BGU Alumni Association's Symposium during the Kingston, Jamaica City Immersion 2026

The BGU Alumni Association plans to host a symposium at the upcoming BGU City Immersion scheduled for January 2026 in the city of Kingston, Jamaica. The city of Kingston and St. Andrew, which is the urban hub, business, and governance center of Jamaica, did not suffer severe structural damage as a result of hurricane Melissa, thanks be to God. This made it possible for the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) to implement and manage its hurricane recovery strategy with much efficiency. The people of Jamaica, both residents and those in the diaspora, along with our Caribbean nations, international agencies, and governments, have all been putting our hearts into this Jamaica hurricane Melissa effort.

We do have a long way to go, but people are being reached, and they are feeling the love and care from their neighbors. The impact of Melissa on the Jamaica church community has been transformative: Many church members who previously viewed mission work as exclusive to those identified as missionaries, or thought that the church's role was limited, are now deeply involved in the recovery effort. Churches are going into the highways and byways, taking well-needed supplies, including food, bedding, clothes, and toiletries, to the needy people. Some are assisting people rebuilding their homes, schools, and churches. Melissa has opened a mission opportunity for the church.

The BGU Alumni will therefore be hosting a symposium on the topic: Partnership for Resilience: The Church, Government, Business Community and Civil Society: Collaborating to Improve Disaster Response after Hurricane Melissa.

Presenters: BGU Alumni from the clergy, business executive, GoJ agency executive, and a school guidance counsellor.

Format: Hybrid (face-to-face and online)

The session will be interactive, where participants may raise questions and share their experiences about the hurricane during and after the hurricane.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Reaching out to the Staff and Leadership of Higher Education Institutions in Caribbean Islands affected by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025

BGU Alumni Association, in partnership with the Caribbean Network of Christian Scholars, plans a webinar on January 17, 2026. The education sector of the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic has been severely affected by the category 5 hurricane Melissa in October 2025, and to a lesser extent, the islands of Bermuda and the Bahamas.

Faculty members, administrators of higher education institutions, including the University of the West Indies, Mona, and some Christian higher education institutions in Jamaica, have suffered severe infrastructural damage, which disrupted the operations of these institutions. This disruption has affected the lives of both staff and students, especially those who are experiencing loss or severe damage to their homes and other property.

Mental and emotional health has therefore become critical for not only students who have not fully recovered from the losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic but also for institutional leaders and faculty who need to come up with solutions to reopen schools, colleges, and universities.

The BGU Alumni Association's Caribbean Region Chapter will be hosting a mental health coaching and mentorship webinar in partnership with the Caribbean Network of Christian Scholars (regional affiliate of the Society of Christian Scholars). This event is responding to the crucial need for mental health care and assistance for faculty members of higher education institutions in the hurricane-hit Caribbean.

The webinar details are as follows:

Topic: Transitioning through Crisis

Presenter: Dr. Joy Maria Wilson (Guyana) - Adjunct Faculty, Consultant/Psychoeducational Trainer, CEO of Restore Joy - A Leadership Development, Coaching and Counselling Consultancy, Author & Co-Author

Format: Short presentation followed by an interactive session

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

The event will be promoted by BGU and the Caribbean Network of Christian Scholars. 

UPCOMING Counselling and Mentorship Webinar, 2026 - BGU Alumni Asia Region.

Please look out for a counselling and mentorship session in association with the BGU Alumni Association's Asia Regional Chapter! In response to the many natural disasters experienced by countries in Asia, such as the over 20 Typhoons experienced this year by our many alumni, family, and neighbors living in the Philippines.