The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) has made significant efforts to scale back and firmly observe COVID protocols at this, its 42nd staging, slated for January 20 under the theme, Pressing Forward in Faith, Hope and Love.

Speaking during a virtual press briefing today (January 13), NLPB Chairman Reverend Samuel McCook explained the meaning behind the selected theme.

“It is a theme that we believe calls each of us to recognise these qualities in ourselves and also these qualities in others. These are necessary qualities at the personal level, the corporate level and certainly at the national level.”

He continued: “And so, what we are hoping is that the breakfast will provide a platform, where we can help to empower and uplift each other by focusing on these virtues and characteristics, that we believe reside in Jamaicans as citizens, some to great degrees, some to lesser degrees.”

Held annually on the third Thursday in January, the event will take place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel and commence at 7:30 a.m. The NLPB will be under the distinguished patronage of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

The chairman shared that, due to the pandemic, close consultation with Government agencies, as to the best way to host the event has taken place, with the most recent happening last Wednesday (January 12).

The breakfast has been significantly scaled down and will only accommodate 80 guests, who will be seated theatre style, while others will join virtually. In an effort to maintain the observance of the strict COVID protocols, no eating will be allowed at the venue.

Guest Speaker will be Reverend Dr Rohan Ambersely of the New Testament Church of God. Secretary of the NLPB, Reverend Major Canute Chambers, shared that it is customary to also have a youth speaker for the event and that Jhenelle Small, one of the six 2021 valedictorians at the University of the West Indies, was selected to take on the task this year.

As has become customary, monetary gifts and offerings are presented to a project of the committee’s choice. And for 2022, the NLPB has selected the Clifton Boys’ Home.

“We believe that a focus on addressing vulnerable boys is a worthwhile focus at this particular time. And we hope it will set off a conversation among those who contribute, to consider practical ways in which we can address the challenges that our youngsters, especially those unattached, face,” McCook explained.

The 42nd annual staging on the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast can be viewed on Television Jamaica, The Jamaica Information Service and Love Television. The event can be heard on Love 101 FM.

The NLPB was born out of challenges faced by the Jamaican society.

“As we gather here, we gather at a time of significant challenges in our society. Much in the order of the times that when we had the first National Leadership Prayer Breakfast. The circumstances were different, but the challenge and the stress that’s on our society are more or less the same. The challenge of how do we navigate circumstances that seem bigger than ourselves, and that threaten our way of life,” said Reverend Sam Cook, chairman of the NLPB.

Recognising these circumstances, leaders in the church and private sector came together to create the annual event.