Students of Pentab Basic School at 16 North Street, central Kingston. - PHOTOS BY IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE PENTECOSTAL Tabernacle's community outreach programme is not confined to its sidewalk ministry.
In 1997, a programme geared towards helping persons primarily in inner-city communities to realise and maximise their potential was established.
Project HOPE - Helping Other People Excel/Endure - began with the launch of the PenTab High School in 1998 and has since grown to incorporate the community sidewalk Sunday school ministry.
The project also spearheads an after-school programme, fund-a-child programme, a daycare centre, and counselling services.
The project, which was registered as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation last year, is now seeking funding to establish a community mobile learning centre.
The church also operates a basic school and a computer lab which has provided needed skills to some community residents. Members also participate in an active prison ministry at some of the island's correctional facilities.
ADULT COMPONENT
Since this year, Pentecostal Tabernacle has started the adult component of the community ministry on the streets and in the homes of members of the Central and East Kingston communities on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition, community members have benefited from a clothes bank, as well as food packages. A health clinic also caters to the needs of residents of Central Kingston and other communities by way of health fairs.
Michael Thompson, a member of the church, has been actively involved in the community outreach programme since its inception.
"Even if there is a flare-up of violence, we can still go in and have Sunday school. Because of our presence in the community we can actually talk to these guys. Rival group members trust us to talk with the young men," he says.
- C. M.
