Early Family Background and Education
The warm and personable Rev. Dr. Merrick ‘Al’ Miller, known to many as Pastor Al, grew up in the sub-urban St. Andrew community of Red Hills where he spent most of his childhood with his father only, whilst his mother resided in England. He is referred to as the ‘wash belly’ of the family – the youngest in a line of six siblings; to the extent that the name ‘Al’ is a shortened form of his mother’s name Althema. He attended Red Hills Basic, All Saints Primary and then Calabar High School, leaving that institution after three years to join his mother in England where he completed high school and college. A man of the soil, he returned to Jamaica at 18 years old.
Early Ministry Involvement
Pastor Al’s involvement in ministry began from his early days at Red Hills Baptist, where incidentally both parents were an active part of church life. It was at this church that he was baptized at the tender age of 10 years old, moving on to become actively involved in Boys Brigade, various youth groups and eventually leading a vibrant youth ministry.
A young Al Miller attracted throngs of youth to Red Hills Baptist because of his dynamic personality and leadership skills as well as his passion to reach people through ministry. Never limited to conventional type ministry, his activity extended to community through football and cricket initiatives.
His early associations in ministry also included:
- Child Evangelism working very closely with Lola Creary and Clyde Edwards
- Jamaica Youth for Christ with Pastor Gerry Gallimore – where he was thoroughly thrust into ministry; vivaciously assisting Pastor Gallimore.
- ‘Discovery Jesus’ missions – where he would organize many retreats and conferences for youth including those from his home church and community.
- Youth Mentoring – pouring his heart into assisting them financially. In his efforts to assist them, he started several business ventures such as poultry rearing, farming, a gas station; this was so that he could provide employment for some of the youth in the community.
Without a desire to start a church but simply to do God’s will, he eventually formed a very close knit family-like group that would meet regularly at his home on Woodlawn Avenue, where he still resides. The group met on specific evenings for Bible studies (mostly Thursday nights).
The Start of Fellowship Tabernacle
In due course, in 1986, a very small group of seven adults and eleven children (hailing from Red Hills Baptist and the community) started meeting at the then Bohemian Club at the Hagley Park Plaza. Club was kept there in the nights whilst church was held on Sundays. The club soon closed and it became wholly the venue for church – the birth of Fellowship Tabernacle and the vibrant pastorate of Rev. Merrick ‘Al’ Miller.
Rev. Miller has continued to be used by God in radical and life transforming ways; impacting the nation through his stance for righteousness and self-less love for people.