This is in response to the Devon Dick column of November 13 headlined 'Close churches for six months.'

Dear Pastor Dick,

I read your article in The Gleaner and was very impressed with your insight into the situation in Jamaica with regard to the Church and children. I am a Jamaican, now a United States citizen. I am deeply moved as I often read of the debasement of children in Jamaica by exploitation, hunger and sex trafficking.

Suffering children

It appears that the Jamaican churches emphasise tithing and church attendance more than a compassion for the suffering children at their doorsteps. I would not want to see the churches close; but rather, that genuine members who are Christians march into the communities and reach the children and their parents where they are. We want people to come to our churches, but we fail to go into their homes and communities.

The churches need to organise a mobile food kitchen, a school to reach those who cannot or would not attend regular schools.

A church patrol around the clock into our neighbourhoods armed with prayer and the power of God would be a service of value. Let Jamaica not depend only on the police.

If the police, schools and government agencies fail, then the Church needs to step in. They have "all power" that is given on to them. Let them use that power to "go into the world", starting within the Jamaican communities.

I am, etc.,

HERSHELL M. McCUBBIN

Children's Ministry Director

Wesleyan Church

Hyattsville, Maryland