MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Jamaicans across the Diaspora in the Caribbean, United States, Canada, the UK and beyond will see their home communities being revitalized this week when the San Diego-based Miles Ahead organization, led by former NFL player now turned pastor Miles McPherson, highlights coverage of their social and humanitarian activities on the island at www.milesahead.tv, starting on Monday, April 28, 2008.
McPherson, an African American and senior pastor of the 10,000-strong Rock Church in San Diego, travels “back a yard” this week along with close to 300 volunteers to mount – in conjunction with local churches and community organizations – sports and medical clinics, community reconstruction projects at local schools, deaf education workshops, and discussions on moral and spiritual affairs over the next week.
Miles McPherson
MilesAhead.tv is a new online “rich media” site featuring Miles Ahead ministry activities, with live simulcast capabilities, user-generated and -produced video, photos, stories, and blog entries. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. (Jamaica time) MilesAhead.tv will feature a video news segment on the day’s top story. On Friday and Saturday, MilesAhead.tv will video stream a crusade live and direct from Montego Bay’s Dump Up Beach featuring Miles McPherson.
McPherson, whose father and grandparents were raised in Jamaica, said returning to Jamaica is only the beginning of wider ministry efforts aimed at improving quality of life indicators across the Caribbean region and beyond.
“Through our Internet broadcast, we look forward to getting support and feedback about our efforts from Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora, people of faith and people who want to continue making a difference to humanity,” said the former San Diego Chargers defensive back who will be joined by ex-NFL player Darren Carrington as well as ex-NBA basketballer and NCAA Division 1 men’s coach Zack Jones, who is the executive sports director for Miles Ahead in San Diego.
Darren Carrington, a two-time Super Bowl player for the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos, played eight seasons in the NFL; while Jones, a former NCAA Division 1 coach at Liberty University in Virginia, played with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Jersey Nets.
The Jamaica visit forms part of Jamaica Broilers Group’s 50th anniversary celebrations and three major family-oriented festivals, under the Best Dressed 50Fest banner, which will be presented in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston between April 26 and May 4.
The festivals – organised by Jamaica Broilers in partnership with churches across Jamaica, the Luis Palau Association and Miles Ahead – will feature both local and international gospel musicians, including Papa San, Carlene Davis, Prodigal Son, Toby Mac, and Israel Houghton & New Breed, as well as messages of hope from evangelists Luis Palau, Andrew Palau and McPherson himself.
Andrew Palau is featured at the Mandeville Festival to be held on the Manchester High School grounds this weekend; Miles McPherson will be at Montego Bay’s Dump Up Beach on May 2 and 3; and Luis Palau will be on the King’s House grounds in Kingston on May 3 and 4.
While in Jamaica, Miles Ahead volunteers will also conduct motivational school assemblies while doctors and other medical professionals from San Diego, Los Angeles and Florida will respond to dental, optical and general health care needs in the community.
McPherson, known for encouraging people of faith to “DO Something” (www.therocksandiego.org/dosomething), stands at the forefront of “transformation evangelism” and “ministry mobilization.” In addition to leading the Rock Church and Academy in San Diego, McPherson is the President of Miles Ahead which has organized events in 18 cities, including Canada and Africa. Besides being an author, McPherson also is an Emmy Award winning producer for the documentary Master Meth, which examines the abuse of crystal methamphetamine.
