ARTICLE

Hope Beyond the Storm: Extending Compassion to the Caribbean After Hurricane Melissa
Ontario Conference Calls for Prayer and Support in Response to Devastating Category 5 Hurricane

As Hurricane Melissa—the first Category 5 hurricane to strike Jamaica—made landfall on Tuesday, we prayed earnestly, asking God to cradle the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean in the palm of His hand. The storm has since passed, leaving behind a trail of destruction and deep loss. Now begins the difficult work of rescue, repair, and rebuilding.

The effects of this powerful hurricane have been felt across the entire island, and reports of extensive damage continue to come in. Yet Melissa’s path of devastation is not over. The storm is expected to continue its course through the Caribbean, threatening Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas, and possibly Bermuda.

In light of this crisis, the Ministries of Compassion, in partnership with the Ontario Conference Administration, is inviting members and churches to respond with both prayer and action. We are asking our congregations to collect donations to support relief efforts for those most affected. Suggested collection dates are November 8 and 15, 2025.

We are also in ongoing communication with union offices in the region as they assess the extent of the damage and identify the greatest areas of need. Through this initiative, we want our brothers and sisters across the Caribbean to know that they are not alone—that we care, and we are here to help.

We urge every member to give generously and to continue praying for all those impacted by the hurricane’s devastation. Donations can be made through your local church or online at www.AdventistGiving.org by selecting the area marked “Caribbean Region Disaster.”

 Together, may we be instruments of God’s mercy and hope—bringing light and love to those weathering the storms of life.

Pastor Andrew King
Director, Ministries of Compassion