"Where the cross still changes lives"
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
History records that a Pentecostal Preacher, one Rev J. Wilson Bell from Kingston Jamaica first made contact by letter to the Church of God Headquarters in Cleveland Tennessee in the summer of 1917. This resulted in the very first missionary of the church to Jamaica and the Caribbean, Rev. J.S. Llewellyn responding in April 1918. He worked with Rev. J. Wilson Bell and Rev. J.M. Parkinson, the first two recognized Ministers and organised a church in Kingston with seven members. This led to the planting of five (5) preaching stations, a spread to Spanish Town, St. Catherine and by 1922 this Pentecostal flame of the New Testament Church of God reached the parish of Clarendon in Central Jamaica.
On April 23, 1925, E. E. Simmonds came from Florida and was contacted by a native, H.A. Hudson who directed him to a group worshipping in the community of Borobridge in the parish of Clarendon. A partnership was established, which ultimately led to the official establishment of the 1st church with 62 members. During his 5-month trip, Simmonds established three churches, the other two being at Mount Providence and Frankfield (37 and 18 members respectively).
By 1928, churches had been organised in several parishes and the first Island Convention was held from July 4 - 6, 1928 at Leicesterfield in Clarendon. Seven churches and their Pastors attended. By 1935, when Rev. H.A. Hudson became the first local Island Overseer, there were 53 churches with approximately 1600 members.
There were local and overseas national leaders intermittently from 1925 – 1974 but this gave way to an unbroken succession of local leaders since 1974, starting with James R. Brown (1974- 1978) to the current Barrington A. Brown (2008 – present).
The church has grown to 342 churches with over 80,000 members and a total following of 163,000 according to the population census of 2001. There are very well established Youth, Women’s and Men’s Departments and a powerful theological seminary—Bethel Bible College.
The National Administration also has responsibility for the work in the Cayman Islands. The Jamaican church has sent missionaries to other territories since the 1940’s, starting with the first officially appointed missionaries W.F. Evering and his wife - sent to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1945. Churches planted by Jamaicans worldwide can often be distinguished by the fact that they are also referred to as New Testament Church of God with the Church of God family.
The Church is moving on. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
