Marching through the Homestead community in St. Catherine with ministry cards hoisted above their heads, children had vehicles coming to a standstill as they conveyed varying God-inspired messages unhindered.
The children of varying ages, abandoned the fun activities and food that were prepared for them at the Homestead Community Centre to hit the streets and evangelise. Under the guidance of a team of intercessors and a sprinkling of parents, they took pleasure in displaying their thoughts in words, no doubt, leaving an imprint on the minds of those who viewed them.
The move was an extension of a peaceful, purposeful, persistent prayer protest organised by the Tarrant Baptist Church/Freedom Come Ministries International (TBC/FCMI). The children had gathered at the Homestead Community Centre for the 10th staging of the Kiddies Soul Patrol, which is aimed at celebrating the children and exposing them to a day of fun, fellowship, praise, and worship.
“The children from the community are here, and the children from the different satellites are here, and they are enjoying the rides, they are enjoying the art and craft and the march, the peaceful, prayerful persistent protest,” exclaimed Remona York, who was a member of the planning committee for the annual event.
She said it was a great way to get the children from the different churches under TBC/FCMI and those in the Homestead Community to socialise.
“Every aspect of the day was a ministry moment,” she said.
Children were fed a variety of refreshments, played in the bounce-about and on the trampoline, enjoyed football and other games, and were driven around in a boogie cart. The cart ride was also enjoyed by some parents. The parents benefitted from a seminar which was focused on teaching them how to parent through trauma.
Dr Nicole Holness, the main presenter, believes dealing with past hurt is essential for better parenting.
“The honest truth is that we cannot rightly parent if we are going through trauma. It is going to be replicated in the next generation, so if nothing else, they need to heal, they need to confess, they need to repent. They need to ask the Lord to heal the wounds that they are carrying, and it is upon that healing that they will be able to parent properly,” she said.
Dr. Holness, a pastoral counsellor, especially enjoyed seeing the children doing art and craft, which is also therapeutic.
“A lot of parents tell you that, oh, their [children] just love the social media; they love to be on the phone. The truth of the matter is that we are the ones putting the phones in their hands because we are not giving them the right alternative,” she said.
