Most persons visiting the Caribbean islands are usually looking forward to the excitement of new experiences, warm beaches, and simply enjoying themselves. Vacations in the region are often associated with relaxation, family gatherings, and celebration.
However, Kevin Blair, who travelled to the Turks and Caicos Islands to celebrate his mother’s birthday, decided that he wanted to do more than simply enjoy the festivities. While he certainly valued the opportunity to spend time with family, Blair felt compelled to carry with him something much deeper—his ministry.
Having participated in the Peaceful Prayerful Persistent Prayer Protest at Emancipation Park since September of last year, Blair decided that he would “take some cards with him” and bring the message of the protest to Turks and Caicos as well.
The non-denominational Peaceful Prayer gathering is now active in more than 80 locations islandwide in Jamaica. The initiative focuses on advocating spiritual and societal change through prayer, scripture reading, and non-violent protest. Its ultimate goal is to encourage righteousness and national transformation through faith, while reminding citizens that prayer can play a central role in shaping the moral direction of a nation.
In an interview with Freedom Come Rain, Blair said that taking to the streets in the Turks and Caicos Islands was an experience he will never forget.
“The reaction was great. Trust me, the first day I went out, a guy passed and came and stopped and asked where mi from. Mi tell him Jamaica and ting, and him say, ‘Wow, I love what you’re doing, man; we need more of this,’” he related.
Blair explained that he was originally drawn to the prayer protest after hearing an appeal on the radio by Apostle Jeffrey Shuttleworth. According to Blair, he had always been shy by nature and never imagined himself participating in this type of public ministry, much less taking it beyond Jamaica’s shores.
The encounter with the passerby left a lasting impression on him. Blair said the man was so impressed by what he was doing that after conversing with him for a while, he handed him a US$20 bill and told him to buy a drink. He reiterated how much he appreciated what Blair was doing.
For an entire month, Blair divided his time between spending time with his mother and standing on the busy street where he carried out the prayer protest. He explained that his location was close to a highway at a busy intersection, making it a visible place for motorists and pedestrians passing by.
Blair did not anticipate staying in Turks and Caicos for a full month. After attending his mother’s birthday celebration in November, he had planned to return to Jamaica in time for Apostle Shuttleworth’s birthday on the 4th of that month.
“But my niece who lived with my mama went away, so I couldn’t leave her alone, so I ended up staying there in Turks,” he explained.
Looking back on his time ministering on the streets there, Blair described each day as special. He said the responses from those who observed him were overwhelmingly encouraging.
Unlike some of the prayer protest teams in Jamaica, who experienced both positive and negative reactions while ministering in public spaces, Blair said his experience in Turks and Caicos was entirely positive.
“There was no negative experience. Everybody passes, people slow down, wave and give me thumbs up and say, ‘Yea mon, a love dat.’ It’s like the people dem hungry fi it,” he shared.
According to Blair, it seemed that many people had never seen anything like it before and were genuinely pleased by the presence of a public prayer protest. Their open expressions of appreciation left him feeling overwhelmed.
“Mi sey wow, not a negative vibe,” he reflected.
At one point, a Rastafarian man approached him and asked about his reason for carrying out the prayer protest. Blair said he showed him one of his ministry cards, including one that read “Turks and Caicos for Jesus”, among others. He explained that his mission was to encourage repentance and spiritual renewal.
After hearing his explanation, the man reportedly agreed with the message and encouraged him to continue.
Comparing his experience on the frontline in Turks and Caicos with his participation at Emancipation Park in Jamaica, Blair said the two environments were quite different.
At Emancipation Park, he explained, the novelty of the protest has somewhat worn off. Although persons still stop by and interact, most people already know what the gathering is about. In contrast, while standing on the streets in Turks and Caicos, the newness of the activity generated greater curiosity, excitement, and interest among those who encountered him.
Blair said that participating in the prayer ministry has had a profound personal impact on his life. According to him, it has strengthened his faith and helped him overcome the shyness that once held him back.
“To be honest, you know that gave me faith. At one time I had that shyness. Me never even knew how to do that, honestly,” he related.
Now that he has returned to Jamaica, Blair is already anticipating another visit to Turks and Caicos. When that time comes, he says he intends once again to take to the streets—armed with his ministry cards and a renewed commitment to prayer.
For Blair, what began as a simple family visit has now become something much larger: a personal mission to carry a message of prayer, repentance, and spiritual awakening wherever he goes in the Caribbean.
