MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (April 23, 2008) – This month "faith tourism" will reach a new level in Jamaica when hundreds of visitors travel from California to donate their time and treasure to social and humanitarian development programs on the western Caribbean nation.

Close to 300 volunteers from the San Diego-based Miles Ahead organization will visit the island between April 24 and May 5. They will be led by former NFL player Miles McPherson, who founded Miles Ahead and is known for encouraging people of faith to "DO Something."

Joining him are former NFL player and two time Super Bowl starter, Darren Carrington and former NBA player and award-winning basketball coach, Zack Jones who will be speaking at multiple school assemblies, directing sports clinics for the students and participating in a Netball All-Star exhibition game in Montego Bay.

Teams of volunteers are scheduled to work on projects that range from health screenings to sports clinics and from deaf interpretation workshops to rebuilding local elementary schools, while making a positive contribution to the island's economy.

The visit forms part of Jamaica Broilers Group's 50th anniversary celebrations and three major family-oriented festivals, under the Best Dressed 50Fest banner, which will be presented in Mandeville, Montego Bay, and Kingston between April 26 and May 4.

The festivals – put together by Jamaica Broilers in partnership with churches across Jamaica, the Luis Palau Association and Miles Ahead – will feature local and international gospel musicians, including Papa San, Carlene Davis, Prodigal Son, TobyMac, and Israel Houghton & New Breed, as well as messages of hope from evangelists Luis Palau, Andrew Palau, and McPherson.

Andrew Palau will present at the Mandeville Festival to be held on the Manchester High School grounds April 26 and 27; Miles McPherson will be at Montego Bay’s Dump Up Beach on May 2 and 3; and Luis Palau will be on the King's House grounds in Kingston on May 3 and 4.

"We are so excited to be in a position to make evangelistic, social and economic contributions to a culture that has influenced my upbringing and has helped shaped my faith," said Miles McPherson, senior pastor of the 10,000-strong Rock Church in San Diego. His parents and grandparents are from Jamaica.

McPherson, an African American, who was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised on Long Island, said the ministry activities in Jamaica are all centered on the practical application of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Our focus is to represent Christ in the community and culture by building smart partnerships and healthy relationships," said McPherson who emphasized that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

McPherson, a former defensive back with the San Diego Chargers, stands at the forefront of "transformation evangelism" and "ministry mobilization." In addition to leading the Rock Church and Academy in San Diego, McPherson is the President of Miles Ahead which has organized events in 18 cities, including Canada and Africa. An author, McPherson also is an Emmy Award winning producer for the documentary Master Meth, which examines the abuse of crystal methamphetamine.

He is a speaker renowned for his bold, down-to-earth, humorous style, and his Do Something trademark. The intense relevance of his message challenges the young -- and young-minded -- often compelling them to re-calibrate their lives in light of the Gospel.

 

For further information, visit www.milesahead.com or www.bestdressed50fest.com