JCF Area 3 holds mid-year chaplaincy service at Shiloh Apostolic Church in Kendall

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Area 3 gathered at Shiloh Apostolic Church in Kendall for a mid-year chaplaincy service built around the theme “Jesus our rock.” The division covers Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth.

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips led tributes to Corporal Lesson Blake, Area 3 coordinator for the Constabulary Communications Network. Blake received a 30 Under 30 Change Maker award in Washington, D.C., alongside other Caribbean honourees. About a year earlier, he won the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in the nation-building category. Phillips said more than 50 Area 3 members recently made the division’s honour roll.

Phillips told officers that choosing Christ as their foundation was a posture for policing, not merely a slogan. He urged them to stand firm when communities hesitate, information is scarce and the weight of difficult calls falls on them. He quoted Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 18:2, and encouraged members to pray regularly. Phillips also thanked the church for praying for officers in uniform, calling that support spiritual reinforcement before difficult assignments.

Assistant Force Chaplain for Area 3, Pastor Dr. Kevin White, brought greetings from Force Chaplain Pastor Dr. Gary Budu Fletcher and the Chaplaincy Services Branch. White noted peer counsellors Sergeant Gordon for Manchester, Sergeant Julius Lawson for St. Elizabeth and Corporal Conrad Martin for Clarendon, who was absent because of illness. He asked congregations to pray for officers involved in recent motor vehicle accidents across the force.

Detective Sergeant Evangelist Royal of the Clarendon Division led a testimony segment. Officers shared accounts of recovery from stroke, healing after surgery and protection during a fire that stopped short of a restaurant. Inspector Kova and the Manchester Divisional Choir also ministered in song.

Minister Tela Men Davis Mendes, a JCF member of more than 17 years and marriage officer, preached from Exodus 17 on Moses striking the rock at Rephidim to bring water. She linked the rock to Jesus and urged officers to find strength in faith during dry seasons.

Bishop Kingsley Andrews welcomed the force. Minister Edan McFarland closed with prayer for officers returning to duty. Phillips told Area 3 members the division would continue policing Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth with integrity, courage and compassion.