Our Vision and Mission

The School - The Retreat Centre - The Church

Teamwork Associates was established in 1973 as a voluntary, non- profit organization with a mandate to establish centres in Jamaica and other nations for reconciliation between God and man.

With children and youth as the main focus, the work is carried out by teams of people from different backgrounds and situations under the direction of Chairman, Menzie Oban; his wife, Dr Winsome Oban, Executive Director; and a Board of Trustees.

Homes for children and senior citizens, as well as missionary endeavours (in the sending and receiving of mission teams) form part of the vision of Teamwork.

There is an emphasis on prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God which are central to all elements of operation.

Our annual Western Jamaica Christian Teaching Conference on Ash Wednesday brings together pastors, church leaders and guests for four days in separate forums for youth, children and adults.

Support for the ministry comes from the wider body of Christ and income-generating projects, with a strong dependence on God in all areas, recognizing that it is His work and that He alone deserves the glory.

Teamwork is located on approximately 16 ½ acres in the hills of Torado Heights, Ironshore, St. James. It caters to communities like Flower Hill, Providence and Flankers in St James.

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The School

Established to fulfil the vision of Teamwork Associates and God’s mandate for Christian education, Teamwork School provides quality education at the Nursery, Kindergarten, Preparatory and Secondary School levels. The goal of the school is for its students to achieve spiritual growth, academic mastery and develop physically, emotionally and socially so they may reach their full potential and become mature, well rounded and responsible world citizens.

The Teamwork Learning Centre was established in September 2006 in collaboration with HEART Trust/NTA to train young people in marketable skills that will help them secure jobs or start their own businesses. The focus of the Centre at this time is in hospitality services, specifically Food Preparation (Cookery), Housekeeping (Room Attendant), and Food & Beverage (Server). The Learning Centre operates between the School and the Retreat Centre in its delivery of training. Within the next two years the plan is to introduce NVQ-J Certification in information technology, front office operations, woodwork and possibly agriculture. The Centre already has an industrially equipped woodwork department but needs training equipment and appropriately qualified staffing and material to become operational.

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The Retreat Centre

Established for spiritual and social impact, this 24-bedroom facility with conference rooms is available to groups and individuals. It is ideal for personal, contemplative reflection, group planning retreats, meetings and conferences.

With a mandate to transform lives by providing a living and teaching environment in which children, youth and adults can find God and be reconciled to Him, the Retreat Centre seeks to do this through Christian camping. At a time when the nation is searching for answers to meet the needs of our youth and children, many of whom are being abused, abandoned or are engaged in criminal activities; a time, too, when other nations of the world are searching for answers for their children and youth who are caught up in the same vicious cycle, our children and youth and those from other nations of the world can come here for camp and interact with another culture. This is a powerful tool and has the potential to be a life-changing experience for everyone involved. This, we believe, is what Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean are about in God’s scheme of things.

Weekend camps/retreats are also becoming a growing demographic, particularly for persons involved in couples’ retreats, women’s retreats, family events, men’s events. Many adults are looking for opportunities to take a vacation that has a spiritual component to it and this is another of the areas in which our Retreat Centre intends to place its focus.

Jamaica, and this Centre, therefore becomes the melting pot, the ‘out of many one people,’ the place where all the nations of the world can find images of themselves and feel at home.

The Centre also invites and encourages groups, primarily out of the United States, wanting to do missions outreach in Jamaica. Many groups have come and worked both in a spiritual and social context including assisting with the erection of buildings on and off site that cater to the needs of the community.

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The Church

This fellowship embraces and seeks to fulfil the vision of Teamwork Associates through evangelism, the building of relationships, the mobilization of talents & giftings, and the training of persons from diverse backgrounds who have children and youth at heart.

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