The SCFSU is primarily a volunteer movement. Much of the work is
carried out by graduates or other concerned individuals who believe in
the importance of
students ministry. Staff members function mainly as co-ordinators equippers,
trainers and motivators. Currently there are nine full time staff.workers.
They are stationed at the Head Office in Kingston, and the two Regional
Offices in Mandeville and Montego Bay.
Michael Nicholson
General Secretary
Michael joined the SCFSU in April 1995 as General Secretary. Why get
involved in student ministry? Michael recalls his own experiences while
a student at the University College of the West Indies:
"I was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Like many, perhaps most
children of that era, born in the fifties, you went to church and Sunday
school, for that was what children did. Unlike many of our friends, my
two brothers and I didn't have the luxury of lingering outside, since
our mother was a member of the choir and had a clear view of the
congregation. Any attempt to linger outside with the other boys would
always be noticed. We always had to be inside. So, in a sense, I grew up
in the church. This was the position until mid-teens when parental
pressure to attend church started to weaken. I, again like many of my
peers, started to drift away from the church community. In late teens I
started to drink hard liquor, a practice that really got a hold of me in
the ensuing three years. I took the habit with me to University, where I
got the alias "Badman" for my blustery behaviour and drinking habits.
Many were the times I swore that I had taken my last drink. It was
clear, even to me, that I was in the grip of something that was taking
me down a spiral to ruin. I simply had no ability to stop. All that
changed on April 10, 1977. That Sunday morning, a young student turned
up at my room, claiming that God had sent him to talk to me. I was then
in the throes of a hangover from the previous night's binge, and was in
no mood to be accommodating. Donovan Pinnock, that was his name, would
not be put off. I saw that the only way to get rid of him would be to
let him have his say. He started to tell me his testimony, and in the
midst of the telling, I felt as though a dry stick had snapped inside
me, and I gave my life to the Lord right there and then. I don't know
who was more surprised, Donovan, myself, or the other students in
Chancellor Hall. The news spread quickly that "Badman" was now a
Christian, and it seemed that the whole Hall found some excuse to either
visit me, or simply pass by my room, presumably to see for themselves.
In my hearing, many gave me a few weeks at most, before "the dog
returned to his vomit". That was twenty years and more ago.
An extraordinary corollary to that salvation experience was my
deliverance from the bondage to alcohol. Since that day, all desire for
liquor has disappeared. The fetters that bound me were broken, and that
was a token from the Lord that it was He who had done it. It is not easy
to describe the impact on one's life of such an instantaneous and
complete deliverance such as I experienced from alcohol, but it locked
me in to God's way from the outset.
This is the reality that shapes my understanding of the power and impact
of students ministering to other students. When I joined Students'
Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union (SCFSU) as General Secretary in
1995, fully eighteen years after my salvation experience as a University
student in 1977, it was with a sense of having been led to that point.
Interestingly, my office overlooks the very bar that I used to drink
myself silly in, so many years before. Every day presents me with a new
opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for sending one of His children
to speak to "Badman" in 1977. I also hold up Donovan Pinnock as an
example of obedience to be emulated, for I recognize that he didn't have
to go looking for "Badman". I am glad he did. He could have found any
number of excuses for not doing what God wanted him to do."
Michael is married to Alison. They have two daugthers, Natalie and
Danya, and one son, Theodore.
David Pearson
Director of Campus Ministries
After completeing his Masters in Caribbean Ministry from the Caribbean
Graduate School of Theology and ministering to students at the
Immaculate conception High School as a Religious Studies teacher David
joined the SCFSU as senior staff worker in September 1996. At the end
of his first year on staff David wrote:
"It is hard to believe that I am already at the end of one year as
Senior Staff Worker with ISCF. It has been a year of lessons in
Ministry. I must confess that I came to SCFSU with a determination to
carve out my own niche in ISCF and not to fall to comparisons with Gene
Denham who has passed away a few months earlier. However the year has
taught me firsthand one of Gene's own concerns: 'Effective ministry has
to be devoted to individuals through purposeful relationships.'
That principle has become quite evident as I recall some of our
activities this year. Leadership Conference '96, the visits of Breaking
Point Abuse Prevention Teams in January and of Alice Renalls in March as
well as our summer camps have influenced thousands of lives. Yet there
is a need for much more nurturing of students if we are to see
significant growth in their lives. This however cannot be done by the
Staff Workers alone because of the sheer number of students.
