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Sabbath, October 10, 2009 was a very special day in the lives of Seventh-day Adventists and community members across the parish of St. Ann – it was the parish-wide “Follow the Bible” Impact.

The afternoon’s activities started at approximately 2:30 p.m. with much fanfare, as the drum core from the Oracabessa District of Seventh-day Adventist Churches led the march from the St. Ann’s Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church at Edge Hill Road, down Gordon Tennant Road, unto Harbour Street and terminated at the Bank of Nova Scotia parking lot on Bravo Street.

Master Guides, Pathfinders and other uniformed groups were a part of the happy band of believers who marched with banners and placards bearing messages of hope, inspiration and instruction from the Bible. Hundreds of Priority Magazines were also distributed along the way.

After the singing of a few Bible songs, the main programme of the afternoon started. Pastor Dudley Hosin, Follow the Bible Coordinator for North Jamaica Mission gave the opening remarks and welcomed everyone.

The Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay , Councilor Ivan Anderson, Member of Parliament for Northeast St. Ann, the Honourable Shahine Robinson, PNP Caretaker/Candidate for Northeast St. Ann, Mr. Paul Stewart and Assistant Superintendent Dwight Wright representing Superintendent Rupert Francis, Head of the St. Ann Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, brought greetings.

The programme consisted of Bible messages in song from the St. Ann’s Bay High and Preparatory School, Winston Redway Mass Choir, Voice of Allegiance Choir, Chosen Voices, St. Ann’s Bay and Moneague Church Choirs. There were also recitals from young Javaughn Richards and Cassandra Cunningham.

It was time to put the Word of God into the hearts of the people, and Pastor Michael H. Harvey, President of North Jamaica Mission in his usual animated style did just that. He started his timely discourse by telling the gathering that, “The Bible – the unadulterated Word of God- is reliable because it is God who guides in the transmission of the messages from the Bible to ensure that what is heard is the reliable expression of His will.”

Pastor Harvey further declared that even though the 66 books of the Bible were written on three continents (Asia, Africa and Europe), in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek), by over 40 authors from every walk of life, over forty generations and a 1500 year span - there is a common theme that runs through the biblical documents, uniting them in a coherent whole; for example, the love of God and the salvation plan.

It was evident that the word of God was reaching the hearts of the people gathered, as there were shouts of “Amen and Praise the Lord!” coming from the worshippers. President Harvey continued by telling all present that the Bible has a tremendous impact on human lives – “It exposes our faults, it guides our lives, it comforts us in difficulty, it gives us courage and it inspires us with hope.”

Pastor Harvey ended his address with the solemn words, “Reading is not a luxury, it is a necessity, the Word of God has Creative power, the Word of God has Redemptive power, the Word of God has Restorative power. ……….. I give you the Bible. Take it, read it, commit to it, submit to it, transmit it, and follow it.”

What was a well spent afternoon came to a close with the presentation of Bibles to the civic leaders. Pastor Michael H. Harvey implored them to study the Word of God, and to allow themselves to be guided by its precepts.

“Follow the Bible” is an initiative of the General Conference, in an attempt to call the attention of the church to the urgent need of daily Bible reading, and to follow its teachings in our daily lives.