Dear Partners in Ministry,

 

Warm Christian greetings from Jamaica.

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, because His mercy endureth forever… Ps 118:1

The ministry at both Spice Grove and Providence Baptist Churches continue. We thank God for the sustained increase in attendance. We are excited to share with you some ministry highlights for this report period;

 

CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY

During the period under review there were two sets of care package distributions. One was to the church community and its environs and the other was to the indigent and less fortunate.

 

The Spice Grove Baptist Church had the privilege of hosting the St Elizabeth 40th Anniversary Service of Food for the Poor, our major donor of food supplies and other home and personal effects. The service was well attended with representatives from many of the churches and other agencies that benefit from the ministry of Food for the Poor. There were in excess of 200 persons at this service.

 

CHURCH SERVICES – the Blended Approach

WE continue to utilize this approach for our Worship services and Bible Study & Prayer meeting at both churches. The Sunday School ministry at Spice Grove continues, however, we are contemplating a community-based Sunday School ministry for Providence, where we will go into the community and reach the children closer to home. We crave your prayers in this regard.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

We will be forever grateful to Pastor Doug Watson and the team from Lighthouse Baptist Church in Pennsylvania. Both Churches benefited from a well-executed VBS ministry. We thank God for the impact of the ministry on not only the children that attended but also the youths and adults who attended worship services in which the team ministered.

 

2WORSHIP

The 2Worship Virtual Ladies Ministry continues on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. On average the attendance is 20 women. During the month of May, which is celebrated as Child’s Month here in Jamaica, the Ministry had a Wee Women Feature which had children under 12 in charge of the program. It sure was a real spiritual treat.

 

 INDEPENDENT BAPTIST WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

As national president, Mrs Watson led the fellowship in it’s 36th Annual Conference under the theme Changing World! Unchanging Word! This was the first face to face conference since Covid. There were over 100 women in attendance. It was a time of spiritual renewal and fellowship,

 

OTHER SPECIAL SERVICES

Spice Grove Baptist Church hosted two other special services during the report period. Namely the Black Chamber of Commerce Service to launch the 2023 Black River Day Celebrations and the Police Divisional Service. Both were well attended.

 

CONSTRUCTION

The platform at Spice Grove has been constructed and work is being done on the stairway that will lead to the prophet’s chamber on the upstairs. During the month of May, the roof and exterior of the building at Providence was painted. Plans are advanced to paint the interior.

 

Other ministry activities in which I continue to be actively involved in include:

  1. Participation in the weekly IGM Prayer Meeting
  2. Weekly devotions at the:
  1. Black River Police Station
  2. Police Convalescent Center
  3. Street Care (Drop in) Center
  4. Counselling sessions with Black River Police officers
  5. Attending monthly committee meetings with the police
  6. Weekly Prayer Meeting with the Jamaica Police Force – Area 3
  7. Monthly distribution of food to churches and schools on behalf of Food for the Poor, Jamaica.

 

 Purchase of Property

Please continue to pray that we will be able to pay the monthly mortgage of Ja $170,000.00 (US 1,133.00 as well as affect the necessary repairs and refurbishing that needs to be done to the four bedroom house.

Death of Sister

My sister Merle Malcolm who resided in London went home to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. The funeral service will be October 20, 2023,

 

Prayer Requested

  1. The salvation of youths and men.
  2. Our physical health and wellbeing
  3. God’s comfort during our season of bereavement and a safe round trip to London for the funeral service of my sister.
  4. Funds to complete the building at Spice Grove.
  5. Required funds to repair and refurbish the four-bedroom house
  6. 2Worship Ladies Ministry
  7.  Funds to purchase a new vehicle