KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) is appealing to all registered voters, to vote in the general elections on Thursday, February 25.

JBU president, the Rev Michael Shim-Hue, who issued the call is emphasising that it is both a godly and civic responsibility of all adults to exercise their democratic rights by engaging in the polls.

He further advised “all registered voters to go out and vote. Vote for the political party that you are convinced is best for Jamaica at this time. Not to vote is not an option. This is what our forebears sacrificed sweat, blood and their life for.”

While encouraging voters to think wisely of their choice about which political party will be better at leading Jamaica and improving the conditions of Jamaicans, Rev Shim-Hue stated, “Trust God and trust the electoral process. God is demanding of you to vote for Jamaica by voting on February 25.”

The JBU president issued the challenge while delivering the presidential address at the opening service of the Union’s 166th General Assembly on Sunday night. The service was held at the Boulevard Baptist Church.

Rev Shim-Hue has a word of advice for those seeking political power. He is urging them to refuse to be controlled by the love of power and the arrogance of power, which are committed to “reducing others to dependency, deprivation and bondage”.

He also cautioned Christians and the wider Jamaican citizenry to stop accepting less than the best from leaders and from one another.

He lamented that too many Jamaicans have grown too accustomed to a “perpetual state of abnormal conditions of life”. That is not God’s plan for His people living in community, the JBU President warns.

In this regard, he is advocating for Jamaicans to lobby for improved health facilities islandwide.

“If Jamaica’s health system is not good enough for our politicians, it is not good enough for the rest of us who live in Jamaica. We can make it better.”

Hundreds of Baptists attended the service on Sunday.

The JBU 166th General Assembly, which is being held under the theme, “Being God’s People In God’s World – Living the Sacrificial Life” will run until Wednesday, February 24 at the Boulevard Baptist Church. It reconvenes and culminates on Sunday, February 28 with two closings services at the National Arena.

The Jamaica Baptist Union is comprised of 336 churches, including three in Haiti; and just under 40,000 baptised members.