The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

FIVE decades ago, founders of Calvary Bible envisioned a church that was bible-believing, community-minded and free from denominational barriers.

Today, Calvary Bible Church has surpassed the expectation of its founding members, becoming a place where people can worship freely and be guided in their spiritual lives.  

Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes along with Lady Foulkes and Prime Minister Perry Christie gathered with the Calvary Bible family on Sunday to commemorate 50 years of service to the community.

It was a teary-eyed occasion for many of the speakers who reflected on the long journey of the church. 96-year-old Violet Weech, co-founder of CBC along with husband Pastor Earle Weech, now deceased, travelled from the US where she lives to attend the service. Her presence evoked strong emotions from those in attendance, particularly Franklyn Pinder, a member of the first council association, who reflected on the early days.

The anniversary celebration was a time of reflection on the church’s history and vision for the next decade.

In his message, Prime Minister Christie hailed the church for its long service to the community. He said the church has been “a source of spiritual guidance” for members.

“Calvary Bible church has throughout its history served as a source of spiritual guidance and support for its members through its many ministries and has also made a significant contribution to the wider community through its ongoing charitable works both in the Bahamas and further afield. The church has continued to go from strength to strength adapting and responding to the needs of its congregation and local community while remaining true to its founding principles and mission,” said Mr Christie.

Three members of the congregation were honoured for their dedicated service, including: Pastor Frederick Arnett, executive director of the Christian Counselling Centre; Diana Pinder, head of the CBC music ministry and Senior Pastor Allan Lee.

“We want this entire time of celebration to be one that is filled with joy, praise, song, laughter and thanksgiving that will cause us to truly workshop our glorious Tribune God “in spirit and in truth. This will serve as both a blessed seal to the past and a launching pad to the future as we lay a holy foundation for future generations who will continue to build upon this glorious heritage,” said Pastor Lee.

Being firmly anchored on the word and having God as the unseen partner, the church has been able to do much in the community. It has offered worship, instruction, fellowship missions, evangelism and social outreach, all designed to foster spiritual growth and maturity.

Its presence in the community has been felt through the establishment of several outreach programmes including Operation Inasmuch, The Soup Kitchen, and Project Micah which have all been expanded to provide practical help. The practical help provided by the outreach programmes include parenting classes for unwed mothers, financial management counselling, after school tutoring, care for the children of AIDS victims and other groups of physically challenged individuals both children and adults.

“As we enter the second half of a century of ministry, we believe that God expects his church to have a vision for the future. We believe that the church needs to have God’s perspective to see the world the way he sees it, to respond with compassion and then pray for God to sends us into action,” a statement by the Church said.

“Therefore, as we have reevaluated our purposes and commitment as a church, this statement of what we now call a vision in the making is first of all, to share our heart with you as we look toward the future in faith. Secondly, challenge us all as members of the incredible body of Christ here at CBC to make a positive difference in our community and in the world in this second half of our century of existence, by being the kind of called out people God wants us to be.”