Ed Habre, Director of the Jamaican Work, accompanied by Joshua Idowu, pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church in Worth, Illinois, recently returned from Jamaica following a ten-day visit with the saints in our eight churches on the island nation. This is a trip that was rescheduled due to the destruction that was sustained in many regions by hurricane Melissa in early November 2025. Since that time much of the nation’s infrastructure has been restored, and they are making great progress toward repairing the many buildings that were previously affected by the category 5 hurricane that pummeled much of their nation.

On Thursday, February 5, the two joined the saints at our Kingston headquarters church location for a special Thursday night evangelistic service. They were warmly welcomed by Pastor Gloria Nelson. After singing hymns of praise together, they heard testimonies from congregation members, as well as from participants viewing the service via Zoom. Brother Joshua gave his testimony, sharing how he came to the Lord. Brother Ed chose his text from Jeremiah 32, reminding the congregation of what the Lord God said to the prophet: “Is there any thing too hard for me?” (verse 27). The message was very well received, and Sister Gloria closed the service with a word of exhortation. She once again reminded the congregation that there is nothing too hard for God, as she invited them forward to pray.

The following day, the service was held in our Spanish Town location, where Nerissa Henry is the pastor. Following the song service, Charmaine Clough, who is the wife of the island superintendent, was asked to pray. The testimony service was particularly inspiring. The Cloughs’ daughter, Rohanna, told of attending the Portland camp meeting for the first time in 2025, saying she was blessed beyond what she could have imagined. Also, two sisters, whom the Jamaica and Portland congregations have been recently holding up in prayer, testified to how the Lord has been with them through their health crisis trials. One was suffering from cancer and the other had a stroke, and both expressed gratitude for the prayers of the saints, saying the Lord has been their help and healer. For the message, Brother Joshua took his text from Mark 8:34-37, speaking on the value of one’s soul and that it means everything to make Heaven. Following the sermon, many went forward and prayed.

On Saturday, February 7, a ministers’ meeting was held in our Kingston church. During the gathering, the ministers were encouraged to pray for one another, and each shared a victory and a burden. Also, the District Superintendent, Rohan Clough, gave a brief exhortation and announced the theme for the National Convention in July: “The Bread of Life.” For the message, Brother Ed directed everyone’s attention to 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and the topic “Five Truths We as Ministers of God Must Remember.” The sweet Spirit of God visited the ministry gathered in the room, especially as they sang “We Place You at the Highest Place” and closed with prayer. The meeting was followed by a lunch prepared by some of the sisters in the congregation.

With two services planned for Sunday, February 8, the team started the day in Castleton, where Delceta Claudius pastors. Sunday school classes are currently held in the sanctuary and balcony. However, construction is well underway on additional rooms, which will provide Sunday school classes as well as a fully outfitted kitchen for hosting special events.

The choir, directed by the assistant pastor, Adrian Francis, was dressed in white with the ladies wearing yellow hats, and the men wearing yellow ties. They sang a beautiful rendition of “Waiting on the Lord.” The congregational songs included the familiar “Come unto Me,” as well as two songs new to the visitors: “Prayer Bells of Heaven” and “Telephone to Glory.” The message was taken from Matthew 15:21-28 and had the theme “Great Faith.” Afterward, nearly all present went forward to pray as the song “Take Me as I Am” was sung.

In the evening, the visiting ministers, accompanied by some from the Castleton congregation, made the two-hour drive to Springvale to attend their evening evangelistic service. Songs of worship from inside the church, including “He Rolled the Sea Away,” welcomed them to this lovely remote location.

Following introductions, a sister from Castleton testified that she was in so much pain the day before that all she wanted to do was get to church to be prayed for. The Lord met her there and touched her in a miraculous way. Another stood to her feet and joyfully declared, “If I complained, I would be ungrateful because of all the Lord has done for me!” She ended her testimony by encouraging anyone who doesn’t know Jesus to “run to Him tonight!”

Brother Joshua brought the word from Titus 2:11-14, exhorting the congregation that “the grace of God that brings salvation is for all people.” Following the sermon, Brother Rohan made an impassioned plea for those with a need to come forward for prayer, and nearly everyone went to pray.

