It’s not that the ordeal of Jeffrey Shuttleworth as a man of God, and leader at that, should be on an international platform. However, as a matter of public awareness the controversy between the minister and Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) has been aired openly. After all the minister has done an exceptional job, fulfilling the call of God on his life to remarkable measures.
Perhaps in the interest of the growing number of ‘religious citizens who often follow his radio programme, and broadcasts and Christians who follow him. Still the controversy remains a dispute that should be settled internally. For sure a man called by God is ALWAYS called by God. No human can override that call. Shuttleworth has proven his answer to the call of God beyond his work at Tarrant Baptist Church (TBC) and Balmagie congregations.
Either way it’s a spiritual riot and now down to these critical questions.
- Is the Jamaica Baptist Union formed by individual members on a voluntary basis or by their directive and appointment?
- Is the Jamaica Baptist Union formed by churches on a voluntary basis or by their directive and appointment?
- What power would the Jamaica Baptist Union have to fire a member who voluntarily joined?
- Was Shuttleworth fired in accordance with media reports that the Jamaica Baptist Union dismissed him as a minister? OR
- Did Shuttleworth leave on his own as he later claimed in response? Whither the evidence?
- Why then would a meeting be called at the TBC on Monday, June 23, 2025 to take a vote on Shuttleworth’s behalf, or was it strictly for churches under his leadership to finally severe ties? Was it an attempt to save a post through the church membership?
- What was the relationship of TBC before Shuttleworth? For one the TBC radio station has existed 27 years
- Was the land occupied by TBC owned originally by the JBU or the individual church
- Who owned the land at the time Shuttleworth entered the picture?
- How did Shuttleworth enter the lands?
- Was the minister a servant of the church or JBU at the time he worked?
- By adverse possession, is he dispossessing the owner or claiming ownership by his works? Therefore was his works by JTU or by the church?
- Why however are the papers filed for the lands valued approximately 50 million Jamaican dollars to be titled to him and not the church
Important dates:
April 12, 1998: TBC Radio 88 FM established as radio arm of Tarrant Baptist
February 1, 2008 – Shuttleworth employed as minister to Balmagie and Tarrant (by said churches)
2023: Case SU2023CV03052 filed by Jeffrey Mordecai Shuttleworth for declaration to be owner of lands occupied by Tarrant Baptist
December 2024:JBU successfully files injunction in SU2023CV03052 to prevent such declaration
2024: Shuttleworth voices stand against JBU acceptance of LGT groups
June 11, 2025: Jamaica Baptist Union’s Special Assembly votes to defrock Shuttleworth, that is revocation Shuttleworth’s status as an accredited minister, effectively barring him from leading any of its affiliated churches
June 23, 2025: Tarrant and Balmagie Congregations vote to severe ties with JBU
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