Minister Grange salutes Jamaican resilience

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, is calling on Jamaicans to unite in faith and resilience as the country prepares to celebrate its 64th Anniversary of Independence. 
Speaking at the National Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday at the Olson Memorial Church of God in St Andrew, Grange noted that Jamaica’s journey has always been anchored by faith. 
“We assemble not merely to commemorate milestones in our history, but to offer humble thanksgiving to the One whose grace has sustained our nation through every generation,” she said. 
“Before there were celebrations in our public squares, there were prayers in our sanctuaries. Before there were declarations of freedom, there was unwavering faith that God would hear the cries of his people and in his perfect time make a way where there seemed to be none,” she pointed out. 
She noted that the National Anthem is a prayer asking God “to bless our land”, and the National Pledge is a promise “to do our best so that Jamaica may, under God increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity”. 
“It is, therefore, clear that God remains front and centre in all things we do as a nation,” Grange said. 
Reflecting on the theme surrounding this year’s national celebrations, ‘United in Celebrating Resilience’, the minister said that the true Jamaican spirit was tested and proven in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa less than a year ago. She said that despite the destruction and loss experienced across many communities, the courage of the Jamaican people shone brightly. 
“True resilience is not simply the ability to endure hardship. It is a steadfast confidence that God remains faithful in every season. It is the resilience of a people who have trusted the Lord through adversity, drawn strength from His promises, and continued to build, serve, worship, and hope even in the face of daunting challenges,” Grange said.