Pastor calls on Jamaicans to fight for full emancipation

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaicans are being urged to consider giving up some of their individual rights and freedoms in order for the nation to achieve full emancipation.

Reverend Conrad Pitkin, pastor of the Faith Temple Assembly of God in Montego Bay, made the suggestion during his pre-Independence and Emancipation Day sermon to church members yesterday.

The service, held under this year's theme 'The Journey Continues', was held to mark the 49th annual celebration of Jamaica's Independence from Britain and the 173rd year of emancipation from slavery.

Pitkin observed in his sermon that there are various incidents, including recent beheadings, which serve as a reminder that Jamaica is not totally emancipated. At the same time, he charged the congregation not to be afraid or succumb to intimidation by dark forces.

"Success does not and will not come easily. It is going to take hardship; it's going to take the blood of some," he declared.

"Too many of us are too afraid to speak, to stand for the truth. As a nation, we need to stand in the name of the Lord and speak against wrong. Freedom is not freedom unless we're willing to give our lives for it; freedom is costly."

The pastor added that Montegonians, and Jamaicans on a whole, must be willing to accept whatever measures are put in place for a true experience of liberty.

Freedom comes at a cost

"If another curfew must come to Montego Bay, if another state of emergency should come somewhere, we must be willing to do that," said Pitkin.

"I'm willing to give up a little liberty to experience true freedom, because freedom comes at a cost."

In the meantime, he urged the congregation to show respect for the nation's leaders and their offices of authority, and asserted that God is the true leader of Jamaica.

"Leadership today must be both definitive and dynamic, as people need patterns that they can follow," he remarked. "We have leaders who are blessed. All we can say to them is, walk with God."

Charles Sinclair, mayor of Montego Bay, told the congregation that Jamaica has a level of autonomy that others crave, and that Jamaicans must find ways to further improve the nation.

"In all things that we do, we must have God with us," the mayor declared. "Many of the challenges that we face as a nation are of our own making and could have been avoided. (However), as a young nation, we have achieved much that we can be proud of."

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com