New Partnerships in Jamaica

By David Smith

Jamaica, with its population of 2.5 million, is one of ABWE's newest fields. David and Cathy Smith joined the Global Access Partnerships (GAP) branch of ABWE in 1998. They desire to facilitate and provide resources for independent Baptist churches in Jamaica where David grew up as a missionary kid.

Over 50 Baptist churches, now pastored by nationals, give testimony of previous missionary work in Jamaica. The majority of these churches are in rural areas where members are not able to fully support their pastors. Jamaicans have asked for help in the following areas.

Theological Education

Fairview Baptist Bible College was started by missionaries in 1963. In 1997 the school was turned over to a Jamaican board. The board asked the Smiths to teach two - to three- week modules at the college and locate others who will donate their time to teach. The Jamaicans plan to develop the college as a theological training center for other parts of the English-speaking Caribbean.

Church Planting

The Association of Independent Baptist Churches of Jamaica chose five Jamaican pastors to start a Church Planting Board. The board will approve church planters and act as a clearing house for financial sponsorship of Jamaican church planters. In February 1999, two men declared God's call on their lives to plant churches. One of them, Devon Linton, is sponsored for a five-year term by a Canadian church and has 15 adults attending a weekly Bible study. The Lord provided a 50' x 30' tent to be used to start the planned church plants. The Jamaicans' vision is to plant new churches in urban areas, and eventually to send missionaries to other parts of the world.

Short Term Teams

Over 70 professions of faith in Jesus Christ have been made in the past year as a direct result of short term teams from the United States and Canada. Administrator for Central America and the Caribbean, Larry and Bev Smith, sent 88 people in 11 teams who worked in Vacation Bible School, school assemblies, church construction, college maintenance, surveying, youth ministry, camp, and discipleship. Plans are underway for additional teams to help in the initial evangelistic tent meetings of new church plants.

Why has the Lord blessed North American Christians? One reason is so North Americans can share with believers in other countries in order to reach lives for Christ.

If you are interested in partnering with Jamaican believers, contact David Smith.

Phone: (519) 471-1594 or E-mail: dncsmith@aol.com