NEW YORK – Jamaicans in the New York Diaspora are being invited to attend church services on Monday, August 4, to pray for the nation and its leaders.
Consul General, Geneive Brown Metzger extended the special invitation at Monday’s (July 21) press reception at the offices of Ruder Finn in New York City, called to announce plans for the celebration of Jamaica’s 46th Anniversary of Independence in the Greater New York area.
According to Mrs. Brown Metzger, the Jamaican Consulate is pleased to be collaborating with the Intercessory Prayer Ministry International (IPMI) and a group of concerned clergy from the Jamaican Diaspora in the Tri-State area, to stage the special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Jamaica.
The group of concerned clergymen include; Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel (Bronx Bethany Church); Rev. Dr. A.G. Quarry (Bronxwood International Church of God); Rev. Dr. H. Dennis Campbell (Rehoboth Open Bible); and Rev. Andrew Bennett (Elim Missionary, New Jersey).
A total of 10 places of worship in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, will open their sanctuaries throughout the day for, “those persons concerned about the growing moral declension on the island of Jamaica,” declared Rev. Newton Gabbidon, Founder/President of IPMI, Inc., a not-for-profit, non-denominational grouping of Jamaican clergy based in Brooklyn, New York.
“We are urging humble, collective petitioning to God to liberate our beautiful island, Jamaica from this spiritual enslavement, marked by a vicious spirit of death that has taken hold of our people,” Rev. Gabbidon noted.
Speaking with reporters, Consul General Brown Metzger said that the Jamaican Diaspora Day of Prayer and Fasting will provide an opportunity for Jamaicans in the Diaspora to unite in concerted prayer and fasting once per year, against crime and violence and other moral and social ills in the nation.
This is the fourth year that the Jamaica Diaspora Day of Prayer and Fasting is being held throughout the Tri-State area. Last year, seven centres participated.
The all day prayer and fasting will conclude with a special service at each of the venues, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a special offering taken to benefit the Coalition in Support of Adolescent Leadership Training (C-SALT) in Jamaica.
For a complete listing of the prayer centres and additional information on the special occasion, persons may visit www.goipmi.com or call 718-241-2162.
