MillerKlao Bell, Staff Reporter
The flood of church groups into West Kingston after last July's upsurge of violence has receded. The organisations cite limited resources behind the scaling down of their activities in the troubled downtown community.
Popular pastor, the Reverend Al Miller of the Fellowship Tabernacle Church on Half-Way Tree Road, was a part of a team of ministers and businessmen who toured the West Kingston areas last year after confrontation with gunmen and the police resulted in the deaths of 27 people.
Though his church participated in immediate relief efforts in the community, there has not been a sustained programme.
"We maintain a relationship with the people in Rema and assist individuals from one or two communities," Rev. Miller said, "but we do not have the resources to maintain that support, sometimes the expectations of the people are different from the reality of our resources."
He pointed out, however, that there is a set protocol governing the activities of external churches that want to work with new communities.
"It is normal that the presence of the Church would be greater when there is a major situation but instead we have to defer to the churches within the communities that would be doing on-going work. Ministerial ethics dictate that we don't intervene in a community unless invited to or unless we are going to establish a church there," the Rev. Miller explained.
Rev. Dr. Alma Blair, co-pastor of the Deliverance Evangelistic Association, explained that the itinerant nature of evangelism prevents sustained presence in one area.
"Our young people used to visit on Sunday afternoons but have not been able to attend as often. You see, there are needs in other areas as well and they attend outreach programmes in various areas," the Rev. Blair said.
According to the Denham Town Police, the headquarters for the Kingston Western Division, there are 42 churches in the 14 communities in its division. Sunday Gleaner checks show that at least seven churches from outside the area are also involved there.
Tivoli Gardens councillor Desmond McKenzie praised the churches located in the constituency.
"We do have a close working relationship with the churches in the area, I don't think any can be excluded. The Seventh Day Adventist, Anglican, Catholic and other indigenous churches all try to assist in various shapes and form from offering counselling to assisting with funerals," Mr. Mckenzie said.
He added, however, that, "external churches don't really come in more than so except when invited or when they want to have a special programme. From a West Kingston perspective they need to interact more since they use the area to have tent meeting and conventions. The external churches could possibly work more with the schools. They have a lot of young people who could be Christian role models to the students."
Unlike communities in West Kingston, Trench Town seems to be benefiting more from sustained church intervention. The Sunday Gleaner noticed a high concentration of church-based and non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the Trench Town community. Trench Town, commonly perceived to be a part of West Kingston is in fact, a part of the South St. Andrew political division. The West Kingston political division has four communities - Denham and Hannah towns, Fletcher's Land and Tivoli Gardens.
The Christian Life Fellowship (CLF), located on Gordon Town Road runs a programme where young men from the Trench Town community meet on Friday nights and attend church on Sundays. CLF also sends volunteers for the Rema reading centre.
"There are about three external churches working here on a consistent basis," said CLF elder, Bruce Fletcher. He, however, pointed out that the work of churches has been hindered by the instability within the communities.
"There was a lot of progress in Rema and Federal Gardens but every time there is a flare-up of violence it sets back the work," Mr. Fletcher said.
Over in Arnett Gardens the Innercity for Christ Ministries, a church-based organisation working in that community and headed by Pastor Errol Henry, who is also leader of the West Kingston Ministers' Fraternal, runs a successful social programme. Thirty-five women are employed at a banana chips factory, which also produces fuel from banana peel. There is also a computer learning centre where 25 young persons are being trained.
In spite of vibrant social and spiritual program-mes by local and external churches, Rohan Perry president of Jones Town Area Council is still critical.
"The churches are doing their own spiritual thing but they are not reaching the persons who are causing the degradation of the community. They care for those who are converted. They sometimes ap-proach the guys on the corner with doctrine, which is not acceptable to them. They should be involved in more social programmes and use it as a gateway to the spiritual," Mr. Perry said.
He, however told The Sunday Gleaner about the work of the Jones Town Baptist church that runs a Women's Centre for teenage mothers; the Salvation Army that helps the elders with care packages and hosts regular senior citizens meetings and the United Pentecostal Church that hosts regular meetings and treats for kids.
In spite of this, Mr. Perry feels that the churches are still missing the mark.
"It has been proven over the years that where there is conversion the lifestyle of the individuals usually change from anti-social to behaviour that benefits the community. It is not fair to say they are not involved but they can do much more and need to maximise their potential and reach those who need it most," Mr. Perry said.
