Church service kicks off 10th biennial diaspora conference
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Scores of individuals, including several members of the diaspora, gathered at the Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay on Sunday to kickstart the week of activities for the 10th biennial diaspora conference.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson- Smith, who was among the attendees, said the church service was a precursor to what is to come at the conference.
Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Horace Chang, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, Minister of State in the office of the Prime Minister West, Homer Davis and Member of Parliament for St James Central, Heroy Clarke were also in attendance.
“It was a demonstration already, I mean everyone who has come down could well have chosen to go to the beach or spend a little time with family eating the ackee and saltfish and being a little more leisurely, but they have chosen to come and fellowship to signal oneness in the aims of the conference,” Johnson-Smith told Observer Online after the service.
“The feeling is entirely positive and inspiring and uplifting. It’s a spirit of oneness and unity as the sermon evoked in all of us today.”
Johnson-Smith also lauded the action of the pastor when he called the young people in attendance to the altar where he charged them with protecting Jamaica’s future, which she said went hand-in-hand with what they are looking to achieve at the conference.
“When the Bishop called the young people up to give them a special prayer and that was totally organic and unplanned, but it was the spirit of the service this morning and it shows, it is going to be an excellent week,” she said.
In very brief remarks, Minister Chang lauded the impact of the diaspora on the global stage.
“It is the strength and character and conduct of the diaspora globally that makes brand Jamaica one of the strongest around the globe,” he remarked.
The event is being held under the theme “United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity and Youth Empowerment.
