Some Sabbath mornings arrive with a hum you can almost feel, and October 31 was one of them. By the time the first notebook crossed the gate at New Kingston Fellowship SDA Church, the compound was already alive. Adventurers bounced on their toes, Pathfinders stole one last glance at their notes, and parents tried very hard to look calm while their hearts raced right alongside everyone else’s.
Five Conferences, One Book
They had come from every corner of Jamaica: West, East, Central, North-East and North, all gathered for the Bible Connections Finals hosted by the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU). Every contestant had been living in the same book, the book of Daniel. The fiery furnace, the lions' den and the writing on the wall are stories many of us first heard sitting on a Sabbath School mat, but this day asked something harder: do you really know the bible?
The challenge was split into three categories, Adventurers, Pathfinders, and Adventist Youths (AY), each in its own room, each with its own nerves. Outside, parents and supporters waited, hoped and listened for the cheers that would tell them how it was going.
Tears, Grit and a Perfect Record
EJC Bible Connections Coordinator Danielle Lobban watched it all unfold, and when asked, her happiness was effusive: "I think our teams did so very well. I'm so proud of them."
For the AY team, aged 22 to 30, the road was smooth and the wins kept coming, match after match, with barely a loss. The Adventurers, aged 4 to 9, had the opposite story. They started off shaky, and after every loss tears could be seen on their little faces. Picture it: tiny contestants, big feelings, and a coach doing her best to hold it together. Despite this they managed to pick themselves back up again and they were able to secure third place.
And the Pathfinders, aged 10 to 15? They brought everything they had.
"They came, they gave it their all and it is just a delight to see not only that they were able to do so well in the competition but also to see so many young people reading the Bible."
Danielle Lobban
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And the Winner Is...
Then the results were read. EJC Adventurers took third and Pathfinders took fourth. This was reason enough for joy but when the AY team was announced as first place, the EJC section simply erupted. People leapt to their feet. There was clapping, cheering and hugging, and a few sighs of relief as coaches saw that their hard work had fully paid off.
The EJC Youth Ministries Director Pastor Joel Jumpp was beaming when the news came through.
"I almost dropped my phone when I got the news that our team emerged as champions! We are so proud of all our Adventurers, Pathfinders, and Adventist Youth who participated in this historic event. The journey hasn’t been easy, but Danielle and her team have truly risen to the occasion!"
Pastor Joel Jumpp, Youth Ministries Director, East Jamaica Conference
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Chairing the day from start to finish was Pastor Dwayne Scott, Youth Ministries Director of JAMU who expressed his heart at the end:
"To God be the glory! We thank God for the opportunity to successfully execute our very first Jamaica Union Bible Connection Team Finals! Special thanks to all our coordinators, coaches, officials, leaders, supporters and everyone who contributed to making this event possible.We are looking forward to making the necessary improvements and preparations for an even better experience next year."
Pastor Dwayne Scott, Youth Ministries Director, Jamaica Union Conference
A Host with an Open Door
None of it would have happened without the warm welcome of the New Kingston Fellowship SDA Church. The congregation integrated the finals into its own Sabbath plans, gave the JAMU team technical and manual support, provided rooms for every category and made sure everyone was fed. Hosting a crowd like that takes genuine love and patience, and the church had it in abundance.
The Real Win
Earthly trophies will fade away but Daniel 12:3 promises that those who lead others to righteousness will shine like the stars forever, and on Sabbath that promise did not feel far away. Maranatha!