EQUIPPING TO SERVE!

JAMAICA NYI LEADERSHIP RETREAT REPORT

The Jamaica NYI Leadership Retreat took place on December 4-6, 2009 at the Vision Retreat Centre (VRC) in Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica. The retreat was a joint venture with the Jamaica East and West Districts. The theme for the retreat was “Equipping to Serve!” and our presenter was none other than Rev. Monte Cyr who is the Caribbean Youth Ministries Coordinator. The resource material used for the retreat was Notebook II- Million Leaders Mandate by John Maxwell. We had the pleasure of having Rev. Dexter Daly, the Caribbean English Field NYI Coordinator as a guest at our retreat. A total number of Thirty Three (33) young leaders were present at the retreat, including Rev. Lionel Brown, Jamaica West District Superintendent, Rev. Jennifer Brown, Global NMI President, Rev. Garfield Spencer, Pastor of Mandeville and AntiochChurch of the Nazarene and Pastor Brian Doyley, Pastor of St. Mary Outreach.

For some of the leaders from Jamaica East District, the journey to Vision Retreat Centre started at Boulevard Church of the Nazarene in Kingston. The bus was scheduled to leave the church at 5:30pm however we were delayed and left minutes to 7:00. As we journeyed to Mandeville, we made two stops to pick up participants from March Pen, Green Acres, MilkRiver and Gravel Hill. With our late start we had hoped that we would not be delayed any longer by the Friday evening traffic. However, before long we realized that the traffic was not our only setback as we were pulled over by the police. Thanks be to God the driver only got a ticket for JA$800 which was for an overcrowded bus. This might be due to the extremely large luggage that the participants carried for a weekend event! As we made our way, we were once again deterred as another vehicle hit a part of the bus. As our driver got out of the vehicle to assess the damage, the other driver drove off (how typical!). Once again by the grace of God we were spared any major mishap as it was a minor dent.

We arrived at the Vision Retreat Centre at 8:30pm to find the persons from Jamaica West ready and waiting. After being assigned to rooms, we met for devotions. Jolene Buckley led us in a time of praise and worship after which we received the Word from Pastor Brian Doyley. Our meal was ready within minutes of finishing devotions as our resident chef, Sister Althea Clarke, who is also the Jamaica East District Sunday School Superintendent, made adequate preparations for us. It was very evident how famished the participants were as when one looked at the plates there was little evidence of the Escovitched Fish and Bammy that our chef had prepared. A prime example of that was Monte, who exclaimed “this fish is spicy especially the green and yellow things on it”. He was laughed at as we informed him the green and yellow things were actually the peppers and he was not expected to eat them.

The young leaders were welcomed by the Jamaica West District President, Sister Valerie Ewen, who also introduced the speaker and our special guest. They were then led in a brief ice breaker activity by the Jamaica East District President, Sister Nickesha Welch. This was followed by the registration of participants. Each participant received a folder with leadership material, a pen, a Sudoku key ring game and a NIV New Testament Reach 4 Life Bible.

The participants were warned the night before that the retreat was not a youth camp and as such they should be prepared for a rigorous day with five training sessions with an half hour break between each. For all those who did not believe, they quickly realized that it was no laughing matter as their doors were pounded on at 6:45am as a reminder that devotions were to begin at 7:00am sharp. After devotions we had breakfast and the training sessions began. The topics addressed in the sessions were: The Leadership Test, Security or Sabotage, Delegating Tasks & Developing People, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work and The Wisest Investment You’ll Ever Make.

At the end of each session the participants were allowed to ask questions and they received the usual Monte response, “What do you think about that”. One could just laugh as you knew what his response would be, but it allowed the youths to think and realize that they could assist their fellow leaders when faced with a dilemma.

Before starting our final session for the Saturday evening the youths were enthralled in a time of fun and frolic as they made a drum from a bed side table and sang old time Jamaican gospel songs and danced. Sister Nickesha Welch had to lead them to the meeting area in a line with them dancing and singing behind her. As they enjoyed themselves they begged Monte for five more minutes of music, he smiled and agreed. By 8:00pm all five sessions were completed and we were led in a time of praise and worship by Sister Monique Clarke and her team.

Once again it was a morning of early rise as the participants prepared to attend the early service at MandevilleChurch of the Nazarene on Sunday at 8:30 am. The Praise and Worship team comprised of John Ross Austin, Jolene Buckley and Mark Deacon. The inspiring word was delivered by Rev. Garfield Spencer.

After the church service we reconvened at the Retreat Centre to complete our final module entitled “Measuring Your Leadership Growth”. This section dealt with seven characteristics that measure our leadership qualities: character, compassion, courage, competency, conviction, commitment and charisma.

By 1:00pm Sunday afternoon the retreat came to an end as the young leaders received their certificates of participation. Special recognition was given to Rev. Monte Cyr, Rev, Dexter Daly, Sister Althea Clarke, the Pastors in attendance and the youths who assisted with different aspects of the retreat throughout the weekend.

This retreat would not have been possible without the young leaders who sacrificed their time to be present and shared in this life changing experience. Special thanks also to the persons who assisted with printing material, finances, transportation and those who gave advice. The majority of the persons at the retreat were teenagers and it is a blessing to see that those young people have decided to take up the challenge of leadership in their local churches. Our prayer for these youths is that they will be CALLED, empowered and EQUIPPED TO SERVE, thereby fulfilling our mandate of Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations.

Respectfully Submitted:

Nickesha Welch - Jamaica East District NYI President