“Jamaica is the one who seeks the Lord, who seek your face, God of Jacob.”
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.(Psalm 24:6)
》 Country Profile
Continent | America
Population | 2.82 million
Area | 10,991㎢ Located between Brazil and Argentina on the Atlantic coast of southeastern South America.
Capital City | Kingston (590,000)
People Groups | Total 9 groups, Jamaicans 91.2%, East Indians 3.3%, Chinese 2.6%, British 1%, Arabs (Lebanese) 0.7%
People Groups Unreached | 0
Official Language(s) | English, Creole Jamaican
Total Languages | 8
Bible Translations | Completed 5, New Testament 1, Partial 1
Religion | Christian 81.4% (Protestant 34%, unregistered 27%, independent church 10%), Ethnic religion 10%, Non-religious 5.4%, Islam 0.8%, Hinduism 0.7% Evangelicals 29.7% 830,000 people
》 About Jamaica
Jamaica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494 and became a Spanish colony. The indigenous Taíno Indians were gradually decimated due to Spanish colonization, and enslaved Africans were brought to the island. In 1655, the British took control of Jamaica and developed plantations for sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed 250,000 slaves, many of whom became tenant farmers. Jamaica joined other British Caribbean colonies to form the West Indies Federation in 1958, but gained independence in 1962. The country remains a Commonwealth nation, with Andrew Holness serving as Prime Minister since 2016.
Jamaica’s economy was reliant on mineral exports in the past, but the booming tourism industry has brought economic stability and substantial revenue. The service sector, which accounts for over 70% of the GDP, is vital, with tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina exports as key foreign exchange sources. Challenges include an oversized public sector, high crime and corruption rates, budget deficits, and significant debt. Youth unemployment is particularly severe, alongside scams such as lottery fraud and serious drug trafficking issues. Jamaica’s GDP per capita is approximately $8,700.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 24:3-8(NIV) 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Jamaica is one of the Caribbean nations with the highest number of Evangelicals, making up about 30% of the population. We thank God for making it the country with the highest church density per square mile globally. However, many of these believers are unregistered, and most are not living out a truly Christian life. Churches are coming together through organizations such as the Jamaica Church Council and the Jamaica Evangelical Association to promote unity and a deeper commitment to the Christian faith.
Let us pray that the Jamaican church repents of secularism and ungodly living. May they renew their hearts and lives by having clean hands, pure hearts, and avoiding deceitful practices. Pray that Jamaica, seeking the Lord, will be transformed into a nation where the gospel is enough.
2. Jamaican churches have been sending out many missionaries, and the rise of missionary organizations has led to the establishment of branches abroad. We praise God for the presence of theological training institutes such as the Keswick Training Association and Bible Schools in the Caribbean.
Organizations like the Children’s Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), Campus Crusade for Christ (CCCI), and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) are actively engaged in teaching and nurturing children, youth, and young adults, raising them up as workers for the gospel. Let us pray that through groups like Jamaica Youth for Christ and the Jamaica Evangelical Children’s Union, the next generation in Jamaica will be reached with the gospel and raised up as a generation of faith.
3. The ‘Rastafarian’ religion emerged in Jamaica, mixing African religious ideology that worships the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I with Christian beliefs. It is well known for its non-violent philosophy of “peace and love,” its enjoyment of reggae music, and the use of marijuana. Let us pray that, as churches and missionaries pray and spread the gospel, the doors of peoples’ hearts may be opened and souls will be saved from lies and evil.
The spread of the gospel is needed among the Hindu community (100,000) and Arab Muslims (22,000). The extreme poor in Jamaica, including children whose parents have gone abroad and left them orphaned (referred to as “barrel children”), live in poverty and have hardly heard the gospel. Let us pray that the Lord, the King of Glory, will come to them, offer salvation, and care for them.
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