MONTEGO BAY, St James – President of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Pastor Glen Samuels, wants the government to make it compulsory for Jamaican youth to serve at least one year in the army, arguing that this will help to curb violence and improve discipline in the society.

At the same time, he challenged Adventists to sign up for voluntary social work and use idle church buildings to provide more training for Jamaicans.

Samuels was speaking last Saturday evening at a special service in praise and thanksgiving for God’s delivery of Pastor Egnol Grant, who was shot and injured when he was attacked at his home by two gunmen on May 10 this year. Pastor Grant, who had to undergo a five-hour surgery, has now recovered fully.

Samuels told the gathering that a combination of training and obligatory service in the military would ultimately provide youngsters with life skills.

“I ask the government to consider a programme similar to that in the United States and other countries where it is mandatory, particular for young men, to spend at least one year in the army,” Samuels said, adding that while there will be resistance to this proposal, “we can’t discount the fact that we are growing an indisciplined society.”

Samuels said “a mandatory year in the army would not only speak to the question of discipline, but proper processing of those who are so drafted”.

He also appealed to members of his denomination to utilise church buildings for the provision of social services, such as counselling and homework centres, and asked members of the church to offer voluntary services in these programmes.

“Our churches cost a lot just to be opened two days per week.

I challenge our local church officers to rally together and allow sections of our buildings to be used as homework centres (and) counselling centres so that together we can help change the tide and shift the gear in our country,” Samuels said.

“I say again, our buildings cost too much to be used only two days per week.

We have in our vast congregations talented youngsters; some have the benefit of a fine education. I know those persons are really persons who would do well with a better paid job. But a service of one hour two afternoons in the week may well serve to lift the nation a little higher,” he reiterated.