Home/ Men's Convention 2008
"Absentee Fathers to be held Accountable..." - Brevitt - Men's Convention 2008
Pastor Charles Brevitt, Secretary of West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists called on the Government to find a way to force men to own, support and parent their children. The call coincides with the nation's celebration of Parents' Month, and has reinforced the message of prudent parenting in protecting our children against the ravages of crime, violence, and harmful drugs.
"Absentee fathers should be blacklisted like rapists and child abusers," said Pastor Brevitt. "Children are parents' responsibility, not grand-parents' baggage. I suggest therefore, that men should draw up their pants now and do their jobs!"
Pastor Brevitt was speaking to a packed congregation at a Men's Convention organized by the North Jamaica Mission of Seventh-day Adventists and was held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ocho Rios, on Sabbath, November 15, 2008. He further stated that "Fathers who leave their families and flirt outside are committing a crime against society; and men who don't support their children both financially and emotionally? I believe that they should be arrested."
In support of his call, Pastor Brevitt highlighted some startling statistics conducted in North America from the Department of Justice about the importance of fatherhood. He said that, "63% of youth suicides come from the fatherless homes; 90% of run-away children are from fatherless homes; 85% of children with behavioural disorder come from fatherless homes; 80% of rapists are motivated by displaced anger because of their father's behaviour; 71% of high school dropouts are from homes where the father is absent;
75% of adolescents abusing drugs come from homes where fathers are not present; and 85% of young people growing up in prison come out of fatherless homes."
Pastor Brevitt indicated that while this survey was not conducted locally, chances are, there is no significant difference in the behaviour of fathers in Jamaica.
The afternoon segment of the programme was equally rewarding with two(2) guest presenters, Elder Dane Ellis, Treasurer for North Jamaica Mission of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, and Elder Anthony Gordon, Family Life Educator and Counselor at the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
Elder Anthony Gordon, in his opening remarks, stated, "This presentation is to awaken the awareness of the church to the subtle challenges that it faces due to the lack of attention to men, and how an effective men's ministry could address the issues affecting men in the society at large and particularly in the local church." Gordon said, "An effective men's ministry will result in the men of the local church increasing their development in the following Biblical characteristics of manhood: Integrity, Intimacy, and Influence."
He highlighted the fact that "The quality of tomorrow's leadership in the home, school and church, business and society will be determined to a large extent by the quality of the paternal or fatherly influence on our children."
Elder Dane Ellis' presentation was entitled, 'Is Your House in Order?" He gave detailed information on money management stating, "It is important as head of our households that we take a serious look at our finances. The ability to provide for the family's basic needs is not enough." He explained further, "We ought also to make adequate preparation for those who are left behind to cotinue to live a moderate lifestyle - taking care of the necessary expenses."
Pastor Dudley Hosin, Family Life Director for North Jamaica Mission and Coordinator of the programme, in recapitulating the day's event, said, "The objective of the convention was to motivate and mobilze the men in our churches to take up their rightful position as leaders (at home and in the church), involved and committed to ministry, influencing and impacting their families in the path of righteousness. When a man is 'Recharged with Passion and Mission', he becomes a Man of Impact, his integrity and commitment have a positive ripple effect in the lives of others."
Elder Wayne Bartley, the first Elder of the Moneague Seventh-day Adventist Church, commented, "This Men's Convention was spiritually rewarding. The presenters not only told us how to improve as men, but also gave us the tools to work with, so that we can make the necessary changes. I am happy that I came. Today was truly a blessing!"
|
