As persons prepare for the new year, one church leader is encouraging Jamaicans to find positive ways of settling disputes.

Elder Cavan Davis of the Gregory Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. Catherine, noted that people have been using criminality to deal with conflicts.

He is praying that this practice will be reduced in the new year.

Noting that there has been an up-tick in crime and violence in Gregory Park recently, Elder Davis noted that the dangerous activities have incited fear in many church members.

The church leader explained that some members are unwilling to attend services which require face-to-face interaction.

Elder Davis is urging criminals in Gregory Park and across the island to desist from engaging in a life of violence.