Jamaica must put God back in the centre of its affairs before it is too late. That was the warning given by Pastor Courtney Gordon during Sunday's National Independence Thanksgiving Service held at Emancipation Park, New Kingston.

"The source, which is the almighty God, must be put before all other resources," he said.

More misery

"We, as Jamaicans, have many things going for us, but if God is not at the centre of this nation there is going to be more misery," cautioned the first vice-president of the Church of God in Jamaica.

Gordon further said that before the country can truly embrace the Independence message of 'One Love, One Family', it needed to restore its value for humanity and reverence for human life.

He argued that the sanctity of human life was slowly losing its importance in the nation's eyes.

"We have lost our respect for people and our respect for life," he said. "We're not just talking about murderers. We're talking about those who empower murderers and who sustain and hide the murderers," said Gordon.

He further cautioned the nation's leaders to recognise that people are the country's greatest assets. "We must give consideration to the development of people," he said.