An Update from Coordinator Vincent Harvey, Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief
Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As coordinator of the Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief response, it is my privilege to provide a brief update on the progress that has been made through the generosity, prayers, and partnership of our local and global Church family.
Giving Thanks Amid Devastation
First, we give thanks to Almighty God. Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 hurricane. The storm caused widespread destruction, damaged 56 Church of God of Prophecy buildings across Jamaica, and disrupted the lives of approximately 2,000 of our members. Several church buildings lost their roofs, equipment, and furniture; some were completely destroyed. Many of our members also lost sections of their homes, personal belongings, and sources of income.
Yet, in the midst of this devastation, God moved upon the hearts of His people. You prayed, you gave, and you came alongside us. Because of your response, we were able to move from immediate relief to recovery and, increasingly, towards rebuilding.
To date, approximately J$58.03 million has been received through the generosity of our International Office, Harvest Partners, local churches and individuals, our Caribbean family, overseas churches and individuals, and gifts designated for specific churches and projects. This does not include the significant value of the many donations received in kind, including food, bottled water, clothing, bedding, toiletries, tarpaulins, building materials, and household supplies.
What Has Your Giving Accomplished?
Three relief hubs were established at 6 Phoenix Avenue in Kingston, 41 Old Harbour Road in St. Catherine, and 42 Caledonia Road in Manchester. The 41 Old Harbour Road location served as the main packing and distribution center.
From these locations, more than 3,100 care packages were prepared and distributed. Over 13 relief trips were made to some of the most severely affected areas, carrying food, water, toiletries, and other essential supplies. Tarpaulins were distributed to provide temporary roofing for damaged homes and church buildings. Barrels and suitcases containing clothing and bed linen were also received and distributed.
Relief supplies: Approximately J$13.5 million was spent on the purchase and distribution of care packages, water, and other relief supplies — food on the table, clean water to drink, and practical help for families who had suddenly lost so much.
Pastoral care: Recognizing the strain placed upon our pastors in the affected areas, approximately J$3.78 million was provided in pastoral stipends during November and December 2025. These pastors were caring for distressed congregations while, in some cases, also facing damage to their own homes and reduced church income.
Home repairs: Approximately J$2.3 million was allocated and provided through the Pastors’ Home Repair Grant, while approximately J$3.48 million was distributed to assist with repairs to members’ homes. These grants helped families purchase zinc, lumber, plyboard, and other materials needed to make their homes safer and more habitable.
Church buildings: Approximately J$33.34 million has been allocated for the Church Building Repair Grant. To date, disbursements have been made to several churches including Montego Bay, Whitehouse, Belvedere, Deeside, Chatham, Left Hall, Battersea, Santa Cruz, Heathfield, Flamstead, Walkerswood, Windsor, Dalintober, Kensington, Lima, and many others.
Operation Hope: National workers were assigned to affected churches to provide visitation, counseling, cooked meals, care packages, toiletries, electrical items, and spiritual support. This initiative has been substantially completed and brought encouragement to pastors, members, and communities.
Church Assistance Program (CAP): This program has connected churches in less-affected areas with congregations requiring continued assistance. These partnerships provide prayer, financial help, volunteer labor, and other resources. The intention is for these relationships to continue for 12 to 24 months so that affected congregations are not left alone during the long rebuilding process.
Our Overseas Partners
Our overseas partners have also provided invaluable assistance. We are especially grateful for the support received from Western and Eastern Canada and England.
We also express appreciation for the visit of our Presiding Bishop, Tim Coalter; Bishop Daniel Felipe; our then General Presbyter, Bishop Clayton Martin; National Bishop Winston Leith; and other leaders on February 10 and 11. Their visits to St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, and Trelawny brought encouragement to our pastors and members and strengthened our recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The Work Continues
While we celebrate the progress, the work is not yet finished.
Several churches still require permanent roofing, windows, doors, electrical work, masonry, tiling, painting, furniture, and equipment. Some buildings require major structural repairs before they can be safely occupied. The National Reconstruction Task Force continues to provide technical oversight so that rebuilding is undertaken safely and responsibly.
The continued distribution of the Melissa Church Repair Grant, subject to the readiness of those churches, the strengthening of CAP partnerships, and the restoration of members’ homes will, therefore, remain important priorities. Additional financial support will also be needed to replenish the building and relief funds so that we can respond to the projects still awaiting assistance.
A Word of Appreciation
I extend heartfelt appreciation to our International Office, Harvest Partners, Helping Hand Ministries, our Caribbean nations, the wider Church of God of Prophecy diaspora, our partners in Canada, England, and North America, Samaritan’s Purse, other denominations, faith-based organizations, local churches, and every individual donor.
Special thanks must also be expressed to our National Office staff, particularly our National Treasurer, Minister Deloris Dean; Sister Sharon Golding, who provided supervision at the main hub; the pastors and parish bishops in the affected areas; members of the Relief Committee and Reconstruction Task Force; and the many volunteers from Nugent Street, 41 Old Harbour Road, and other churches who packed, transported, and distributed supplies.
To everyone who gave, prayed, visited, packed a care package, transported supplies, adopted a congregation, or encouraged an affected family: Thank you. You have helped to restore more than buildings. You have helped to restore dignity, faith, and hope.
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NLT).