The Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) strengthened its call for an end to violence and abuse through its 2026 EndItNow campaign, under the theme “Moved With Compassion.”
EndItNow is a global initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church focused on raising awareness and advocating for an end to violence and abuse. In Central Jamaica, the 2026 campaign translated that global mission into a month of education, conversation, community outreach and advocacy.
Coordinated by the Women’s Ministries Department, the initiative brought together the Education, Health Ministries, Ministerial Association, Family Ministries, Children and Youth Ministries, Possibility Ministries and Men’s Ministries departments. Together, they sought to promote compassionate responses to abuse, encourage safer environments and connect individuals and families with information and available support.
31 Days of Awareness
One of the campaign’s major components was a 31-day social media awareness campaign throughout August. Daily flyers shared through WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook addressed practical aspects of preventing and responding to abuse, from recognising warning signs and supporting survivors to seeking help and reporting abuse to the appropriate authorities.
The campaign quickly moved beyond the Conference’s immediate constituency. Members and community residents across CJC and other parts of Jamaica Union, along with persons overseas, shared the materials through their social media platforms, extending the reach of the initiative.
Feedback from viewers underscored the relevance of the conversation.
Malaika Bailey, Principal of the Rosemount Primary and Infant School, and a member of one of the local churches in CJC expressed her gratitude that CJC is addressing a matter that also affects members of the church.
“Thanks for this… many abused members are in the church too. Compassion matters.”
Moving the Conversation Online
The campaign continued from August 16–22 with a series of EndItNow awareness videos and the nightly virtual programme “Let’s Talk EndItNow.”
Departmental leaders were featured, sharing messages centered on compassion, protection, accountability and support. The videos generated encouraging engagement, recording approximately 19,000 collective views on Instagram, while the YouTube videos received a minimum of 239 views.
The “Let’s Talk EndItNow” virtual series provided an additional space for participants to engage directly with issues surrounding violence and abuse. Hosted via Zoom, the nightly sessions averaged approximately 88 participants.
Topics ranged from the Church’s responsibility to create communities of care and protection to the health effects of abuse, family restoration, the protection of children, and the safety and inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable individuals.
Presenters included Ms. Jacqueline Dillon, Deputy Superintendent of the Domestic Violence Intervention Unit; Pastor Joel Shillingford; Dr. Sharmaine Tapper; Dr. Cheril Thompson; Elder Lyneve McLeish; and Althea Grant-Francis.
Churches Take the Message to the Streets
While Conference-level activities provided a common platform, local congregations carried the EndItNow message into their communities.
Churches across the conference participated through worship services, Sunday evening meetings, social media content, road marches, street meetings and other outreach activities.
Members of the Hayes SDA church gather at a bus stop in an area of the community, encouraging persons to help bring an end to violence. :: Photo credit: Contributed
At Hayes Seventh-day Adventist Church, Vocational Bible School participants and their teachers created EndItNow T-shirts before joining a march from the church to Hayes Square. Pamphlets and flyers were distributed along the route, followed by an interactive discussion with community members about violence, its effects and ways to promote peace.
Old Road Seventh-day Adventist Church also organised a community march, distributing packages and tracts and visiting homes along the way. The initiative drew participation from the Dover Pathfinders and members of the Kitson Town church.
Children of the Old Hope SDA church show off the designs on the back of their shirts as they gear up to do their part in their church's initiative on EnditNow emphasis day held on Sabbath, August 22, 2026. :: Photo credit: Contributed
Other congregations, including Banister, Watermount, Diamond Acres, Old Harbour Bay and Bois Content, also participated in the campaign.
The Church Called to Be a Place of Safety
For CJC leaders, the campaign highlighted the Church's responsibility to speak openly about violence and create environments where people can experience safety, dignity and care.
Pastor Joel Shillingford, CJC Family and Ministerial Director, emphasised the importance of keeping the issue of violence in homes and society in public conversation.
“This year's End-it-Now showed me the importance of proclaiming the issue of violence in the homes and society. This is necessary and should be done on a wider level using other means such as the newspapers, and [television channels] CVM/TVJ”
Pastor Kemel O’Hara, Youth and Children and Adolescence Ministries Director, affirmed that the home and church must be a safe place for everyone.
“From the Youth and CHAM Ministries Department, we believe the home and church must be safe places and spaces. Abuse, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, has no place among God’s people or in our society. Through EndItNow, we affirm that our God is a God of healing, justice, and restoration.”
The campaign also intentionally included vulnerable populations. Pastor Coniel Morgan, Coordinator of Prayer Ministries and Possibilities Ministries, welcomed the opportunity for EndItNow to focus on persons with disabilities, noting the significance of this emphasis for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“It's good that the EndItNow Programme provides the opportunities for us to focus also on persons with disabilities. This speaks well for us as Seventh-day Adventists. I feel happy for this initiative, and that's why I'm proud to say, End It Now.”
Continuing the Work
Rox-Anne Mckoy Chambers, Education and Women’s Ministries Director for CJC, described the 2026 campaign as a significant demonstration of collaboration and expressed gratitude for all those who played a part in making the campaign successful.
“Special appreciation is extended to every Women’s Ministries leader across the Conference who took the initiative to lead out, mobilise their congregations, and support the various campaign activities. Your commitment and willingness to speak out have helped to amplify the EndItNow message and extend its reach across Central Jamaica.
She also encouraged members to keep speaking out and working together to create safer spaces.
“As we move forward, let us continue to stand together and speak with one voice against violence and abuse. May our collective efforts continue to promote compassion, protection, healing, accountability, and safe communities. Together, let us continue to say: End It Now!”