Bright-eyed, energetic youngsters from the Southern New England Conference (SNEC) in Massachusetts, USA, spent a wholesome spring break in the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) with the New Longville district of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches helping with church construction, painting, and serving members and the wider communities from April 13-23.
SNEC Adventist Community Services director, Frankie Vasquez, said the mission trip happens annually.
Frankie Vazquez-Nenadich (Director, ACS, Southern New England Conference)
“Every year we plan ‘Mission It’s Possible’. We choose a place and because the Inter-American Division camporee was in Jamaica, we planned to come over afterwards. We contacted the conference, and we selected these churches with Pastor Lewis,” he said.
The churches are New Longville, Seven Heights, Rectory Road, and Sugar Hill.
District pastor, Andre Lewis, was excited to welcome the group and share in the missionary campaign which was themed ‘Now is the Time’.
Pastor Andre Lewis (District Pastor, New Longville, CJC)
“Being a missionary is a really exciting thing. It brings adventure, new experiences, and new friends. It’s awesome,” Lewis said, beaming.
One of the projects the missionaries assisted with is the construction of the Seven Heights church building. SNEC youth director, Pastor Daniel Velez, echoed the 2023 SDA Global Youth Day mantra ‘Be the Sermon’ as the mission’s main objective.
“We pray that as we set up this place people will come to the knowledge of God and be saved. When the community sees that a group of young people came from somewhere else to help work on this as a mission trip and there are even non-SDA helping out, that's basically the sermon right there,” Velez said.
According to CJC youth ministry director, Pastor Dwayne Scott, this is the second mission group that has assisted with the construction process.
Pastor Dwayne Scott (Director, Youth, Children & Adolescents Ministries)
“I hope it won’t be the last (group). The SNEC team has committed to seeing what else they can do to see this project to completion. I believe that people should worship in a place that represents the God they believe in. We look forward to having other people join the mission,” said Scott.
He is also encouraging persons in the diaspora to contribute financially and otherwise as there are many churches in the CJC that need to improve their worship centre.
Elder at Seven Heights, Floyd Eningham, says the building project is a faith-builder as well.
“This project helps me to have more faith in God. When we started, we didn’t know where the funds were going to come from. But we have everything that we need to roof it, floor it and possibly put on the doors. We are happy,” Enningham said.
The young missionaries had only smiles and enthusiasm as they shared their experiences.
“It’s a wonderful time. I feel like God’s work will be spread through the work that we’re doing here and just making the world a better place for people to live in so it’s a great experience,” shared Ethan.
Grace enjoyed the change of scene.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to explore other cultures but also serve others who are not in my local community,” she said.
For Kevin, the trip helped to solidify his determination to use his life for dedicated ministry.
“It may not be for everyone, other people need other jobs so that the society can function but for myself, I feel like God is calling me to do His work 24/7. Here, just around all the people, seeing how loving they are in this country and caring for us while we are caring for them, it just affirmed that for me. It’s a feeling that you can’t get anywhere else,” he expressed.
Aundre basked in the experience of connecting more with God through service.
“We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Out here it’s an awesome experience. I love it,” he said.
The SNEC team of 43 youth and administrators combined also participated in an evangelistic campaign, church renovations, Vacation Bible School and Sabbath services during their stay.
Watch a video feature on the trip here.