"Where the cross still changes lives"
THIS FAR BY FAITH...
The Mandeville New Testament Church of God was born out of radical faith that was fuelled by earnest and sincere prayer and fasting. In response to the Spirit’s promptings Mavis Reid committed herself to “Live by Faith” and to build this faith through consistent prayer and fasting
She received a vision, which propelled her to spend much time in prayer and fasting. Sister Reid was later joined by her husband Leslie and her friend Sis. Gwen Murray. These prayer and fasting sessions were held at her home in a small village called Bellitiro in Manchester.
The miraculous hand of God was evident in these early meetings and as the news spread, more and more hungry hearts and desperate souls sought out the little house over rough stones and down a steep narrow path of Bellitiro where Sis. & Brother Reid lived.
In 1980 the Spirit spoke to Sis. Reid through another vision, which caused her to consider relocation. About that same time, Bro. Chambers received a dream in which he was made aware of Sis Reid’s needs. He bought a building on Manchester Road, and later made it available to Sis Reid and her group where they had their first service in March 1982.
As the work grew the Lord spoke to His servant again saying, “Holy Ghost men are now needed”. She thought about this for a while and then the scripture Ecclesiastes 4: 11 – 12 brought clarity. As she finished reading she was advised that someone had come to see her. She went to the door and saw Bishop Guy S. Notice with his wife and Rev. Archibald standing there. That visit started something that has made a difference to the town of Mandeville.
On March 6, 1983 Bishop Guy Notice took leadership of an organized group of 17 worshipers. While serving as the National Overseer, Rev. Guy S. Notice took on the responsibility of pastoring the young church. Rev. and Mrs. Notice took on the responsibility of helping this newly formed congregation to settle. They traveled to Mandeville on Sunday mornings and returned to Kingston on Sunday nights and never wavered in their commitment to this new work.
The church grew and Bro. & Sis. Reid, Bro. Junior Thompson, Bro. Joseph Thompson, Bro. Hector Steer, Sis Iola Francis, Sis. Ida Francis, and Sis. Morene D’Aguilar was appointed as the first leadership team of the church.
On the 2nd of September 1984 Rev. Guy Notice introduced Rev. Chuck Quinley, an American missionary, and his young wife to the members. Chuck Quinley became the first full time pastor of the congregation. Under the leadership of the Quinleys the membership of the church grew rapidly. With the membership now standing at (75), the church was rapidly outgrowing the facilities. Not forgetting that the church was formed on prayer and fasting, the church prayed and fasted for God to provide a building. Believing that faith without works is dead; each member also sacrificed one week’s salary to the Lord.
Rev. Guy S. Notice and Rev. James Brown located a property and made a deposit with the intention to purchase. Few months later a church group from St. Charles, Illinois, U.S.A., gave their entire building fund to our church while they continued to meet in a restaurant.
One businessman in Florida who asked to be anonymous gave the church a gift of ten thousand United States dollars ($10,000.00) when converted the church received Fifty-Five Thousand (J$55,000.00) Jamaican dollars. Rev. Quinley’s home church also gave their full support to the building of the church by sending groups of persons including his father to assist with the construction of building. Many local churches contributed physically and financially.
On October 28, 1988 an experienced educator, social worker and pastor, Rev. Lindsay Arscott, accompanied by his wife Jean, became our new pastor. Rev. Arscott also served as the Principal of Bethel Bible College. Rev. Wayne Vernon served along side Rev. Arscott the church’s first youth pastor. Rev. Arscott served until 1994. During his term the membership grew to three hundred and fifty (350) members.
Again it was time for another transition in the life of the church. Rev. Donald Roberts and his family were transferred to this pastorate in 1994. Through his leadership the ministry complex and balcony were built. He placed a strong emphasis on family life and character development. He served the church during a very turbulent period that allowed the congregation to grow in maturity. The fasting services continued under his leadership and membership grew to over 460.
The mantle was passed to Rev. Clement Clarke in 2001. Rev. Clarke led the congregation from 2001 to 2006. This pastor had a passion for prayer and during his tenure the prayer ministry of the church became stronger and its evangelistic endeavours reaped much success. Under Rev. Clarke’s guidance, the membership grew from 460 to 760.
Then came Rev. Dr. Roy Notice in 2006 to lead a diverse congregation to a higher level. Shortly after Rev. Garfield Wilson partnered with Rev. Notice in leadership in 2006.
The activities at Mandeville New Testament propelled to a level where the vision of a five-star church became the focus. The five stars pointed to the biblical mandate given to the church. He continues to challenge the church to organize all its programmes and activities around evangelism, worship, discipleship, ministry and fellowship.
Progress since 2006 under the leadership of our two new pastors have been tremendous: starting with the men’s monthly prayer breakfast, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. A second service has been introduced in keeping with the vision that the Quinleys had for the church. Our Sunday school has grown more than 100% from an average of 130 to an attendance of 270 – 300 weekly. During this period a multimedia system was purchased to enhance the quality and presentation of worship.
The Mandeville New Testament Church of God remains constant in prayer and fasting and the membership have increased to over 860. “Hitherto has the Lord led us”. All the Pastors have blessed the congregation. They were constant in their leadership and have acknowledged the power of prayer and fasting.
The mantle was passed on to Rev. Dr. Osborne Fisher who worked along with Rev. Garfield Wilson to lead the church in its journey. Rev. Wilson moved on in 2014 and Rev. Diego Dunchie continued the work in his stead with Rev. Fisher. During this time, the membership grew to over 1000 members. Programs and Ministries improved and were reformed to enhance and build the church and the wider community. Equipment used in the sanctuary were upgraded, a massive tank and pit were installed, along with other improvements to the church’s structure. Our benevolence ministry was also expanded and structured to assist many more persons on a broader scale. In 2016, Rev. Dunchie was transferred to another pastorate, and Rev. Odane Eubank later joined with Rev. Fisher in 2018.
In 2020, with the rise of the global pandemic, COVID-19, the normal activities of the church were shifted as we responded to the new government regulations. The services were now being streamed online, causing us to reach family and friends all across the globe. Amidst this pandemic, the church continues to fast and pray and God kept us strong against all odds. A new hall was constructed to expand the complex, and the bathrooms, tuck shop, kitchen storeroom and general storerooms were reconstructed and expanded. It was in this year, 2020, that Rev. Eubank was transferred to another pastorate and Rev. Elvis Samuels took the mantle of Associate Pastor.
As Rev. Fisher and Rev. Samuels lead the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church has grown and now has both a physical and media presence, impacting the world from the sanctuary on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
To that we say, “To God be the Glory.” We praise God for faithful, generous, Spirit-filled members who continue to make this church the beacon it is in this parish.
We have come this far by faith and we march to the future with great expectation believing that in the next five years our congregation will double, we will pioneer a new work in an adjoining community, we will deepen our community involvement especially in the field of education and we will seek to disciple more men and women for the Kingdom. By faith, prayer, fasting and hard work we press on.
Last updated: February 2021
By: J. Heath
General Overseer (Cleveland Tennessee)
Executive Council (12 men)
Caribbean Field Director
Administrative Bishop Jamaica and Grand Cayman
Executive Council (14 men) in Jamaica
Parish Coordinators
District Overseer
Local Pastors
Council Men (Officers)
Presidents of Offices
Members
