MONTEGO BAY, St James — Custos of St James Ewen Corrodus has commended the Adventist Church for positively impacting the lives of many persons across western Jamaica.

“Fifty years of service is a great achievement,” said Custos Corrodus. “You have preached the gospel, you have educated and trained, you have ministered to the poor and the needy, the sick and the discouraged and I thank you wholeheartedly on behalf of all who have benefited. As you move forward, I wish for you God’s continued leading and His rich blessings.”

Custos Corrodus was speaking recently at a Thanksgiving Service held at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Mount Salem, St James, to mark the 50th anniversary since the headquarters of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (WJC) was relocated to Montego Bay from Mandeville, Manchester.

In bringing greetings on behalf of the Government, Lloyd B Smith, member of Parliament for Central St James, congratulated the Conference on it’s achievements, noting that the Adventist Church in Jamaica is the largest single religious group.

“I urged you not to be overwhelmed by numbers in terms of quantity but today be inspired by quality, because it is by doing the work of the Lord that you are rewarded,” he told the church members.

“I am impressed by the fact that the Adventist Church has spent a great deal of time focusing on education, youth development, community development, and the holistic development of all your members.”

The West Jamaica Conference has been serving the communities in the western parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, and Hanover. Through its two high schools – Harrison Memorial and Savanna-la- Mar, and six preparatory schools, thousands have been educated and trained and are now serving the society in various capacities.

President of the West Jamaica Conference Pastor Astor Bowers told the large gathering that the Adventist Church will continue to serve the various communities and further the cause of humanity.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the members in all of the WJC’s 225 congregations will on July 15 embark on projects to uplift the various communities. These include: building and repairing of homes for those in need; beautification public buildings such as police stations, along with regular feeding programmes.

In his address to the gathering, Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Adventist World Church challenged the members to be faithful as they go forward.

“God is calling you today to be faithful witnesses as you launch into your 51st year,” said Pastor Wilson. “Is your faithfulness after 50 years known to all who come in contact with you? We are very grateful for the kind and appreciative words from business leaders and Government leaders, but what about those on your street, in your neighbourhood and in your own family? Are you faithful in presenting God to them? Are you convinced that God has a plan for you in West Jamaica Conference and God’s remnant church?”

He further charged: “Be a faithful witness in this secular, materialistic and post-modern world. God has called us to give the trumpet a certain sound and to warn persons of His soon coming.”

The West Jamaica Conference, which in 1962 had 12,000 members in 105 congregations covering St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover, now has membership of 77,000 worshipping in 225 congregations with four parishes. Trealwny is now joined to North Jamaica Conference.