Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Seventh-day Adventist pastor called to the Bar
Pastor Omar Oliphant (centre) and his parents Knola (left) and Jones Oliphant. (Photos: Jon Saleen Oliphant)
News
By Nigel Coke  
December 10, 2017

Seventh-day Adventist pastor called to the Bar

Church says Oliphant is the first ordained minister to achieve feat

SEVENTH-DAY Adventist Pastor Omar Oliphant created history in the church in Jamaica by becoming the first ordained minister who is also an attorney-at-law.

He was called to the Jamaican Bar on December 7 in ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Kingston.

Oliphant, who pastors a district of five churches, is also the communication and youth director of the church’s northern region, which comprises St Ann and Trelawny. He graduated from The University of the West Indies on September 30, 2017, after completing the three-year Bachelor of Laws degree programme in two years, earning honours in 2015, before successfully completing all levels of his legal training at the Norman Manley Law School. His area of specialisation is civil law.

The rigours of legal studies were no match for the grit, determination and perseverance of Pastor Oliphant who, despite his various professional, work responsibilities and family, overcame the onerous task of working in St Ann while studying in Kingston, which is about 65 miles away.

In describing the experience, the father of two confessed: “This was the most trying period of my life, but one which brought not only new opportunities to learn, but clearly revealed the providential love of God.

“God supplied my every need. I am truly amazed at how beautifully the Lord Himself provided and placed the pieces together… It was certainly not by might,” said Oliphant, who also serve on several denominational and civic boards.

Committed to his lifelong call as a minister of the gospel, the now legal counsel maintained active leadership in the church by conducting evangelistic campaigns and engaging thousands of young people in his conference. During the period of his study, Oliphant baptised approximately 400 individuals and was recognised by the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 2015 for his outstanding evangelistic achievements.

“My districts never once fell back; all the measurable variables were way above average and I kept an active presence among my youth, parishioners and the wider constituency, impacting each of our 15 districts in numerous ways over time. I was then, as I am now, very committed to ensuring my ministry thrived and that my family was not unduly deprived,” Oliphant explained.

“The conference administration is happy that we were able to facilitate Pastor Oliphant’s study in law,” said Pastor Karl Archer, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North Jamaica Conference. “We know it would have been very challenging for him, but with the support of the church and his family, he has successfully completed the studies with God’s help. His success is an indication of the church’s support for the personal development of its workers, which we are sure will lead to significant benefits in the advancement of God’s mission through the church. We wish him success in all his endeavours as together we continue to labour for the Master.”

It was a delicate balance, but strategic planning, time management and an excellent support group were key to Oliphant’s success. He credited his wife for her guidance, prayer and insight that kept him in check.

“I commend Pastor Oliphant for what he has accomplished,” said Pastor Carlington Hylton, ministerial secretary for North Jamaica Conference.

“He is a resilient person that is not daunted by challenges. During his studies, he has accomplished his goals as a youth and communication director serving two parishes — Trelawny and St Ann. His achievement will serve as an inspiration to the young people whom he leads. I am proud of him,” he said.

When the lifelong Adventist decided to pursue this new frontier, he gave long consideration, knowing the conservative position of his church, its impact on his ministry, and the demands on his family. His prayerful approach helped him to recognise his church’s need for legal counsel in various spheres of its operation.

“Given the vast and varied make-up of the church, its ownership of numerous institutions, its involvement in transactions relating to the law of the land, I see my studies and training as an additional plus, on top of my personal growth,” Oliphant said. “Ministry has become integrated with legal interests and the church may have challenges meeting its objectives if we don’t have proper legal guidance in some of our decision-making policy directions.”

He thanked God for His mighty hand in his life, the support of his family and the executive committee of the North Jamaica Conference; the support of the Jamaica Union leadership and the many who have invested time, effort and means in creating this historic feat.

Pastor Omar Elephant with his wife Sharett and daughters Kharis (left) and Isabelle.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Jamaica to write to FIFA about ‘hand ball’ goal against DR Congo in failed World Cup bid
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica to write to FIFA about ‘hand ball’ goal against DR Congo in failed World Cup bid
April 3, 2026
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) will protest the Reggae Boyz' loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Inter-continental World Cup play...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: High spirit at Black River police concert
Latest News, News, Videos
WATCH: High spirit at Black River police concert
April 3, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The inaugural staging of the St Elizabeth police’s gospel concert in Black River on Thursday is being hailed as a success with...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Morgan expresses condolences following death at closed bridge in St Thomas
Latest News, News
Morgan expresses condolences following death at closed bridge in St Thomas
April 3, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Nesta Morgan has expressed condolences following the tragic death of an individual ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican-American congresswoman says firing of US Attorney General ‘long overdue’
Latest News, Regional
Jamaican-American congresswoman says firing of US Attorney General ‘long overdue’
April 3, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman, Yvette D Clarke, has welcomed the dismissal of United States Attorney Gen...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Pepsi to partner with Yard Mas Carnival for 4th consecutive year
Latest News, News
Pepsi to partner with Yard Mas Carnival for 4th consecutive year
April 3, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Pepsi Jamaica has announced that it will continue its partnership with Yard Mas Carnival for the 2026 season, marking the fourth c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica rises to 49th in World Happiness Report
Latest News, News
Jamaica rises to 49th in World Happiness Report
April 3, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has climbed to 49th place in the World Happiness Report 2026, up from 73rd last year. According to the study , the island ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
The 20 Greatest Personalities in Rocksteady
Entertainment, Latest News
The 20 Greatest Personalities in Rocksteady
April 3, 2026
Alton Ellis, the soulful singer whose songs defined the 1966-68 rocksteady era, has been named number one on the Observer Online's 60 Greatest Rockste...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nine-year-old drowns after trying to retrieve ball in St Elizabeth tank
Latest News, News
Nine-year-old drowns after trying to retrieve ball in St Elizabeth tank
April 3, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A nine-year-old boy is suspected to have drowned in a tank at his home in Long Hill district, St Elizabeth on Thursday. Police...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct