Two years ago Pastor Billy Tweeddale of Oceanview Fellowship in Melbourne, Fla., had an encounter at the South Focus Retreat that led to an ongoing partnership for ministry in the Bahamas. The partnership came out of a series of conversations with Charis pastors connected to churches and ministries in the Caribbean.
At the retreat, Pastor Dumont Cardichon from Family Christian Community near Fort Lauderdale shared about a spiritual retreat where he recently spoke on the Holy Spirit and saw many people come to a saving knowledge of Christ. “I wanted to be part of that!” Billy said. Billy went to Fort Lauderdale and met with another pastor, Henri Cher-Aime, who told Billy the need for churches in the Bahamas.
Churches in the Bahamas, especially Haitian churches, struggled to get help to rebuild after sustaining hurricane damage. Several churches had closed due to lack of support in recovery efforts. Billy said, “God stirred in my heart and I went down with Jim Mayes, a close friend who is a builder and mission philanthropist, and Frank Campana, a great friend who has a hard time saying no. He is a jack of all trades and a master of them all.” The group drew up plans and poured footers for a two-story structure. The top floor will be a seminary for training pastors to carry on the preaching of the Word and to pastor churches throughout the Caribbean, and the lower floor will be the church gathering space.
The name of the church being built is New Vision of the New Generation Church of Grace and is part of the Charis Fellowship. The group’s last trip concluded with a special threefold communion service that consecrated the church to the Lord and His mission. “It has been a pleasure working alongside Pastor Lamage and the members of this church,” Billy said. “Special thanks to Chuck Davis of Caribbean Vision Ministries for guidance in leading teams, support, and encouragement.”
Other churches who have partnered in the building project are Suntree Grace Church, The Ark, Melbourne Beach Chapel, Gulfview Grace Church, and Friendship Grace Church. Together they have taken several trip to continue the project, and the most recent trip in October 2024 they were able to run electric, install plumbing, and shingle the roof. Billy anticipates the project will be completed after their next trip. He said, “Lord willing, the task that was laid on our hearts at that focus retreat a year and a half ago has just about come to completion.”
