A spiritual supplement

Elders Nominated

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 21:09:56 GMT

Nine men were nominated to be elders

After over 30 years, the Kingston Church of Christ started the process of appointing elders. The members were asked to nominate men they felt met the Biblical requirement of elders, and the following men were nominated and accepted the nomination:

Craig Reynolds (St. Catherine)
Errol Robinson (St. Catherine)
Garfield Morgan (St. Catherine)
Herman McKay (Santa Cruz)
Paul Walker (Kingston)
Lewis Livingstone (Kingston)
Peter Swaby (Kingston)
Rohan Wong (Kingston)
Gregory Baugh (Kingston)

Any member of the Kingston Church of Christ can log an objection to any of the nominees by the end of May. If the nominee withdraws as a result of the objection, then his name will be removed. Otherwise, the nominee will contact a ministry leader to set up a meeting with the person making the objection and two witnesses, one selected by the nominee and the other selected by the person making the objection. The meeting will determine if the accusation is valid, and if it warrants the nominee being required to withdraw his name.

Health Centre named after Dr. Kenneth Baugh

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:29:10 GMT

A fitting tribute

The Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh OJ was an outstanding surgeon who had a strong desire to better the lives of his fellow man and saw political representation as the way to do so. He was successful in his bid to be a representative in parliament several times throughout his political career, which spanned almost 40 years. He served his country as a member of Parliament, Minister of Health, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Deputy Prime Minister. Under his watch at Minister of Health, poliomyelitis was eradicated from Jamaica, a programme of improving dental health was initiated, and the health and well-being of Jamaicans greatly improved.He had the reputation of being calm, fair, and honest, which earned the admiration and fondness from those on both sides of the political aisle. He was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2016 for his distinguished service to Jamaica. Dr. Baugh was diagnoses with brain cancer in 2015 and was baptized that year. He underwent brain surgery but did not fully recover. He passed away on September 1, 2019.

"The passing of the Honourable Dr. Kenneth Lee O'neil Baugh, OJ, is truly a sad day for Jamaica. The nation has lost a veritable patriot who, while being a politician, was never political. He was a true servant who was the epitome of humility, dignity, and integrity" - The Prime Minister, The most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP

Health Centre
A new health centre being constructed in Point Hill, the constituency which he last served as a Member of Parliament, will be named after him. This is seen as a fitting tribute, seeing that he gave free health care to so many people in that town and the surrounding districts. Ground was broken in November 2019.

Connecticut Connecting with Mo Bay & Sav

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:47:19 GMT

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(Above: Ian, Loida, Samenthur, Tim, and Sheree)

It was truly a blessing having Tim and Samenthur Blake, plus Ian and Loida Nicholson, in Montego bay and Savannah-La-Mar (Sav) in March 2019. Tim and Sam are Lead Evangelist and Women's Ministry Leader (WML) in Hartford Connecticut, and they are passionate and experienced church builders. Ian is an Elder, serving with his wife, Loida in the Hartford Church. The Church is known as the Heart; and that is exactly what they brought, lots of love and they gave their hearts as they served the saints.

Mark and Sophia Clarke, who moved back to Westmoreland Jamaica late last year, were previously members of the Hartford Church. Through their great love for Mark and Sophie, and their strong Caribbean connection, they decided to visit, serve and inspire the Churches in Montego Bay and Sav.

It was a weekend filled with inspirational lessons. Tim and Sam taught the Sav ministry about building a church from a small group. They also visited the Sav infirmary, where they got an opportunity to touch not just the hands but also the hearts of the residents.

The Montego Bay small group leaders were called higher by a lesson on Shepherding and Unity from Ian and Loida. The weekend culminated with a BYND service, where 79 disciples had an attendance of 162 person. All praise be to God!

Tim preached a heart-moving message that connected with many of the visiting guests and disciples a like. Since then, many persons have started studying the Bible. One evening, two women came to study the Bible and brought three friends along with them. So, the four sisters faithfully studied the Bible with five women. Many more continue to express their desire to seek after God. We faithfully hold on to the scriptures that remind us to rely on God.

Luke 10:2

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Savannah-La-Mar Gets Leaders

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:45:06 GMT

The Clarkes return home

The migration phenomenon with Jamaicans is typically going in one direction - away of the island. When members of the church migrate, they are typically servants of the church, so their departure leaves a gaping hole in the leadership of the church. Therefore, it is of great delight when disciples migrate to Jamaica, especially when they come to serve the church.

The disciples in the west are overjoyed to welcome Mark and Sophia Clarke from the church in Hartford, Connecticut, who have moved back to Westmoreland, Jamaica, and have agreed to lead the ministry in Savannah- La-Mar (Sav). The team of disciples from Sav are excited and eager to work together to win the people of Westmoreland for God.

