MONTEGO BAY, St James — Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, has lauded Jamaica for its freedom of religion.

“I want to thank the country and the Government of Jamaica for religious liberty in this country. Otherwise, we would not be able to meet in this auditorium,” said Wilson.

“I want to thank the country, the prime minister, Parliament, all of those who are in Government for protection and sustaining religious liberty. It is a foundation of prosperity for this nation,” added Wilson, who leads the more than 23.6 million Seventh-day Adventists in more than 200 countries.

Wilson was addressing hundreds of members of the denomination at Ambassador Convention 2025, Jamaica Union Conference Youth Ministries held at the West Jamaica Conference Centre, in Mount Salem, St James, on Saturday.

The Seventh-day Adventist Ambassadors Convention is an event focused on youths ages 16-21, designed to empower them with spiritual leadership skills and encourage their active involvement in the church and community.

Wilson expressed confidence that Jamaica will play a pivotal role, alongside other nations, in raising up ambassadors and young people who are passionate about serving Jesus Christ.

He described Jamaica as a precious country with youth actively engaged in community service.

According to Wilson, these young leaders are making meaningful impacts by ministering to others physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually — following the example of Christ.

“Jamaica is going to play a strong part…with ambassadors, young people who are going to be on fire for Jesus Christ. That’s why we are here today,” said Wilson.

“Jamaica, what a precious country, and young people who are doing so much in community services in reaching out to people in this country, helping them as Jesus did, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually God is sending you as an ambassador,” added Wilson.

He pointed out that a number of Jamaicans are serving internationally, among them his “friend Pastor Paul Douglas”, who is the treasurer and chief financial officer at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

“You send ambassadors all over the world and one of my very good friends, Pastor Paul Douglas, treasurer and chief financial officer of the entire world Church, who is from Jamaica. Pastor Douglas told us the other day, in fact, he wrote it in a little note, he would like to get Pastor Erton Köhler, our secretary, myself and Pastor Douglas, all in Jamaica sometime in the future,” said Wilson.

“Through the wonderful blessing of the Jamaica Union and the Inter American Division we have been blessed to stay right beside the sea. This [Saturday] morning I got up very early, my wife was still resting… I tell you what this is what Jamaica does for you, Nancy had the best sleep she has ever had in many, many weeks. Something about that Jamaican air, something about the waves rolling in. I want to tell you God blessed her immensely,” added Wilson.

He offered a prayer, petitioning divine favour and continued blessings upon Jamaica.

Wilson called for God’s guidance on the country’s leaders — whether in the governing Jamaica Labour Party, the Opposition People’s National Party, or serving in other capacities.

Underscoring the importance of a deep reverence for God and the preservation of religious liberty Wilson extended his prayer to include all levels of governance, from local and parish authorities to national leadership.

In closing, he entrusted the leaders, and the nation as a whole, to God’s sovereign care and direction.