On Monday, February 9, Brothers Ed, Joshua, and Rohan began visits to our churches in Central Jamaica. That evening they drove to Christiana. The congregation there has a large group of young people, and a construction project is expected to more than double the size of the church. Pastor Shawn Barrett warmly welcomed the visitors as the congregation sang “He Is Able” with such enthusiasm that there was no doubt they believed it with all their hearts. Before the message, the choir sang “Too Much to Gain, to Lose.” Then the sermon, which was taken from Matthew 24:36-44, exhorted the brethren to be ready for the soon coming of the Lord.

Our Troy church suffered the most damage of all our locations during Hurricane Melissa, losing most of its roof. However, the roof has already been replaced using donated funds for materials and volunteer labor. Upon the team’s arrival on Tuesday, they were thrilled to see the beautiful workmanship done by some of the brethren. The pastor, Andrea Miller, conveyed the congregation’s gratitude for the generosity of the saints in the United States in helping them to rebuild.

The song service, consisting of new choruses and old familiar hymns, was accompanied by a man who lives in the nearby town of Pike and brings his keyboard to church. Approximately forty years ago he lost his eyesight. Before that time, he did not know how to play an instrument, but the Lord gave him the ability to play his keyboard for Jesus. He is a true blessing to the congregation. The sermon was taken from Ephesians 2:19 and entitled “Citizens of Heaven.” The congregation was exhorted to obtain Heavenly citizenship to be with the Lord forever.  

With two more churches to visit, on Wednesday, February 11, an evangelistic service was held at our church in Albert Town where sister Dennise Clarke pastors. The drive took the visiting team through a heavy rainstorm and then over hurricane damaged roads that slowed progress to nearly a crawl at times. However, their excitement in visiting this location was not diminished. Several years ago, the Portland headquarters sent funds to install a roof over an expansion of the building. They looked forward to seeing the result and were not disappointed.  

The Christiana pastor, Brother Shawn, brought the message from 1 Samuel 9:7-9 on “Broken to be Blessed.” At the closing song of invitation, “Nearer My God to Thee,” the congregation went forward to pray. Before the visitors left, Brother Ed spent some time with retired Pastor Shelia Ricketts and her husband, who have been a tremendous blessing to the work in Jamaica. Now an elderly man, Brother Ricketts firmly gripped Brother Ed’s hands and urged him, “Meet me in Heaven. I’ll be looking for you!”

On Thursday, February 12, the team traveled to Crofts Hill. Along the way, they noted how severely the hurricane had affected the lowland regions of the country. In particular, the town of Cave Valley, which flooded to the second stories of the buildings in the community. At the church, they were welcomed by Pastor Sharon McKenzie. They enjoyed congregational singing led by the assistant pastor, Alrick Maddix, that included some familiar hymns as well as choruses learned during this trip.  

The testimonies greatly encouraged with victorious reports. One brother declared, “I was in a prison that I didn’t want to leave, but the Lord in His mercy set my soul free.” A sister testified about being diagnosed with cancer. She said, “I was so afraid, but God helped me understand that fear is not of Him. I am now rejoicing that I am no longer afraid but trusting in the Lord.” Brother Alrick’s wife, Marvet, testified, “I am not a spectator in the Gospel; I am a participant!”

The visitors each gave their testimonies, followed by brief exhortations. Brother Joshua told how he came to the Lord and then gave encouragement from Romans 1:9. Brother Ed told of being the third generation of his family to be part of the Apostolic Faith, and how he always had a heart to serve the Lord. He expressed appreciation for the blessing of being able to minister to the Jamaican saints and exhorted them from Ephesians 3:20. Following the service, the congregation gathered around Brothers Ed and Joshua at the request of Brother Rohan and prayed for the Lord to bless their efforts. They also petitioned God for safe travels home, and the presence of the Holy Spirit descended; the blessing of the Lord filled the hearts of those lifting their voices to Him.

The following day, on February 13, the team traveled home with hearts full of thanksgiving for the way the Lord had gone before them. They were thankful for the enthusiastic and loving reception they received and the assurance that they would be praying for each other in the days ahead.