The Jericho Baptist Church in St. Catherine is celebrating 175 years and according to the leader Rev. Valentine Wallace, this will indeed be a special year for the church.
In addition to the celebration, the clergyman said the matter of reaching out to people has changed significantly and computer and other tools are now being used to spread the word. "We will as of February 1, launch our website and this will enable us to touch more persons in a positive way and bring them to Christ".
Wallace said the church has been playing an integral role in the lives of many of the over 10,000 residents in and around the church.
He claimed that in addition to the school feeding programme, at least three basic schools fall under the direct command of the church and that since education is the way forward they are now building a fourth basic school in the Cheesefield community and also the Bermady area will benefit from the rebuilding of the old school at a cost of $1 million.
Rev. Wallace praised the work of the communities in which their outreach programme operates as in his words, "Its simply wonderful to work with persons who appreciate the effort of the church".
A number of residents who spoke with The Star expressed gratitude on the work being undertaken by the church.
