£25,000 From One Denomination, £19,000 From One Concert: How Britain’s Black Churches Answered Melissa

• The New Testament Church of God in the UK collected £25,000
• The money was sent to its head office in Jamaica for families and churches
• A Tooting congregation’s gospel concert raised £19,000
• A South Norwood church shipped 50 boxes of supplies in a week

Britain’s Black-majority churches moved quickly after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, turning sanctuaries into collection points and concerts into fundraisers. Keep The Faith, the UK’s Black and multi-ethnic Christian magazine, reported on how several congregations and denominations responded.

The New Testament Church of God designated all its UK churches as collection points and collected £25,000, which was sent to its head office in Jamaica to help affected families and churches. In Tooting, south London, New Testament Assembly hosted a gospel concert that raised £19,000.

Fishers Christian Centre in South Norwood collected and distributed 50 boxes of food and essential supplies within a week. “I believed I had a responsibility to use my skills and ability to help those who couldn’t help themselves,” said Roney Henderson, the church administrator. The Church of God of Prophecy’s relief arm, RAFFA, launched a nationwide collection drive. Its chief executive, Angela Clarke BEM, said RAFFA “has stood at the forefront of compassionate action, guiding communities with steadfast faith and practical aid.”

The magazine also noted that Jamaica National Group, coordinated in the UK by Paulette Simpson CBE, sent four shipping containers. “Every donation, every act of kindness, and every helping hand makes a difference,” Ms Simpson said. The UK government had given £2.5 million, with £5 million pledged.

Many of Britain’s Black-majority churches trace their roots to Windrush-era Caribbean migrants who first worshipped in front rooms and rented halls before buying buildings of their own. Their response to Melissa shows how that property base now works in reverse: church halls in Britain become depots and concert venues for rebuilding homes and churches in Jamaica. For donors, the practical question is how the money is used on the ground, and denominational channels to a head office in Jamaica offer one route with a clear line of accountability.

Follow Jamaica Homes on Youtube @jamaicahomes and Instagram @jamaica_homes and on Facebook @jamaicahomesnews Send us a message or email us at onlinefeedback@jamaica-homes.com or editor@jamaica-homes.com