As Hurricane Melissa—now officially a Category 5 storm—has made landfall in Jamaica and continues to affect the surrounding islands, our hearts are heavy for the people of the Caribbean. Our ABWE missionaries, national partners, and churches in Jamaica and across the region are already responding and assessing the widespread damage that remains days later.
Scott Russell, ABWE GO’s Executive Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, shared earlier this week:
“Please pray for Caleb and Charity Gibbs, ABWE GO missionaries serving in Montego Bay, Jamaica—and for Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa has now made landfall, bringing historic destruction across the island. Thank you for praying.”
As of Friday, October 31, conditions across Jamaica are beginning to stabilize. All international airports have now reopened, thanks to the tireless work of local authorities and relief crews who cleared runways and debris ahead of schedule. Humanitarian organizations and US-based search and rescue teams are now arriving, and shipments of food, clothing, and essential supplies are beginning to flow into the country.
Tragically, the death toll across the Caribbean has risen to 50 and is expected to climb as search operations continue. In Jamaica, ABWE missionaries Caleb Gibbs and David Smith are traveling throughout the island to assess damage among our partner churches. All pastors have been confirmed safe, though many have lost both their homes and church buildings.
Hillview Baptist Church in Montego Bay—where ABWE’s first Open Initiative: Caribbean ministry began—lost its roof completely. The nearby Christian school where Caleb and Charity serve as chaplain and teacher also sustained major damage. In total, at least a dozen churches and ministry properties were impacted. Power and communications are still intermittent across the Black River region, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon parishes.
According to ABWE’s International Security and Crisis Management team, one of the most immediate needs is lumber and building materials to help enclose and secure damaged structures. Many prayers have clearly been answered—while destruction was severe, much of the anticipated damage from the storm’s original trajectory was mercifully reduced.
Our ABWE missionaries and national partner ministries are continuing to assess needs and launch relief efforts as conditions improve. Live Global, ABWE’s national partnership arm, remains in communication with Jamaican partners and will assist coordination as rebuilding begins.
Images show church roof loss at Hillview Baptist in Montego Bay and other ministry properties damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
How to Pray
1. Pray for protection and strength. Thank God for sparing lives and pray for continued safety for our missionaries, pastors, and partners as they travel to assess needs and serve their communities.
2. Pray for provision. Ask God to supply lumber, roofing materials, food, and clean water for those rebuilding homes and churches across Jamaica.
3. Pray for endurance and peace. Pray that believers across the island would find rest in Christ’s lordship even as they labor to restore what’s been lost.
4. Pray for gospel witness. Ask that the church’s compassion and faith would draw many to Christ as they experience his care through his people.
5. Pray for recovery and unity. Pray for wisdom as ABWE, Live Global, and national church leaders coordinate relief and rebuilding efforts together for the glory of God.
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.” —Psalm 29:10
How to Give
As Jamaica begins the long process of recovery, you can make a difference. Your gift to the Caribbean Compassion Fund provides food, clean water, building supplies, and gospel-centered care through ABWE missionaries and partner churches.
Every gift goes directly to relief and rebuilding efforts in Jamaica, bringing both tangible help and the hope of Christ to those in need. Our goal is to raise $200,000–$250,000 to meet urgent and ongoing needs as our missionaries and national partners serve their communities.
Pray With Us
Get focused prayer points and updates as our missionaries and partners in Jamaica respond to Hurricane Melissa.
Editor’s Note: This article was last updated on October 31, 2025 at 3:25 p.m. Eastern time.
