BBC e-Voice Magazine December 2016

God is in it" Using the parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew 13, Harold White declared that as Christians we are required to "live the sacrificial life" as we prepare for the Harvest.

In doing this we are equipped by the Holy Spirit in offering ourselves faithfully and living abundantly. This abundant life comes through the fact that Jesus came to give life in all his fullness.

He informed that Jesus' parable of the mustard

"Living the Sacrificial Life - Preparing seed refers to faith and the kingdom of God. BOULEVARD BAPTIST 2016 EDITION | ISSUE NO. 51 for the Harvest - Little is much CHURCH when | DECEMBER The

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Conversation with Chevening Scholar Melissa Townsend Optimistic about Jamaica and wants to give back

BBC E-Voice: Tell us about the scholarship you received to study in England.

Melissa: I received the Chevening Scholarship which is funded by the UK Government. The Chevening Scholarship is geared towards future leaders and allows them to enhance their academic and professional skills by pursuing a Masters Degree in the UK. The Scholarship itself covers tuition, travel costs to and from the UK, other costs and a monthly stipend is also provided.

BBC E-Voice: What motivated you to pursue further studies?

Melissa: One of my goals is to become an expert in the analysis of complex existing and future civil/environmental engineering issues, contributing meaningfully to the Jamaican society by developing sustainable, and environmentally-friendly solutions; pursuing further studies is one of the ways of achieving these goals.

BBC E-Voice: Was this your first time travelling to England?

Melissa: No, that was my third time travelling to England. I travelled with my parents the first time, to visit family and friends. On my second trip, I attended the London International Youth Science Forum with a group from my high school (Campion College).

BBC E-Voice: What were your feelings initially of being away from home for that period?

Melissa: Well, for my first degree, I studied in Trinidad and Tobago for three years, so I am used to being away from home for long periods of time. Also, since I have my goal in mind and with the motivation of my scholarship, I was comfortable with taking on this new journey. With modern technology as well, such as Whatsapp, Skype, and Facebook, close family and friends were just a phone call or text away.

Additionally, I ensured to conduct a full research of my University and its surroundings, such as hall accommodation, proximity to shops, restaurants, transportation and other facilities, in order to make my stay in the UK as convenient as possible.

BBC E-Voice: Describe your first few days /weeks and how you adjusted?

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Melissa:

My first few days were smooth; there was nothing much to adjust to. When I arrived, the University representatives picked me up from the airport and transported me straight to my Hall of residence in Southampton. There were also many welcome events at the University. These events gave new students a chance to get acquainted with the school and gain new friends.

The International Office of my University also held a welcome reception for the Chevening Scholars. This interaction again gave me a chance to meet other Chevening scholars and build good relationships.

BBC E-Voice: Tell us about the university you studied, the culture, people, etc.

Melissa: The University of Southampton is located on the southern coast of UK in the city of Southampton. The city is replete with green areas and is quite peaceful and friendly. The University itself is rather welcoming. The lecturers are knowledgeable and experts in their field. Also, my University student population is essentially international with diverse cultural backgrounds.

BBC E-Voice: What is the education system in England like in comparison to ours?

Melissa: The UK education system is similar to ours, considering that Jamaica’s education system evolved out of the British colonial era.

BBC E-Voice: How different is it living in England and living in Jamaica?

Melissa: The weather, for sure, is different. The cuisine is also different. I was also able to interact with a more diverse group of persons on a regular basis.

BBCE-Voice: Did you experience any kind of prejudice, racially or otherwise?

Melissa: No. BBC E-Voice: For the time you spent in England what stands out most or was the most memorable for you?

Melissa: I must say that the public transportation in the UK is one of things that I was most impressed with. It is very efficient, convenient and timely.

BBC E-Voice: What is your outlook for the future having acquired your Masters in Civil Engineering, and what do you take from England as a first world country that would be beneficial to us as a country?

Melissa: I am optimistic about my future and I hope to be able to use the knowledge and experience that I have gained to further assist in the improvement of the built and natural environment.

I believe Jamaica needs to be as disciplined and efficient as a first world country and I will try to do what I can to make this happen.

BBC E-Voice: Melissa, thanks for sharing, and on behalf of the church family we wish you much success as you progress on this important journey.

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“I have proven Him… I know there is a God” Excerpts from the Testimonies of our newest members Christine Addlery - "I have always been attending Church and have been a firm believer. I have proven him on many occasions when I am faced with certain situations and pray, it always works out. Just by doing that alone I know there is a God."

Jhillissa Bailey - "I grew up in a Christian home, but realized this does not make me a Christian and the world has nothing to offer. I have made this decision to make Jesus my Lord and Saviour."

Debbie Morrell Parker - "I became a Christian at an early age, but have not been living the life. I feel guilty... and this has been a burden... I have been in a business with my siblings, which has been the worst for the last three years - losing some major contracts.... I prayed and read my Bible... I said Lord if you give me another contract I will give to you as you bless us... God answered my prayer. I gave Pastor an envelope for Junior Church, and now we have four contracts. I have been leading the way to Jesus Christ with my family. Jesus says I should make this my witness. I felt warm and comfortable since coming to Boulevard Baptist in January."

Kenneth McDonald - "I am here to share the good things God has done. I went to work one morning and kept on working and got off early at 3:00 pm. That evening I took a train home, and on my arrival home I realized that the stove was left on... Who could it be? I was on another job in Manhattan when I fell some feet down between steels and never got a scratch. A friend said to me "keep on doing what you are doing." I am asking for your prayers on this journey."

Fitzroy Wallace - "I was baptized in my late teens - sprinkled with water. Lately I realized that baptism is immersion in water. All these years I have been coming to church with my

wife who passed away some years now. I am left with the children with one son giving problems since his mother died. I sat down with him one day and asked him what the Page 4 of 20

problem was. We started to pray, and he said "Daddy, I do not know - Come to church," I said, Son I really love you." I made a commitment to him to follow Christ. Something "burnt" me... a feeling I never felt before.

Later that evening at home I heard a voice saying: "Follow Christ". Some people said it is my wife. On Sunday mornings I just want to come to church. I have made up my mind and will not put it off anymore."

Nappolean Young (Transfer) - "I came to Kingston in 2015 to pursue studies at UTech.

I did not attend church in the beginning. I came to the Prayer Meeting here and the sisters made me feel comfortable. I started coming to church and attended Youth Fellowship. The fellowship here is good... I feel welcomed and comfortable. I hope to grow in the Lord as much as possible to help in God's kingdom right here."

“Come See a Man”

Giving a new purpose to the life of our new converts

Our newest disciples are empowered and enlightened as “the woman at the well”. She was offered hope and meaning of life. She recognized that Jesus was a prophet, a man of God, a man of transformation, a bridge builder - not restricted by prejudice. “Come see a man…” She was now an evangelist telling others that she has met someone who has given a new purpose in life.

Delivering his charge to the new disciples, with focus on the gospel of John 4:1-44, Pastor Devon Dick affirmed that when Jesus comes into our life it must make a difference. For this woman, what was so important in life is put in its proper place. He expressed that the woman left and went into Samaria and said, "Come see a man." He noted that she left the water, because for her there was something more important. She met someone who had meaning to her, someone who loved her and had her best interest at heart.

We get a glimpse of what we can be in life. Jesus, he noted is pervasive in all aspects of our life. "If anyone is in Christ he is a new person, the old has passed and the new has come." Every moment of our lives is for Jesus; Christ living in us - our very nature is Jesus. When we see the difference Jesus makes in our life we cannot help but tell others about Jesus, asserting that every Christian must have a passion for lost souls.

He assured the new members that they should not worry about the outcome - Just plant the seed; use every opportunity to witness because everybody needs Jesus. Jesus, he noted met the woman in open space - at the well, indicating that it does not have to be in the church. He urged that we become CEOs, not to give instructions but as a Chief Evangelistic Officer. We need to tell everyone about Jesus!

"Come see a Man" who transforms and make a difference in your life - changes our focus and forgives our sins, Pastor concluded.

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Deborah Boxe e-Ministry

YOUTH AFFAIRS What Is My Purpose?

One of the most frequently asked questions is simply this: What is my purpose in life? This age-old question defies social status and cultural barriers and is contemplated by all rational thinking human beings at one stage in their lives. Some persons spend their entire lives searching for the seemingly elusive answer. As Christians, Jeremiah 29:11 reveals to us that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives but you, like this writer, may have wondered, “God, what is my purpose?” Some persons appear to have an instantaneous divinely inspired answer. It's as if God gave them a detailed map labeled ‘Your Purpose’ with His signature at the bottom. While others (like yours truly) pray for a sign with seemingly no clear indicator that he/she is on the right road.

When God appears to be silent it is easy for one to become despondent, angry, frustrated or all of the above. Like many persons I am worried over this topic until it dawned on me that I was engaging in a futile exercise for God gives no one all the details of what they are going to do in this life. In fact I realized that everyone who I thought had everything together was actually speaking in retrospect. That's why God says not to worry about your future (Matthew 6:34). God being omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent means that He knows what is your destiny, your current and future challenges and has the power to aid you on this journey called life.

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However, don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying we must lie down and do nothing.

Instead we must walk onto the stormy waters of life with our eyes focused on Jesus alone, all the rest is but a foggy distraction. This courageous feat takes faith. This is where faith in God ceases to exist only within the confines of sweet sentiments sang in songs or a sensational phrase shouted from a pulpit. This is where faith becomes what God intended it to be and that is a way of life. Therefore, the only way to understand our purpose is to walk by faith and not by sight only then can we trace our steps and truly see what God created us to do on this earth.

Preparation for your Exercised-based New Year’s Resolution (Part 2)

Another problem of the overeager beginner is to start doing as much as their bodies allow when they just start. Your body and your muscle need to acclimatize to the new stimulus (the exercises) and become conditioned before you can throw at it as much as it can handle. Starting your program by going to the gym 5 days per week and spending 2 hours each day won’t get you results faster, but likely have you end up on a bed in physiotherapy.

You must know and understand your exercises.

This is the best way to make sure you have proper form and avoid injury. Just going to the gym and guessing or watching other people can only get you so far and no more. The body is broken up into different muscle groups and they are worked in different ways (those details are for another time) and to get your results coming as soon as possible and to avoid injury you must know these and know how to do the exercises properly.

A huge misconception of many gym goers is that of focusing on the hour spent in the gym more Page 7 of 20

than the other 23 hours. The workout is about half the battle but the real work that gets you to your goal is mostly outside the gym. You do not get results from working out; you get results from recovering from your workout. There are 4 main pillars of recovery that must be understood and maximized for the best results: Nutrition (whole foods and supplements), Water, Sleep and manageable stress. Watch your calories and ensure they are quality and not just quantity, take supplements when your diet falls short in the necessities (especially protein and vitamins). Drink approximately 0.55 Oz of water per pound of your bodyweight daily, different factors such as exercise, daily activity level, environment (outdoors or a/c in office), affect the amount also.

Ensure you get adequate rest each day/night, 6-9 hours and just relax and do not let your life get too stressful.

Duvaughn Dick, RPT, FAKTR Physiotherapist and Certified Fitness Trainer

Treat?

Trick or The Watch Night Service

Trick or treat? The video clip shown ahead of the sermon delivered by Rev. Devon Dick at the Watch Night service, delved into the life of Pastor Ron Archer who testified of his life as a “trick baby”. He told the story of his mother who became a prostitute at age 14 to survive after being told by a pimp that she is sitting on a gold mine and that school can do nothing for her. She got pregnant at age 16, of which Ron Archer referred to as a trick baby, because two strangers went on a business transaction and made a mistake.

The pimp told her she can’t make any money with a baby in the oven, they have to kill this baby. They kicked her in the stomach over and over, fed her alcohol, gave her drug and used a hanger to stab the baby over and over again, but the baby would not die. The baby was born two months premature, with no pancreas, with a learning disability, a bladder too small and a severe stutter. Nobody wanted the baby. No hope, no future. “Kill it”, was the word. “That baby was me,” He informed. At school he could not talk as he stuttered severely. He went on to relate other ordeal he had been through as a child and having had enough, at age 10 he held his mother’s gun at his head; he wanted to die.

Ron Archer living the Abundant Life

His life turned around when a teacher came to his school and gave him a Gideon Bible. She read to him stories in the Bible of dysfunctional characters who God used. He was told the story of Moses who was a stutterer. He then began to understand that God can love a “trick baby”. As low as he was, there was hope for him; and when one understands the power of God and the possibilities, it changes everything! Reading the Gideon Bible puts the Word to life and something started to happen. His stuttering went away. He became a valedictorian, a pastor and preached until everybody in his family got saved.

