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A History of the Churches of Christ in the Bahamas

by Christopher Curry and Denny Curry

232 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #06-1975; ISBN 1-4251-0218-2; US$20.00, C$20.00, EUR13.56, £8.99

The book is an objective and unvarnished account of the history of the Churches of Christ in the Bahamas. It addresses the challenges facing individuals evangelizing in this Caribbean nation.

About the Book

The Churches of Christ in The Bahamas was initially established in 1948 when Carl Strahan was baptized in Minnesota while working as a contracted laborer. On returning to The Bahamas he eventually left the Church of God and formed a small congregation on Lily of the Valley corner supported by the Seventh Ave. Church of Christ in Miami, Florida. A major event in the history of the movement occurred when William Miller was baptized by an American evangelist by the name of Benny Morton in July of 1954. During the formative years the church faced many obstacles including the lack of a permanent building, financial issues and struggles with wayward members, competition from established denominations and a dependency on foreign missionary support. By the early 1960s a small core of dedicated members had emerged that would remain in tact throughout the next two decades.

The 1980s was a period of unprecedented expansion and change. Additional congregations were begun in the Family islands, most notably Abaco and Grand Bahama. Moreover, the influx of younger, dynamic members provided the impetus to further growth and the development of youth centered programs. However, a growing generational gap would eventually lead to the fragmentation of the congregation and eventually cause splits to occur by the beginning of 1991. In recent years the churches have recouped from these splits and began to address the spiritual needs of communities throughout the Bahamas. Despite the various challenges throughout the last 50 years, the Churches of Christ, have proven to be resourceful, resilient and resolved in bringing the gospel truth to the masses.

While the book serves as a chronology of the history of the Churches of Christ in The Bahamas, its value goes beyond the movement in question. It provides a window into the social history and life-ways of ordinary people within The Bahamas at a time of unprecedented social and political change including the crucial adjustment from colony to independent nation in 1973. Therefore the book has additional value for the social historian as well as the larger reading public interested in the Caribbean. Indeed we can all relate to the struggles of people searching for their place and identity amidst the currents of global change.

About the Author

Denny Curry Denny Curry was born in Nassau, in The Bahamas in 1944. He received his early education at Sacred Heart Catholic School and Aquinas College before joining the Royal Bank of Canada in 1961. From 1961 to 1964 he attended the Bahamas School of Commerce, studying English Language and Bookkeeping. He joined Dominion Life Insurance Company in October 1965 and took several management courses including courses through the Life Office Management Association in Atlanta Georgia, U.S.A. He became a member of the South-East Nassau Rotary Club in 1976, serving as its President in 1980-1981. He was named Rotarian of the year from 1985 to 1986. In 1986 he wrote "A history of the South-east Rotary Club and Rotary in The Bahamas." He received the highest award in Rotary- the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 1986. In March 2002, he became a member of the Highbury Park Church of Christ. Since then he has become an integral part of a number of ministries including co-chairing Finance, and treasurer of Untold Stories Men's Group, New Converts Ministry, Building Expansion Committee and Restoration Ministry.

Christopher Curry Christopher Curry, the son of Denny Curry, was born in Nassau, in The Bahamas in 1971. He received his early education at Queens College, Nassau and Great Lakes Christian College in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada. From 1991 to 1995 he attended Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in History. From 1995-1996 he enrolled in the University of Waterloo Master's Degree Program, achieving his M.A. in August of 1996. On returning to The Bahamas he began teaching at Saint Anne's School, in Fox Hill, New Providence while also attending the College of The Bahamas. In 1998 he graduated with his diploma in Education and was appointed head of the Social Studies Department at Saint Anne's. From 2002 to 2006 he was employed as a full time history lecturer at The College of The Bahamas. He has been a member of the Highbury Park Church of Christ since 1997. Since then he has been involved in a number of ministries including former President of Untold Stories Men's Group from 2001-2003. In January 2006 he was ordained as an evangelist at Highbury Park Church of Christ. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in History at the University of Connecticut, in the U.S.A.