Green Heights Assembly Of God, Jamaica.

I recently attended a Family Holiday in Jamaica, and while there I and other members of the Family had the great pleasure of attending a service at the "Green Heights Assembly of God" Montego Bay, Jamaica.

We were taken to the church by one of our Hotel Taxi drivers "Papa Roy". On the way to Green Heights we passed several Churches all of which were open and all of which were full. One thing we had already learned was that faith is a big part in the life of the Jamaican people.

Upon arriving at Green Heights there was nothing special about the building it was a simple wooden building a shack of sorts. There was a new church building under construction. Upon entering the church, it may have only been a simple building, but it was very clear that God was present and was working in the church. The church was full, and we were informed that there was a 300-strong membership. We were made to feel extremely welcome and were greeted enthusiastically by everyone. We were sat at the very front of the church and made to feel like V.I. P's.

We were introduced to the Guest preacher for the day, the Rev'd Steven Puffpaff and his wife Kim. The Puffpaffs have been missionaries for 40 years and have spent a lot of time in the Caribbean. Once the service started it was very clear that we were in for something very different and something we are not used to within the Methodist Church.

The service started with an opening prayer and the Hymn "Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus" and then moved on to a Praise and Worship part which was led by the Worship Choir and Band. The singing was simply amazing and filled the church with so much Spirit; it was very clear the Holy Spirit was among us.

The sermon was given by Rev'd Puffpaff. He took the book of Jonah and spoke of how we must open our hearts to God and go in the direction that God wants us to. This was very well received by the Congregation and by us. I found it to be extremely inspiring and on a personal level felt very connected to what was being said.

The church is in a community which does have its issues especially with Gun crime. However, the Senior Pastor Rev'd Lorraine Chisholm and the congregation remain very defiant and will not be stopped. They are determined to get the message of God out onto the Streets and turn people away from this life style. After the service, I spoke with the Rev'd Chisholm who I spoke to about my study to become a Local Preacher, she then blessed me and wished me all the best for the future.

This visit was certainly an amazing experience and one me and my family won't forget, I have promised to keep in touch with the church, and who knows one day, God willing, I may find myself their again.