Miles McPherson, the former U.S. professional football player turned evangelist, and his team of almost 100 Miles Ahead volunteers from San Diego, California, have brought together communities in Grand Cayman in new and powerful ways through the Do Something World campaign.
Following weeks of community service and a two-day festival which featured uplifting Christian music and a life-changing message to thousands who assembled at Black Pearl Skate Park, McPherson, President of the Miles Ahead organization, returned to California having invested significant time, talent and treasure in the Caribbean nation.
The Do Something World campaign, inspired by Pastor McPherson’s recently released book DO Something! Make Your Life Count – which encourages people of all walks to serve others and make their life count – generated more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service from both local and overseas volunteers.
Led by the Miles Ahead organization in partnership with the Cayman Ministers’ Association, Do Something World Cayman volunteers created a new Healing Garden in the heart of the George Town hospital, repainted parking lines, and manicured the landscape. They also landscaped and beautified the grounds of the Francis Bodden Home for Girls, while Miles Ahead volunteers added 3,500 square feet of classroom space to the John A. Cumber Primary School in West Bay, saving the local government almost US$1.5 million. The Do Something World campaign continues as there are two projects taking place at John A. Cumber Primary School (May 22) and at George Town Primary School (May 29). Both schools will benefit from landscaping and beautification by local volunteers.
At the request of Police Commissioner David Baines, community project teams painted the Central Jail facilities, while other activities included Prison Ministry, Evangelism, Sports Ministry, School Assemblies, Deaf Ministry and Medical Ministry focused on health education.
“It was a distinct honor and blessing to help provide sustainable solutions to practical community needs and to touch the hearts of so many people with God’s love,” said Pastor McPherson, who noted that Miles Ahead volunteers were equally blessed by the warm reception they received as they delivered evangelistic, social and economic contributions to the country.
McPherson, Senior Pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego, California, who traces his roots to Jamaica, reported that volunteers reached more than 8,700 people during their ministry outreach, while the Do Something World festival attracted 8,500 attendees.
The results of the outreach week were very encouraging with more than 1,500 indicating they would like to know more about the life changing message of Jesus Christ. This figure includes those who were at the main event at Black Pearl Stake Park, as well as those who heard the message throughout the week in the prisons, schools and other locations.
The Do Something World Cayman event saw 45 churches, 500 plus volunteers and more than 20 businesses come together to ensure its success. In addition, the event received strong support from the Cayman Islands Government.
The free, two-day festival offered patrons of all ages the opportunity to enjoy exciting live music from the likes of Papa San and MxPx, gaming tents, a motocross stunt show, and culinary delights. Pastor McPherson urged attendees to keep God’s commandments, establish a relationship with his son Jesus Christ, and to be obedient to His word.
With additional projects planned in the Cayman area, and Do Something World outreach activities to be announced for the wider Caribbean region, Miles Ahead is committed to not only enhancing the quality of life in Cayman, but also to sustaining the volunteer efforts through its partnership with the Cayman Ministers’ Association. Miles Ahead is committed to equipping local churches through the Do Something World campaign to provide sustainable solutions that will last long beyond the festival. “The Do Something World campaign is not a short term series of projects, it is a long term lifestyle for the community,” said Pastor McPherson.
