| Historical Church Facts
The Bahamas is known as the first mission field outside the
United States to be touched by the Church of God. On November 7th 1909,
the Reverend
Edmond S. Barr and his wife Rebecca, of Exuma, Bahamas were residing
in Durant, Florida. At that time they attended a Camp Meeting held
by the Old Holiness Camp group. Barr was converted and received the
Holy Ghost at the Camp, and shortly after he and his wife returned
to Nassau, bringing the message of salvation.
The First meetings were held in the vicinity of Augusta and
Meadow Streets. In 1910 a group of missionaries from the Holiness Church
USA, including
A. J. Tomilson arrived in the Bahamas. He visited Exuma, Long Island
and Ragged Island, while another minister R. N. Evans stopped in Nassau
and preached, confirming the work of Reverend Barr. In the year 1911,
the first church was established with three members in a rented house
owned by the late John Alfred on the Southern-side of Dowdeswell Street,
Nassau, N.P. This was the first place of worship for the early pioneers
of the Church.
Over these many years, the work expanded to almost every inhabited
island in The Bahamas. Courageous men and women of yesteryear braved
the storms
of oppositions, persecution and much suffering for preaching the gospel
of Jesus Christ. Some were arrested, placed in prison, scorned and
humiliated by society for their religious conviction. However, they
preached without
fear and favour. The Lord confirmed the Word, as thousands received
Christ and were added to the Church. Among them were former Colonial
Overseers
Bishop Stanley R. Ferguson and Alvin S. Moss, Frank Cunningham and
Alfred E. Ferguson.
The Mission of the Church then and today is to bear witness for
Christ and His truth, in all its fullness and power. The Church of
God of
Prophecy is well established in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Its
central government
is situated in an Administrative Complex on East and Quakoo Streets
on the island capital of New Providence.. The Church is officially recognized
by the government, having been duly registered by an Act of parliament
in
1953
as "THE
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY INCORPORATION ACT 1953". This was now
the Church's official business name. Prior to this, 1911-1952, The Church
was known
as the
Church of God.
There are fifty established churches with a membership and following
of approximately ten thousand (10,000) and one hundred (152) licensed
ministers. The Church is supported by a dedicated staff of administrative
and national workers, pastors and laity, who continue to labour together
with God in the word. The highlight of our yearly activities is the
Annual National Convention, the first of which was held in 1921. Today
we reminisce
and thank God, who graciously favoured His Church in these isles of
the sea, We celebrate to His glory and honour our 82nd Annual Convention
this year - March 9th - 16th, 2003. Bishop Elgarnet B. Rahmingn
serves as National
Overseer and moderator and has served the Church in this capacity for
the past three years. The Ministry of the Church consists
of:
- Sunday School and Developmental - Education CBL Ministries
- Youth and
Children Ministries Evangelism and Pastoral Care
- Public Relations - Communications, Radio • Television
Serving
the Church as National Overseers from 1911 to present were the
following persons.
- R.M. Evan's 1911 - 1912
- C.M. Pagett 1913-1915
- W.H. Cross 1916-1917
- Milton Padgett I9I7-1919
- William R. Franks 1919-1920
- Milton Padgett
1920-1933
- Bishop Stanley R. Ferguson
1924-1934
- Bishop Alvin S. Moss 1934-1974
- Bishop Dr.Brice H. Thompson 1974 to 1999
- Bishop Dr. Elgarnet B. Rahming 1999 to present
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