Lyssa-Ann Clarke

VISIONEERS Volume 1 - The Genesis of Oberlin Jamaica. Rewriting the Past, Building the Future Lyssa-Ann Clarke

VISIONEERS - A keepsake for your personal libraries, communities, organizations and schools. A historical journey of early American Abolitionists Jamaica Missions, from Pre-Emancipation Jamaica, through Americas Antebellum (Pre-Civil War), until the closure of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Assess some of the factors that led to Jamaica's Morant Bay Rebellion, including the emancipated slaves post slavery struggle against oppression, and the revolutionary impact of the gift of leadership, bravery and the moral stance taken by one local hero. The Journey begins with a summary of the first self-supporting American Congregational Missionary's efforts to help the recently freedmen in Jamaica. Soon thereafter, five friends from Oberlin College Ohio - protégées of perfectionist Charles. G. Finney & abolitionist Asa Mahan, future military strategist to President Abraham Lincoln, sailed to Jamaica to assist the Mission's founding father and his native friends who needed educational & ministry support in the hidden nature's paradise of eastern Jamaica - from the picturesque hills of St. Andrew through the neighboring parishes of St. Mary and Portland Jamaica. In an era of missionary rivalry, the Oberlin Ohio Alumni, had an eventful experience as they pushed towards achieving their vision of helping blacks and to show pro-slavery supporters in America that emancipation was successful and bore positive fruits. Supported by abolitionist friends George Whipple, Theodore Weld, Amos Phelps, Lewis & Arthur Tappan, JWC Pennington and a few others who eventually formed the American Missionary Association (AMA), the adventurous missionaries utilized their gifts and with a passion for enterprise, manual labour and skills training; taught, ministered, marketed Jamaica and laid the foundation for several institutions and churches including Golden Vale (Portland) Brainerd, Hermitage Chesterfield, Brandon Hill, Devon Pen, Eliot, Providence, Rock River, Richmond Estate (St. Mary), Salisbury Plain, Oberlin, Shortwood (St. Andrew) and Duke Street (Kingston). Examine the TRUE FOUNDING-FATHERS of the Oberlin & Brainerd Communities Jamaica. See the relationship between the ministers and The Mico Charity & Institute Jamaica in the 1800's and read about the island's beauty with its breathtaking views within the vicinity of the American mission stations. Significant Jamaican history unearthed and the powerful impact of disunity amongst Christians because of doctrinal differences exposed. Immerse yourself in some rich Jamaican history. Value the national impact caused by the brave actions of these American "Visioneers". See the need to pursue your passion, dreams, spiritual purpose and to become motivated to explore the beautiful mission field of eastern Jamaica.