Jamaica First Movement calls on churches to mobilise congregations for general elections
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica First Movement (JFM) political party on Friday called on the Church of Jamaica to assess its vision and mobilise congregations as it presents its plans for a one-term government “to achieve the very changes the faith community has been praying for”.
“The JFM, a new political movement born from the nation’s deep Christian heritage, has established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a one-term government based on the principle of national unity. It is designed specifically to tackle the systemic corruption, division and moral decay that have been the subject of countless prayers and calls for intervention,” the party said in a press release on Friday.
It noted that the SPV will also lay new foundations for new institutional frameworks and systems to place the country on a trajectory for sustainable growth.
“For generations, the church has been the conscience of our nation and the guardian of its soul. We have all prayed for an end to the division, corruption and hopelessness that afflicts our people,” said Chairman of the JFM, Reverend Al Miller.
“Today, I believe God has presented us with a vehicle, a practical framework in the form of this Special Purpose Vehicle, to be the answer to those prayers. The question before us is no longer just ‘When will change come?’ but ‘Now that a path is clear, will we walk it?’” he asked.
The movement challenged the church to recognise this moment as a critical juncture requiring more than just prayer, maintaining that the principle of unity is already bearing fruit, as demonstrated by a recent alliance with the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP).
The JFM leadership maintained that this is a moment of profound choice for the church and a test of whether its leaders will act on behalf of the people.
“To withhold support from a viable framework that champions our shared values is to risk the consequences of another five years of national decline. The movement believes this is a defining opportunity for the church to demonstrate its commitment to put Jamaica first,” it said.
The JFM actively called on church leaders to:
— Prayerfully review the JFM’s vision at www.jamacia1st.org, a framework they said presents a viable path to the national transformation we have all prayed for;
— Mobilise their congregations to understand the choice before them: “A choice between continuing with a failing system or voting for change”;
— Encourage able patriots within their flock, those with the right heart and mind for service, to step forward and answer the call to help lead this “national rescue mission”.
“The vehicle is here,” said Miller. “It is fuelled by the faith of our fathers.”