Letter of the Day | Let us LIFT Jamaica

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This year’s National Leadership Prayer Breakfast was a meaningful event. The organisers were creative in planning what they referred to as a hybrid – a blending of face- to- face and virtual gathering. The model worked seamlessly.

The most impactful moment from this annual activity was the call to LIFT up Jamaica. Rev Dr Rohan Ambersley challenged Jamaican leaders and citizens to LIFT Jamaica through right actions based on the right motives, and through right attitudes based on the right mindset.

The 42-year-old preacher and business executive, who grew up in the Olympic Gardens community, is a powerful example of a Jamaican male who has been lifted to a place of outstanding service to his country, despite the social environment, marked by crime and low achievement, in which he was raised.

The call to LIFT Jamaica should be taken seriously and applied to every aspect of life. The words of the preacher continue to resonate:

“I recommend a sustained and coordinated national development effort inspired by a passion for right action and an embracing of right attitude. This would support Vision 2030 with its lofty and commendable goals. I call it Loving Interventions for Transformation (LIFT). This would see national development partners agreeing on specific interventions designed to bring transformation to communities across the length and breadth of this nation.”

I strongly believe that the LIFT Jamaica proposal can become a powerful, practical application of what it means to have right action and attitude as we press forward in hope, faith and love.

This nation needs more Loving Interventions for Transformation if the lofty and seemingly elusive goals of Vision 2030 are to be realised. There are at least three groups in Jamaica that can easily apply LIFT to their core operations. I refer to churches, schools, and businesses.

HOLISTIC MINISTRY IS NEEDED

Churches are well-positioned and resourced to identify and work with unattached youth, struggling families and victims of crime and violence. Holistic ministry is what is needed. If at least one young person is identified by each congregation, assessed and placed on a path of growth through prayer, mentoring, education and skills training support, it is amazing what that young person can become.

I am suggesting that schools introduce LIFT clubs as part of their co-curricular activities. Teachers and guidance counsellors could train and deploy LIFT ambassadors in their schools. I am aware that many schools already have well-organised and successful programmes of this nature, so my call is simply for more schools to get on board.

What if more business organisations in Jamaica become intentional in investing in struggling Jamaicans who are operating below their potential? This approach could mean employment, and support for educational and charitable entities. I believe that more foundations can be formed by businesses geared at transforming the lives of Jamaicans.

Lifting up Jamaica cannot be done by a small group; everybody must subscribe to this approach. The weight of crime, corruption and low achievement is far too heavy for the country to be lifted by a few. For there to be social and economic transformation in Jamaica, there has to be a new mindset. It has to begin with each of us.

REV DR ROY NOTICE

Administrative Bishop

The New Testament Church of

God – Jamaica