Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica — In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Seventh-day Adventists church, Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) has launched an ongoing initiative titled “Rebuilding Hope: An Initiative to Support Communities Affected by Hurricane Melissa.” This multifaceted relief effort embodies the Conference’s mission to bring restoration, compassion, and renewed faith to families and communities.
Adventist Community Services Lead the Way
The Adventist Community Services (ACS) Department of the CJC was among the first to respond when Hurricane Melissa made landfall, providing hot meals to shelters housing displaced families on the very day of the storm.
The second initiative brought relief to residents in St. Elizabeth, where meals and care packages were distributed to affected households. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, ACS will embark on its third community impact, serving the communities of Comfort Hall and Magotty, St. Elizabeth, with hot meals, care packages, and emotional support.
According to Pastor Everett Smith, Director of Community Services our mission is to meet people at their point of need — to feed, comfort, and remind them that God still cares.
“The work we do is not just about immediate relief; it’s about long-term restoration of faith and dignity. Through our partnerships and continued compassion, we will help communities rise again,” said Smith.
ASi Collaboration: Rapid Response in Thornton
In another powerful demonstration of unity on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, another project under this initiative was completed in Thornton, Northeast St. Elizabeth, where a family of eleven — nine children, their mother, and grandmother — received a new roof for their home.
Elder Roxwel Lawrence, Treasurer CJC and a sponsor of the ASi – St. Catherine's team, recounted, “Having gone on a mission trip to St. Elizabeth ,on Saturday, November 1, our team encountered a family of eleven, with nine children, completely exposed after Hurricane Melissa in the Thornton community. Thanks to the immediate mobilization by Dr. Keisha Sterling-Richards (ASi CJC Vice President) and Elder Seymour Richards, ASi spent $250,000 dollars in acquiring materials and resources to transition from identifying the devastation on the weekend to having a secure, new roof over this family's heads just three days later.”
He concluded, “Our commitment to rapid, tangible service ensured this family was among the first to receive critical home repair after the hurricane."
The effort was made possible through the collaboration of ASi St. Catherine, KSS Fabrication Ltd, and the Red Ground SDA Church Men’s Ministries
Pastor Nevail Barrett, President of the Central Jamaica Conference, highlighted that in rebuilding hope. we restore both structures and spirits.
“Guided by the love of Christ and our values of godliness, integrity, and compassion, we are committed to walking alongside our people until every family finds comfort again. Together, we will rise stronger, anchored in faith and unity," Barrett shared.
The Rebuilding Hope campaign will continue in several districts, including Comfort Hall, Beverley, Christiana, and Coleyville, as the CJC expands its outreach to provide relief and reconstruction support.
To ensure sustainability, the Conference will be activating both the Builders League and the W.H.E.E.L. Fund — which stands for Welfare, Health, Education, Empowerment, and Local Community. These programs will provide structured and ongoing support, helping to rebuild homes, restore community facilities, and empower vulnerable families through skills training, health awareness, and education.
As part of the broader relief response, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the O-SAY (Operation Save-A-Youth) Initiative will mobilize approximately 300 youth volunteers to serve across Trelawny, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland. Activities will include:
- Distribution of 1,000 care packages
- Community clean-up and restoration projects
- Minor home and facility repairs
- Community support and wellness visits
Pastor Dwayne Scott, CJC Youth Ministries Director, shared that the young people are the hands and feet of hope in this mission.
“Through O-SAY, we are shaping a generation that serves with humility, compassion, and integrity. Each act of service becomes a testimony of faith in action — showing that even in times of loss, we can stand tall in love,” said Scott.
The Central Jamaica Conference is calling on individuals, businesses, and organizations to partner in this mission of hope. Donations in cash or kind are welcomed to support ongoing home repairs, food relief, and community development projects. You may make your financial contribution online: https://bit.ly/cjcmelissarelieffund; or to the CJC’s BNS account (See flyer for banking details).
Persons wishing to contribute in other forms may contact the CJC Community Services Department at (876) 527-4607 or email communications@centralja.org for partnership and donation details.
“When we come together as a church community in love and service, we not only rebuild homes, we rebuild hearts, strengthen faith, and restore hope," said Pastor Barrett. “In doing so, we play our part in rebuilding lives and bringing lasting restoration to our communities.”
Contact:
Communication Department
Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Website: www.centralja.org
Phone: (876) 283-7566
Email: communications@centralja.org