The Christian Education Development Unit (CEDU) of the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) Jamaica, celebrated Christian Education Week during the period 1-7 June 2025. This time was dedicated to recognising the Unit’s commitment to service and advancement of leadership training and development within the COGOP Jamaica.
The week commenced with an official launching ceremony on June 1 held at the COGOP Waterworks, Westmoreland church under the theme, “Training for the Mission.” The ceremony was attended by Bishop Aston Miller, parish administrative assistant, other national administrators, the CEDU executive body, students of the New Covenant Bible Institute of the Caribbean (NCBIC), members of the COGOP Jamaica, representatives from the Jamaican government school sector, and community members. Special features of the day involved the honoring of NCBIC Extension Site Coordinators for their exceptional contribution to academic development and achievements within the entity.
- The distinguished awardees were:
Minister Dr. Heidi Leith - Minister Thelma Allen
- Minister Diann Crooks-Miller
- Minister Damian Robinson
- Minister Dale Hewitt
- Minister Rohan Lawrence, JP
In keeping with the CEDU’s annual community outreach thrust and its commitment to training and development, three primary schools (Ferris Primary School, Cokes View Primary School, Petersfield Primary School) in the parish were presented with smart televisions and tablets to enhance the learning experience of its students.
television from Minister Damian Robinson – Coordinator, NCBIC Off-Site School -Montego Bay
Dr. Maurice Smith – NCBIC Board Chair Elect, delivered the keynote address which framed the importance of the mission, the impact of training, and the tools required for a successful mission – those being prayer and praise. Other featured events were:
- A webinar on June 4 under the theme “Understanding A.I.: A New Frontier for Ministry” with presenters, Dr. Nadine Barrett-Maitland and Ms. Camille Jackson, NCBIC assistant dean, academic affairs. The session focused on dissecting the usefulness of this new technological tool in church ministry and answered probing questions about its positive and negative impact.
- An empowerment conference on June 7 under the theme, “Jamaica More and Stronger Churches.” Pastors, ministers, and ministry leaders who were in attendance benefited from training in strategic planning, processes, and evaluation techniques to strengthen local churches and to plant more churches across Jamaica.
Minister Dr. Hyacinth Campbell , director NCBIC, in her celebratory message highlighted the COGOP Jamaica as a vanguard in leadership training and development for over six decades. Our leadership development training efforts have undergone many transitions over time and has produced many stalwart leaders who have been and still are the standard bearers sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the church and community.
The NCBIC is the COGOP Jamaica’s leadership development and training institute established to equip and prepare leaders for efficient and effective service to the church and the global community. In its quest to improve institutional capacity and credibility, the NCBIC is actively seeking accreditation through the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) and the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC). Recently, the Accredited Ministry Development (AMD) of the COGOP International Offices endorsed the entity. This endorsement incorporates a formal partnership between the two entities which provides for graduates of the NCBIC to matriculate to one of the advanced academic programmes offered by the Spirit and Life Seminary.
The CEDU remains committed to providing quality leadership education, preparing members for leadership roles and sharpening theological minds.
Article submitted by Sheriann A. Ward, Jamaica Communication Practitioner and Minister of Religion
Back row (left to right): Minister Dale Hewitt, Minister Damian Robinson, Minister Rohan Lawrence, JP