Jamaica Website

Jamaica Seventh-day Adventist Church was organized on October 9, 1965, as a result of an evangelistic effort held from July 4th to September 12th, 1965 at Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue in Jamaica, New York. Elder E. E. Cleveland, Associate Director, Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist was the Teacher/Preacher sent from God to conduct the effort. Hundreds came to the twin tents to listen and learn of the wondrous truths being proclaimed.

When it was time for the big tents to come down, 456 people publicly proclaimed their profession of faith through the rite of baptism, and as at that time, even more precious souls were being led to a decision of commitment, following too in the footsteps of the Saviour, a neighbor, Linden Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church, St. Albans, New York, opened its doors for the continuance of the meetings three nights a week.
The ardent group of new believers found a temporary home in the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at 114th Avenue and Mexico Street, St. Albans, New York. It was here, in its first home, that the church was officially organized. Elder E. E. Cleveland, the evangelist for the tent effort and Elder R.T. Hudson, Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Conference president officiated at the Service of Organization and Consecration on October 9, 1965. Elder Clinton F. Warren, a diligent worker during the tent effort, was chosen to shepherd the new flock and guide it forward on its heavenward journey.

On March 26, 1966, Jamaica Church became the 36th church in the Northeastern Conference, and in May of that year, still maintaining a membership of over 400, it moved its new home to 88-28 163rd Street, Jamaica New York. The members worked diligently, giving of their means, time, and talent to furnish and beautify God's house. Services were held in an atmosphere of true reverence and humility and a rich fellowship of faith and love developed within the new congregation.
Evangelism has always been a strong thrust among the clergy and membership of this church. The largest(up to that time) graduating class in the history of Faith for Today, received certificates at the church, only a little over a year after the church was organized. Nearly one hundred people completed the course.

Under the direction of its second pastor, Elder O.E. Gordon, the Busy Bee Day Care Center opened as a community service to provide care for the preschool children of working parents. During this same period the Jamaica Church became affiliated with the Linden Boulevard Church in the operation of the Linden-Jamaica Elementary School. The fifth through eighth graders were housed at the Jamaica Church. Shortly before Elder Gordon was called to another assignment, a group of Laymen from the church began a modest program of Bible distribution and Sabbath Bible lessons and study in the Queens House of Detention in Kew Gardens, New York. After a little more than six months of work on this program, eight inmates were baptized. This was the 'first' in the history of the institution and Jamaica's members who had supported and prayed for this effort were proud of the men of courage who had led out in this program, which grew and developed into the Laymen's Prison Counsellor Program. As a result of two evangelistic efforts conducted by Jamaica Church's third pastor, Elder R.R. Brown, we mothered the Lebanon Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is located in Laurelton, New York.

Pastor Norman Snipes the fourth pastor was only with us a short time, but our membership continued to grow in numbers and in faith, and the laymen conducted a strong program of Christian witness in the various neighborhoods that compose the Jamaica community.

Under the ministry of Elder Robert L. Lister, the Spanish speaking community had the opportunity to see the establishment of the Spanish Mission, presently the Jamaica Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. The evangelistic efforts to launch this church began with a Health Fair and No Smoking Program, followed by a series of meetings held in the lower auditorium of the Jamaica Church. An Evangelistic effort  held in South Ozone Park, New York resulted in the establishment of the South Ozone Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Queens, New York. In a second evangelistic effort the following summer, members were added to both Jamaica and Lebanon churches.

In 1979 Pastor Arthur E. Morgan continued with a series of programs that were geared to touch the community directly, both physically and spiritually. The church became actively involve in the distribution of Government food surplus program, sponsoring Health Fairs for the greater Jamaica Community, Vacation Bible School and many other methods of witnessing and services. In 1985 Pastor Clifford Jones made a significant contribution to our growth, he held an evangelistic effort in 1986 at Francis Lewis Blvd. and Hollis Avenue, Hollis, New York, he also dedicated the expansion of the Church Sanctuary that Pastor Morgan spearheaded, and installed a new digital Allen Organ in our Sanctuary.

During his brief tenure Pastor Edwin Humphrey instituted the benevolent fund, he was a very dedicated and seasoned Minister, and he was truly loved by everyone.
Pastor David Glover, truly a man of God coordinated an evangelistic crusade with Pastor Scales on Merrick Blvd. giving birth to the Queensboro Temple SDA Church. Pastor Glover was very dedicated to the work of the Lord, a genuine person who is always willing to lend a listening ear.

Pastor Hope L. Ashmeade a visionary and soldier in God's army who preaches the unadulterated word of God to the people, has a special talent and ability to simplify s-c-r-i-p-ture so the youngest child could understand. He purchased for Jamaica Church the adjacent four story building we use currently to house our Community Services distribution center, also installed a 60 ton air conditioning unit for our Sanctuary, extended the Pastor's Study to include a private bathroom and library and installed 3ABN satellite system for evangelistic purposes. Pastor Ashmeade's contribution to the Jamaica Church has set a standard and platform for his successor to build on.

Without delay, Pastor James LaMar continued to move ahead with the establishment of weekly cottage meetings for members to invite family, friends and neighbors for small intimate prayer services in their homes. Pastor LaMar strongly supports Christian education and is currently working with the School's Principal in an effort to expand our school beyond 5th grade. Our Pastor truly loves the young people and is able to bridge the generation gap by connecting with all age groups. We have come 'Thus Far by Faith', and will continue to allow God to lead His Church.