The motto of the JBUB is "Finding Following Fraternizing"

Purpose

• To project and sustain a programme of work which will have as its ultimate objective the leading of men of the Baptist Churches in fellowship with the JBU into a realization of their obligations and role in Missions/Evangelism.

• To provide a medium through which the men can serve efficiently and effectively in promoting the full programme of their Church and denomination.

• To co-operate with JBU in the proper administration of its ministries.

Objectives - to achieve the values inherent in the Purpose, the Organization seeks to promote among the men and instill into their thinking the following aims and objectives:

• Loyalty to Christ, to the Church, and to its administration

• Co-operation with every agency and organization of the Church and denomination

• Constant emphasis upon the necessity of personal consecration for worthy Christian/Stewardship of home, self, substance and service

• A greater emphasis upon individual and group effort in evangelism

• Visitation to homes for the aged, orphanages, institutions for handicapped, hospitals and other similar institutions with a view to cheering the inmates and extending the gospel of Jesus Christ

• Increased circulation of our denomination's literature

• To co-operate with the Board of Mission and Evangelism, for the promotion and advancement of Baptist Work in Jamaica and the Caribbean

• An aggressive and continuing effort to reach, win and develop boys, young men, older men for Christ through Christian companionship and guidance

• To help build finances of the church and to facilitate administration by way of regular and generous offerings and tithes

• To help to ensure a progressive growth in Church budgets to meet local needs, and denominational causes, in order that the gospel may be proclaimed to the uttermost end of the earth

• Liberal financial support and patronage of denominational institutions

• A continuing effort through the Brotherhood to promote Christian Fellowship and to enlist, utilize and organize all the men of all our churches in active Christian service.

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The JBWF was formed on December 10, 1922. Their motto is "Seek, Save, Serve."

The aims of the Federation are:

• to bind all Baptist Women in the service of Christ, helping one another. To strengthen the spiritual life of the members of the Church. To make contact with those who are not Christians, and to lead them to Christ.
• To give instructions to women in their homes - how to care for their children, how to live healthy lives, and to assist generally in preparing young people for Home and Family life.
• To take responsibility for the operation of the Garland Hall Memorial Home working in co-operation with the Local Home Committee.

The current President of the JBWF is Mrs. Marine Cunningham. All contact to the Federation should be made through the Jamaica Baptist Union office.

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In 1940 the Rev. Walter Foster of Calabar High School assisted by Doris Morant of the Ministry of Education organized the "Young People's Department".

A restructured Youth Movement of JBU was launched in November 1983 by the Youth Affairs Committee during the final service of the Bi-centennial Celebrations at Sabina Park, Kingston This Movement was launched in an effort to strengthen the relationships between young Baptists across the island. Through this Movement, Baptist Youth will have a forum for joint action on issues they face and for evangelism.

In 1994 the Jamaica Baptist Union appointed an Assistant General Secretary with responsibility for Youth and Training. In March of the following year, a Youth Department was formed.

The objectives of the Youth Department are:

1. to inspire witness among young people and engage them in the ministry of missions and evangelism by:
   • informing its member bodies concerning new forms and spheres of work and witness and
   • the use of Jamaica Baptist Unions, Caribbean Baptist Fellowship and Baptist World Alliance
   • Publications and other forms of communication.
2. To challenge young persons to maintain an ongoing personal relationship with God as the basis for meaningful involvement in the life of the church.
3. To foster better relationships and fellowship among Baptist youth and between Baptist youth and fellow Christian youth.
4. To support and strengthen the activities of regional Youth Fellowships Uniformed Groups, Student Affairs and any other group dedicated to the development of youth.
5. To facilitate a forum for expressing the views of the young people and for the discussion of issues related to wholesome development.
6. To educate young people on the history and beliefs of the denomination in corroboration with the training arm of the Jamaica Baptist Union
7. To provide training ground for future church leaders
8. Seek in all matters to be supportive of the General Parish Associations, Jamaica Baptist Union through the Youth Department

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Goals
The role of the Institute will be to provide and promote Christian religious education and training to enhance the life, witness and ministry of Christian churches.

To this end, it will:

• Provide support services to facilitate and improve the training that is provided by JBU churches, Parish Associations and committees;

• Conduct surveys of JBU church training needs and take appropriate action to meet them;

• Monitor and evaluate JBU sponsored training programmes to enable them to achieve stated CEI standards;

• Provide certification functions for programmes that have been evaluated and approved by CEI;

• Provide continuing education programmes for pastors and other church leaders

• Collaborate with other denominations in projects of curriculum development, materials production and programme delivery.

