The Island Refuge Network

Jamaica, Barbados & the Caribbean Arc of Protection

Across Scripture, islands often serve as places of refuge, revelation, and preparation. From Patmos for John (Revelation 1:9) to Malta for Paul (Acts 28:1–10), from Cyprus and Crete in the early apostolic journeys (Acts 13:4; Titus 1:5), God has repeatedly used islands as environments where leaders are shaped, communities reset, and new assignments begin.

The Island Refuge Network describes a Caribbean arc that carries these same biblical patterns today — a region uniquely suited for stabilization, training, agriculture, and Kingdom community in times of global shaking, as the Lord hides a people “for a little moment” until indignation is past (Isaiah 26:20).

1. Why God Uses Islands as Refuges

Throughout biblical history, islands functioned as more than land forms — they became gates, borders, rest stops, and training grounds.

  • Patmos — A place of revelation for John (Revelation 1:9–11).
  • Malta — A place of unexpected preservation and healing for Paul and the shipwrecked crew (Acts 28:1–10).
  • Cyprus & Crete — Early apostolic centers of mission and church planting (Acts 13:4–5; Titus 1:5).

Islands naturally provide:

  • Limited access points
  • Natural boundaries
  • Slower disruption timelines
  • Independent food systems
  • Strong cultural identity
  • Resilient, faith-rooted communities

Among the Caribbean islands, Jamaica stands out with a unique prophetic identity.

2. Why Jamaica Is a Central Refuge Hub

2.1 The Maroon Pattern: A Nation Shaped by Refuge

Jamaica’s history carries a profound refuge narrative. The Maroons — escaped slaves — fled oppression, hid in the mountains, built independent villages, and eventually secured lasting autonomy. Their story mirrors biblical patterns of:

  • The “woman in the wilderness,” nourished in a prepared place (Revelation 12:6).
  • Prepared places of refuge in rugged terrain (like David in strongholds and caves — 1 Samuel 22:1–2).
  • The Exodus arc of flight, pursuit, and settlement under God’s hand.

Refuge is not an add-on to Jamaica’s story — it is woven into the island’s spiritual DNA.

2.2 The Geography of Protection

Jamaica possesses a rare combination of protective geography:

  • A mountain spine (Blue Mountains → Cockpit Country)
  • Cockpit Country, one of the most impenetrable regions in the Caribbean
  • Fertile coastal plains ideal for agriculture
  • Freshwater abundance
  • Natural hurricane buffers formed by mountain arcs

FOZI refers to this interior as “The Island Garden” — a naturally shielded center surrounded by protective terrain, a living picture of the Lord planting His people “on their own soil” and causing them to be secure (Amos 9:14–15).

Key Zones of Prophetic Significance

  • Montego Bay
  • Runaway Bay & Mount Pleasant
  • Cockpit Country interior
  • North-central highlands

Historically, these have been the safest and most resilient parts of the island.

3. Why the Remnant Will Move Through Jamaica

Jamaica is not only a sanctuary — it is a gate of movement. Historically and geographically, the Caribbean has served as:

  • A bridge between continents
  • A buffer during conflict
  • A stabilizing region in global transitions
  • A receiving place for displaced peoples

3.1 A Refuge-Receiving Nation

Jamaica’s legal framework, cultural warmth, and spiritual resilience make it a nation predisposed to receiving others. In seasons of instability elsewhere, Jamaica is well-positioned to receive:

  • Missionaries
  • Displaced families
  • Skilled workers
  • Kingdom-minded communities
  • Leadership teams

This movement represents a profound reversal of history: where people were once taken from Jamaica, many will someday come to Jamaica for refuge and renewal.

4. Jamaica as the Prototype FOZI Refuge

Jamaica is the natural prototype for integrated refuge communities built around:

  • Agriculture + discipleship
  • Homestead economics
  • Trades and vocational training
  • Kingdom education
  • Spiritual formation
  • Community development

The “Construction Cover” Principle

Many Caribbean resorts function like small cities — always in motion, always building, always training workers on-site. From the outside, it looks like continuous improvement; from within, it creates a protective, legitimate environment for ongoing development.

FOZI communities can flourish in a similar way:

  • Always productive
  • Always training
  • Always expanding
  • Fully visible yet quietly protected
  • Legally established
  • Hidden in plain sight

5. The Wider Island Network

The Caribbean refuge arc includes multiple islands, each with distinct strengths:

5.1 Barbados — The Administrative Anchor

  • Stable governance
  • Strong infrastructure
  • Rich revival history
  • International accessibility

5.2 St. Lucia — The Mountain Sanctuary

  • Protected interior valleys
  • Fertile land
  • Small, resilient population
  • Warm, refuge-friendly culture

5.3 Dominican Republic — The Supply Basin

  • Massive agricultural capacity
  • Family-centered communities
  • Strong spiritual pockets
  • Existing retreat and training centers

5.4 Turks & Caicos — The Gateway Buffer

  • Transit hub
  • Strategic border islands
  • Ideal staging points for movement

Together, these form the Caribbean Shield — the Remnant’s southern anchor.

6. How the Islands Will Serve the Remnant

The Island Network provides four primary functions:

  • Training: preparing families and leaders for Kingdom living.
  • Stabilization: seasons of rest, healing, and recalibration.
  • Deployment: sending trained workers throughout the Americas.
  • Provision: agriculture, trade, and sustainable community systems.

7. How to Discern a Calling to the Islands

Not everyone is called — but many will be. Signs of calling often include:

  • A burden for nations
  • A sense of being “misplaced” in your current setting
  • Dreams of islands, mountains, or water
  • A draw specifically toward Jamaica
  • A hunger for discipleship and preparation
  • Leadership gifting in need of formation
  • Repeated “Jamaica signs” or confirmations
  • A heart for refuge community

When the same place keeps appearing in prayer, dreams, or conversation, it may be the Lord marking a pathway — His way of saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

⭐ In Summary

Jamaica stands as the prototype refuge for the Caribbean. The surrounding islands form a protective arc — a southern anchor for training, stabilizing, and deploying the remnant for the work ahead.

FOZI’s role is to help cultivate healthy, visible, Kingdom-centered communities within this network — communities that prepare the Bride and strengthen the nations.

🌿 Continue Your Journey

  • ⭐ The Big Where — See how the Island Refuge Network fits into the global “where” of God’s movement.
  • The FOZI Blueprint — Explore how FOZI communities can be planted in places like Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
  • Preparing Your Household — Learn how personal obedience and household readiness connect to refuge regions.
  • Leadership & The Assembly — Discover the kind of teams needed to steward island-based refuge communities.
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