When it comes to Baptists in The Bahamas, where did the religious denomination originate? Was it in The Americas or in England? Who were the founding fathers and how did they convert the locals to their new religion? In his freshman work, “The Story of Baptists in The Bahamas: An Historical Survey”, Bishop Arnold Josey, senior pastor at Commonwealth Mission Baptist Church, explores the formation of the various sects of Baptists and reminisces on times long past.
“There exists a very real challenge for the modern historian to put the pieces together,” said Josey. “Local Baptists have not kept records. Therefore, the information had to be garnered from persons who purport to know. This was good until it is put to the test of others who have their own memories of how it really transpired.”
Josey hopes his ambitious work acts as a catalyst for a new discussion among Baptists from the various groupings and serves as a foundational launch pad for the future. He believes the story of Baptists worldwide is not so well known and may still be oftentimes confusing. “The Story of Baptists in The Bahamas: An Historical Survey” is Josey’s attempt to bring information and stabilization to what some may describe as a perplexing situation. In the book, Josey takes readers back to a time when being Baptist was taboo and could cost a person his or her life, or in some instances, imprisonment.
A book launch will be held on Monday, November 16 at 11 a.m. at the Paul Farquharson Conference Center, at the Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters on East Street north.
About the author
Bishop Arnold Josey was born in New Providence on June 19, 1954. A protegé of the late Rev. Dr. R.E. Cooper Sr. founder of Mission Baptist Church, Hay Street, Josey not only learned church, he learned the Baptist Church. Josey was educated in The Bahamas at St. Augustine’s College, a Catholic School. He continued his schooling at The Bahamas Baptist Bible Institute, the FBI Caribbean Police School, Louisiana Baptist College and the New Life School of Theology. He is a former host of the Baptist Hour and the Caribbean “C.B.F. Presents”, vice president of the Mission Baptist Consortium of Churches, and he also serves as the provincial bishop for the Eastern Caribbean of the Global United Fellowship. Josey is the senior pastor of Commonwealth Mission Baptist Church on Commonwealth Blvd., Elizabeth Estates.
With his God-given sense of humor; it’s no wonder he is a recipient of the Dale Carnegie Diploma in Effective Speaking and Human Relations, and a sought after preacher and teacher for youth and adult groups. He is also a justice of the peace.
Married to Vernita, they have three children — Davonia, Arnold II, and Alvin Cleveland; a son in-law Jochlano; and two grandsons, Steven and Steffon.
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