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The Christian Recorder •

Thoughts on my AME Journey - The Christian Recorder

By Johnoy Davis, TCR Intern

A few months ago, I wrote a piece reflecting on the connectivity of African Methodism. At the time, I spoke about the strength of our Zion and the ways our connection stretches across churches, districts, communities, and generations. Today, I return to that conversation with a deeper understanding of what that connectivity truly means, because I have come to realize that one of the greatest strengths of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is not simply its struct...
Reggae Gospel 360 •

Cario Young Steps into His Calling with Debut Album New Day

By Johnoy J. Davis


NEW YORK, N.Y. – For years, Cario Young found fulfillment behind the scenes, producing music and helping other artists bring their visions to life. Stepping into the spotlight was never the objective. Yet with the release of his debut album, New Day, the Canadian-based Jamaican gospel recording artist is embracing what he believes is a higher calling; one that places his own voice at the forefront of Kingdom music.


For Young, New Day is more a declaration of purpose than...
Reggae Gospel 360 •

Gospel Reggae's Growing Global Witness

By Johnoy J. Davis


NEW YORK, N.Y. -For decades, reggae has remained one of Jamaica’s most influential cultural exports. Its rhythms, language and global reach have shaped how the world understands Jamaican identity. Yet when the sound entered Christian spaces as gospel reggae, it was not always welcomed.


Some churches associated reggae with secular culture or spiritual traditions they considered incompatible with Christian worship. Consequently, gospel reggae was often required to defend i...
Reggae Gospel 360 •

Beyond the Church Walls: Gospel Reggae’s Growing Global Witness - Reggae Gospel 360

For decades, reggae has remained one of Jamaica’s most influential cultural exports. Its rhythms, language and global reach have shaped how the world understands Jamaican identity. Yet when the sound entered Christian spaces as gospel reggae, it was not always welcomed.


Some churches associated reggae with secular culture or spiritual traditions they considered incompatible with Christian worship. Consequently, gospel reggae was often required to defend its legitimacy before it could be accep...
The Christian Recorder •

Worship, Testimony and Communion Mark Closing Service of the 2026 General Board Meeting - The Christian Recorder

By Johnoy J. Davis, TCR Intern

ORLANDO, FL. – The 2026 General Board Meeting of the African Methodist Episcopal Church came to a close Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with a worship service that celebrated God’s faithfulness, reflected the rich diversity of the Connection, and reminded those gathered that, while the business of the Church may conclude, its mission continues.

The service began with spirited congregational singing under the leadership of Senior Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah. As worshipper...
The Christian Recorder •

The Global Witness of African Methodism - The Christian Recorder

By Johnoy J. Davis,  Communication Scholar, Edward Waters University -Member at Saint Stephen AME Church Jacksonville

There is something powerful about being a part of African Methodism, a spiritual movement with both history and optimism at its heart. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is more than just an organization. It is a living monument to God’s faithfulness and the determination of a people who believe that worship and service are inextricably linked. Wherever we go in the connection, the same spirit of freedom and purpose may be...

Gospel reggae and the Church

Johnoy J. Davis - Contributor

For decades, reggae has stood as one of Jamaica’s most powerful cultural exports. Its rhythms, language, and global reach have shaped how the world understands Jamaican identity. Yet when reggae entered Christian spaces in the form of gospel reggae, it was not always welcomed with open arms.
Many churches initially viewed gospel reggae with suspicion. For some, the sound carried associations with secular culture that felt incompatible with worship. For others, reggae itself was burdened with spi...
Johnoy J. Davis
The Christian Recorder •

“Better Together”: Worship and Celebration Mark Edward Waters University’s Homecoming Gospel Concert - The Christian Recorder

Johnoy J. Davis, Intern
 
An unmistakable sense of expectation filled the air as Edward Waters University (EWU) hosted The AME Worship Celebration on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, a signature event in its 2025 Homecoming celebration. The gathering inside the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports and Music Complex was more than a concert; it was an outpouring of worship, community, and pride in the enduring legacy of the state of Florida’s first Historically Black College and University, founded by the Af...

