Embracing ‘country living’
IN DONNINGTON, we found-Andre Buchanan, the man who oversees the Following the Blueprint Ministries in deep rural St Mary, which has no running water or roads.
His house was outfitted with electricity and he also had a river in his backyard.
He described himself as a lay preacher in the Adventist Church and pushed back at suggestions that the group could be a cult.
“This is not a cult. We are servants of God, and I am but a humble servant of God, following the teachings of Ellen G. White, who we know was inspired by God. ... We chose to follow them strictly, especially about Country Living,” he told The Sunday Gleaner, referencing one of White’s books of doctrine.
The book’s foreword notes that its “counsels and warnings have challenged many Seventh-day Adventists to examine carefully the effects of urban living on their lives and to re-evaluate where they choose to live. It has highlighted the dangers of involvement with labour unions and other sources of party strife in the cities. At the same time, it has helped those with a burden for city evangelism to consider how best to be in the world but not of the world”.
Buchanan said that they were on a mission to develop this country living across Jamaica, as White noted that the cities do not provide wholesome environments for Christian families.
He said that the October 17 ritual in Montego Bay, which ended with three persons dead, could not unfold within his ministry.
“I am not His Excellency and we are not connected to him in any way, shape or form. What happened there could not happen with us because we eat no flesh. We have no use for blood here, so there could be no sacrifices here. Our aim is that individuals who feel sufficiently convicted develop similar communities of country living across all parishes,” he explained.
Buchanan could not say how many members were part of the ministry founded in 2002 by Vincent Hoo, who continues to lead the group, along with Wilheim Lecky.
The community of saints has established their commune on leased lands, and although he was responsible for securing the lands, Buchanan could not say how many acres were leased in Bell Hill or from whom.
‘ADVENTIST TO THE BONE’
“I am Adventist to the bone. They call me ‘Engine’ because I like to build. I am a carpenter and mechanic, but in my other life, I worked as an accountant until I became convicted by the inspiration for country living,” said Buchanan, a man of roughly 5’5” and of medium build, who appeared to be in his mid to late 30s.
Buchanan said that he had heard of the police’s recent visit to the commune.
“I was actually at a wedding on the day the police went to the area, but I don’t have a problem with them because we are not breaking any law. They were doing their job and they did not breach our constitutional rights, so I did not have a problem with their visit,” Buchanan said.
“I am just a lay preacher in the Adventist Church. We are here to do God’s will. We eat from the land and we are cultivating the foods to feed our bodies. We are doing manual work in preparation for the destruction of Jerusalem, of which Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 24,” said Buchanan, who sported a pair of black jeans, a black long-sleeve shirt and a pair of black socks.