“Yes, born a trick baby but the trick was on the devil because of the power of the Word of God,” Ron Archer concluded.

Pastor noted that a child they were trying to abort is now living the abundant life – The full life. From the text in John 10:1-11, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who offers the abundant life – the full life. He added that though Satan tries to trick us God offers divine power, protection, peace and purpose. Life has meaning and our life can make a difference despite our circumstances. In 2017 we can look good by having the abundant life; to be available to God, to be used by God at anytime and anywhere for his purpose. “If you can use anything God, You can use me!” he concluded.

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Managing your Credit Card - The tips Hugh Reid

Use cards safely Credit card fraud and identify theft are major risks. Most cardholders aren’t liable for fraudulent charges on their cards, but you still have a responsibility to keep your information safe.

Be proactive to reduce the risk of fraud by reviewing your monthly credit card statements and checking your account online more frequently. Keep your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly statement and charges. Then, notify your card issuer if you spot any transactions that you don’t recognize. And, of course, report a lost or stolen card immediately.

Many credit card companies also offer text or email alerts when your card has been used.

Maximize rewards Credit card rewards—such as points toward merchandise, airline miles, or access to exclusive clubs—are popular. A card that offers cash rewards may also help you save.

Pay off balances strategically The faster you can pay off those credit card balances, the less it will cost you. If you can’t pay a card balance in full each month, review your budget to determine how much you can earmark for that payment without sacrificing other important goals, such as saving for retirement.

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The Christmas Treat Leading up to the 2016 Christmas season, Hospitality and Welfare Coordinator for the adult choir, Sis. Ina Turner made an appeal for members to contribute to a purse that would go towards the church’s ‘Care Basket’ Christmas project. Music director and director for the adult choir Deacon Joseph McIntyre consequently proposed that a different approach be engaged. This approach would take on the following features: 1. Re-define initiative as a choir Christmas project.

2. Identify how many destitute shut-in members there are in total.

3. Identify special needs such diet and prescription, etc.

4. Solicit contribution in cash or kind from choir members.

5. Purchase items such as toiletries, groceries, cake and Christmas cards.

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6. Package items and divide choir per shut-in member to do visits, presentation and carolling.

7. Provide a hot meal for some.

8. Invite group leaders/members to participate in the carolling and visitation.

More than $20,000.00 was collected towards the project. Items were also received such as disposable briefs, body lotions, toiletries and towels. A total of nine members benefitted from the initiative namely: Pearlita Campbell, Viola Lawrence, Laurel Jones, Mavis Maye, Hambert Fraser, Inez Wong, Myrtle Franklyn and Angela Litchmore.

Former choir member and home-bound member Eglon Whyte was also visited and presented with a basket. A further $5,000.00 was given to Myrtle Franklyn to assist with a prescription. The project was executed over a three day period from Tuesday, December 20th to Thursday, December 22nd. Additional items that were received post visitation dates will be donated to the care basket.

The Boulevard Baptist Church demonstrated what it means to offer support and bearing the burden of our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean island of Haiti who suffered greatly from the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew. In solidarity with the wider initiative the

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church engaged the generosity of its membership, which yielded a sum of $321,422.00. In addition to this donation, over 150 tins of assorted food items were presented to the Food for the Poor for shipment to Haiti.

Dedication of 100 Chairs

One hundred new chairs were dedicated at the Boulevard Baptist Church during the worship service on December 4. Pastor indicated that this signaled the end of the project undertaken by the Harvest Committee. He stated that the chairs and benches that were taken out

were donated to the Sunning Hill Baptist Church.

Pastor thanked God for Sis. Alice Watson and her famlly who facilitated the importation of the chairs; Sis. Gloria Ranger and her team for the vision and responsibility to get these new chairs; and the membership for their support.

Deacon Eglon Stewart dedicated the chairs unto the Lord's work.

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Ministry Matters

In the absence of one of our members sharing his or her particular views and experience in ministry involvement, and at the same time encourage those members who have not yet find it necessary to get involved, we have taken the time to open up your minds a little more on why Ministry Matters.

Through the C H R I S T inspiration here is what we have to share.

