“Cruise with Cause” Heralds Faith Based Tourism

MONTEGO BAY — After two years of intense planning and praying, "Cruise with a Cause" became a reality yesterday, when the cruise ship, Carnival Destiny, docked at the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Pier, Freeport, St. James with some 5,000 Christian passengers on board.

The passengers were immediately transported to some 230 educational institutions across western Jamaica, as well as prisons and children’s homes, to participate in a massive Christian outreach programme. They were scheduled to re-assemble at Dump Up Beach, Montego Bay, for Jamaica Praise Fest 2011, Wednesday afternoon.

The arrival of the Carnival Destiny has heralded Jamaica’s entry into the lucrative faith based tourism arena, which is expected to earn the island millions of dollars in foreign exchange in the coming years.

A joint effort between the internationally renowned Praise Fest and the Dove Ministries, the mission is aimed at reaching souls through a programme of activities conducted by well known Christian artistes, evangelists and performers, such as Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Tye Trippet and Byron Cage, who are expected to perform at the concert.

Regional Director in the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) western office, Rose-Marie Johnson, told JIS News that she was overjoyed to witness the dream turn into reality, with the largest Christian mission to any country now on Jamaican soil.

“It’s the largest mission ever to any country, with over 3,000 participants on the cruise ship Carnival Destiny,” she said.

She noted that the buses would be going to some 230 schools, where the visitors would meet the students, give inspirational talks and hold devotions with them, as well as interactions and entertainment packages.

“There will also be presentations from a number of dynamic speakers and some of our top tele-evangelists who are in Jamaica, as well as world renown artistes and gospel singers … who will be engaged in a ministry targeting the youths of our country,” Mrs. Johnson explained.

She stated that the day’s activities would culminate at Dump Up Beach, with a concert featuring Jamaica’s Papa San and Carlene Davis among others, sharing stage with several top gospel singers from “Cruise with a Cause”.

Director of Boss Jamaica Youth Development Foundation, Raina McClurkin, told JIS News that history recorded that while, years ago, ships came to Jamaica with slaves and pirates, today cruise ships are coming with transformed persons, worshipping Jesus Christ and sharing the message of salvation.

“For me this is the most exciting time, because of where our young people are, even as we look at suicide and what’s taking place with our young people today, just to see that the hopelessness can be replaced with hopefulness,” Ms. McClurkin told JIS News.

By GLENIS ROSE, JIS Reporter