The scenic tropical landscape delighted the eyes; the loving fellowship warmed the hearts; the dynamic worship uplifted the spirits; and the varied messages challenged the minds at the Jamaican CGI Feast site in the tourist resort town of Ocho Rios. There were 306 and 314 persons in attendance on the First Day and Last Great Day, respectively, five baptisms, three ordinations to the deaconate, and too many memorable experiences to quantify.

The high spirits of the Opening Night service indicated the brethren’s readiness to ‘celebrate’ and to ‘be joyful at the Feast to the Lord at the place he had chosen.’ This worshipful exuberance carried over into the first day as members and visitors from the Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Spanish Town congregations filled out the glass-enclosed auditorium of The Ruins, with its mesmerizing view of its famous cascading waterfalls. At another Feast site in western Jamaica in Maroon Town, another group of members was also united in the celebrations.

The characteristic vibrancy of the Jamaican worship was matched by the dynamism, sensitivity, and thematic relevance of Pastor Ian Boyne’s opening sermon entitled “Babylon is Falling.”

In declaring the Feast open, Mr. Boyne affirmed that the Feast of Tabernacles represented a special political convention of God’s people where they must revisit and reaffirm that they have the answers that will ultimately solve the problems of the world. He noted that this Feast occurred at a time when the severe world crisis cries out for the message that God’s Church has been proclaiming for the last 70 years. He reminded the brethren about the continuous warning to the world about the eventual decline of the United States, and the foolishness of trusting in uncertain riches.

Mr. Boyne recounted the constant predictions by the Church, of the US’ downfall, even when optimism reigned supreme with the fall of the Berlin Wall. He recounted how the US and the world arrogantly ignored the many warnings of the Church, noting that despite the reception of Mr. Herbert Armstrong by many world leaders, he was never recognized by his own president, nor his message received.

Quoting the current US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who said, “What has happened on Wall Street has humbled us,” Pastor Boyne showed how decrepit the United States economy had become with its world record debt, that they had to be looking to China and Mid-Eastern countries such as Qatar and Kuwait to bail them out. Noting that a recent TIME poll showed the popularity rating of US president George W. Bush at an all time low of 26 percent, he asserted that Americans had lost confidence in both the democrats and the republicans. “Both have failed, “he declared, “and that is why we put forward our alternative. America has lost its primacy in the world. We are witnessing the pride of America’s power being broken. This is not a fantasy.”

Delineating several of the wholesome democratic principles that the US has promoted and protected, he noted that with the decline of the US economic prospects, and the rise of autocratic regimes such as Iran, and China, the world stage is being set for a drama of catastrophe. Using the international crisis as the backdrop, he encouraged and challenged the brethren to continue to make a stand for a life beyond now. He charged members to be confident in sharing their faith in God’s Kingdom with their friends and families, and to resolutely put God and the Kingdom first in their lives.

He emphasised that the Feast was about government. God’s people will be rulers in his world ruling government, which will finally rectify the disaster that mankind has inflicted upon itself. He encouraged brethren to continue their spiritual revolution, pictured by their presence at the Feast, and warned them not to be ensnared by Babylon’s idolatrous system of materialism, unchecked greed and hedonism. (Revelation 18.1- 3).

Pittsburgh minister Wayne Hendrix and his wife delighted the Jamaican brethren with their presence, during the first half of the Feast. In his sermons Pastor Hendrix emphasized the special status God has given those whom He has called, and stressed that brethren should understand and respond to the call. He warned that if we don’t walk in the light that God has given us, He will turn it off. He also noted that as God’s chosen people we should expect to be tested, but that we should have faith since God expected to ‘find faith when Christ returns.’ Our faith should be founded in the hope of God’s kingdom and the promise of becoming members of God’s very family.

Other messages included Elder Glenford Smith’s sermon on Faith in which he demonstrated the importance of trusting God, regardless of the severity of the current economic times resulting from the world financial crisis. This sermon blended wonderfully with a dynamic sermonette by Deacon Gilbert Bell entitled “Having the Right Mindset.” Elder Smith gave another sermon entitled, “The Power of Contentment” in which he addressed the importance of being contented with one’s position, possession, and also being contented while going through adversity.

Fenton Tracy, (who was ordained a deacon during the Feast, along with Pepeto Morris and Anthony Morgan from the Spanish Town congregation) gave an insightful presentation entitled “The Physical Tabernacle.” He developed the idea of Tabernacles representing God’s living within the believer, and the connection of this truth with the good news of the gospel. He stated that the promise of God is not just to dwell within us, but to share God’s very essence.

Deacon Paul O’Connor gave a memorable sermon entitled “How to Fear the Lord.” Speaking within the context of Tabernacles representing our temporary, transitory nature, he reminded brethren that “we must all appear before God’s judgment seat to account for the things done in this temporary body.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). He developed his theme around the subsequent idea that the fear of God should move us to persuade others. (v11). He shared eight ways for practicing the fear of God.