ISCF, in its present state in most schools, cannot perform that function
either. The 'meeting' focus of groups, coupled with all the stresses of
school life, usually make any attempt at 'nurturing' like 'throwing
water on ducks' backs'. Even in my own ministry, the sheer effort
required to visit all the schools does make any long term attempt at
nurturing even a few individuals seem impossible.
I am now convinced that what is necessary is a totally new approach to
thinking by all concerned in ISCF. The 'Tyranny of the Urgent' is real.
Most times we need to address the important things and remember that
many which present themselves as 'urgent' have little lasting value.
ISCF groups need to be more 'nurture focussed', that is they must be
structured in such a way as to help students live as God would have them
do, on a daily basis. ISCF must promote and encourage caring, daily
relationships as students study God's Word together. So should I in my
personal life, even as I go about the difficult task of visiting all the
schools.
Like Gene, enormous amounts of time must be spent with individuals to
develop them. In fact, wasn't that what Jesus did with the twelve and
even with the three?"
David is married to Cynthia. They have one son, Jonathan.
Faith Knight
Secondary Schools Staff Worker
After ministering to students at Shortwood Teachers' College as a
lecturer Faith joined the SCFSU as staff worker for the central region
in January 1991. Shortly after she wrote:
"Since joining the SCFSU staff as ISCF Staff worker for the central
region I have focussed on becoming acquainted with the schools in this
region. This involves visiting and meeting with sponsors and finding out
the status of the groups. Generally groups in the region function well
due to the foundation laid by the senior staff worker, Miss Gene Denham
and the assistance given by Mr. Horace Bennett, UCCF staff worker."
Noland Ridgard
Secondary Schools Staff Worker
Noland is the most recent addition to the staff team having joined the
organisation in January 1999. Noland has responsibility for the ISCF groups in
the western region.
Noland recently ( July '99) got married to Dionne.
Dean Mignott
Stewardship Staff Worker
After completing studies at the University of Technology and working
with the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dean joined the SCFSU in 1997. Dean has
responsibility for coordinating alumni relations and fundraising for the movement and helping to keep our financial affairs in good order.
Bernadette Hazle-March
Literature Staff Worker
After ministering to students at St. Hugh's High School for Girls as a
science and religious studies teacher and completing a Masters in
Caribbean Ministry at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology
Burnadette joined the SCFSU in 1996. Concerning the publication of the
Daily Bread Bernadette writes:
"It is ... our privilege to publish daily devotional notes. The main
purpose is to help Bible readers grow in their relationship with the
Lord through diligent study of the Bible. Our Scripture Union method ...
continues to be an excellent approach to exploring the word on your own
and interpreting it for yourself."
Bernadette is married to Keddo. They have one daughter, Khaleila.
Cynthia Curtis
Administrative Assistant
Cynthia joined the SCFSU
in 1990 after being a long serving member of staff at the St. James Parish
Council. Cynthia is currently completing studies in Theology at the Jamaica Theological Seminary.
For 23 years she has been married to Ezekiel, pastor of the Haven of
Hope Open Bible church in August Town. They have four sons, Andre,
Kevin, Joseph and Nathan.
Lavern Drysden
Office Assistant
Lavern has responsibility for operating the Western Region office in
Montego Bay.
Anne Goodison
Office Assistant
Anne is currently the longest serving staff member. She joined the SCFSU
in 1982 after working at Moorlands Camps. She has responsibility for
operating the Central Region office in Mandeville.
Yvonne Lewis
Bearer
Yvonne has been working with the SCFSU since 1998.
Staff Who have worked in Jamaica over the years have included:
Dahlia Frazer
Dale McBean
Daphene Macintosh
Dave Hazle
Donald Stewart
Donna Wellington
Elaine Brown
Emma Wellington
Gene Denham
Grace McKenzie (now Russell)
Horace Bennett
Hugh Douse
Janet Henry
Judith Williams
Las Newman
Lorence Brown
Margaret McLaughlin
Marie Johnson
Michelle Bogle
Nadene Emmanuel
Nadin Grant (now Thompson)
Oswald Chambers
Paul Henry
Richard Bell
Richard Heron
Sam Vassell
Sharon Davis
Stephen Russell