They have started with once per month Friday devotionals and Sunday services. The team of disciples has friends and family who come out consistently, and several visitors have started to study the Bible.

Please keep the Sav ministry on your hearts and in your prayers.

A Dream to Serve Comes True

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:12:49 GMT

A school-feeding programme is born

On March 12th, 2019 members of the Montego Bay Christian Church family and friends from Hilo had the pleasure of serving a hearty breakfast to the students of Albion Primary School.

This is a program that has been on my heart since 2017, shortly after my family moved to Jamaica. As I saw the needs at my daughter Jasmine’s school, where classmates would eagerly partake of her lunch, generally because they didn’t have their own. So Jasmine and I decided to send extra lunches to help a few students. As we spoke to a teacher to see how this lunch plan could be expanded, it came to my attention that there was an even greater need at Albion Primary School. So we contacted Albion and made plans to start the school feeding program. (We still send lunches for a few students at my daughter’s school, but we focused on the needs at Albion).

This idea has now blossomed into a bi-annual event, where we provide things like porridge, sandwiches, franks with beans, cake and tea to the students who need breakfast at Albion Primary High School.

Disciples donated, prepared and served the breakfast. Mellonie Boothe, a disciple and teacher at Albion, has been encouraged and inspired by the loved shown to the students of her school.

The first year, Hilo supermarket gave donations of food items and a representative came and gave gifts to the most improved student of each grade. This year, Ms Phillip, the Hilo representative who came last year, called to ask if we can partner with her to serve the students as her birthday treat.

On Tuesday, Ms Philip and Ms Davis, the store manager, came and provided a large quantity of the food that was served on March 12th. They were inspired and asked if they could be part of our next scheduled school feeding.

The first year we fed approximately 120 students. This year we fed approximately 160 students. At the end of serving the last group of students, one of the children came back to say thank you and God bless.

At the end, we spent time thanking God for providing for the needs and for the privilege of serving in this way.

Please continue to pray for us and that God continues to grow the program to consistently meet as many needs as possible.

A Disciple Whose Talents are Giving God Glory

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 09:57:57 GMT

Courtney Bailey excels in his career

Courtney Bailey was appointed to the role of Teacher for the Kingston Church of Christ in 2012, and has served in the teaching ministry for other Caribbean churches of the International Churches of Christ. He co-founded the Damian Jean-Baptiste Caribbean School of Ministry, along with Tyrone Marcus, a disciple from Trinidad & Tobago whom he helped become a Christian whilst they were both law students at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Courtney has been an outstanding student and servant of God and continues to be so. He is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in theology at the United Theological College of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. He initially enrolled in the Masters programme, but was invited to apply for an upgrade to the PhD programme based on his performance.

In early 2019, Courtney Bailey became the managing partner of one of the largest law firms in the English speaking Caribbean. If asked, he will tell you that he owes his success to God. He is keenly aware that all his talents have been God-given, and he uses them for God’s glory. Courtney is firstly a man of God, a meticulous student of God’s word, a family man, then a lawyer. It is his drive to be excellent in his service to God that has enabled him to advance professionally. He epitomizes Colossians 2:23, the scripture that reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”.

Courtney’s success ought to motivate and encourage all servants of God. If one strives to please God, then one becomes more of what God intended: for us to be made in his glorious image. Success, therefore, may be right around the corner. Believe the word that reads, “All hard work brings a profit” (Prov 14:23). Let this example motivate you to put God first, while being excellent on your job. God will be glorified and your will find success.

A Double Celebration in St. Catherine

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 01:05:21 GMT

Daughters of disciples baptized a day apart

The St. Catherine Ministry had time to celebrate and rejoice with the angels in heaven as they welcomed their new sisters in Christ. Nasya Reynolds and Deandra Westcarth from the teen’s ministry made Jesus Lord of their lives and were baptized on December 30th 2018 and January 1, 2019 respectively. These young ladies grew up in the church, as their parents have been faithful servants of God for many years. It is truly inspiring to see the younger generation make Jesus their Lord, and families being united in Christ. We pray that God may use them to help their generation and the next to come to know Him as their Lord and savior. Let us continue to reach out to the next generation and pass on to them what has been given to us.

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” ( Deuteronomy 11: 18 - 19)

Teen Ministry Christmas Initiative

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:53:16 GMT

Teens feed the poor

Shantal Barrett, a young teen disciple of the KCOC church came up with an initiative to purchase and distribute food items to those less fortunate in and around New Kingston after church. On Sunday, December 16,2018, this idea became a reality. The Kingston Church of Christ (KCOC) Teens and Teen Workers went in and around areas of New Kingston where food items such as patties and cran-waters were distributed to less fortunate people. A sum of $6000 JMD was raised amongst the teens to purchase these food items. A total of 20 teens and workers volunteered their time, which helped to make this event successful.

