The Church of God Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islandsis part of an International Church of God,with head quarters in Cleveland Tennessee, United States of America. www.churchofgod.org
We are an International Church, that will embrace people of all nationality, kindred, color and tongue as stated in Revelation 7:9
We are a Holiness Church, not only in doctrine or word, but also in living and practice. This holiness is not a cold dead religion, but a lively stone, building a spiritual house along with peace as stated in Hebrews 12:14 and 1 Peter 2:5
We are a Praying Church — We pray in private, corporately, in watching, in fasting, for all men everywhere and in all places - Mark 11:17 & 1 Tim 2:1-8.
We are a Christ-Centred Church — we believe in lifting up Christ, the head of us all, for if Christ is Lifted, He will draw all men unto Him — John 12:32
We are a Word-Centred Church. We preach the Word, in season and out of season. We must preach the Word and only the Word will we preach and teach — 2 Tim 4:20
We are a Love — Centred Church. Love is the only trademark or stamp of the church. We must love the brethren and submit to our leaders, be it International, Regional, National, District or Local. We will respect them — John 13:34-35
We are a Compassion-Centred Church, where people are most important. Through our Chaplaincy Ministries, we will reach out and touch all — Matthew 25: 35-40
We are a Ministry-Centred Church, where the five-fold Ministries are observed with both Clergy and Laity. We know that every believer has a purpose and gifts, which must be developed and used for His Glory — Ephesians 4:1 1-12
We are an Education - Centred Church. We will not only encourage Sunday School and F.T.H. attendance, but the Bible School along with the Academy will be extended to all Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands - 2 Tim 2:15
We are a Holistic Church, serving the whole man. We will develop powerful Youth, Sports and Health Ministries under The National Youth Director and Sports and Health Coordinator to include all — 1 Cor. 6:16-1
A local Bishop administers the Bahamas Turks & Caicos Islands Diocese. This national diocese is grouped together with other Caribbean National Dioceses as a regional body, which comes under a Field Director who is responsible for reporting on the affairs of the churches in the jurisdiction to the Church of God World Missions
Administrative Structure
The administrative Structure of the Church of God in the Bahamas Turks & Caicos Islands is as follows:
The Administrative Bishop is the Chief Executive Officer who has administrative and ecclesiastical oversight of the entire organization in this territory.
A National Secretary and aNational Treasurer are elected biennually by the National Council, from among members of that body, to assist the Administrative Bishop with the day-to-day functions of his office. For administrative purposes the territory is sub-divided into Districts over which the Administrative Bishop appoints overseers who supervise the churches within those districts on his behalf.Each local Church in the diocese is administrated by a local clergy appointed by the Administrative Bishop upon consultation with the District Overseer and the local conference. Church administrators (Pastors) send monthly written reports to the administrative Bishop on the state of the local church.
The Church of God Bahamas Turks & Caicos Islands is committed to the total evangelization of this territory and to fully obeying Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:19, 20.
The Bahamas holds the distinction as being the first Church of God outside the U.S.A. It was organized in 1909 making The Church of God as the first and oldest Pentecostal Movement in The Bahamas, and in 2009 it would be celebrating its Centennial Celebrations. This is good time to visit The Bahamas and see where The Church of God World Missions got started. To learn more about The Bahamas click on www.bahamas.com
Updated January 2009
CONNECT WITH CHURCH OF GOD
2009 - Centennial Year of work in The Bahamas
A Brief History of The Church of God
Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands
The Church of God is the oldest Major Pentecostal Movement and wasorganized in Monroe County, Tennessee in August 19, 1886 with eight members. It was called The Christian Union and Richard Spurling was appointed pastor. In 1896 it experienced its first outpouring of the Holy Ghost at the Shearer Schoolhouse in Cherokee County, North Carolina when over 100 received the baptism in the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues. In 1902 a simple plan of government was adopted, and its name was changed to The Holiness Church. In 1907 it was changed to The Church of God. In 1909 the Office of General Overseer was instituted andA. J. Tomlinson was elected the first to this office.
