MANDEVILLE, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has stepped forward to reconnect individuals with their loved ones through the deployment of Starlink satellite internet.

The Category 5 hurricane left many areas still without internet or cell service.

In the aftermath of the disaster, many have turned to Starlink, which is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX.

President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s western region, Pastor Glen O Samuels described the technology as a “blessing” through which many can stay connected throughout this time.

To aid recovery, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with support from Moses International, an Adventist missionary group in Belize, and Aerobridge, a United States-based relief agency, has provided 10 Starlink systems offering free internet access in Lucea (Hanover), Sav-la-Mar (Westmoreland), Black River and Junction (St Elizabeth), St Ann, Trelawny, and at the West Jamaica Conference headquarters in Montego Bay.

The devices are also being rotated across other affected areas daily.

“We are very grateful for the contribution, which has provided us with the opportunity for people to connect with their loved ones and relatives,” said Pastor Jonathon Myrie, Communication Director for the Adventist Church in western Jamaica. “Individuals can access it within a 50-foot radius because we have added long-range extenders to widen the radius of access.”

Pastor Balvin Braham, Vice President of the Inter-American Division (IAD) of Seventh-day Adventists, praised the coordination of international partners who made the effort possible.

“We appreciate the efforts of Jeff Sutton, who is based in both Belize and Atlanta, not only for the procurement of the Starlinks, but also for delivering the equipment by his own private aircraft,” Braham said. “He plans to deliver additional equipment, including a generator, a power saw, and supplies of water and food from the Cayman Islands and Belize.”

Braham added that Adventist World Aviation has also stepped in to transport relief items such as five chainsaws, three solar-powered generators, and two gas-powered generators, donated by the IAD and Aerobridge.

“Numerous other resources have been sent, and they (Aerobridge) have sourced numerous aircraft that are taking in relief supplies more than once per week, including medical supplies they sent to aid the Ministry of Health,” he noted.

Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the Starlink equipment is helping reconnect both church leaders and communities.

“We are grateful for the generous donation of the Starlink equipment, generators, and other items from Moses International, the IAD, and Aerobridge. This equipment will go a long way in helping us communicate with our Conference leaders, church members, and people in various communities whose communication infrastructure was affected by the hurricane,” Brown said.