Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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Church of God, Bernard Road By STAFF WRITER ~ For The Guardian: The Church of God, Bernard Road, previously known as Sandilands Village Church of God, is the first established Church of God in New Providence. A piece of property was purchased through Abner Street, Fox Hill and the name given was Abner Street Church of God, Fox Hill. The church was not set to order until 1912 when Pastor David LaFleur along with the congregation moved to the first official building. Some of the first members and pioneers of the Abner Street Church of God, Fox Hill were Estella Davis (deceased), Felicia Bethel (deceased), Freda Dorsette (deceased), Lorraine Ferguson (deceased), Elma Davis Johnson (deceased), Gwendolyn Brown (deceased), Letitia Davis (deceased), Evelyn Ferguson (deceased). During Theophilus Smith's tenure as pastor, a piece of property was purchased on Bernard Road, Fox Hill. The building for a church was started by Pastor Smith but completed under the administration of Bishop Asa H. Sargent, who became pastor after the death of Pastor Smith. On November 6, 1955, Bishop Asa Sargent and his assistant Bro. Herman Oliver along with the congregation marched to the new church (building) for its dedication. The church was built north to south. It was then called Corona Memorial Church of God. Bishop Sargent served until 1961 when he was succeeded by Rev. John P. Curry who served from 1961- 1963 assisted by Bishop Hartman Saunders. Pastor Osborne Rolle served from 1963-1971 at which time the property on which the new chapel stands (built east to west) was purchased. In June of 1971, Bishop Herbert Russell was appointed pastor. In 1976 the foundation for the present chapel was poured and in 1984 Pastor Russell went to be with the Lord. In February of 1985, Rev. Dr. John. L. Ferguson was unanimously voted in by members of the Sandilands Village Church of God to become pastor led to his appointment by the National Overseer Bishop W.M. Johnson. The name Sandilands Village Church of God was then changed to the Bernard Road Church of God. In May 2005, Rev. Dr. John L. Ferguson went home to be with the Lord and on June 14th, 2006, Bishop Charles Gardiner was appointed by the National Overseer, Dr. John Humes as pastor. In July 2008, Bishop Gardiner resigned as pastor and on February 16, 2009 the first female pastor was installed as pastor in the person of Rev. Julia Bain. God is truly a good God . Abner Street Church of God/ Sandilands Village Church of God/ Bernard Road Church of God is privileged to have had the following men serve the Lord in the capacity as pastor: Amos Humes, David LaFleur, Grant, Richard Bevans, William Jarret, N.L.Scott, George Burnside, Theophilus Smith, Bishop Asa H. Sargent, Bishop John B. Curry, Bishop Osborne Rolle, Bishop Herbert Russell, Rev. Dr. John L. Ferguson, Bishop Charles Gardiner. The early years of church services differ from the church services of today. Upon entering the sanctuary, the presence of the Lord was acknowledged through prayer and meditation. The service began with songs being sung from the Hymnal. As the spirit took over every one dwelled as one through testimony service, offerings and preaching. Prayer meetings were held at 5:00 a.m. on Sundays which led into street services until 11:00 o'clock morning worship service. Sunday School was held for two hours which started at 3- 5:00 p.m. Evening services began at 7:30 p.m. The first youth choir in the Church of God was formed in 1960 at the Sandilands Village Church of God under the direction of Bishop Austin Saunders, assisted by Bishop John L. Ferguson. Today, rather than one choir we now have three dynamic choirs. The move and manifestation of the Lord is evident in the church (people) as on any given Sunday God Himself sits in our midst. God has placed a female as our pastor for such a time as this when the church is experiencing tribulation, distress, persecution famine, but we are determined that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. The vision for the church is stated in this statement: Bernard Road Church of God will be a church committed to operating in the spirit of excellence by enhancing its members spiritually, morally, socially, intellectually and physically, resulting in the development of well-rounded members equipped to execute the great commission. Thursday, November 26, 2009