TCI News
TCI: Church of God of Prophecy celebrates its 50th Anniversary
#Providenciales, October 11, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Church of God of Prophecy, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on October 12, 2019. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the church is having a week of celebrations from October 5th, to October 13th, 2019.
The Church of God of Prophecy, affectionately called the ‘Jumper’ Church has been in the Turks and Caicos Islands for nearly a hundred years with its first Mission established in the settlement of Kew, North Caicos. It is where Pentecostalism first originated in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In 1961 the Church of God of Prophecy established a Mission under the leadership of Brother James Calvin William of Blue Hills. The Mission engaged in house to house visitations and street meetings throughout the community of Blue Hills. As the Mission grew, permission was granted to utilize the school building on Bay Road (now the AIDS Hospice) for regular church services.
Bishop Isaiah J. Whyms, was the Colonial District Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, Turks and Caicos Islands at that time and appointed Brother James Williams, as the leader of the Mission along with Sister Nanless Taylor as the Secretary.
“About three months before the dedication of the Church of God of Prophecy in Blue Hills, the National Overseer of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the late Bishop Alvin S. Moss JP, CBE, received information from Brother James C. Williams of Providenciales and Bishop Isaiah J. Whyms, that the church building in Blue Hills was ready for dedication and church organization.”
On January 23, 1963, the ground-breaking ceremony was held, which officially established the first Church of God of Prophecy on the island of Providenciales. Bishop Isaiah J. Whyms, laid the corner stone.
On Sunday, October 12, 1969, the Church of God of Prophecy, Blue Hills building was dedicated. Bishop Moss recorded his greetings and sent Evangelist Clarence N. Williams to represent him in the capacity of the National Overseer and to implement the following:
- the dedication of the church building
- to organize the local church
- to appoint and install Bro. James C. Williams as the local Pastor
- to ordained Bro. James C. Williams as a Minister of the Gospel
The past and present leadership of the Church of God of Prophecy, Blue Hills, over its 50 year span of existences includes:
Bishop Alvin S. Moss, JP, CBE – National Overseer of Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands
Bishop Isaiah Whyms – District Overseer of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Bishop Clarence N. Williams – National Overseer of Turks and Caicos Islands
Bishop Clayton Martin – Interim National Overseer of Turks and Caicos Islands September 2019 – present
The Pastors of the Blue Hills, COGOP included:-
Pastor James C. Williams – October 12th, 1969 to May, 1984
Pastor Hoplyn Parker – June 1984 to June 1985
Pastor Sally Williams – , June 1985 to April 1986
Pastor James C. Williams – April 1986 to June 1995
Pastor Emmanuel Rigby – June 1995 to March 1997
Pastor James Williams – April 1997 to April 2001
Bishop Andrew Stone, – May 2001 to present
Many churches, ministries, ministers, pastors, evangelist, and teachers have been birthed out of the Church of God of Prophecy, Blue Hills including Church of God of Prophecy Kew Town French Church, Wheeland and Kew Town Spanish Church, Lower Bight Church, Five Cays Church and other various churches throughout Providenciales.
We will continue to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ, as we serve the community of Blue Hills, “Letting People Know That We Care.”
Celebrations for the 50th Anniversary includes the following celebration of praise:
Saturday, October 5, 2019 – 10:00 AM A walkabout in the Community of Blue Hills
Sunday, October 6, 2019 – 6:00 Am Pray Meeting, 11AM Divine Worship Service and 7:00 PM Grand Gospel Concert
Monday, October 7, 2019 – 7:00 PM a Night of History. Refreshments will be served
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 – 7:00 PM Bible Quiz and Trivia night
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 – 7:00 PM Saturate the Atmosphere Evangelistic Outreach Street
Meeting, the Jetty, Blue Hills
Thursday, October 10, 2019 – 7:00 PM a Night of Brass featuring original and existing members of The Turk & Caicos Brass Band and the Church of God of Prophecy Brass Band
Saturday, October 12, 2019 – 10:00 AM Motorcade & Fun Time.
-7:30 PM Family Enrichment Seminar with Host Presenter Bishop Roger Ball, Ph.D. New York
Sunday, October 13, 2019 – 2:00 PM Anniversary Service followed by a Gala Banquet at the Shore Club.
The public is invited to join us in our praise celebrations.
“To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done”
Release: COGOP
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
-
-
- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
-
South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
-
world news1 week ago80% of the World’s Poor Face Climate Hazards — UNDP Sounds Alarm
-
TCI News1 week agoFrontier Airlines’ Arrival to Turks & Caicos Marks a Game-Changing Connection
-
USA1 week agoNarco-Terrorist Take Down by US Gutting Caribbean Gang-Crime
-
TCI News1 week agoTurks & Caicos Police Commissioner Urges Students to “Awaken Their Sleeping Giants”
-
TCI News5 days agoHURRICANE MELISSA: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS
-
Caribbean News2 days agoSeven Days. Seven Nations. One Storm — Hurricane Melissa