Kemar Roach is a class player

THE EDITOR, Madam:
In a match that swung between concern and survival, Kemar Roach produced a performance that reminded the region what resilience looks like in maroon.
Shai Hope’s composed century steadied an innings that threatened to crumble. Justin Greaves’ double-hundred, built across more than 200 overs, was a masterclass in patience and temperament. Their contributions were immense and essential. But the emotional core of the draw came from Roach, a veteran fast bowler returning to the a...
The Christian Recorder •

A Legacy Continued: Reverend Dr. David W. Green, Sr. Elevated to Presiding Elder of the St. Petersburg District - The Christian Recorder

By Johnoy Davis, TCR Intern

The journey of ministry and leadership has entered a new chapter for the Reverend Dr. David W. Green Sr., who has been appointed Presiding Elder of the St. Petersburg District of the West Coast Annual Conference in the Eleventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. His elevation continues a strong legacy of leadership emerging from Saint Stephen AME Church in Jacksonville. This congregation has already given the connection two Bishops: t...

Letter of the Day | A call for renewal in Jamaica’s democracy

THE EDITOR, Madam:
Elections are the lifeblood of a democracy, a time when people choose the course of their country. They are more than mere contests for authority. We are reminded of the gravity of this moment as Jamaica gets ready to cast its ballots once more. However, beneath the party rivalry and campaign pledges, there is a more profound reality: there is a concerning lack of trust in our political system, particularly among the youth who ought to be most involved in determining the traj...

Make education accessible and relevant to current realities

THE EDITOR, Madam:
Jamaica has long cherished the value of education. In classrooms across the island, we see bright minds with different strengths, dreams, and learning styles. While some students thrive with traditional teaching methods, others may need different approaches. Many youngsters face challenges such as learning disabilities that are not always identified or supported. With greater awareness and inclusive teaching methods, we can ensure that all students, no matter how they learn, a...

Letter of the Day | West Indies cricket is in crisis

THE EDITOR, Madam:
Several weeks ago, I authored an editorial titled ‘Deep-rooted issues in WI cricket need to be addressed’ ( The Gleaner, May 5, 2025). In it, I highlighted long-standing structural deficiencies that have contributed to the steady decline of West Indies cricket that spans over three decades. That piece was published shortly after a wave of leadership changes at Cricket West Indies (CWI), which many hoped would spark genuine reform. Today, those hopes felt more distant than eve...

An entity worth saving

"It was through SportsMax that I relived the brilliance of the West Indies’ T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016 – moments that brought Caribbean pride roaring back to global cricket. It was where I followed the Reggae Boyz’s historic run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, a reminder that our football story is still being written. From the record-breaking feats of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to the meteoric rise of Julien Alfred, SportsMax kept us in the loop, informed and inspired."

Talent alone isn’t enough to keep athletes home

THE EDITOR, Madam:
Some time ago, former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell made a statement that shook Jamaican track and field fans. He said if his children decided to pursue athletics, they would not be representing Jamaica should the current conditions persist. Critics wasted no time in calling him ungrateful, bitter, disloyal. However, a few weeks later, Powell’s words echo not as resentment – but as prophecy.
We are now witnessing top-tier Jamaican athletes – Olympians, world champions...

Where’s the urgency to fix Jamaica’s healthcare crisis?

THE EDITOR, Madam:
As Jamaica heads into another general election, the nation is again awash with promises of progress and prosperity. Yet one of the most urgent and devastating crisis continues to be overlooked: the collapse of the healthcare system.
For many people, healthcare is not a right, it is a luxury. Teachers, civil servants, and young professionals are postponing critical medical treatment because their income must first cover basic expenses. This is more than an economic issue. It i...

Letter of the Day | What now, Prime Minister?

I recently tuned in to the online stream of the funeral for Wellesly Bolt, father of Dr the Honourable Usain St Leo Bolt. The senior Bolt was remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and community. The service was filled with heartfelt tributes, each one painting a picture of a man who lived well and loved deeply. In many ways, the celebration of his life was a reflection of the values he passed on to his son: humility, excellence, and...

Deep rooted issues in WI cricket need to be addressed

The current stand-off between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and recently removed T20 captain Rovman Powell highlights deep-seated issues within the regional cricketing body’s leadership. The fallout appears to be affecting not just player dynamics, but also the unity of an already fragile Caribbean fan base.
While structure, discipline, and professionalism are vital pillars for any successful team, they must be balanced with trust, transparency, and the freedom for players to exp...

Studying overseas is viable alternative for Jamaican students

The idea of pursuing higher education abroad has increasingly become a viable alternative for Jamaican students. For many, the opportunity provides access to First-World education, cultural exposure, and networking opportunities. With many Jamaican students participating in the summer work programmes, I believe that the next step should be pursuing degrees internationally.
Statistics consistently highlight the success of international students who migrate for education. Acco...
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