Best wishes as you move forward in faith

IEXTEND congratulatory greetings to the pastor and members of the William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church as they celebrate 190 years of Christian witness and service. This is a significant milestone, one that is not only defined by longevity, but the reality that this ministry extends far beyond the parish of Trelawny.

The first Baptist missionaries to Jamaica settled in Falmouth, and it is there that William Knibb and others helped to lay the foundation on which the Baptist Church would be firmly established in Jamaica. From its wellspring of spiritual and moral fortitude, the Baptist Church has steered Jamaicans through many critical moments and challenges, all of which have contributed to the development of our democracy, social norms, and national institutions.

At the William Knibb Baptist Church, successive generations of leaders and members have been gifted with valuable lessons on impacting change through sustained actions that are undergirded by God’s unending wisdom, grace, and mercy. These lessons and insights acquired over the past 190 years must now be used to guide the parish of Trelawny and the nation in counteracting lingering challenges that threaten our socio-economic development.

Adverse events involving the youngest among us, in particular, outline the urgent need for action. In as much as the monster of slavery was slayed through the efforts of William Knibb and others, so, too, must the church named in his memory consider ways in which it can work to contain the monsters of crime, social malaise, and weak parenting, which have contributed to many of the problems facing our nation.

I remain confident that by using what is right with Jamaica, especially the untapped resources of Jamaicans across generational lines, you can extend the mission of the church.

Best wishes as you march forward in faith to your 200th anniversary. SIR PATRICK ALLEN Governor General