The Gleaner of Saturday, November 8, reported that the Ocho Rios Circuit of Baptist churches, under the leadership of its pastor and former president of the Jamaica Baptist Union, Reverend Jonathan Hemmings, donated six electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, costing $850,000, to the St Ann's Bay Hospital. And according to one of its deacons, Philip Rattray, the church is also planning to donate a dialysis machine. The number of dialysis machines in Jamaica is woefully inadequate to deal with the needs of Jamaicans who are diagnosed with kidney problems. Therefore, the donations by the churches are highly significant.

The churches reported that they garnered $1.5 millions from collections made at its 'Jesus: Foundation for Life 2008 Crusade', which it had funded from its own resources. The collections taken during the two weeks of evangelistic meetings were donated to the St Ann's Bay Hospital in the form of the machines.

From all reports, the crusade was very well organised with comfortable facilities for counselling persons who made decisions to follow the Christian lifestyle; covered areas where refreshments were provided for visitors and members, and there was a large tent for the hosting of nightly meetings. It is not usual for a circuit of churches to extend such financial resources, personnel etc on a crusade. So, the Ocho Rios Circuit of Baptist churches has raised the bar for quality evangelistic meetings.

Furthermore, the organisers were able to mobilise churches within St Ann and neighbouring parishes to support this gigantic effort. It was not a narrow church event. The scope of the denominational reach of the evangelistic effort was demonstrated by the line-up of preachers that was not restricted to Baptist preachers, such as the Rev Dr Burchell Taylor, but included Bishop Herro Blair and Bishop Delford Davis.

Influence

It is, therefore, not surprising that the crusade had an impact not only in Ocho Rios, but throughout the parish, and this influence was not confined to Baptist churches, but extended to other denominations. Furthermore, not only did it lead to the addition of members to the church - the main purpose of the meetings - but it also led to Christian renewal and maturity among the members.

This maturity of the members was demonstrated when the Ocho Rios Baptist Circuit declared that they raised $1.5 millions from the collections at the meetings. This is taking accountability and transparency to a new level. There have been instances wherein groups, such as the National Prayer Breakfast Committee, engaged in national efforts, have declared what they had collected and to whom it was donated, but never has a single church or circuit. It would be good if those who host foreign preachers and collect or charge money would take a leaf from the Ocho Rios Baptist model and declare how much has been collected and for what purpose. Additionally, local churches should have their church records audited and where that is not possible, have two persons overseeing the finances and making regular reports to the membership.

The church needs to improve its accountability. I recall while doing research for the book Rebellion to Riot: the Jamaican Church in Nation Building, I could not get any figures for the number of decisions made for Christ at mass crusades, save and except for the Franklyn Graham national crusade. Therefore, it is hardly likely that there are proper financial records concerning these national crusades.

This Ocho Rios Baptist model of sacrificial giving to fund a local crusade and donating the proceeds from the crusade's offerings is unprecedented. Even when the National Prayer Breakfast gives the proceeds from the offering at the breakfast, it is after the event is sponsored by Victoria Mutual Building Society and not the church directly.

This Ocho Rios Baptist model of accountability and organisation ought to be commended and emulated.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.