Wesleyans dedicate US$2-million campus expansion
Torrington, Westmoreland
Members of the Wesleyan Church in Jamaica last week joined with Wesleyans from across the Caribbean and overseas donors to dedicate the newly refurbished and expanded Caribbean Wesleyan College in Torrington, Westmoreland.
The theological college, which has been providing training for Christian ministers for more than 50 years, received a new 32-room dorm, kitchen, and washroom facilities, a visiting professor’s dormitory, married students’ quarters, and cafeteria. The library, chapel, computer centre and administrative block were all renovated and refurbished.
“The new facilities will help to enhance the quality of service we render at the school,” said Reverend Lorrel Garwood, chairman of the college’s board of governors. “It will also enhance the student experience and help to motivate other students to attend the college, which will be seen as a good training ground for ministers of the gospel.”
The college’s expansion and renovation was made possible through donations from World Hope International. Its founder Dr Jo Anne Lyon and other members of the organisation were on hand last Sunday to share in the dedication of the new facilities, which house 16 boarders and nine part-time students.
Dr Lyon said the organisation was more than happy to contribute to the development of the college, and prayed that the institution would be a training ground for future leaders of the word.
Also on hand was Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, former minister of agriculture, Roger Clarke, who praised the college for their part in nation building.
“What you are doing here today is making a vital contribution to the development of our country,” he said, adding, “any effort to move the word forward to bring our people to repentance I am here on board with you.”
The Caribbean Wesleyan College offers a three-year diploma programme in theology to students across the Caribbean, with matriculation to Bethany College in Canada. There, students do an additional year or two depending on their area of specialisation for a Bachelor’s degree qualification.
The college will soon be implementing a full degree programme, which will be accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).
