75th Anniversary Celebrated in Barbados
BARBADOS — Over 2,000 people gathered in the National Center in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the celebration of 75 years of the New Testament Church of God in Barbados. Administrative Bishop Martin Brewster led the special events, and General Director of World Missions Douglas LeRoy gave the keynote address.
An early morning breakfast at the Crane Hotel with key church leaders inaugurated the events. On Saturday, a water baptismal service was conducted. Wallace J. Sibley spoke at the breakfast.
The New Testament Church of God began in Barbados in 1936 when J. H. Ingram received a Barbadian Pentecostal pastor, J. H. Marshall, into the Church of God. Within two years, the church had 15 local congregations.
Numerous missionaries have served in Barbados – James Winter, Luke R. Summers, F. G. McGhee, Alonzo Justice, T.N. Ward, Claude Smith, Tommy Morse, Eugene Powers, and Parnell Coward. Since 1972, nationals – Frank Hinkson, Lionel Mason, Alvah Hunte, and Martin Brewster – have served as overseers. The Barbados Bible College has trained workers since 1965.
Today, the church has 44 local congregations with a membership of 5,000. They maintain a strong witness on the island, with a consistent commitment to missions in Africa and other Caribbean islands.
© 2011 Church of God World Missions
