Worshippers greet each other during the Praise and Worship session of the Open Bible Standard Churches of Jamaica's Communion Service of the 57th Annual Convention at the National Arena yesterday. The week-long convention was held under the theme "Redeeming the Time", and yesterday's sub-theme was "The Mandate for the Time". - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
LOCAL CHRISTIANS are being urged to continue Jesus Christ's global mission at a time of increased inter-national strife. The charge came from Trinidadian pastor Cecil Quamina who addressed members of the Open Bible Standard Churches of Jamaica yesterday.
Reverend Quamina, of the denomination's San Fernando church in Trinidad, was guest speaker at the church's week-long 57th annual conference and convention, culminating yesterday at the National Arena in St. Andrew. Speaking under the day's theme, 'The Mandate for the Time', he reminded the congregation of Jesus's global outlook.
"Our mandate (as Christians) is our mission, going to the world and making disciples. We have to preach the Bible and win men to Christ," Reverend Quamina.
URGENT ATTENTION
He said the mission was especially relevant given present conflicts between the Isralis and Palestinians and at a time when tens of thousands of people starve worldwide daily, despite large agri-cultural subsidies and overproduction in other countries.
Sexual exploitation, indecency and terrorism were three other issues he cited as needing urgent attention.
Citing biblical parables, he cautioned Christians that, just as Jesus ministered to the likes of prostitutes, his followers should be equally inclusive.
