Bible Society builds on Jamaica’s
Christian heritage

Despite its Christian heritage, many Jamaican streets like this one suffer from violence and drugs. The Bible Society of the West Indies is working to bring the hope of God’s Word to those suffering from these blights. Jamaica. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (JAM01DJ-25.JPG)

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is a ‘Christian-oriented society’, but not a ‘Christian society’, says the Rev Courtney Stewart, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies.

“It is a pluralistic society,” he explains, “cursed with drugs and weapons.”

But he does see light amid the gloom.

“We have a wonderful Christian heritage,” he says, “and some churches are expanding. So while we live with violence, there is a church in the midst of it all.”

For more than 195 years, Bible work has been a part of the island’s Christian heritage. And while Jamaica remains an ‘island of churches’, the Bible Society must also function in a society that is, in Mr Stewart’s words, “besieged by outside influences.”

He emphasises the ‘encroachment of American values’, the constant exposure to the United States which means that many young Jamaicans disregard their own culture.

“All the cable channels we receive originate in America except two. So our children are absorbing American values. All the major North American televangelists are here, but there is growing secularism. Young people are growing up exposed to drugs, sex and violence.”

Against this background, one of the main goals of the Bible Society is to give Jamaicans a biblical outlook.

To achieve this, the Society, which is also responsible for work in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Belize and the Turks and Caicos Islands, last year distributed more than three million pieces of Scripture. To meet local demand, four staff operate a bookstore at Bible House, while others produce Scripture cassettes in Jamaican Creole English.

The Society is also encouraging churches to get involved in Jamaica’s neediest areas. One of the ways Mr Stewart tries to encourage those who minister there is through the Bible Society’s newsletter.

“We are focusing on what the ministers are doing in these difficult areas so that the entire Bible Society community can support them,” he says. “They are doing the work that many of us don’t want to do because we are scared.

“I tell them, ‘If you are here and doing it, and all we can do is provide you with the Scriptures you need, then we must commit ourselves to do it. You are our voice where we do not want to go. We are encouraging all the churches to support you.’”

For many churches, giving to the Bible Society represents a change in their thinking.

“Most churches know that when they need Scripture Selections, Portions or Bibles, they can come to us. But when it comes to supporting us, they have a long way to go.”

But Mr Stewart and his staff continue to challenge Christians to support the Bible cause, and more than 4,000 people have become Bible Society members.

Above: A school fence provides safety for younger children from older kids on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. Many of the children live in areas where drugs and violence are common. The Bible Society of the West Indies strives to reach both sides of the fence with God’s Word. Kingston, Jamaica. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (JAM01DJ-23.JPG) Right: The Rev Courtney Stewart, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the West Indies, handles business at his desk in the Bible House in Jamaica. Kingston, Jamaica. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (JAM01DJ-21.JPG)

“The challenge is getting the churches involved,” Mr Stewart says. “We know that many of them may not want to give to neighbourhoods where violence is rife, but there are many other areas in need.”

There are donors, however, who do want to be a part of taking God’s Word to the needy areas. Mr Stewart tells of one man who approached him as he was asking church members to join the Bible Society.

“I have enough money to be a life member,” the man said, “but could I give it as an offering to assist the work in inner city communities?”

On another occasion, a pastor who was using a Scripture Selection at a funeral service asked the family if he could take an offering. The family agreed and mourners gave J$4,000 (US$81)!

Jamaica faces many challenges. Most of all, its people need God’s Word. Thanks to the Bible Society and its supporters, Scriptures will continue to make a difference in people’s lives. (WR 372/6 - 11.02)