Unstable worshipper blamed for torching Adventist Church

November 21, 2016:    An occasional worshipper at an Adventist church in Jamaica is suspected of setting fire to the church, forcing the congregation of approximately 200 to hold services under a tent.

The man was reportedly of “unsound mind” and is accused of starting a fire in the kitchen of Diamond Acres Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Catherine, Jamaica.

Church Pastor Wayne Smiekle told the Jamaica Star newspaper that the suspected culprit confessed to a church member about setting the fire and had expressed regret.

The church was insured by Adventist Risk Management. But Pastor Damian Chambers, director of communications for the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said to the Jamaica Star  that he believed people would help restore the church even before the insurance money arrived.