Durrant Pate/Contributor

Churches across Jamaica are being urged to support the Reverend Al Miller-formed Jamaica First Movement (JFM), which is being transitioned into a political party.

JFM, a new political movement born from the nation’s deep Christian heritage, has issued what it calls a solemn and direct call to the churches in Jamaica, declaring that “a practical, values-based framework now exists to achieve the very changes the faith community has been praying for; this is a defining moment for action….This new movement will also lay new foundations for new institutional frameworks and systems to place the country on a trajectory for sustainable growth.”

The movement is challenging churches to recognise this moment as a critical juncture requiring more than just prayer. This principle of unity is purportedly bearing fruit, as demonstrated by JFM’s recent alliance with the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP).

Testing church leaders to act on behalf of the people.

The JFM leadership is asserting this is a moment of profound choice for the church and a test of whether its leaders will act on behalf of the people. To withhold support from a viable framework that champions our shared values is to risk the consequences of another five years of national decline. 

The movement believes this is a defining opportunity for the Church to demonstrate its commitment to put Jamaica First.

JFM is therefore calling on every pastor, bishop, and faith leader to:

1.  Prayerfully review the JFM’s vision at www.jamacia1st.org, a framework we are confident is the viable path to the national transformation we have all prayed for.

2. Mobilise their congregations to understand the choice before them, a choice between continuing with a failing system or voting for change.

3. Encourage able patriots within your flock, those with the right heart and mind for service, to step forward and answer the call to help lead this national rescue mission.

The JFM has established a special purpose vehicle (SPV), a one-term government based on the principle of national unity and is designed specifically to tackle the systemic corruption, division, and moral decay that have been the subject of countless prayers and calls for intervention. The SPV will also lay new foundations for new institutional frameworks and systems to place the country on a trajectory for sustainable growth.

SPV fuelled to roll out

According to Rev Miller, a popular clergyman with a strong Christian following and support base,  “the vehicle is here”.

“It is fuelled by the faith of our fathers and the blood of our youth who have been sacrificed on the altar of tribal politics. This vehicle ready to carry our nation to a better place, the only question left is, will you get in?

Continuing, the JFM chairman emphasised, “For generations, the Church has been the conscience of our nation and the guardian of its soul. We have all prayed for an end to the division, corruption, and hopelessness that afflicts our people. Today, I believe God has presented us with a vehicle, a practical framework in the form of this Special Purpose Vehicle, to be the answer to those prayers. The question before us is no longer just ‘When will change come?’ but ‘Now that a path is clear, will we walk it?’”

He made the point, “prayer is our essential foundation, but the scripture is clear: faith without works is dead”.

“We have cried out for a solution. Now that a framework built on the principles of justice, truth, and righteousness is on the table, will we use it? The charge before us is to now apply our faith through decisive action, lest our prayers remain unanswered by our own inaction. This is a time to save our nation, and it requires action,” Miller mused.