In response to widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, 18 south Florida churches raised more than $80,000 through donations and a gospel concert on November 22, 2025, enabling them to deliver food and water to the hardest-hit areas in Jamaica.
The benefit concert, designed to raise financial support and offer encouragement to those affected by the hurricane, drew hundreds in person and thousands more through social media livestreams. The presence of community and church leaders underscored the significance of the event, including Orlando Lopez, president of Florida Conference; Oliver Mair, consul general of Jamaica for the southern United States; and Dale V.C. Holness, former mayor of Broward County.
Gervon Marsh, D.Min., ministerial field associate for Florida Conference, guided the program, which was structured around four giving segments interspersed with musical selections and video presentations highlighting the needs. During each segment, pastors from participating churches were invited to briefly share and present their congregations’ donations. Their lighthearted remarks energized the audience and reinforced a spirit of unity. By the conclusion of the fourth segment, representatives from 18 churches had collectively contributed more than $50,000.
Additional offerings from in-person attendees and online viewers exceeded $20,000. Lopez also pledged an additional $5,000 on behalf of Florida Conference, bringing the total raised to more than $80,000. In support of broader disaster response efforts, Florida Conference also donated more than $15,000 toward relief initiatives in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas. The Conference also organized two meal-packing events, providing $80,000 worth of meals, and shipped two large containers carrying more than $20,000 in essential supplies, including generators, tarps, and food.
Pastors across south Florida expressed gratitude for the collaboration and generosity of so many. “I’ve been in Florida Conference since May 2007, and I have never seen or experienced anything akin to what I experienced last night. The spirit of fraternity and friendship was amazing. Hallelujah!” said Noel Rose, pastor of Plantation Church.
“I can’t say it enough: ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!’ Only eternity will quantify and qualify the extent and efficacy of your efforts to bless the lives of victims of Melissa,” said Marsh.
The 18 churches that supported the Melissa relief efforts are Ambassador, Covenant, Eliathah, West Palm Beach First, Fort Lauderdale, Homestead, Kendall, Lauderhill, Life Fellowship of Coral Springs, Maranatha, Margate, Norland, Northwest Dade, Palm Springs, Plantation, Royal Palm, Hollywood, and Sunrise. Local churches also expressed thanks to hosts Phillip Dixon, Marsha Samuels, host pastor Valtrics Binns, and coordinator Sonya Perrin. Most churches contributed inspiring musical items, complemented by performances from the Edwards Quartet. The event’s highlight was Hilkiah Jones, who captivated the audience with five solo songs.
The benefit concert for Melissa Relief marks phase one of several initiatives led by south Florida churches to support recovery efforts in Jamaica, demonstrating how faith-based organizations can provide both practical assistance and emotional encouragement during times of crisis.
Florida | March 2026
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