(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an update of an article published in The Freeport News on Thursday, July 18, 2019.)
By DEBORAH PRATT
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — New Horizon Worship Centre (NHWC) turned one year old on Monday, July 15, 2019, and in observation of this milestone leaders and members of the church came together in a Prayer and Praise service on Monday evening giving God thanks for all He has done during this first year.
The church, indeed, has much to be grateful for! Pastor Karol Roache, Senior Pastor of NHWC, said, “To God be the glory, great things He has done! It’s hard to believe it’s been one year already. When we started this journey, my prayer and the cry of my heart was ‘Lord, if your presence does not go with us, if you are not in the midst of us, do not send us up.’ God has certainly confirmed that New Horizon Worship Centre is His idea. He confirmed it by extending his gracious hands upon this ministry in ways beyond our wildest dreams. Yes, we’ve had our challenges, our ups and downs, our highs and lows, but the Lord has been merciful and gracious and brought us through.”
With the Lord as their guide, Pastor Karol and Sister Glenys Roache stepped out in faith in July of 2018 to establish a new church on the island of Grand Bahama, “New Horizon Worship Centre”. Joining Pastor and Sister Roache as members of the church’s Leadership Council were Pastors Don and Emma Forbes, Brother Sheldon and Sister Chanelle Bullard and Minister Alvin and Sister Rochelle Smith.
The inaugural service for NHWC was held at Pelican Bay Hotel, Freeport, on Sunday, July 15, 2018 with 198 persons in attendance. The ministry was officially launched on July 29, 2018. Its Vision, Mission, Core Values and Motto were introduced:
VISION: “Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Glow in Christ, Go for Christ.”
MISSION: “To be empowered by the Holy Spirit, Sustained by Prayer to Make disciples for Christ.”
CORE VALUES: Holiness, Oneness, Prayer, Excellence
MOTTO: “An Oasis of Love, Hope and Transformation”
NHWC held its first Membership Induction Service on September 2, 2018, with 139 persons being officially inducted as members. The following Sunday, September 9, Pastor Karol Roache was officially installed as Senior Pastor in a service held at St. John’s Jubilee Cathedral.
Bishop Godfrey Williams, Senior Pastor of Jubilee Cathedral, delivered the sermon, under the theme, “The Heart of a Shepherd,” and the Installation Ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Elvis Burrows of Central Zion Baptist Church, Eight Mile Rock.
As a result of an increasing growth in attendance and the need for more space, NHWC relocated to the Royal Palm Room at Grand Lucayan Hotel on September 16, 2018. This also allowed additional rooms for the Children’s and Teen’s Ministries to hold regular Sunday morning classes.
Connect Group Ministry was also launched in September with 14 groups meeting weekly at homes of various members. Other ministries — including the Generation C Student/Youth Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry and Intercessory Prayer Ministry — were also established, temporarily meeting at members’ homes.
In the spirit of Christmas, the church held its first community outreach, a Free Fair dubbed “Come Buy Without Money” at Jack Hayward Gym on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
The event attracted more than 200 persons, who all received hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn and drinks; 127 children received toys; 113 grocery packages were distributed; and over 150 persons were able to get clothing, shoes, toiletries, jewelry, and housewares, all free of charge. There was also face painting, a clown, and bouncing castle for the children to enjoy.
A grand Christmas Production, “The Spirit of Christmas”, was held on December 16, with outstanding performances by the children and youth ministries.
NHWC celebrated its first Christmas at the Royal Palm Room, Grand Lucayan Hotel, with a beautiful Christmas Sunday Service on December 23, and its last service at that venue was a special Watch Night Service on December 31st at 10:00p.m.
The first Sunday of the New Year, January 6, 2019, was the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the church as services commenced at Calvary Bible Activity Centre on Sergeant Major and Cromwell Drive. This multifaceted building — with a seating capacity of approximately 200, equipped with a conference room, offices, classrooms and a kitchen — became a more permanent location until the church is able to acquire a building of its own. A sign with the church’s name was placed on the building, leaders held keys and 24-hour access to the building. All ministries were now able to fully function.
To date, the church has 185 adult members and several active ministries for all ages, including its Children’s Ministry, J.A.M “Jesus And Me”; Student/Youth Ministry, “Generation C” (Generation Conquerors); Connect Group Ministry; Women’s Ministry; Men’s Ministry; and many others.
As the church continues with its 1st Anniversary celebrations, a Ministry Expo was held on Sunday, July 21, showcasing all of the ministries of NHWC.
Under the theme, “Except The Lord Build The House,” the official 1st Anniversary Service will be held Sunday, July 28, at NHWC on Sergeant Major and Cromwell Drive at 9:00am. Guest speaker for this grand occasion will be Bishop Cardinal McIntosh of Grand Bahama Family Worship Centre. The general public is invited to attend.
For more information about NHWC you may contact the church at 373-7729 or email newhorizonworshipcentre@hotmail.com. You may also like and follow us on our Facebook page, “New Horizon Worship Centre” where our services are streamed live every Sunday morning.