In 1909, Edmond S. Barr, a native of The Bahamas, attended the autumn Camp meeting in Pleasant Grove, Florida, and with his wife, Rebecca, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Barrs were appointed ministers in the Church of God with Rebecca holding the distinction as being the first female minister in the Church of God. Understandingly he wanted to return to his homeland and tell his countrymen the good news of the full Gospel. Robert M. Evans, a retired Methodist minister, also became concerned about The Bahamas, Evans raised the money to send the Barrs back home and promised to follow. The Barrs arrived back in Nassau on November 1909, hence becoming the first person to take the Church of God message outside USA and the first Mission endeavor of the Church of God. This marked the beginning of World Missions of the Church of God. Evans sold all of his possessions and brought a wagon and a team of mules. He and his wife Ida drove to Miami, where he sold the wagon and mules and bought tickets to The Bahamas. On January 4, 1910, the Evans along with Carl M. Padgett landed at Nassau and became the first missionaries to represent the Church of God abroad
When the Evans met the Barrs, they were busy spreading the gospel on street corners and highways, but it was not properly organized until 1910 in Bain Town with Arabella Eneas being its first documented convert. Shortly afterwards her husband, W. V. Eneas was converted, he started a work in his home, and later moved to the Camp ground in Hospital Lane, which became the first headquarters for the Church of God.. Bishop Eneas was appointed the first minister outside the U.S.A. in the Church of God. In 1911, the General Overseer, A. J. Tomlinson led a group from Cleveland, Tennessee, making visits to New Providence, Ragged Island, Long Island and Exuma organizing churches in these Islands. In 1913 Carl M. Padgett moved into Abacos, and in July 19, started the Church at Green Turtle Cay, Abaco.We had two major splits, one in 1923, which formed the Church of God of Prophecy, and the other in 1965 when the Highway Church of God in The Bahamas was formed. Because the Green Turtle Cay Church remained faithful to the Church of God, Cleveland Tennessee during the splits, it holds the distinction of being the longest continuing church outside the USA. In 1972, The Bahamas became indigenous and self supporting, when Bishop William M. Johnson was appointed Overseer. He completed the expansion of the National Office Church of God with the formation of the Convention Centre and Evans-Barr Theological Institute. He served until 1998 and upon his retirement, the process of appointing National Overseer was introduced. Bishop Neville E Hart succeeded him and was the first Overseer to be appointed via the preference vote taken every assembly or two years. He served for four years and was succeeded in 2002 by Bishop John N. Humes, who is the present Overseer as we enter this centennial year of 2009. There are 68 local churches and two missions in The Bahamas with a following of over ten thousands. The Church of God was instrumental in the establishing of the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal denominations, hence started the Pentecostal movement in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands; making this year the centennial of this movement.
Turks and Caicos Islands
In 1932, when the work was organized in the Turks and Caicos as the New Testament Church of God, it was placed under The Bahamas and remained until 1940, when it was placed under Jamaica. In 1962 it returned under The Bahamas unto this day. There are 11 local churches and two missions and a following of over two thousands.
With the two countries, there are over 78 local churches and 4 missions with a following of over 12 thousands. It is made up of 15 Districts, 12 in The Bahamas and 3 in The Turks and Caicos Islands, each district is under the supervision of a District Overseer.
Today the Church of God is in over 169 Countries around the world and remains committed to the total evangelization of the world and to obeying Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19
The Vision Cenre is moving ahead - Praise The Lord. We have now poured the first floor and now ready to block up the Top Floor. We will need a continous flow of prayer and support to complete this building by end of year. It will take at least another $500,000. The Bishop is calling upon every Local church and Department along with the Ministers and members to sow a special love seed offering to this cause. If you want to be a part of this move of God, please contact the National Office or Bishop John Humes at johnhumes@coralwave.com .
The National Overseer, Bis. John N. Humes has launched the National Vision Campaign 2009, which will do the following.
Confess our sins and that of our forebears that we be forgiven, healed and restored to Apostolic age
Pray for lost souls, loving them and bring them to Christ, and that each member reach and bring at least one person to Christ and the His church.
Sow a seed of at least $5 a month between now and Convention in March so as to assist in the completion of the Vision Centre along with the upgrading of the Electical Supply and A/C. We will need a new sound system for the Convention Centre as well. This is our year of Jubilee and Centennial Celebrations.
The National Office invites Ministers and even members to its Retreat or Restoration Program in New York at the Upper Room Power of Prayer Ministry in New York For more information you can contact Pastor Mitchell Tyson at 1-718 583-0663 in New York or in Nassau Lorraine Daly at 325-1561 or the National office at 324-2582. You can email: swatson3@msn.com or ldalyurppm@yahoo.com or visit them at www.urppsanctuary.org
Bishop Goliath Burrows, the Principal of The Church of God Academy. Registration are now in progress for the New School year, 2008/09. For more information phone. (242) 364-0161 Spaces are limited so please register as soon as possible. The Church of God Academy is now being recognized as a top sport power the Academy is located at the Convention Centre on Joe Farrington Road.
Tune in to Forward In Faith, our Radio Broadcast Program every Sunday Morning on ZNS 1 at 9:30am The National Evangelism Team headed by Mother Rachael Mackey, The Director of Evangelism is responsible for the broadcast. We have a new format as we prepare for our Centennial Anniversary in 2009 to share our history and also discipleship, in that we want you to be properly discipled. Visit www.GBOD.org
Milestones: One of our most faithful prayer warriors and woman of God passed away. Maria Penn of East Street Cathedral died on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Funeral is set for Saturday, November 29 at the Convention Center. Pray for the family including her husband Elder Daniel Penn.
