At the 7th Quadrennial Session of the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) held July 6 and 7, delegates chose to retain most of the administrators from the previous term demonstrating confidence in proven leadership.
On July 6, Pastors Nevail Barret Pastor and Howard Grant Langley and Elder Roxwel Lawrence were re-elected president, executive secretary and treasurer respectively.
Other re-elected leaders who will continue in their roles include:
- Pastor Everett Smith, vice president. He was also elected Publishing Ministries director.
- Elder Leroy Ross, associate treasurer.
- Sister Kimarley Walker Medley, Communication director.
- Pastor Dr. Immanuel Paul, Health Ministries director.
- Sister Roxanne McKoy Chambers, Women’s Ministries and Education director.
- Pastor Kemel O'Hara, Children, Adolescent and Youth Ministries director. O’Hara was first appointed to the role in February after previous director, Pastor Dwayne Scott, was called to serve at the Jamaica Union.
- Pastor Robert Williams, Sabbath School and Stewardship director. Williams was asked to lead the department in February after previous director, Dr. Barrington McLean, was called to serve at the Jamaica Union.
Pastor Horace Wilson was elected to lead the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department. He was previously assigned to Family Ministries & Counselling Services.
Newcomers to the conference administration include:
- Pastor Joel Shillingford, ministerial secretary and Family Ministries director.
- Pastor Charvone Clarke, Personal Ministries director.
Throughout the session, as departmental reports were given, delegates commended the leaders for the work carried out from 2022 to 2026. Testimonies were shared about experiences with conference administrators and initiatives during the previous term.
A representative from the special delegates (10%), Elder Donald Bailey voiced his approval after the president’s report which highlights the major accomplishments of the entire administration for the previous term.
“A good report makes the bones fat, and today the bones are fat. What I love most about the report is that it centers on the mission of the church. We have grown phenomenally where evangelism is concerned. I bless you and hope you will continue from strength to strength,” he said.
Elder Joan Parker from the Springvale Seventh-day Adventist church expressed that she has found the conference accessible and ready to assist.
“When I listen to the report I am pleased. From the treasury and welfare departments, we have benefitted excellently. When you go to the conference and lay your request, they see that it is carried out. We had a serious issue organizing a burial and the conference didn’t let us down. They came on board and helped us get it done. Mr. President thumbs up to the team,” she said.
The active comments section on the YouTube livestream also registered approbation:
@KayolinBrown CONGRATULATIONS TEAM WELL DONE
@berylmorgan-williams9136 Very comprehensive report. Well done President Barrett and your dynamic Team
@sharonduncan7366 Well done President Nevail Barrett and Team
@carolynmariesmith815 Excellent report
While expressing that they were largely satisfied with the performance of the leadership, delegates also made recommendations and raised questions about matters they anticipate will be addressed during the new term.
The leaders have committed to continuing to serve in line with the session theme: ‘I Will Go: Living the Mission’.