This worshipper (second left) is caught up in the spirit, while his daughter plays with her hair, and his neighbour claps during the Power of Faith Ministries' 'Heal the Family, Heal the Nation' national call at the National Arena, yesterday.Photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Singing, praying, clapping, jumping and shouting intertwined with fiery and persuasive messages during yesterday's Power of Faith Ministries, 'Heal the Family, Heal the Nation' conference at the National Arena.

Hundreds of persons, primarily women, turned out at the arena from as early as 5:30 a.m. to take part in the fellowship at hand. By 10:45 a.m., there was a full house of worshippers as those present were ministered to by Dr. Blossom White.

Singer, Brother Jabez, brought out the spirit in the gathering and, at one point, a woman fell to the ground, shaking her hands and legs. One high point of the event, however, came when Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller were prayed for and made to join hands.

The crowd was pleased by the sight and a 'joyful' noise swelled around the arena. Desmond Carter, a member of the Baywest New Testament Church of God, had high commendation for the event and the speeches made by both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader.

"In spite of everything, God comes first (and) we will work with them," Mr. Carter told The Gleaner. "And I feel what they (Mr. Golding and Mrs. Simpson Miller) said was genuine."

Borma Parker, from Annotto Bay in St. Mary, also applauded the conference.

Calling out the church

She said she believed such events were important to Jamaica, especially at a time when crime and violence were affecting many. For the new year, she hopes the Church will not only have events such as these, but will bring itself to people in communities affected by violence.

"Even two days a week, the Church needs to go there and highlight and let them know what is happening," she said. "Jamaica really get out of hand with the crime rate and, for the new year, we need to stamp out the violence," she said.

Ms. Parker also said she hoped the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader would work together in the future.

- Mark Beckford