Programmes

Starting April 1999, the CEI will be delivering the following four Diploma Programmes:

1. Diploma in Bible Teaching
2. Diploma in Church Administration
3. Diploma in Counseling
4. Diploma in Music Ministries

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Programme Features

• All students will do a core of five modules plus two specialization modules, and one elective module, over a period of two years
• The core will include areas of study such as:
  
  • Understanding the Bible,
  • Old Testament and New Testament Surveys,
  • Baptist History and Beliefs,
  • Leadership,
  • Social Ethics, and
  • Church Development with special reference to the Caribbean.
    
• The diploma will be a modular distance learning (home study) programme requiring the use of self-instructional workbooks.
• A tutor/facilitator will be assigned to each student.
• Students will attend two seminars for each module (at conveniently located regional centres)
• Students who complete all of the required modules (along with the associated workbooks and seminars) will receive the CEI Diploma for the area in which they specialized.
• Students may obtain a Diploma with Merit by completing agreed assignments as additional requirements
• Student will receive credit and be given a statement, for each module they have completed.
• Regional coordinators will monitor programme delivery and student performance.
• Modules will be completed one at a time starting with the core.

Diploma Admission

There will be two categories of admissions:

• Church sponsored students and
• independent students.
  

To be considered for acceptance, applicants will be required to:

1. complete an application form that is provided
2. be interviewed and approved by their church
3. ensure that the application gets to the JBU Office prior to the announced deadline.

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Each circuit/church is encouraged to sponsor at least four (4) members: one for each of the four areas of specialization that are being offered. These four persons will be expected to become resource persons and trainers, in their churches/circuits in their respective areas of specialization. Church sponsorship of students will be an ongoing feature of the programme.

Tuition Cost - The cost per module(1999) will be $1500. Payment should be made prior to the starting date of each module. These dates will be announced.

Other CEI Programmes & Services - Short Courses, Seminars and Workshops

The CEI will collaborate with churches, parish associations, and JBU committees at their request, to develop and deliver short courses, seminars and workshops.

Services - The CEI will:

• provide assistance with the design, development and evaluation of church training programmes

• provide guidance concerning trainers and other resources for church training programmes

• provide a resource centre from which churches may access training materials and equipment (at a cost).

Mission - To provide opportunities for Christians, in particular members of Baptist Churches:

• to grow in their understanding and practice of their faith and

• to acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills for effective Christian service and leadership in both church and community that our land "may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea".

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This 41 acre campsite/conference centre is situated in a very desirable location approximately two (2) miles from the town of Duncans, Trelawny, with a magnificent sea-view to the north and bathed by refreshing day and night time breezes.

There are 153 beds in Nutshell's facilities. Most rooms will sleep six. There are two large dorms. We have a few rooms for only two persons. The Baptist Women's Federation has provided an Executive Suite with private bath, kitchen, bedroom and dining and sitting room. This can be reserved by special arrangement. Contact our Administrator for information.

Each person should bring their own bed sheets, pillow, towels and other personal needs. Nutshell does not furnish these items. Many personal needs can be purchased in the Tuck Shop.

A special place for washing clothes is provided. Irons and ironing boards can be checked out in the Tuck Shop. A few sports items can be checked out in the Tuck Shop.

The facility is available to the public and bookings should be made directly through the Centre.

Telephone #:876-954-2440-1
Fax #: 876-954-2735
E-mail:

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Electronic Media

1. "Christ for Today" is a broadcast of the Jamaica Baptist Union that can be heard on Radio Jamaica Ltd. (RJR) every Sunday at 6:00 a.m. It is a half an hour programme with a message. It also offers activities that the Union engages in.
2. "Youth Sounds" is another broadcast of the Jamaica Baptist Union, Youth Department. This programme can be heard on Love 101.7 on Saturdays at 5:45 p.m. It is a fifteen (15) minute programme that deals with issues that affect Youths in Jamaica from a Christian perspective.

The Jamaica Baptist Union publishes a quarterly newspaper "The Baptist Reporter". This newspaper covers among other things, news of the Churches; anniversaries, dedication of buildings: family news, Bible studies and commentaries on events of national and or international significance.

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