Katherine Gets Baptized at 13 Years Old

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:38:01 GMT

An amazing heart for God

There are few people who at their early stages of life are as devoted to God as Katherine. Her personal devotional notebook is full of scriptures and personal insights, she has been conducting group devotionals at her school on her own initiative, and has been praying to be baptized for 2 years. Although she is only 13 years old, everyone who speaks with Katherine sees her genuine devotion to God. It was a celebration to see her parents, Ozzy and Karen, baptizing their daughter into Christ on Sunday, November 25, 2018.

Blood Brothers Become Spiritual Brothers

baughgreg@gmail.com (Gregory Baugh) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:31:02 GMT

Charles Lawrence was baptized on Sunday, Dec 9, 2018

It was very uplifting to hear Charles' family and friends share about him before his baptism. It was especially moving to hear about how close he and Wray have been over the years. Charles' new found faith was not a sudden occurrence. Wray has been a disciple for 25 years, and married to Karlene almost as long. So Charles has interacted with disciples of Jesus for that long, but only recently was it obvious that the seed of the gospel had been planted.

Charles made his good confession on December 9, 2018, in front of many witnesses, including his 19 year old son. He is full of joy, faith and gratitude at now being a part of the family of God.

The Skill of Being Still

baughgreg@gmail.com (Gregory Baugh) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 09:57:40 GMT

Be Still and Know that I am God

Psalm 46

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

What does it mean to be still? Being still means that you will trust God and not be anxious. You will cease trying to be in control, but rather pray and wait for God to act.

Being still is a way to know that the LORD is God and that he is with you. If you think that your actions saved you, then you will never truly believe. Reflect of what God told Gideon. “The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2). So many people take matters into their own hands. God likely removes himself from their situations because such people will not give God the glory for their relief or rescue.

Many people find it hard to be still, even Christians. In fact, in Jamaica, there is a saying that is quoted as if it was scripture: “God helps those who help themselves.” It sounds biblical and has an element of truth, for James says, “Faith without actions is dead” (James 2:26). However, faithful actions result from being directed by God, rather than trying to do things just in case God does not come through for you.

I have seen God do amazing things: heal an expecting mother of a pulmonary embolism; heal a praying person of cancer even when the doctors had given up hope; direct ordinary, praying rescuers to the location of their kidnapped church sister, even when the professional law enforcement failed to find her; provide exact money needed, out of the blue, at just the right time to his servants on a mission field; send His servants to a praying soul, who was crying out to him for direction, to deliver His message; deliver His judgment with mercy and grace to a worldwide movement at once; save souls only hours before their passing away; and change the hearts of many people through prayer. All these things could not have been done by human effort. Even when effort was involved, it was effort of people who were without a doubt being directed by God who acknowledge that their effort alone would have been insufficient to bring about the result.

How have you witnessed God working in your life? Giving consideration to all that God has done in your life leads you to faith. Hence, the sons of Korah, the authors of Psalm 46, wrote, “Come and see what the Lord has done.” Take time today to recollect all that God has done in the past. Then consider all your troubles today. Pray about them. Be still. Allow God to direct you. Be open to a solution that you would

Thank God for His Grace

baughgreg@gmail.com (Gregory Baugh) — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:22:07 GMT

No need for spears

Have you ever read the Old Testament? Have you noticed the harsh way that sin was dealt with? For example, in Numbers 25, the priest's son, Phinehas, made a name for himself when he, in his zeal for God's honour, drove a spear into an idolatrous Israelite who was in the act of sexual immorality with a Moabite seductress. She met the same fate of her mate as the spear went into her body also. Because of Phinehas' action, God stopped the plague that was destroying the Israelites due to their idolatry. "The Lord said to Moses, “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal" (Numbers 25:10-11).

God is as zealous for his honour today as he was back then, so why is it that the New Testament instructs, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1)? Why the difference between the Old Testament and now? The reason is that another priest came along at a later time, and did some piercing of his own. He did more than end a plague; he took away the sting of death, the consequence of sin. This priest pierced hands, feet, and side. But he did not do this to the sinner. He did this to himself. God who is zealous for his honour, also loves us tremendously. He found a way to punish sin, but save the sinner. He did this by piercing himself on our behalf.

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed."

Because of what Jesus did, we are not pierced for our transgressions. Rather, we are brought to repentance gently.

As disciples of Jesus, we need to be as zealous for God's honour as Phinehas was. But we must not do so with spears in hand. Rather, we need to be armed with the gospel, telling people that Jesus died for their sin and, as a result, we must live to please him by our righteousness. Let's be grateful that there are no need for spears today. Let's be thankful for his grace.