of crime affecting their parish – St James – and the rest of the island.

Close to 200 Adventists from the Bottom Road SDA and the Salt Spring Federation, seemingly indifferent to the rain, marched from Meggie Top to Lamie Lane in Salt Spring on Saturday afternoon. As they did, they sang praises to God and prayed for the restoration of peace.

“The people were determined that rain or shine we were going to march against drugs and crime,” said one Adventist.

The Salt Spring community has seen an increase in crime since late last year, and the Adventists hoped that their march, which was followed by a few hours of song and worship at the Bottom Road SDA, would influence positive change.

“Because of the crime that is happening in Salt Spring, we, as young people, feel the need to reach out to the youth (in the area) to let them know that Christ is the answer to their problems,” said Karron Jean Waugh.

Waugh is a member of the New Creation Singers, who were involved in organising the day’s events, which were held under the theme “Youth, rise and shine; it’s your time”.

Kingsley Clarke, also a member of the New Creation, said it was impossible not be a part of any effort to stem the incidents of crime.

“It is very hard for us not to be a part of an activity like this. Jamaica is among the top three countries in the world for crime,” he said.

Co-ordinator of the day’s events, Leroy Walton, said it was full time that the church steps up its involvement in the fight against crime, not only in salt Spring but also across St James and the rest of Jamaica. Criminals, he said, must be made to se Christ and not the gun as the answer to their problems.

“As Christians we have to reach out to the youth and let them know that without God we are nothing,” Walton told the Observer. “Through prayer and fasting we can go out one to another, brothers and sisters (to make a change).”

He added that they did not expect to effect change overnight and that as such they would extend their efforts to other areas of Montego Bay, and by extension, St James. Those areas, he said, include Flankers and Norwood, which also have a reputation for crime and violence.

-williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com