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“DO NOT TRIFLE WITH GOD’S WORD!"
Pastor Michael H. Harvey, President of North Jamaica Mission (NJM) of Seventh-day Adventists calls on the citizens of Falmouth not to trifle with God’s words as it is a guiding principle to leading a better life and for the positive transformation of our nation.
The President was speaking at the second parish impact of the ‘Follow the Bible’ initiative for NJM held in the parish of Trelwany at the Falmouth Square on Saturday afternoon, October 31, 2009; the first impact was held in St. Ann on October 10. This is in preparation for the multi-language Bible which presently is on a two-year journey, covering six continents around the world, and is expected to arrive in Jamaica at the Donald Sangster International Airport on December 11, 2009.
“The Word of God is clear, the Word of God must not be trifled with,” said Pastor Harvey. “We must not just walk with a Bible in our pockets. Some people are so superstitious, that they walk with a Bible in their pockets. Some even use the Bible as a decoy; they know the evil that they are going to do. Some have it on their dash board; some say they are keeping away the enemy. The Word of God is not to do that. The Word of God must not only be read, the Word must be understood, the Word must be applied and our lives must be in harmony with the Word”.
Included in the hundreds of attendees were: His Worship the Mayor Colin Gager, Mayor of Trelawny; The Honourable Dr. Patrick Harris Member of Parliament (M.P.) for North Trelawny; Superintendent Linette Williams-Martin, Officer in Charge of the Falmouth Divisional Headquarters, Jamaica Constabulary Force and representing the Acting Deputy Superintendent Kevin Haughton, for the Trelwany Division, Jamaica Fire Brigade was Mr. Earl Haye, Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade. Also in full support were the North Jamaica Mission officers, pastors, workers and members from the five pastoral districts across Trelawny.
AGENTS OF CHANGE
Pastor Harvey continued his message in quoting Herbert Hoover, the thirty-first president of the United States in saying, “We are indebted to the Book of books for our ideals and institutions, their preservation rest in adhering to its principles. The study of the Bible, is a rich post graduate course in the richest library of human experience. The society will only remain strong when people abide by the principles of the Bible.”
“The Bible is the most influential book in the world,” continued Pastor Harvey, “Having converted millions of people, transformed whole countries and change the course of civilization. It is the tool that the spirit uses to transform us. A living power is the Word of God, sharper than any two edged sword. It is capable of making its way into any human heart that is open to God’s message. Just as seeds grow and produces fruit, so also the word of God once it penetrates human hearts will produce the fruits of repentance and change. The Word of God has life giving power; the Word of God has explosive power to change people’s lives for the better.”
Superintendent Linette Williams-Martin stated some good news. “When I first came to Falmouth, crime was really, really a problem; but thankfully, this year so far, we have only had one (1) murder in the town of Falmouth. This use to be the murder capital of the parish! However, it is not by chance it is by faith. It is the blessings of the Lord.” The Superintendent lauded the church for its continued support and invites the members to visit the police station and encourage the officers in the Word of God.
Superintendent Linette Williams-Martin accepting a Bible from Pastor Michael Harvey, President ,NJM
The three-hour outreach programme attracted a host of spectators with the Millennium Marching Band, which led many placard-bearing Adventists through the streets of Falmouth, distributing Priorities magazines onto its final destination, by the greens of Trelawny Parish Council Office. There the programme included greetings by civic leaders; rich genre of musical talents, repetition of bible verses and then climaxed with a presentation of the Bible to each guest.
An adventurer reciting a Bible verse
‘The Follow the Bible’ Initiative, which is a sponsored programme of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists takes on greater impact in the West Indies Union with the start of a ‘Forty-day Count down’ on November 1, 2009 in anticipation of the arrival of the huge multi-language Bible. On December 11, the Bible will be received by Pastor Bignall, President of West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and escorted in a motorcade, led by uniformed groups, to Sam Sharpe Square Montego Bay, where a formal service will take place. On Saturday, it journeys to Mandeville for a service at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and a civic ceremony in the square. A grand finale before the departure of the Bible will take place at the National Arena in Kingston on Sunday, December 13.
Story by Mrs. Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher
Photos contributed
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