St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica – Sixteen young literature evangelists were specially recognized on Sabbath, August 15, after successfully completing the North Jamaica Conference Publishing Ministries’ Jamaica Youth Challenge 2026 Summer Programme. The service was held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Ann’s Bay.
Participants of the Jamaica Youth Challenge Programme
pictured with Pastors Jermaine Johnson (left), Ricardo
McCalla (right), and Onyeka Nevins (second right).
The 2026 Jamaica Youth Challenge (JYC) programme, formerly known as the Publishing Ministries Summer Youth Challenge, commenced on July 6 with an intensive period of spiritual orientation, professional training, team development, and preparation for field service. Sixteen vibrant young people accepted the challenge to participate in the six-week initiative.
Collectively, the young literature evangelists generated nearly over JA$1.7 million in book sales over six weeks, which will assist them in offsetting educational expenses at the high school, college and university levels.
Aside from the financial achievements, the initiative provided opportunities for personal growth, Christian service, and community outreach. Participants travelled across communities in St. Ann to Trelawny and also into Kingston, where they prayed for, encouraged, and placed life-changing literature in the hands of individuals. The extent of their reach was felt on the streets, in offices, and in homes.
The JYC programme was designed to provide young people with a purposeful, structured, supervised, and mission-centered summer experience. Its main objectives included developing Christian character and personal discipline; strengthening prayer, faith, and dependence on God. It provided practical training in literature evangelism; thereby developing communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
During the six-week programme, participants distributed 3,834 (three thousand eight hundred and thirty-four) books and magazines. Approximately $1,730,000 in sales was recorded. They also distributed 152 pieces of free literature and offered 1,926 prayers.
Members of the North Jamaica Conference administration joined the Publishing Ministries team, participants, and supporters for the recognition ceremony, celebrating the young people’s achievements and giving thanks to God for the programme’s success.
Conference President, Pastor Jermaine Johnson stated that, “Across Jamaica, these young people placed truth-filled, life-enriching literature into homes and hands. Every book sold represented more than income. It represented a seed planted, a mind influenced, a home reached, and another opportunity for the printed page to point someone toward a better life, and ultimately toward Christ.”
Every publication shared had the potential to continue speaking to hearts and minds long after the participant departed. The influence of the printed pages will remain in homes, be shared among relatives, and influence readers for years to come.
This truly is epitomized by the following statement, “The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time” (Ellen G. White, Colporteur Ministry, p. 6).
Special recognition was given to the top three performers, Raheed McCalla, Jada Henry and Rasheed McCalla. All participants received a certificate of participation and were recognized in other areas. Publishing Ministries Director Pastor Ricardo McCalla and his wife, Mrs. Nuvia McCalla, were highlighted for their leadership and support in empowering the cohort. Appreciation was also extended to Dr. Dudley Hosin, Publishing Ministries Director of the Jamaica Union Conference, for his support throughout the initiative.
Raheed McCalla pictured with Dr Dudly Hosin.
The initiative has demonstrated that young people, with proper training and motivation, can do great things for Christ and His mission. The summer programme has ended but the mission of the printed page will continue to speak in homes, influence minds, strengthen families, and point people toward Christ.