For Garfield Tomlinson, standing along Jamaica’s roadsides with a ministry card is more than a weekly activity. It is an expression of his faith and a commitment to sharing the Gospel with others.
Tomlinson has been listening to TBC Radio since 2019, but it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he felt called to become actively involved in the ministry. While tuning in to the station, he heard a pastor encouraging listeners not to remain on the sidelines but to step forward and do their part in advancing God’s work. The message resonated with him and inspired him to join the street ministry.
“I needed to do my part,” Tomlinson said, reflecting on the decision that changed his journey from being a listener to becoming an active participant in outreach.
When he joined the Freedom Come Ministry International (FCMI), Tomlinson said there were very few men involved. In fact, at one point, he was the only male standing with the team. Rather than seeing that as a reason to step back, he viewed it as an opportunity to lead by example.
He believes more men should become involved in the ministry and hopes his story will encourage others to answer God’s call.
According to Tomlinson, the ministry is not about promoting one denomination over another or representing a particular church.
“This isn’t about denomination or which church you’re a part of,” he said. “It’s about God.”
He explained that anyone who has a desire to serve God is welcome to become involved and become a part of the ongoing Peaceful Prayerful Persistent Prayer Protest. For him, the Tarrant Baptist Circuit/FCMI islandwide prayer protests provide an opportunity for Christians from different backgrounds to unite with a common purpose of sharing biblical messages with the public.
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.
As part of the outreach, volunteers stand in public places holding ministry cards that display messages intended to encourage people to think about God and biblical values. Tomlinson said one of his cards simply reads, “Jamaica for Jesus.“ Others address issues such as abortion, LGBTQ matters, and obeah from a biblical perspective.
“There has been a lot of nastiness in the conversations about legalising abortion, LGBTQ issues and obeah,” Tomlinson said. “That’s why we have those messages on the cards. We want to point people back to what the Bible teaches.”
He aims to encourage people to reflect on Scripture and draw closer to God as he stands each week with a team of other believers in Temple Hall, St Andrew.
While the ministry seeks to spread a positive message, Tomlinson admitted that the work is not without its challenges.
Over the years, he has experienced many negative encounters while ministering. Some motorists and pedestrians disagree with the messages displayed on the cards, while others respond with criticism. Despite those experiences, he remains committed to the ministry, believing that faithfully sharing God’s word is more important than receiving approval from everyone.
Tomlinson said serving in the ministry has strengthened his own faith. Standing publicly for his beliefs has taught him to trust God more deeply and remain steadfast even when faced with opposition. Each experience, whether positive or negative, has reinforced his conviction that the work is worthwhile.
Although there have been challenges, he continues to find purpose in being a visible witness for Christ. Looking ahead, Tomlinson hopes to see more men answer the call to serve. He believes men have an important role to play in sharing the Gospel and encouraging others to draw closer to God. His message to those considering joining is simple: don’t wait for someone else to take the lead.
From listening to TBC Radio in 2019 to answering God’s call during the pandemic, Tomlinson’s journey has been one of faith, obedience, and service. Today, he continues to stand with a ministry card in hand, trusting that each message shared is another opportunity to point someone toward Christ.