The Word Time Story…Over a Decade of Service

The Word Time Story…Over a Decade of Service


Kingston, Jamaica, August 10, 2010
Word Time Ministries of Jamaica is a non-profit, youth organization which was founded for primarily for the purpose of distributing Bibles and other Christian literature to students of Primary, Junior High and All Age schools, Civic leaders and other individuals in need of the Word of God.

The Ministry was formed on October 25, 1994, by a small group of Jamaican Christian youth who are concerned about the decline of spiritual and social values among youth around the world and especially in Jamaica. The Ministry is also concerned about the proliferation of the use of drugs, guns and knives by students in schools.

Word Time Ministries of Jamaica started with an idea that there should be an organization which would distribute Bibles freely to young people especially students in schools, so as to influence their thoughts and actions thereby improving their moral and spiritual standards. The vision for establishing the organization also gave recognition to the fact that there is a crying need for many individuals, especially the nation’s youth to be guided by the word of God, and therefore needed personal copies of the Bible to acquire insight of the word and have a successful life.

Seed of faith
The seed of faith for the organization started on April 28, 1994, when one of the founding fathers of the Ministry Michael Schurton was invited to address the St. James 4-H club Annual Parish Achievement Day. In addressing 4-H Officials and Clubbites he stated that it was high time for Jamaicans to stop handing out drugs, guns, and knives to its young people. He stated that the nation's youth should instead be given Bibles; the greatest authority on morals, values and attitudes, which are needed to mould them into productive and useful citizens. On that day a student of Maldon Junior and Comprehensive High school Elaine Chambers of Summer Hill, Point P.O., St. James received a Bible from the founder.

Canadian connection
It was during a visit to Canada that visit that the idea of forming an organization to distribute Bibles to students, resurfaced. After prayerful consideration the name Word Time Ministries emerged. The main reason for the name surrounds the fact that, it is time for the word of God to be preached to all men and that it should be in the hands of individuals for them to study and learn about God. The organization's name also relates to the need for individuals to be guided by the Word of God, during these difficult times we are living in.

A number of persons also embraced the vision. These include Rev. Paul D. Gallimore, Rev. Gordon Evans, and Rev. Leo Robinson. A series of meetings were held to plan policies and to develop the organization's constitution and by-laws. The organization's account was opened at Mutual Security Bank - Sam Sharp Square, with five hundred dollars, which represented the small savings of the founder.

Official launch
The official launch of the organization was held on - Tuesday, October 25, 1994, under the theme “Use Me for Thy Glory” at the offices of Western Broadcasting Services Limited, Radio Waves, 37 St. James Street, Montego Bay. The installation ceremony of the National Executive Committee was held on Friday, December 9, 1994 at the Burchell Baptist Educational Centre under the theme "Seeking First the Kingdom of God".

On Friday, May 15, 1995, the founding chapter of the organization Word Time Ministries - St. James was officially launched under the theme -” Lord I Am Available”.

The launching ceremony was held at On Top of The Roof Restaurant now Bandanna Top Restaurant, located at 20 Market Street, Montego Bay, where fifteen persons attended. That evening a tag drive was also launched to raise funds to purchase Bibles and plans made for the first Bible presentation ceremony to be held at the Albion Primary and Junior High. The Bible Presentation Ceremony was held on July 13, 1995, where 35 eager students received Bibles. Principal of the school Mrs. Dorothy Smart stated that the Bibles presented were the best gift that the school has ever received.

With the work fully established in Western Jamaica a decision was taken to launch a chapter in Kingston to carry out the work of the ministry in the eastern region of the Island. The decision to establish the chapter in Kingston was influenced mainly by the overwhelming request for the work of the organization to touch the lives of the young people in eastern Jamaica.

Kingston welcomes Word Time
On Tuesday, December 5, 1995, the second chapter of the organization was launched. The official launching ceremony was held at the Webster Memorial United Church Hall, 12 Carlton Crescent, Kingston. Twenty five persons attended the launching ceremony which was held under the theme -”Walk By Faith, Not By Sight”.

The first Bible presentation ceremony by the newly formed chapter was set for Franklyn Town Primary, Franklyn Town, Eastern Kingston. However due to the temporary closure of the school, the decision was taken to host the inaugural Bible presentation ceremony at the Clan Carthy Primary, in Vineyard Town, Kingston on Friday, February 2, 1996.

An important national assignment was undertaken when the organization was specially invited by the Custos of St. Andrew, Rev. The Honourable Lois Carmen Stewart O.D. J.P., to present Bibles to the newly appointed Justices of the Peace for the parish of St. Andrew. The ceremony was held on Thursday, January 25, 1996, at the Saxthorpe Methodist Church Hall, Kingston. The presentation of Bibles to the Justices of the Peace, signalled a historic chapter in the nation's Judicial system.

On Friday, May 10, 1996, during child month, library books valued over Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) were donated to the Windward Road All Age School, in Eastern Kingston. The donation of library books to the school's library was presented in association with the Rotary Club of Ottawa, Canada.

On Friday, October 25, 1996 the organization celebrated its Second Anniversary, with a special Bible presentation ceremony. The Bible presentation ceremony was held at the Howard Cooke Primary School, Montego Bay, St. James. The guest speaker was the Governor General of Jamaica, The Most Honourable, Sir Howard Cooke. The Governor General in his address, expressed his support for the work of the ministry and stated that Schools in Jamaica should benefit from a Bible presentation ceremony each week.

Wednesday, April 30, 1997 the ministry once again accepted an important national assignment by the Custos of St. Catherine, The Honorable Gladstone Lewars J.P., to present Bibles to the newly appointed Justices of the Peace for the parish of St. Catherine. The ceremony was held at the Spanish Town Methodist Church Hall, St. Catherine. The inaugural Child month Bible presentation ceremony and Visitation took place at the Walker's Place of Safety, Saturday, May 17, 1997, under the theme "Caring For Tomorrow's Future Today".

Incorporation of the organization
One of the most significant development since the organization was founded on Tuesday, October 25, 1994 was the incorporation of the organization. The organization was incorporated under the laws of Jamaica as a limited Company on Friday, June 13, 1997.

The organization's first National Convention was held on Sunday, August 30, 1997, under the theme "Grant Me Life To Declare Thy Word". This convention was held at the Oneness Apostolic Assembly of Jesus Christ. The Bustamante Hospital for Children was the venue for the Ministry's inaugural hospital visitation and Bible presentation ceremony held Sunday, September 28, 1997.

On Sunday, October 19, 1997 the organization celebrated its 3RD Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Service at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple, 111 Windward Road and a Bible presentation ceremony on Friday, October 24 at the Half Way Tree Primary School, Kingston.

The story of the Ministry is one that is based on faith and a commitment to service. We have committed ourselves to spread the gospel of Jesus and to make the difference with the living word. We are persuaded that we will accomplish our goals and our work will be a blessing to the nation’s youth and other individuals in need of the word of God.