Jamaica East And West Districts
The Vision Retreat Centre, which is located in a quiet, residential community of Mandeville was not the same for the weekend of March 9 to 11, 2007. From as early as 7:00 p.m. enthusiastic and energetic N.Y.I. leaders from Jamaica East and West Districts started occupying the centre in anticipation of the experiences what was awaiting them at Leadership Training Seminar 2007.The aroma from the kitchen created by the very efficient Mr. Jackson, from the Boulevard Church of the Nazarene and Mr. Horace Perkins, Manager of the centre, embraced us as we entered. That was an indication of great things to come.

After supper, Kevin Douglas, N.Y.I. president of Jamaica East District, led the introductory session of the seminar. Each person was allowed to share a little about him or herself. In addition to the youth leaders, East District Superintendent Reverend Ronald Grey, Reverend Brown, Pastor Valin Smith and Pastor Brian Doyley were present. The seminar was also blessed with the presence of the Caribbean Regional NYI Coordinator and Global NYI President, Reverend Monte Cyr.  After a brief discussion on the plans and expectations of the weekend, Reverend Grey declared the retreat opened and Kenesha Patterson, NYI president of Jamaica West District committed all into God’s hands through prayer.

Immediately following most campers retired for the night, but a team of committed youth workers held camp board meeting in preparation for N.Y.I. Youth Camp 2007.This meeting was chaired by Karen Clarke-Patrick of Jamaica west district.

The enthusiasm of the weekend continued into Saturday. Campers feasted upon the expert knowledge of Rev. Cyr. His warm, cheerful spirit arrested us throughout his presentations. We were kept alert and interactive. Is there anything about NYI as a global organization that Rev. Cyr does not know? He explored various aspects of the organization thoroughly, using the NYI Charter, in order to make us more aware of the awesome responsibilities we have as youth leaders, not just to the organization, but also in representing Christ at all times.

Rev. Cyr used every opportunity afforded him to stress the importance of holiness in the life of each youth leader. He explored the dichotomy of holiness, which involves God’s responsibility and our responsibility. He said firstly, God’s responsibility is to purify and direct our lives. God will always be faithful in carrying out his responsibilities. Secondly, our responsibility is to give ourselves completely to God at all times. When we adopt an attitude of holiness in our lives then we will be the leaders God desires, because we will obey Him at all times. Rev. Cyr impressed upon us the importance of prayer and unity among brethren in planning and implementing programmes for NYI.

Break sessions were also interesting, as young Nazarenes fellowshipped. Some challenged each other on the basketball court; some listened to the latest gospel albums; some assisted the chefs in the kitchen; while others just shared quietly.

“General Chat”, a rap session conducted by Pastor Doyley and Kenesha, brought the curtain down on Saturday night.  In this session we got the chance to share issues affecting our various NYI’s, and ways of improving ourselves and what we offer as youth leaders.

What was most interesting about this session was the fact that solutions for all the concerns and problems that were highlighted came from us. Ironically, Rev. Cyr remained quiet throughout the entire session. That is one mark of an experienced leader. When he was finally asked to make his contribution, he confirmed the suggested solutions offered by members from the group. That was a lesson in itself. It reminded us that we are not alone, but are members of a body of very resourceful people. Therefore, we need to strengthen and widen our communication network among churches and across the districts, so that we will be better able to assist each other. Rev. Cyr reminded us that NYI belongs to God. Therefore, programmes, personalities, culture etc. should not be the driving force behind NYI, but God.

The youth leaders were in action again on Sunday morning at the Mandeville Church of the Nazarene, which shares the compound with the Vision Retreat Centre. Lateisha Smith-Breakenridge and a team of praise leaders led the congregation into divine worship. Rev. Garfield Spencer, pastor of the church, enjoyed a “day off” as he skillfully played the keyboard. The Sermon was the icing on the cake that was baked throughout the weekend.

In presenting the sermon Rev. Cyr used the topic “The Christian’s Source of Power”. He used practical demonstrations, interaction with the congregation and several texts from the Bible including: St. John 14:26; and Ephesians 3:16, 20, etc. to admonish us that the Holy Spirit is and should always be a Christian’s source of power. He did not shout or sweat, but the message was quite gripping. With a hushed congregation he ended with these words.

     “We have to give God complete control.

     All other things God will give. God is saying,

     ‘I am here to offer you true life, but I want all of you.”

When he invited us to an altar of prayer, persons just went willingly. It was amazing and beautiful.

The Final session of the “power packed” weekend was lead by Kevin. What is a seminar without evaluation? We all shared our experiences throughout the seminar. All expressed fulfillment. It was a joy to see love on each face as words of appreciation was expressed to all, including the chefs. The sounds “ooh, aah” rang out as gift presentations were made to and by Rev. Cyr.

Indeed it was a weekend filled with food. There were: scrumptious meals; fruits of the spirit which kept us happy and incident free; solid food of the word for the soul; food for thought; and the sowing of seeds in the lives of the young NYI leaders. Did it stop there? No, we all look forward to the harvest the seminar will produce, as empowered youth leaders return to labour in NYI’s across Jamaica.

Respectfully submitted by:

Kenesha Patterson,

Jamaica West District N.Y.I. President