"Our purpose is to seek to unite the people in Central Village through various means," said Pastor Levi Johnson, secretary of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "In addition to visiting and praying with families in the community, we will present them with 'Hope Packages' which will include a copy of the Bible and other Christian literature.

Prayer Explosion

Johnson said entertainment, which forms part of the community's life, will also be touched through the distribution of religious CDs to clubs and bars in order to encourage the airing of these types of music. Also, 12 unofficial sport clubs have been identified and these will be given footballs as a starter.

"Later in the afternoon, after the walk through the community, members of the church and community will gather at the main entrance to the community for what is dubbed a 'Prayer Explosion'," he added.

"We hope that through this special outreach, the faith of members of the community will be strengthened in this time of fear."

Fervent prayers needed

Pastor Derek Bignall, head of the Adventist Church in Jamaica, has declared that the nation needs the sincere, fervent prayers of every Christian.

"Crime, violence and the economic recession are threatening to engulf all of us," Bignall said. "It is going to be a weekend of prayer because while we will be praying on Sabbath, other Christian organisations will be praying on Sunday. May God indeed hear and answer our prayers."

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has broadened the scope of the annual 'Day of Prayer', which had its genesis four years ago, to include The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands - the other territories comprising the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Each territory will conduct the service in respect of its particular needs.