C – Ministry Matters because it is the Christian way of life H – Ministry Matters because Humanity depends on it R – Ministry Matters because Relationships are formed I – Ministry Matters because it is our means of Identity with the kingdom S – Ministry Matters because our Salvation depends on it T – Ministry Matters because it is the Training ground to accomplish greater things!

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The Smell of a Scandal?

Our Green Attitude feature Sadieki Pitter It could be a potential ‘scandal’ for the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) concerning the three oil spills that occurred between November 26-28, 2016. The account the agency gave was that the oil spills were mostly concentrated in the Gordon Cay area of the Kingston Harbour and advised fisher folk to avoid that area during fishing.

Two of the oil spills were due to operational accidents during bunkering activities and the other was from a landbased facility. NEPA concluded their ecological assessment of the oil spills and appears to be withholding the names of the people involved, and the Jamaica Environmental Trust (JET) is speaking out on that. It must not be because it is the Kingston Harbour that it should be written off from being saved and anything can just be dumped there and no one be held responsible.

The potential scandal could result from the agency not highlighting or calling out these companies on these accidents that occurred and whether or not legal actions will be sought if they are found at fault.

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The adverse effects Oil spills have adverse effects on the economy and especially the environment. The many animals and wildlife that live in the water or on the coasts are mostly affected by oil spills. In several cases the oil causes them to choke to death, the oil can work itself in the fur and the feather of the animals, which causes difficulty in flying for birds and marine life to swim or float, or difficulty in regulating their body temperatures. Several baby animals and birds can be abandoned or starved to death as their parents can no longer detect their natural body scent. Marine life such as dolphins, sea otters, fish and countless species of birds and other organisms face these and other consequences.

It is full time that government agencies hold companies at fault and not to be reluctant in taking the necessary course of action to stem the exploits of companies whether public or private on the environment. We must take responsible and preserve our environment. A proper and clean environment positively impacts the health, economy and social aspects of any society.

The Editor’s Notes on a Topic of the Day Nurses’ Exodus The current recruitment of our nurses to take up lucrative contracts overseas is being described as a chronic situation by Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton. His solution to stem this brain drain is to have the World Health Organization intervene.

But why stop nurses from leaving. Instead, make this into an industry as a means of driving employment in this area and thus providing a boost for our economy. We must not forget that just a year or two ago we had our own trained nurses sitting at home because they could not be absorbed into a system that was obviously saturated. It is very natural that with any entity/industry, if the attrition rate is next-to-nothing then the opportunity for new employment will be just that – next-to-nothing.

The world is one big marketplace; see how we can maximize the possibilities for our people in this marketplace. We have to learn to embrace new phenomena – the change which is constant and which we cannot turn back no matter how unfavourable it may appear to us now. Make something positive out of something that may seem negative.

Given this wave of exodus there are benefits of steady employment locally; experience of a new culture and learning new methods of doing things when other nationals fill the gap; increased foreign exchange when these nurses send funds for relatives here; and if these professionals work long enough overseas their pension in a foreign currency will be satisfying and also beneficial to the country. The government will have hundreds less individuals to provide pension for, among other benefits. Think on these things!

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E-Voice Admiration One important thing to take note of is the good news coming out of the usually crime torn community of August Town, St. Andrew. They are celebrating 2016 as a year without murder. In previous years they recorded an average of eight murders annually due to gangs and political tensions.

This admirable feat was mainly achieved through skills training and the involvement of the church, in addition to other strategies of interrupting crime through various means of intervention. One looks forward to this type of initiative and intervention being replicated in other communities suffering from the crime monster. Much Admiration August Town!

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Mission Statement: To develop our spiritual lives, evangelize the wider community and influence the world through Christ by organized preaching, public and private worship, Christian education and fellowship, while co-operating with other Christian bodies.

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Devon Dick Opportunities for Worship Sundays: 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Sunday School: 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

Prayer meeting: Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. • Community Bible Study each Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.

Prayer and Fasting: 1st Saturdays, 7:00 a.m.

Editor-in-Chief: Sophia Williams Other Team Members: Francine Dallas, Duvaughn Dick and Claudette Reid Design & Lay out: Sophia Williams Boulevard Baptist Church 2 Washington Boulevard, Kingston 20 Telephone: 905-2422 Email: boulevard.baptist@yahoo.com | Website: www.boulevardbaptist.org.jm

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