Religion & Culture | Churches declare defeat of crime and corruption in Jamaica

Jamaica has been rededicated to God by a group of church bodies following a four-week Jericho-type march by Men Advancing the Nation (MAN) Ting initiative headed by the Independent Churches of Jamaica and other church groups.

MAN Ting saw upwards of 80 men walking around the capital city, three nights each week for three hours, in an effort to defeat spiritual forces and spread the message for good men to stand up and take responsibility for restoring order and good governance in the home, in government and the nation.

The rededication exercise took place last Wednesday just before midnight at the National Stadium and culminated the walk around Kingston that began four weeks ago, praying and warfaring for Jamaica by a platoon of Christian men.

Last Wednesday (August 8) was significant, with the number eight being new beginnings, and so the rededication was to usher a new beginning for Jamaica.

MARCH LEADERS

The large gathering of Christian and Christian leaders led by the Reverend Dr Lenworth Anglin, former chairman of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches and past executive president of the Church of God in Jamaica; Bishop Neville Owens, chairman of the Independent Churches of Jamaica; and the Reverend Al Miller, head of Fellowship Tabernacle Church and Whole Life Ministries, unveiled a map of Jamaica upon which the rededication of the island was focused.

"Heaven has heard our cries, the hosts of the army of the Lord have gone into battle, the strongman and strongholds over nation have been defeated, uprooted, pulled down, destroyed and overthrown. We declare to you tonight, rejoice for spiritual freedom and economic Independence has come to Jamaica," was the repeated declaration of the churchmen in their address to the gathering.

They encouraged invited men in every parish to do the same in having a Jericho marching around the perimeter of their parish capital and appeal to God for his intervention.

"Tonight is a night of celebration and thanksgiving to God for his goodness. He has heard our cries and has come down to deliver," added the church leaders.

FREEING THE NATION FROM NEGATIVE FORCES

Owens sought to explain the necessity of the rededication of Jamaica, pointing out that negative spiritual forces have been holding the nation hostage through the social ills pervading the society. He added that there is the dire need to free the nation from these negative forces.

"We have had self-governance for 56 years but we are still trapped. We have made mistakes and are suffering the consequences, but behind the natural there is also the spiritual and the evil forces of the spiritual influences the natural realm," said Owens.

"Having received spiritual freedom and taken back our nation from evil powers using evil men, we must now dedicate our nation to the God of heaven whom our founding fathers chose to commit it. They did so knowing that 'unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vein that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watch but in vain'," added Owens.

For his part, Miller declared that spiritual freedom enables a people to move beyond political independence to experience economic independence where they can build a society of equal rights and justice with prosperity for all.

"Spiritual freedom enables a people to think honestly, generously, to stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace, to work diligently and creatively, to take responsibility to chart their own destiny in faith and obedience to the word of the living God that their way might be made prosperous and have good success," said Miller.

Pastors Michael McAnuff-Jones and Orville Ramocan led prayers of thanksgiving, while Pastor Ray Campbell made a prayer of repentance renouncing the sins of the past and breaking all curses and evil assignments set against Jamaica.

Pastor Owen Mitchell made a prayer of affirmation where he proclaimed that all has been done in obedience to God on the 'Warfare Walk', while Bishop Michael Smith did a prayer of expectation to God for miracles, signs and wonders, revival, and transformation.

The rededication exercise ended with a 19-point declaration of the nation, including declaring that Jamaica shall be a Kingdom nation, one whose God is the Lord and that it will be transformed.

There was also a declaration that the barks of the gun will die down to the sound of productive enterprises, the spirit of volunteerism and strong family life will be restored, and that effective governance shall increase at the central and local levels.

The religious leaders further declared that Jamaica shall be a society where law and order prevail, where the environment is safe for all, where every Jamaican will have access to employment and the highest quality of education and healthcare.

They also declared that Jamaica shall be numbered among the most favoured nations to identify with, bringing forth abundant increase and wealth and not being indebted.

- Durant Pate is a journalist and entrepreneur. Feedback: editorial@gleanerjm.com.