Media – We appreciate You!!

Published February 2022 | Joan Reid, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mandeville

If you want to change the world, use the tools that were designed to do so in a creative way. These words were the essence of the message given to us by Pastor Damion Chambers on the occasion of the Appreciation and Consecration Service by the Communication and Media Department of the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist church on January 15, 2022. Under the theme, Ministering to the World through Technology, Pastor Zachary Headley, in his role as host of the programme, warmly welcomed the congregation and online attendees and summarized quite aptly in a quotation that “communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” For the main focus of the programme we were lavished with information that was both relevant and thought-provoking. This came from Pastor Damion Chambers, the guest speaker for the service. Pastor Chambers who is a lecturer at the Northern Caribbean University and a former Communication Director at the Central Jamaica Conference was well placed to inform us about the history of communication tools and techniques. He reminded us that the first area of technology that was used was the Word of God. God first instructed the prophets to write down things for permanence and for communication. Some of the tools that were used were tablets, stones, papyrus, scrolls and books. He also identified technology as a tool that helps us to solve problems as well as to make life easier. He also posited that in addition to improving the social sphere of our lives through connection and interaction with each other, the digital age today allows us to nurture our faith through connection with churches anywhere in the world. Online decision cards are more easily accessible and members have the ability and capability to influence others for the gospel. In short, technology is a gift from God which has advanced us as a church to reach a wider audience. Pastor Chambers believes that God is waiting to see how we are going to use technology to change the world. He commended the Media team at the Mandeville church for their continuous effort in leading the way in advancing the gospel through technology. Words of encouragement also came in the form of a charge from Pastor Vincent Peterkin, the first elder who works closely with the Media team. He used as his focus, “The Spirit of Volunteerism.” He acknowledged that the church has many experts who have demonstrated their skills and proficiency in their assigned areas of media ministry and charged the team to use the spirit of volunteerism as a call to service as perceived in Psalm 126: 5, 6. He explained that God has gifted us with the capacity to use the digital tools to serve in God’s church in order to spread the gospel in the wider community. He further stressed that volunteering provides a healthy boost for the mind and body, and gives us passion, drive and renewed creativity. In his presentation, Pastor Peterkin encouraged and empowered the team members of the Department to continue to avail themselves to the Lord for service stating that God has no hands but their hands. He charged them to embrace the full meaning of volunteerism and to “put your hands in the Hand of God, serving as media ministers with alacrity, commitment and dedication.” The service was specially organized and executed with the aim of showing appreciation to the team members of the Media and Communication Department and to consecrate them to the Lord’s service. The presentations were interspersed with excellent musical renditions of praise from Elder George Graham, Bros Dave Gayle and Norjae Lawe, as well as from Bro Wilton James and the Praise team. Sis Mavis Williams recited a poem, entitled the Books of the Bible. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the team members by Sis Titania White- Johnson, Pastors Damion Chambers and Francis West. Bro Orphiel Brown, the Director of the Communication Department, was duly awarded with a plaque for ten (10) years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Media and Communication Department of the Mandeville SdA church. In his reflection, he expressed his sincere gratitude to all the present team members, the church and the valued sponsors and he also recognized the past team members who have served tirelessly as media ministers over the years. The prayer of consecration was offered by Pastor Francis West, resident pastor of the Mandeville church. The Department thanks all those who have contributed towards making the service a memorable one and solicits your continued prayers and support as they avail themselves in furthering the gospel of our soon coming King through technology.