Rev. Al Miller By Omar Anderson,
Staff Reporter
FOR THE past year especially, he could've easily taken the title most eccentric or renegade man of the cloth.
His passionate plea for national unity and crusade to save Jamaica from itself, means he's out on a limb - and often by himself. His stance leaves him vulnerable to ridicule but Rev. Al Miller is a man with a vision and he believes Jamaica is worth saving.
"My heart grieves at the conditions in our nation that inhibit our people from developing (their) greatness - the poverty, crime and violence, corruption and the social and moral decay."
About six weeks ago the good-natured but fiery 48-year-old chaplain to the Reggae Boyz took the unprecedented step of calling a press conference to outline his thoughts for a government of national unity and reconstruction against what he described as dark and difficult days.
His proposal was significant in that while it highlighted the negatives eating away at the society, he also put on the line a number of approaches to right the wrongs. His vision of a unified government include fresh non-partisan faces, perceived by the public to be credible and having integrity, combined with the best representatives from all existing parties.
Great ideas, but naive, said the commentators and since his November 21 press conference Rev. Miller said he has been told by the ruling Peoples National Party (PNP) that his proposals were not viable. The PNP also asked that he provide more details on how he expects his idea of a government of national unity and reconstruction to work. He has also heard from the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
Still, the president of Whole Life Ministries and pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston isn't backing down. He remains convinced a government of national unity would go a long way towards national development.
"We would have gained significant ground," he said recently, dressed in t-shirt and jeans and sitting in his Half-Way Tree Road office.
"My whole life has been people-oriented and service-oriented," he said by way of explaining his calls for unity, justice and repentance.
November's press conference was but the pastor's latest public outcry for fundamental changes.
In October 1999, Rev. Miller was one of the chief architects behind a National Day of Repentance held at the National Stadium in Kingston. On that day religion groups, politicians and ordinary Jamaicans came together to pray for the nation in what was dubbed Jamaica Bawl Out. In an emotionally-charged speech Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke told the thousands gathered at the Stadium his prayers were that he might set a good enough example for the nation so others would follow his footsteps in turning to the Almighty for guidance.
"You must not be afraid to forgive and if you have sinned, to say so. I admit before God that I have been a sinner, now saved by (His) grace," said the Governor-General.
Such is the power of Rev. Miller whose desire for a better Jamaica started with his boyhood involvement in a variety of social activities in Red Hills, St. Andrew.
He was a member of the youth club and community association, for example. At one time he was responsible for moulding participants in the Boys and Girls Brigade and had evening schools for students who needed help. In addition, he was president for the Youth Club Council for Kingston and St. Andrew, a position which facilitated him being chosen as an executive on the National Youth Council.
"I think we are the composite of all the experiences and exposures of life. These help us to form who we are," he said. "Both the positive and negative experiences contribute to what we become."
Jamaica, he noted, could only realise its potential after the people have repented and if they desire a new start.
"National unity is part of that fresh start."
