Jamaican Mission Trip Changes Lives

February 2, 2010
A recent mission trip to Jamaica by three Arab residents changed the lives of those ministered to as well as those doing the ministering. “Absolutely, life changing”, says Pastor Keith Parker of Community Church, after returning from the mission trip to Jamaica.

A group consisting of 27 people recently went to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a week long construction/medical/evangelism mission trip. The mission team was a combination of three people - Pastor Keith Parker, Gerald and Joyce Hatley of Arab and the rest were from Whitesburg Baptist Church of Huntsville, AL.

A week was spent on constructing a phase of the new WestGate Baptist Church building in Montego Bay. A medical team of a doctor and nurses were set up in the downtown area for the local community to receive medical attention, medicines, and dental supplies for over 400 people.

The drama/puppet team went throughout the city sharing the gospel message to the public school children.

In the town square each night the evangelism and drama team presented the gospel message to the community and it was pleasantly received. There were 659 recorded salvations for the Lord during the week of ministry.

The mission trip was not without dangerous circumstances. The team was evacuated from their lodging in Montego Bay and taken during the late night up to the inner mountainous area of the island due to a tsunami warning. This was due to the earthquake that took place in the nearby island of Haiti. Thank God the next morning all was clear for the team to come down from the mountains and they continued on doing their missionary work within the city.

The residents of Jamaica were very humble and loving people. They were much appreciative of the work that the mission team provided.

Pastor Keith Parker of Community Church in Arab will be leading a mission team mostly from Arab back to Montego Bay in July of 2010 with the expectation of another bountiful and blessed service for the Lord Jesus Christ.