Adventists award oldest living baptised member during 125th anniversary celebrations
MONTEGO BAY, St James
The oldest living baptised member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, 103-year-old Adassa Henry Johnson, was the recipient of a special award for her faithful and dedicated service last Saturday, during the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Adventism in Jamaica at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre in Montego Bay.
Johnson, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was baptised at age 10 and served in youth ministry and community outreach while she was active during her 93-year church membership.
In a video interview, she expressed joy about her achievement and her love for the church.
“I feel happy, I can say glory! From I was a small girl coming up I just love my church. The Lord provided every way for us, I was glad that many more could live and serve the Lord in Adventism,” she said.
Johnson’s was one of eight special awards given by the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU). Another 125 Adventists individuals, groups, churches and organisations were recognised for exemplary service. Additionally, four students received scholarships to Northern Caribbean University (NCU).
The awardees were selected for their efforts in various ministries of the church, namely publishing, education, health, community service, pastoral ministry, youth and evangelism. They were drawn from the more than 740 congregations islandwide, along with the churches’ two institutions – Andrews Memorial Hospital (AMH) and the NCU.
“These awardees exemplify the zeal, the labour, the dedication to duty that makes the church the remnant church of God and this Seventh-day Adventist church the bastion that it is today,” said Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica.
The function was held under the theme: ‘Looking Back… Reaching Forward with Christ’.
The church will host two more events to mark its 125th year in Jamaica. On October 25, members will undertake a physical face lift to the 172 police stations islandwide. Then on November 22, a grand anniversary expo, health fair and heritage quiz will be staged on the grounds of Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester.
