Boys' Home gets school supplies, gospel concert

Ryan Baugh

THE JAMAICA Christian Boys' Home received a special donation of back to school supplies, clothing and food supplies at a Back to School presentation and gospel concert at the home at 7 Oxford Road, Kingston recently.

The Back to School presentation and concert under the theme "Touching Hearts, Changing Lives" was staged by Word Time Ministries of Jamaica in association with LOVE FM, Whole Life Ministries Bible Centre and Sam Wisdom Music Stores. The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Rev. The Hon. Carmen Lois Stewart O.D., J.P., patron of the organisation.

The idea of the Back to School presentation was originated to assist parents and students alike face serious economical, educational and social issues at the start of the new school year. In particular high school fees, books, lunch, transportation.

Members of the Ministry secured sponsorship from a number of corporate companies as well as raised funds through a coin drive, bottle drive and personnel donation.

The entertainment package included music, dance and speech. Artistes lending there support included: Ryan Baugh, Sam Wisdom, founder of The Love Singers, Total Praise, Finalist in the recent 2001 J.C.D.C. Gospel Song Festival, Allan Lewis of Love FM and The Panton Brothers- the award winning duet, 10-yr-old Chevon and 12-yr-old Tanel. Also performing was the Shakina Glory Dance Group from Kintyre with "Free" and "There is Hope". Gail Tyndale Ellis rendered the speech "The Day's Demand" and the Word Time Ministries Combined Choral Group presented "Time To Arise". Praise and Worship was lead by Annoleah Reid and Rev. Dr. Orville Neil, Pastor of Hosanna Praise Church and Chaplin of the Boys' Horne offering a special prayer for the boys of the home.

Word Time Ministries of Jamaica is a non-profit youth organisation specialising in missions of outreach in schools, hospitals and children homes. The ministry aims of the outreach programme which commenced in March of this year are to provide positive role models for over 50 boys ages 5-18 years, spread the gospel of Jesus through music, the spoken word and other art forms and sports.

A special feature of the function was the presentation of the special "The Boy of The Year" award of the Jamaica Christian Boys' Home to 17- year-old Shawn Brown. Others receiving awards including. Shareen Williamson, Member of the Year, Debbie McFarlane, director of the Year.

Shareen Williamson shines at awards

Seventeen-year-old Shareen Williamson outshone her peers and walked away with the award for Member of the Year of Word Time Ministries of Jamaica during the presentation of the awards.

The award was part of a Back to School Presentation and Gospel Concert. Shareen, a 5th form student of St. Hugh's High School, became the first person from the Ministry to have won the award consecutively, having walked away with the award in 1999. While she was nominated for Courtesy and Smile Awards, it was in the area of fundraising that she left the pack and also took the award for Fundraiser of the Year. She also won the awards for Bible Drive, Bottle Drive and Coin Drive.

Other winners include Phillip Osbourne for most co-operative and most punctual member, Tanel Panton ­ courtesy award and sharing with his brother Chevon to win the most improved award, Carlene McFarlane won the smile award. The director of the year award went to Debbie McFarlane of Love FM.

Two long service awards to the Ministry were also presented to Debbie McFarlane and Phillip Osbourne, both founding members of the Kingston Chapter, and serving each for five years.

Through the hard work and dedication of its members and the support of corporate sponsors, Word Time Ministers of Jamaica has accomplished a number of outreach programmes to various institutions and projects including the Port Royal All Age School's reading programme, Back to Basic Music Crusade, Justices of the Peace of St. Andrew, Penrith Full Gospel Church, Musgrave Girls Home, Jamaica National Children's Home, National Chest Hospital, and the Jamaica Christian Boys' Home.

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