a movement reborn
A few years ago, ISCCF Dominica was a movement in need of re-pioneering. At the same time, CARIFES students from throughout the Caribbean region decided to gain some practical experience in doing mission before they held another conference about mission. And so the Dominica Mission Project was born.
In 2008 and 2009, two groups of staff and students from various countries in the region travelled to Dominica, sharing their passion for IFES ministry and inspiring Christian students to establish groups in their schools. Thanks to these visits, ISCCF is now alive and growing!
two groups of staff and students from various countries in the region travelled to Dominica, sharing their passion for IFES ministry and inspiring Christian students to establish groups in their schools. Thanks to these visits, ISCCF is now alive and growing!
Metsi Didier is the current student president of the fellowship. She told us about the kinds of activities the group initiated over the past year.
‘At my school we have a regular attendance of about 20 members, although 100 students attended our day camp in the summer. During the academic year, we collected clothes which we donated to a youth shelter. Also, we hosted an in-house talent show to attract other people to ISCCF. Those two events were the biggest things on our schedule for the year. We also held days of praise and worship and regular bible studies.
‘Once we hosted an ice cream-and-testimony day when we shared stories of God’s goodness to inspire listeners while they ate ice cream on a hot day. In December we visited a historical fort in the north of the island and had a picnic there along with singing, testimonies, and a bible game.
‘I am also involved in the ISSCF movement by being the public relations officer for the national board here on the island. I manage the newly created Facebook page and produce posters as well as some radio spots. I’d love to see more committed and active members.’
Jermainia Didier, National Coordinator of the movement, is also a full-time lecturer in French at the teacher’s college. ‘I asked my dean and got permission to have a free time slot in my timetable so I could start a group. There is another teacher who helps me. There are Christian students at the college, so we use our time to minister to them and to hold bible studies and topical discussions.
‘Dominica is a Christian-oriented country: we pray in parliament, in cabinet meetings, in school assemblies, at the beginning of everything, everywhere. There are quite a few young people who are on fire for God, and serving him faithfully.
‘However, lots of people say they are Christian but not followers of the Lord Jesus. Sometimes young Christian students get enticed by things like parties and sexual promiscuity.
‘There are now groups meeting in 12 of the 16 schools on the island, but we would love to see a greater depth of commitment – sometimes 25 students attend a meeting, or sometimes only seven. The groups could be more visible, more pro-active. At the moment they need encouragement from adults to plan anything big. So we’re praying both for more student leaders and more Christian teachers and others to join them in helping grow the movement.’
How wonderful to see a movement reborn through the mission efforts of students in the Caribbean region! Let’s keep praying for ISCCF Dominica to grow and mature.
