Forbes and other congregants participated in a special jubilee praise session as part of commemoration activities, which began last year, to observe 50 years of service to the community.

"We dedicate our lives to service and we have served the community in many ways," he told The Gleaner. "We help the indigent, the poor, weak and those in need. Whatever it is they need, we try to provide for them."

Integral role

Dr Eric Nathan, the pastor, said that the church had played an integral role in Drewsland, and had spearheaded a number of welfare ministry initiatives, such as skills training, to facilitate revenue streams for individuals.

Dr Patrick Allen, president of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists, commended the congregation for its steadfast approach to delivering an "unpopular message to a dying world". However, he appealed for the youth to be more involved in community advocacy and to participate in the development of various church ministries.

"Every generation of believers has the responsibility to build on this message and must hold on to the truth and the faith," he said.

"The building of this church you see today was not easy. Do not let what has taken 50 years go in vain and let someone smash what you have built in one day," Allen added.

SDA churches in New Haven, Olympic Gardens, Meadowvale, as well as the Molynes Road arm, are among branches whose leadership ranks have benefited from the Washington Gardens laity, Nathan said.