Gangsters urged to take up the Son

Shouts of 'Put down the gun! Take up the Son' echoed throughout the communities of Common, Donmair, Blackwood Terrace, 100 Lane and Park Lane, all off Red Hills Road in Kingston on Saturday afternoon.

Accompanied by officers from the St Andrew North police, members - of all ages - from the Meadowvale Seventh-day Adventist Church on Chancery Street attracted the attention of their neighbours with a mega peace march, songs, praise, and prayer as they sought to trample on the violence that has been plaguing the area.

A drum corps from the East Jamaica Conference, the uniformed Pathfinders and Adventurer groups, the Personal and Men's Ministries led the way with banners boldly declaring their purpose.

Their first stop was Common, where they prayed. Jesse Walker delivered a short message, the theme of which was love your enemies, and using the story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate his point. A powerful dub poetry piece from the church group also resonated. From there, they moved to the 100 Lane field with another season of prayer and praise.

With Red Hills Road likened to a shooting range owing to the many murders and shooting that have taken place there in recent times, the church felt it necessary to be an agent of change, with its militant message of peace.

"The Church of the living God cannot remain silent in the face of such brutal crime and violence that is happening in our country today," Meadowvale pastor Holland Thompson told THE STAR. "We are saying no to the brutal murders that have taken place in the surrounding areas of Price Rite, Ackee Walk, and Red Hills Road," Thompson added.

Director of the men's ministry at Meadowvale Howard Johnson Jr said that the men of Meadowvale were "more than elated" to join the Personal Ministries Department to march in the communities. "Specifically, we want to to encourage the males to stop the violence against women and children. Put down the gun and take up the Son, Jesus Christ. We saw the need to encourage and pray for those who are affected by what is happening. We know God is coming soon and we want all neighbouring communities to be a part of the ones to enter Heaven," Johnson told THE STAR.

In closing, Thompson stated, "Let there be peace, and let it begin with me. Let this be the moment now."