Kingston church hosts national emancipation and independence thanksgiving for Jamaica 64

Jamaica’s national emancipation and independence thanksgiving church service for 2026 opened Sunday at Olsson Memorial Church of God in Kingston, launching observances under the theme “United in Celebrating Resilience,” with the service sub-theme “Blessed and Built to Last.”

Governor General Sir Patrick Linton Allen was unable to attend and was represented by Hon. Marcia Bennett, Custos Rotulorum for St. Thomas. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who had joined a 5K run earlier that morning, read from Nehemiah 2:11–18. Senator Kesha Anderson, Deputy Opposition Spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Global Logistics, represented Opposition Leader Mark Golding and read from 2 Corinthians 4:3–10.

Also present were Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange; Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams; Senate President Senator Thomas Finson; Chief Justice Brian Sykes; Ambassador Sheila Sela Monty, head of the Jamaica Foreign Service; and Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Brittany Clark, alongside parish queens from the 2026 competition.

Rev. Adonair Jones, pastor of the host church, welcomed dignitaries and noted that Jamaica marks 64 years of political independence while remembering emancipation from slavery. He urged the nation not to let dissatisfaction breed apathy, and to keep pursuing equity, inclusion and economic advancement as Hurricane Melissa recovery continues.

Minister Grange said true resilience rests on faith that God remains faithful through hardship, including after Hurricane Melissa less than a year ago. She outlined Jamaica 64 events: the festival song “I Love Jamaica” was chosen on July 25 at the Randy Williams Entertainment Center; the Emancipation Jubilee runs July 31 at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann; and Independence Village at the National Stadium Complex runs August 1–5, culminating in the Independence Grand Gala on August 6 with drone displays, fireworks and a Jamaica Defence Force tribute to 50 years of women in the force.

In the Governor General’s message, read by Bennett, Sir Patrick urged Jamaicans rebuilding after Melissa to see resilience as collective effort—neighbours helping neighbours, churches sheltering the needy, and emergency workers serving with dedication. He cited Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble.”

Guest speaker Rev. Jonathan Hemmings, minister of the Otaria Circuit of Baptist Churches, drew on Psalm 33:12 and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem to call for national reconstruction “building back better together.” He challenged leaders to address inequality, beach access, land reform and outdated colonial-era laws, and encouraged Holness to trust the people’s resilience when making difficult decisions.

The service closed with the national pledge led by Festival Queen contestants and a plaque presentation to Rev. Jones and the church from the Government of Jamaica, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and the Committee for the Promotion of National Religious Services.