By John Roomes
CEO, Wycliffe Caribbean
My recollections of Al Miller and Jamaica Youth For Christ (JYFC) begun with Encounter when I was in Mandeville in the mid 70s-80s… “wake the town and tell the people that Jesus Christ is Lord…” coming out of the mouths of Al and Charles and others from the Encounter Jesus platform. Later Discover Jesus Missions took over and Al was deeply involved with that mostly in some sort of full time capacity at the JYFC office in Kingston… helping in administrative and counseling roles and also with the logistics of the DJ Missions.
Speaking of DJ Missions, there is a humorous story about Al that gives you an idea of the kind of spontaneous thinker and practitioner he is. It was on a trip into Kingston from a weekend DJ Mission in a rural town. The car was full with young people and equipment, with Al at the wheel. They encountered a man waving his hand desperately with his thumb extended, anxiously hoping that this would be his chance to get a ride into Kingston (booming a ride). Naturally, Al flashed past him, as the car was full, but then he slammed on the brakes, caught a reverse gear and pulled up the car up to the feet of the man, who by now was very hopeful, expecting a ride. Al stuck his head out and declared: “I can see that hand, you may put it down now…” just as he would have said when giving an alter call in a DJ Mission. Needless to say, there was no room for the poor man in the car… but Al and the others in the car sincerely expressed our hope that he will indeed get a ride into Kingston.
Typically, Al was a very engaging individual in the YFC circles. Always involved in some deep discussions on varies topics and issues, constantly lacing his speech with his favorite language, the Jamaican Patwa. In fact as he developed in ministry we witnessed his widening impact as a pastor for the youth at the Red Hills Baptist Church.
Later he took the bold step of creating a unique youth engagement ministry at what I believe was called the “Gemini Night Club” in Hagley park, providing an additional opportunity for young adults to get together in a Christian context for humor, drama, praise and worship, testimonies and exciting exhortations from the Word. That eventually became the beginnings of Whole Life Ministries and later, Fellowship Tabernacle.
Al came on the scene when a number of young, vibrant men were taking ownership of their roles in evangelism and christian spiritual formation in the Jamaican context. The likes of Barry Davidson, John Gordon, Charles Baxter, Peter Garth, Len Anglin and a number of others. It was a time when the foreign missionaries were making their exit from our shores and indigenous Christian leadership in Jamaica was taking root. This was a special time in JYFC and Al was very much and obviously so, a major part of it. Al’s impact on JYFC and JYFC’s impact on Al were mutually beneficial. His ministry continued to carry that kind of YFC flavor… daring, bold, unusual, attractive, purposeful, holistic and has remained relevant across the changing times in our nation.
That Al would see it as his civic duty to become deeply involved in the social well being of the people and nation of Jamaica, comes as no surprise. He passionately takes on these nationally significant issues, taking no thought for his own image, reputation or safety. No wonder this colorful individual and minister attracts people of all walks of life, including those who widely considered to be dogs of society. His mantra must be, to do something when something needs to be done to help to resolve the issues ailing our society… not afraid to become immersed in helping to resolve society’s issues.
My thoughts regarding our Brother in the faith and fellow Christian practitioner.