Hello family!

My name is Oraina Campbell, and I am a member of the United Church of God attending the Kingston, Jamaica, congregation. Let me tell you a bit about my life in Jamaica and the Church there. The congregation I attend is in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. We have approximately 55 people and steadily counting, with lots of vibrant young people.

The cool, quiet hills of St. Catherine, Jamaica, where I was born and raised caused me to have a fantastic life. I grew up in a home filled with joyful chatter where siblings were friends and teamwork was the order of the day. Our mother, Merlene, raised us never to envy or covet anyone’s belongings but to be content and thankful with the blessings each day brought. My mother, who took on the titles of both mother and father, raised us with discipline and a great deal of affection. She was dedicated to the wellbeing of all her children and ensured that we were constantly engulfed with genuine love and support.

Jamaica, my homeland, rich in vegetation and kissed by the sun, is filled with a diverse ethnic population of approximately 2.7 million people, a multiculturalism that makes our country so beautiful. Our differences in race gave birth to our motto, which proudly states, “Out of many, one people.” Our beautiful island gracefully rests in the Caribbean Sea and spans 4,244 square miles, making it the third largest island in the Caribbean. It is one of five islands in the Greater Antilles, along with Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Jamaica is divided into three counties—Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey—and 14 parishes, each with its own capital city.

My mother and I live in St. Catherine. Our capital is Spanish Town, which was founded in 1534 and was the first capital of Jamaica. It was the primary business hub of the island for more than three centuries and thereby commands respect in light of all its historical achievements. Today it is famed for the many monuments it brandishes which welcome walking tourists to a concentrated tour.

Getting to church in Jamaica

There are three UCG congregations in Jamaica: Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. My family travels almost two hours to the nearest one in Kingston.

Our seating capacity is 60 and we’re usually close to that most Sabbaths. We have lots of young people, ranging from newborn to 23 and in college. Our deacon, Anthony Coore, is a very educated man. After services, we have food and beautiful fellowship. Then we end the Sabbath with our weekly Bible study, which always ends in riveting discussions. We are such a close-knit congregation that our visitors and guests always remark how they can sense that from us.

Our minister, Chuck Smith, is the pastor for all the congregations in the Caribbean. No doubt pastoring this vast region is difficult, and so he has several assistants. Two of them—members Stan Braumuller and Jeff Lockhart—reside in America so they can’t be with us in person every week, but they do visit from time to time. We are blessed to have them, and we pray for their presence to result in the growing of our congregation in both quantity and quality.

All in all, Jamaica is home! A flood zone of history, great people, vibrant culture and fine cuisine. You are welcome to visit anytime! Maybe we’ll see you next Feast of Tabernacles!