THE leadership of Kingdom Government International Ministries (KGIM) in Spanish Town, St Catherine, has been challenged to work with the police to further reduce crime in area while helping to set wayward youth on the right path.

Addressing the opening and dedication ceremony for KGIM’s new sanctuary inside Phil’s Plaza in Twickenham Park on Sunday, territorial officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch in the St Catherine North Division Deputy Superintendent Ishmael Williams argued that the opening of the new sanctuary came at an opportune time, when the police are seeking collaboration in the execution of its recently launched ‘Cycle of Violence’ programme in the division.

Williams pointed out that the theme of the programme is ‘Breaking Generational Curses, Building Community’, with the police taking to the streets, “and we expect the church to be there with us”.

According to Williams, the police are going to break the curse that is a cycle of violence, the cops need the church to be there with them.

Apostle David Lewis, founding pastor of the Kingdom Grace
International Ministries, pours oil of consecration at the new sanctuary in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Sunday.

“So the 26th of this month we are going to start in Tawes Meadows and we are going to go right across St Catherine North. We are going to go into communities with restorative justice, the justices of the peace, the church, HEART/NSTA Trust, Social Development Commission, and a host of other entities, so that Spanish Town will never be the same again,” said Williams in reference to Spanish Town’s bloody past which was mainly fuelled by violence.

Williams also listed a number of initiatives which the police are involved in and declared that they need the church’s help to achieve success

“We have our cadet programmes and we have some training programmes. We have peace in school ambassadors because we have a number of youth who are getting into truancy, getting into gambling, getting into drinking, and they are not attending school. They are smoking, they are getting into gangs and all of that. We have a number of programmes that we have started and will continue to help our youths because this is the foundation of breaking the cycle,” said Williams.

He argued that with the church walking hand-in-hand with the St Catherine North Police, a further improvement on the 41.2 per cent reduction in murders recorded in the division so far this year can be achieved.

Between January 1 and August 15, the division recorded 20 murders, which was 14 fewer than the number recorded over the same period in 2025.

“You can walk through Spanish Town and you can do business freely. You can enjoy the atmosphere, and let me tell you something, the atmosphere is changing in Spanish Town. We are encouraging you and we are inviting you to partner with us as we make…Spanish Town the place to live, to do business, to raise families,” added Williams.

In the meantime, Member of Parliament for St Catherine Eastern, the People’s National Party’s Denise Daley congratulated the leaders of the church and the congregation for realising the consecration of a new building which she said resembles a five-star hotel.

“I want to just say to you, brothers and sisters, that this is state-of-the-art. When you have a place of worship, it is supposed to be the finest and the best. I welcome this church in St Catherine Eastern. I must tell you that you can come to Spanish Town now and do your business without any fear, because of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force. But brothers and sisters, I want to say to you that everyone who walks through this door, let them feel special. Let them know that they are loved. Let them know that they are valuable, because even the person who cleans the church is most important. They are the ones who make preparations for the day.

“We want to hear that the church is going out not to just bring in members, but to bring souls, souls for the Lord Jesus, because at the end of the day, you are going to be measured based on the souls that you have got for the Almighty God,” Daley said.

For her part, Custos of St Catherine Icylin Golding told the congregation that the new building represents far more than stone and mortar.

She said it was “a living testimony of faith, of sacrifice, and vision”.

“To the leaders of this congregation, I charge you to walk steadfastly in your Christian journey, rooted in humility and guided by the spirit. Guard this sanctuary with devotion, ensuring it remains a beacon of truth and love. Engage those who are unattached, drawing them into the fellowship of Christ with compassion and courage. We need the church. The community needs you,” said Golding.

Founding pastor of the church Apostle David Lewis told the Jamaica Observer that for the past four years, KGIM has served the people of Spanish Town and the wider St Catherine.

He said during the four years, the church grew tremendously and outgrew its previous location.

“We are grateful that our new church building has now been completed. The opening and dedication represents a significant milestone in the life of our ministry and the community we serve. Beyond our worship services, KGIM serves families throughout St Catherine through our KGIM CARE Programme,” said Lewis.