National thanksgiving service marks Jamaica 64 under resilience theme

KINGSTON — Church, state and civic leaders filled Olsen Memorial Church of God on Sunday, July 26, 2026, for the National Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service, launching observances for Jamaica’s 64th Independence anniversary under the theme “United in Celebrating Resilience.”

Host pastor Reverend Adonar Jones welcomed dignitaries including Custos of St. Thomas Marcia Bennett, representing Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen; Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Senator Keshia Anderson, standing in for Opposition Leader Mark Golding; Culture Minister Olivia Grange; Finance Minister Fayval Williams; Senate President Thomas Tavares-Finson; Chief Justice Bryan Sykes; and Festival Queen Brittany Clark with parish queens.

Jones said the service also carried the sub-theme “Blessed and Built to Last.” He recalled emancipation in 1834 as a landmark of courage, and urged the unfinished work of equality, inclusion and social protection remain central as the country nears the first anniversary of Hurricane Melissa. He called for prayer that the recovery agency NAR meet the highest standards of resilience.

Grange told the congregation that true resilience is faith under pressure, citing communities hit by Melissa. She outlined Jamaica 64 events: the Festival Song finals on July 25 at the Randy Williams Entertainment Centre, where “I Love Jamaica” was chosen; the Emancipation Jubilee on July 31 at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann; Independence Village at the National Stadium Complex from August 1 to 6; and the Grand Gala on August 6, featuring more than 1,000 drones, fireworks and a Jamaica Defence Force display marking 50 years of women in the Force.

Reading the Governor-General’s message, Bennett said Sir Patrick regretted his absence and linked the resilience theme to post-Melissa recovery, citing Psalm 46:1 and urging compassion for those still grieving.

Holness read Nehemiah 2:11–18; Anderson read 2 Corinthians 4:3–10. Guest preacher Reverend Jonathan Hemmings of the Jamaica Baptist Union, drawing on Psalm 33:12, urged the nation to “build back better together,” trust God over foreign power, end blame-shifting, narrow the rich–poor gap, and pursue self-determination — including revisiting colonial-era laws on beach access and land reform.

Bishop Alvin Bailey of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance led intercession for leaders, road safety, integrity and NAR. Festival queens led the National Pledge, after which Grange presented a plaque to Jones and the church on behalf of the Government, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and the Committee for the Promotion of National Religious Services. The service closed with the National Anthem.