Many people spend their entire lives trying to discover who they are, their passions, and their life’s purpose but never find it. However, Mechanical Reliability Engineer at Jamalco, Samuel Haywood, affectionately called “Sammy or Sam” by his peers, has discovered his purpose.
“I realised early on that many young people would be going through life without having goals or knowledge of their meaningful purpose. I was like that once until I realised it was leading me nowhere, so I decided to change my trajectory,” Sammy explained.
Sammy’s transformative journey began in 2010 when he embraced his spiritual calling. He fully immersed himself in the May Pen New Testament Church of God as a youth pastor, deacon, resident drummer, and member of the prayer and evangelical ministry. His active involvement in the church has fostered a disciplined and a spiritually cha
rged lifestyle. Sammy’s purpose goes beyond living a Christlike life—he is committed to being a youth leader whose example inspires others both spiritually and physically.
He places special emphasis on health and wellness, often dedicating his evenings to the Jamalco gym after completing his work duties. He is an avid fitness enthusiast who combines strength training with consistent exercise. Sammy explains, “In order for God to work through you, you have to ensure that you are not only spiritually fit but physically fit as well. I have to ensure that my body is strong enough to fulfil God’s purpose.”
He draws biblical support from 3 John 1:2, which states, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Sammy fervently believes that God provides resources—material, financial, and physical—and that stewardship over one’s mind, body, and actions is also essential.
In his professional capacity as a mechanical reliability engineer, Sammy’s passion for learning is evident. The University of Technology graduate approaches each day with the drive to learn something new. “Learning can come from anyone, even the dull and ignorant. If you learn something new each day, you are better than the day before. For me, individual learning helps to drive Jamalco’s overarching goals, whether it is cost-saving, improving production, or ensuring continuous improvement in efficiency, stability, and health of equipment.” His professional goal is to continually refine his craft and grow within the organisation. “As a young engineer, my purpose is to develop my skills while contributing to the organisation’s overall success,” he adds.
To deepen his spiritual purpose, Sammy is an avid Bible scholar on the path to becoming a reverend. Last year, he earned a Level 2 Certificate in Christian Ministries from the Bethel Bible College of the Caribbean-Jamaica, graduating at the top of his class. “My life changed considerably when I realised that a life without God lacks purpose,” Sammy reflects. In 2025, he plans to stay focused on his goals by reviewing daily his list of things to accomplish and tracking his progress. “Life is full of distractions, but I stay anchored by remembering my ‘why,’ keeping the end goal in sight, and pressing forward.”
Sammy’s attention to detail extends to his appearance. Known for his fashionable style, he hopes to mentor young men about the importance of taking pride in how they dress. In his capacity as a youth counsellor, he guides youngsters in discovering their purpose. He advises them to “extend grace to themselves and never give up on their dreams. Not every day will your 100% look the same, but give it your all anyway. Every day is a new opportunity, and it’s you against you. Never compare yourself with others—keep striving for your personal best,” he encourages.
As Sammy continues to live a purposeful life, striving to become the best version of himself, he urges others to find what makes them unique. “Don’t rob the world of your uniqueness,” he reminds us.
At his workplace, Sammy, who embodies purpose and passion, is seen as an inspiration to his coworkers.
– Contributed