Volume 15, Issue 3
n From the Editor’s Desk
Selfie for Christ: Camps 2017 Recap
Summer is over and the back-to-school season is here. It’s a new environment for some and a new experience for all. Despite these changes, God remains unchanging; He is constant and will see us through our obstacles. Shortly after the newness wears off, we have Youth Conference and Rally 2017. Zones are already preparing to dethrone the champions whilst the champions are preparing to retain their title. Are you ready for another fantastic year of celebrations? See you there!!! Best regards, Marcel Clarke
What’s Inside? Camps 2017 Recap
2
All or Nothing: Reloaded
3
...And As Always
The Right Angle
2
Dealing with Abuse
2
The Monster
3
Thy Kingdom Fun
3
Make a Note
4
Where’s that Church?
4
CONTRIBUTED: Sardia McIndoe
This year’s camps were held at our JBU camp home, the JBU Conference Centre, in Duncans, Trelawny. Affectionately called Nutshell, the camp grounds attracted scores of young people from across the island’s Baptist fraternity in July of this year. The camps, as always, spanned the categories of Junior, Intermediate and Youth. The attendees eagerly fellowshipped and made lifetime memories in the capacities of camp personnel (counsellors) and campers. I could say more on the camps experience, but let’s allow some of our campers and counsellors to tell you their first hand experiences with the event. We caught up with some of this year’s participants. Here’s their take on JBUYD Camps 2017: Selfie for Christ.
For my first time attending a JBU Camp, it was really extraordinary. I enjoyed all the sessions, especially Dig Inna The Word each morning. I met a lot of friends, godly Christians. It was also good to see young men giving their life to Christ. It was an awesome week and to God be the Glory. Gevroy B., Grace (Oracabessa) Baptist Youth Camper
I am no stranger to Camps, having been part of the event at all levels. This year’s theme seemed to be a timely message for us youth. It really gave us a bird’s eye view of one’s self. I would recommend Camp to anyone as the experience and memories shared and received are for a lifetime. I await Youth Camp 2018 with bated breath. Donesa T., Ebony Vale Baptist Youth Camper (see Camps, page 2)
Page 2
The Right Angle Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9 In today’s society where persons are identified by connections and possessions, we find that youth would do almost anything to be accepted, acknowledged and affirmed as individuals of value and worth. This has led to the increase of identity crisis among many youth. However, we are reminded in God’s Word of who we are even in the midst of an ungodly and unwelcoming system. We are called to declare and demonstrate to the world that we know who we are and Whose we are: a people privileged, peculiar and proclaiming the goodness and glory of God. renew
Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Department | Camps (continued from page 1)
I particularly enjoyed the interaction with campers and other camp personnel during the free sessions, as many of them would just willingly share some of the issues they face, pose questions they think normal adults wouldn’t understand, or simply be a shoulder to lean on. I give God thanks for this ministry of the JBUYD and every single camper, past and present. Orane Shaw (Megamind), Bethel (HWT) Baptist Intermediate Camp Counsellor There we have it! Join us next year for another exciting and engaging staging of JBUYD Camps. Check out some highlights from the events below! rejoice
Dealing with Abuse Individuals are so afraid when faced with abuse of one kind or the other. Many times, abuse can lead to feelings of depression, despondency, dejection and even to death. It is imperative that we recognise abuse for what it is—whether it is in the form of verbal, physical, sexual abuse or neglect—and express our feelings so that we release the pressure we experience when we feel abused, oppressed and depressed. How well do you take care of you? Do you bottle it up, only to find that you end up exploding like a pressure cooker when you least expect it?! Speak, my friend! Break the silence! Talk to a trusted friend, a counsellor, a pastor, any health worker, someone, anyone most importantly someone you can trust. Beg you please break the silence and Talk Up Youth! reach
Contributors needed!
Want to see your work in the Impact Newsletter? Send us your article, poem or artwork!
jbuyouth@gmail.com
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All or Nothing: Reloaded
Wednesdays @ 4:30 PM LOVE 101 FM
Thy Kingdom Fun
You’ve asked for it, and now we’re bringing it to you! This year’s staging of the Jamaica Baptist Union National Youth Conference and Rally will be celebrated under the theme, All or Nothing: Reloaded. The event is set for November 23-25, 2017. It’s gearing up to be the most epic event of the year. In a Nutshell, at Duncans, Trelawny, the JBUYD will be rolling back the curtains. Our focuses for this year will be on silencing violence, the showcasing of talents and environmental stewardship. As we anticipate the enormous turnout, we celebrate unity and creativity, and we experience life change through this event. Our Cultural Commission Chair, AnnaKaye Mighty, and her team are rounding it up to make this a memorable event. There will be competitions, the fun, the countdown, the performances, guest artiste, giveaways, prizes, surprises and more! This will be a ground-breaking year indeed! Fun cyaahn done! reach
— rejoice
The Monster Wa riili a apn iina Jamieka? Jamaica Crime and Safety Report (OSAC)
The chart represents the reported number of incidents of some areas of crime and violence occurring in Jamaica for the period 2014-2016. Research shows that social intervention has helped to stem the level of crime and violence in targeted communities.
3000 2500 2000
1500 1000 500 0 2014
2015 Murders
Rapes
2016 Break-ins
Let us consider what we can do as Baptist youths to help alleviate this monster. Perhaps we can start Sunday school classes, skills training programs or performing arts classes in these volatile communities? Could we incorporate social outreach as one of the competition areas at Rally? You may share your suggestions jbuyouth@gmail.com. reach
with
us
at:
Make a Note September 2017 10
Student Service (Central) Mandeville Baptist, 9:00 am
17
Student Service (Corporate Area) Mona Baptist, 10:00 am
24
Student Service (Western) Calvary Baptist, 10:00 am
October 2017 1
Student Service (Eastern) Pt. Antonio Baptist, 10:00 am
6-10 YAF Tree Planting Week 14
JBUYD Zone Eliminations
November 2017 23-25 Youth Conference & Rally
Where’s That Church?: Salter’s Hill Baptist CONTRIBUTED: Claudia Barrett
God ordained, he was released and continued to work towards the abolition of slavery. We may know about the Sam Sharpe Rebellion of 1831, but did you know this church was burnt by the St. James Militia on December 23, 1831 during the uprising? The church was seen as one of the sources of ‘public disorder’. It was later rebuilt and continued (and still continues) to be a place of refuge.
The ruins at Salter’s Hill Baptist, St. James
Located in St. James, the chapel at Salter’s Hill Baptist is a testament to our ancestors’ efforts to resist colonial religious suppression. This chapel was built for our oppressed forefathers, by our oppressed forefathers in 1825, and is now a national heritage site. Contrary to poplar belief, blacks were not encouraged to participate in Christian worship services, especially not with the ruling plantocracy of the day. This church resisted the norm, however, and quickly became the venue for the oppressed population to meet and strategize the way forward in their quest for freedom, both in the pre- and post-emancipation periods. One prominent figure in the establishment of this church was Rev. Walter Denby — ardent abolitionist, hated by the Jamaican plantocracy because of his refusal to use the Bible as a tool to keep the enslaved population in servitude. He was imprisoned by the elite for this, but as
Did You Know?
William Knibb served as a minister at Salter’s Hill Baptist. Baptists in Jamaica have a long history of fighting for social justice. We Baptist love to boast about the actions of our predecessors . Will we be the generation that continues to fight for social justice while holding steadfast to the highest biblical standards? rejoice
Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Department 2B Washington Boulevard, Kingston 20, Jamaica
969-2223 / 969-6268
@ 924-6296
@
jbuyouth@gmail.com
< http://youth.jbu.org.jm