The verse, "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city ...," can be found in?
These were the questions young people from across the Jamaica Union’s five conferences grappled with as the sun dipped below the horizon on Sabbath, October 10, at the Meadowvale Seventh-day Adventist Church in the East Jamaica Conference. And when the final count was made, Navin Lawrence of the Central Jamaica Conference emerged as the Jamaica Union Conference’s Bible Connection champion.
Lawrence led a strong showing by Central Jamaica, with fellow representative Faith Chambers securing second place - on her birthday no less - and Miguel Foster of the West Jamaica Conference finishing third.
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The championship brought together 10 finalists, two from each of the union’s five conferences, for a test of biblical knowledge that highlighted careful preparation and a commitment to studying God’s Word. They were, all, astute students of disciplines such as biochemistry, animal biology, psychology, chemistry, business, and criminal justice, yet on this day, they were all students of prophecy and the soon-coming King.
Representing Central Jamaica were Faith Chambers and Navin Lawrence. Sisters Shanieke and Shanoya Gayle, of the represented East Jamaica, while Norville Mitchell and Christopher Smith represented North Jamaica. Ricardo-Rae Douglas and Threvina Chin carried the hopes of North-east Jamaica, with Mawuena Dacosta and Miguel Foster representing West Jamaica.
The programme also featured a stirring greeting to the gathered congregation from the president of the East Jamaica Conference, Pastor Melvin Francis. And Pastor Jonathan Myrie, Communications and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Director of the Jamaica Union, and Pastor Joel Jumpp, Youth Director of the East Jamaica Conference, delivered spirited prophecy-centric charges on either side of the finals.
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A Shifting Leaderboard
As the match progressed, who would be champion was never a forgone conclusion; the standings changed constantly as the match progressed.
At the close of the first round, West Jamaica’s Miguel Foster and Central Jamaica’s Faith Chambers led the board. In round three, Shanoy Gayle of East Jamaica Conference sat in the top spot, yet by round four, Chambers had ascended to first place, with Lawrence in second and Gayle moving into third.
At the end of the fifth and final round, the standings shifted again: Foster had secured third place, Chambers finished second, and Lawrence was hailed as the Jamaica Union’s champion.
Reflecting on his victory, Lawrence said:
"I really liked the atmosphere, I was surrounded on all sides by the best players in Jamaica, I didn't think finishing first was possible".
He will now represent the Jamaica Union at the Inter-American Division (IAD) finals on Sabbath, November 21, 2026, in the Dominican Republic.
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More Than a Championship
Beyond the rankings, the event underscored the spiritual value of sustained Bible study.
Previous year’s winner Kaldairo Carter reflected on how Bible Connection had strengthened his faith as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian:
“When you’re reading the Bible (after Bible Connection), you don’t read it superficially again - like you pay attention to the details… You will know your Bible better; you will understand Scripture and how God works better” Carter said.
Jamaica Union Youth Director Pastor Dwayne Scott was present to support and commend the finalists and those who helped prepare them:
“The participants’ knowledge of the Spirit of Prophecy and the Book of Daniel was evident throughout the championship, demonstrating that the future of the church is in good hands,” Scott said.
He also extended special commendation to the Bible Connection coordinators and conference youth directors for their dedication to preparing the young people.
Scott noted that 2026 marks the first year Bible Connection is being conducted in two formats: the AY App Finals, exclusively for Adventist Youth, and the Team Finals, involving Adventurers, Pathfinders and Adventist Youth.
“This expansion is intended to increase the number of young people participating in Bible Connection and encourage more of them to develop a passion for studying God’s Word,” he said.
The programme also seeks to nurture consistent personal Bible study and encourage young people to engage intentionally in ministry.
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Recognition for Preparation and Excellence
As champion, Lawrence will receive $50,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Dominican Republic to represent Jamaica on the Inter-America Division’s stage. Chambers will receive $30,000 for second place, while Foster will receive $20,000 for third. All finalists were given the tablets provided for their use during the championship, along with plaques of appreciation recognising their sterling efforts.
While Lawrence will carry the union’s hopes to the regional stage, the national finals celebrated a shared achievement: young people from across Jamaica demonstrating that academic ambition and a deep commitment to Scripture can indeed grow together.