City Life Ministries brings unity
published: Saturday | December 24, 2005

Ross Sheil & Joseph Cunningham, Staff Reporters

Two months after local area leader Franklyn 'Chubby Dread' Allen was fatally shot, Southside in downtown Kingston remains a community divided by warring gangs.

Nevertheless, there is an ongoing effort to restore unity across corner boundaries namely the Southside-based City Life Ministries' I-61 Strategy.

I-61 (deriving its theological and philosophical identity from Isaiah chapter 61), comprises eight young men who were trained in leadership and project management through the implementation of biblical principles.

streets alive

With an aim to redevelop communities across Jamaica, the I-61 group hosted the Southside Christmas Treat last weekend. Promising to 'bring the streets alive' from noon 'til sunset, over 500 children received gifts and refreshments while enjoying fun and games. The day ended with a stage show featuring some of Jamaica's leading gospel artistes such as D.J. Nicolas and Prodigy.

Pastor Carrington Morgan, head of City Life Ministries, told Volunteer Today: "We at City Life want to see our nation restored to justice and integrity. Although we are stationed in Southside, this is a nation-focused ministry." Pastor Morgan explained that he believes that God has momentarily sent his ministry to the heart of Jamaica's problem (downtown) and City Life's
mission is to positively impact the whole area.

"We look out for the needs of the people and this is the latest thing we've been working on," said I-61 events coordinator Andre Leslie. He explained, " I-61 was formed by Pastor Carrington Morgan to present young men who are role models to move. We are empowered to move freely in the community since we're law abiding youths," said the 21- year-old.

All eight are from the Southside communities of Rae Town and Tel Aviv. I-61 member Damian Williams believes other youths want to join because of the example they set.

treat

According to Pastor Morgan, "The I-61 young men are able to take on projects and accomplish these themselves, be it organising this treat or something as simple as fixing someone's convenience or roof." The group, he said, will also be joining with another group of men from Majesty Gardens to host a treat for the Majesty Gardens community, to assist residents following a recent fire that destroyed twelve homes.

Pastor Morgan is the son of Dr. Pat Morgan and Bishop C.B. Peter Morgan, whose family ministry was established to minister to Southside initially and subsequently to other inner-city communities.

Their attachment to Southside began through their project work in the community, which led to a request from the community to form a church. The citizens' meet for services each Sunday afternoon at the Jamaica Conference Centre, and biblical and social issues are discussed.

He said that about 75 per cent of the treat's budget was provided by the Jamaican Diaspora, which he emphasised is a major source of financing for City Life ventures. About 70 members of Pastor Morgan's congregation ­ about 30 from uptown and 40 from Southside itself.