Population: 2,970,340 (July 2016 ) – Official language: English/Jamaican Patois – Capital: Kingston – Protestant 64.8% (Evangelicals: 28%)
This beautiful Caribbean island is the largest of the former British island colonies. Operation World tells us the country has sunk into a morass of social and economic problems that appear insoluble. Half the male population are drug users. A recent article in The Economist highlights some of the crime related problems. Christianity is numerically strong, but spiritually weak.
30 Years in Jamaica
Keith Phillips has been preaching on the streets of the island and teaching in schools for over 30 years. Keith’s OAC ministry is mentioned in Operation World as the most significant youth outreach in the country, having reached over one million. Pray that these kids will turn from the evil which surrounds them to the living saviour!
A typical recent report
UPDATE APRIL – JUNE 2017
“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”
Greetings dear Friends,
Sometimes our circumstances contradict the verse quoted above, but I have proven that God always comes through for us when we do just what that verse says to do!
We trust you and your loved ones are well. We rejoice because God has been good to us, taking us through the first half of the year, through trials and challenges, but we triumph only by the grace of God. To Him we give all the Glory.
In April, the Director for Overseas Ministries paid us a one week visit. During that week, he enjoyed speaking in the public schools where the Gospel was preached to thousands of children and young people. In June another team from First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, Florida came for a three-day visit in which we were able to schedule several ministry opportunities. It was a great time of fellowship and sharing just what we do here in Jamaica.
It is with grateful hearts that we express our thanks for your partnership throughout the years as we seek to fulfil the Great Commission. The van we brought into service in January is doing just great. Of the two older vans, one is still in service, and the other is being repaired. Sooner, rather than later, both will need to be replaced by a newer one. We will be trusting God for that when the time comes.
We just finished VBS at our church and I am speaking at a VBS out of town on the weekend of July 21-23. Please pray for safety in travel, and that the children and young people who come out to the VBS turn their life over to God.
In September we are planning for our prospective OAC Evangelist for Haiti to come to Jamaica for additional training and exposure to the ministry style of Open Air Campaigners. Please pray that the relevant visas and clearance will be granted so that this will become a reality.
This two week training is crucial to the future of plans of establishing OAC Haiti. With the training he receives, he will be equipped to train others to use the sketchboard in various parts of Haiti. We know God will flourish this ministry to His honour and glory.
Please continue to pray for our two associate Evangelists, Ronald & Edward who play vital roles in the prison and school ministries. We have been blessed with a number of volunteers who give yeoman service with their time, assisting us in the work, especially at the pre-natal clinic and the prisons.
On the Home frontier:
Bev just finished coordinating VBS at our church. That has taken a lot out of her, but she enjoys children’s ministry! Next week several family members will be arriving for a mini-family reunion and the tomb-building event for Grammie, Bev’s Mom who passed away in May 2015.
View over Kingston
At a tomb-building within a family plot, the tomb is usually tiled with ceramic or decorative tiles and a headstone is laid. This event will be held on the weekend of July 29-30 and promised to be a great time of food, fellowship and honouring the memory of Grammie.
We as a family thank you once again for your support of our ministry. Only Heaven will reveal the impact your role has on our work.
Please enjoy a few photos below.
God bless you!
All for Jesus,
Keith, Bev & Michelle