Many brethren were electrified by first time speaker Marlon Walker who spoke during the Youth service. His well organized and skilfully delivered presentation on “Overcoming Adversity” was very well received by the brethren, who were all pleasantly surprised by his confidence and maturity.

Pastor Pedro Hall provided an exciting psychological primer on the power of needs to draw us into temptation. Using Abraham Maslow’s theory of the Hierarchy of Needs, he showed how unconscious needs can lead us away from our commitment to God. He presented practical strategies for understanding the natural needs that believers have, to ensure that they can effectively overcome temptation.

Pastor Boyne, in his sermon on “Avoiding Pitfalls” stressed that all God’s people share a common enemy, who will use our own nature and worldly enticements, to trap us if we are not vigilant. He emphasised the need to ‘guard the heart with all diligence’, as a failure to effectively regulate feelings was a major weakness. He poignantly and cogently drew from his personal experiences during his years in the Faith, as well as from scriptures, to show the urgent need to avoid and overcome sinful habits, and spiritual compromises. He provided many practical examples of situations in which brethren could be vulnerable to various pitfalls of lethargy, emotional immaturity, and adversity. His many recommendations included having a strategic plan for spiritual survival and overcoming, associating with strong brethren, and practicing strict self-control.

Elder George Ramocan, upon his return from the US, for the second half of the Feast, in his sermon entitled “Why Are We Here?” powerfully reinforced the need to renounce the world and all its deceptive offerings. In a memorable demonstration using a clip-on tie, he showed that we should not be attached to the world so much that we can’t abandon it if it threatens our commitment to God’s Kingdom. He warned that believers should not be enamoured of the world, but should set their hearts and passions on God and the hope of the gospel. “We must reach a point where we can honestly say we live in the world, but we are not of the world,” he said.

In his sermon on “The Significance of the Last Great Day,” Elder Ramocan also reminded the congregation that the Feast pictured God’s special plan for humanity. He stressed the exclusivity of the gospel that God has given his Church, and encouraged the brethren not to forget God’s interest for all of mankind.

In addition to these lecture-style sermons, many brethren were stimulated by a special Rap Session on “Principles for Spiritual Overcoming” led by Elder Smith. Brethren got a chance to share their struggles and testimonies, as well as share strategies for overcoming and spiritual growth. The workshop highlighted the need for brethren to take deliberate steps to ensure their growth, and not take overcoming for granted. Bible studies and prayer meetings by both the Youth Group and Adults were daily features of the Jamaican Feast 2008 experience, as members were very keen on exploiting the communal setting for their spiritual benefit.

It was not all praise and worship, sermons, bible studies and prayer meetings however, as there was no shortage of fun activities for Feast attendees. The Annual Jamaica Night showcased colourful and entertaining indigenous dances and songs, as well as a wide variety of delicious Jamaican dishes, which delighted the scores of people who attended. Sports Day came with its usual frenetic competition and friendly rivalry between the Isaiah and Jeremiah teams. This year it was Isaiah who prevailed, after years of Jeremiah’s domination. The Family Fun and Talent Show, directed by Deacon Clive Clarke unearthed many talents and some non-talents, a mix which kept the “Fun” in the Show. The night dedicated to the Couples, and the ‘Singles Mingles’ was a decided hit. The music enjoyed by the Couples had them on their feet until way into the night, but the Singles continued ‘jigging’ until even later. As we Jamaicans say, “It was fun caan’t done!”

Of course, the annual Herbert W. Armstrong Memorial Speaking Competition is one of the most eagerly anticipated events at the Jamaican Feast site. This year it was even more so, as the competition welcomed back its stellar champion Sandra Mae Robinson to challenge last year’s winner Stacy-Ann Hall for the J$30,000 prize money and the honour of having the championship trophy for one year. This year, five people battled it out as they sought to address the moot: ‘Be it Resolved that the Holy Spirit is Not a Third Person of the Godhead.’ After a keenly contested topic, Sandra Mae Robinson prevailed. This competition is intended to provide lay members with opportunities for debating and defending various doctrinal positions of the church.

The Last Great Day started with the baptism of five new members. There had been one baptism by the Maroon Town congregation just before the Feast. Worship leader Deacon Chris Hendricks conducted a high energy praise and worship session later in the morning as 314 persons turned up at The Ruins. Simultaneously in Maroon Town, 65 members were also keeping the Feast with Elder Coley.

When the final strains of the closing hymn faded on the Last Great Day, it was clear the feet were reluctant to leave, but equally obvious that the hearts were refreshed, as brethren anticipated next year’s pilgrimage. GS.