VISIONEERS Volume 1 - The Genesis of Oberlin Jamaica. Rewriting the Past, Building the Future: Honouring our Local and International Abolitionist Hero

The story begins in pre-emancipation Jamaica, through to America's civil war period when mission funding ceased and the American Anti-Slavery Society was no longer needed. It covers America's first missionary Rev. David Steadman Ingraham's Jamaican experience from 1837 to the 1840's and his friends who became founders of properties that they named Oberlin Jamaica, Brainerd, Devon's Pen, Providence, Richmond, Union (Chesterfield & Hermitage) and more.

The book highlights the connection between many abolitionist heroes of Oberlin College Ohio, the American Missionary Association and the American Congregational Missionaries to Jamaica. Charles Finney, Asa Mahan, Theodore Weld, Theodore Wright, Julius Beardslee, Charles Renshaw, George Hovey, Preston, Amos Dresser, Finch, J. Blanchard, J.W.C Pennington, Samuel R. Ward, H H. Garnet and even the authors of the Jamaica Letters are highlighted in this series.

Assess some of the factors that led to Jamaica's Morant Bay Rebellion, including the emancipated slaves post slavery struggle against oppression, and the revolutionary impact of the gift of leadership, bravery and the moral stance taken by one local hero.

The Journey begins with a summary of the first self-supporting American Congregational Missionary's efforts to help the recently freedmen in Jamaica. Soon thereafter, five friends from Oberlin College Ohio - protégées of perfectionist Charles. G. Finney & abolitionist Asa Mahan, future military strategist to President Abraham Lincoln, sailed to Jamaica to assist the Mission's founding father and his native friends who needed educational & ministry support in the hidden nature's paradise of eastern Jamaica - from the picturesque hills of St. Andrew through the neighboring parishes of St. Mary and Portland Jamaica.In an era of missionary rivalry, the Oberlin Ohio Alumni, had an eventful experience as they pushed towards achieving their vision of helping blacks and to show pro-slavery supporters in America that emancipation was successful and bore positive fruits.

Supported by abolitionist friends George Whipple, Amos Phelps, Lewis & Arthur Tappan, the adventurous missionaries utilized their gifts and with a passion for enterprise, manual labour and skills training; taught, ministered, marketed Jamaica and laid the foundation for several institutions and churches that are now a part of The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Examine the TRUE FOUNDING-FATHERS of the Oberlin & Brainerd Communities Jamaica. See the relationship between the ministers and The Mico Charity & Institute Jamaica in the 1800's and read about the island's beauty with its breathtaking views within the vicinity of the American mission stations.

Significant Jamaican history unearthed and the powerful impact of disunity amongst Christians because of doctrinal differences exposed. Immerse yourself in some rich Jamaican history. Value the national impact caused by the brave actions of these American "Visioneers". See the need to pursue your passion, dreams, spiritual purpose and to become motivated to explore the beautiful mission field of eastern Jamaica.

Volume II details the mission activities, Presbyterian and Congregational church absorptions, the Penfields, and the controversial Oberlin bell.

Volume II examines women leaders in the Disciples of Christ movement and the work they did to help Jamaica become what it is today, their pioneer Julius Beardslee. Statistics and notes about The Christian Church in Jamaica is noted.