Our History
AGA History (1920 – 2020)
100th Anniversary
100 Years & Still Shining
Charles Wesley Long said these words before he died in October 1920: “A light has been lit that will never go out.” He was referring to the start of a movement of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; a group which would carry and shine the light of the Gospel before the world.
First known as the Rehoboth Mission when just a single plant, the group registered in 1959 as the Associated Gospel Assemblies. One hundred years from start, this indigenous Jamaican church denomination consists of thirty-six fellowships: twenty-nine in Jamaica, five in the United States, and two in the United Kingdom. Four fairly distinct periods can be identified in the 100- year existence of the AGA.
1920-1946
The FORMATION PERIOD
The FORMATION PERIOD in its earliest years was marked by uncertainty as the group had to move from El-Bethel where they first met. For a while, they had no abiding home, relocating several times over a short period. After settling down as a meeting and having glorious days of growth and togetherness, the group endured an early split when assistant pastor Frank Bent sensed a call to launch out elsewhere, and left Stanley Harris and just a handful of faithful's to the mother church, Rehoboth. The movement survived by fervent and faithful trust in God, holding on to the words spoken by that father of the emerging house of faith: “. . . never go out.”
1946 - 1980
The EXPANSION PERIOD
The EXPANSION PERIOD began with the ordination of five men: Phillip Christie, Louis Johnson, Albert Karram, Lancelot Smart, Henry White, and the migration of Stanley Harris who had pastored the work from 1925. This period was marked by unparalleled evangelistic, church-planting, and missionary endeavours sustained at a remarkable level, and joined in by Curtis Cole. The light of the Gospel was shining brightly, and twenty-eight churches were added.
1973 - 1993
The TRANSITION PERIOD
The TRANSITION PERIOD overlaps the previous period, and by contrast was marked by a dramatic slowdown in church planting and growth. This led to frequent appeals to leadership for change, and to God for renewal. From pulpit to pew, from local church to denominational Council, there was a sense that the light was growing dim.
1994 - 2020
The TRANSFORMATION PERIOD
The TRANSFORMATION PERIOD is the block of time known most for highest resources, expectation and hope for renewal. It is the period with most tertiary Bible trained pastors, denominationally trained elders, and vocationally competent professionals as church leaders. Administrative matters of communication and coordination have advanced, autonomy controversies have yielded to denominational oversight, and significant doctrinal dilemmas have been harmonized. Dr. the Rev Peter Garth and Dr. the Rev Carton Dennis have been consistent torch-bearers during this immediate closing period, delivering the top-leadership post to Rev. Anthony White who now has the charge of carrying the flame of that first light, lit one hundred years ago but still “ . . . NOT OUT!”
AGA Church Chronology
AGA 2020 CHURCHES STARTED CHRONOLOGY
Church Name and Date started
Church Name | Year |
|---|---|
Rehoboth Gospel Assembly | 1920 |
Bethel Gospel Assembly | 1943 |
Spring VillageGospel Assembly | 1944 |
Grace Gospel Assembly (Richmond) | 1947 |
Carmel Gospel Assembly (Walderston) | 1948 |
Hebron Gospel Assembly (Port Cottage) | 1948 |
Galilee Gospel Assembly (Rocky Point) | 1949 |
Elim Gospel Assembly (Midway Town) | 1952 |
Nazareth Gospel Assembly (Kemps Hill) | 1953 |
Roundwood Gospel Assembly (UK) | 1954 |
Olivet Gospel Assembly (Rock) | 1956 |
Calvary Gospel Assembly | 1957 |
Bethesda Gospel Assembly (Salt River) | 1957 |
Marlborough Gospel Assembly | 1958 |
Hope Gospel Assembly | 1959 |
Spalding Gospel Assembly | 1960 |
Gospel Tabernacle at Brixton (UK) | 1960 |
Emmanuel Gospel Assembly | 1964 |
Church Name | Year |
|---|---|
Duhaney Park Gospel Assembly | 1964 |
Denbigh Gospel Assembly | 1965 |
Light of Life Gospel Assembly | 1965 |
Sharon Gospel Assembly (Contrivance) | 1965 |
Lloyds Gospel Assembly | 1965 |
Lyndhurst Gospel Assembly | 1965 |
Olivet Gospel Church (USA) | 1969 |
Treadways Gospel Assembly | 1970 |
Glory Gospel Church (USA) | 1972 |
Arlene Gardens Gospel Assembly | 1975 |
Portmore Gospel Assembly | 1978 |
Faith Gospel Assembly Baptist (USA) | 1979 |
Exchange Gospel Assembly | 1978 |
Lilyfield Gospel Assembly | 1993 |
South Florida Gospel Church (USA) | 1996 |
Melrose Gospel Assembly | 2001 |
Messiah Gospel Assembly | 2006 |
Grace Christian Fellowship (USA) | 2019 |
AGA USA
In the summer of 1983, Pastor Henry White met with leaders of the USA-based churches of the Associated Gospel Assemblies. He encouraged them to come together and organize in an association. Attendees included: Pastor Lloyd Bewry and Elder Lennox Mangaroo representing Olivet Gospel Assembly; Pastor Seymour Mills and Elder Hurphy Davidson representing Glory Gospel Assembly; Pastor Basil Chen, Deacons Elue Palmer and Denzil Vaughn representing Faith Gospel Assembly Baptist Church; and Pastor Neville Johnson representing Shiloh Tabernacle. Pastor White’s encouragement was heeded and the process towards AGA-USA began.
Of first importance, a committee was designed and set up to be comprised of the pastor and two (2) other representatives from each church. Pastor Bewry was elected as chairman, Elder Mangaroo as treasurer and Pastor Chen as secretary of the committee. Of significance also, the team established a “policies and procedures” document. (Vaughn, Denzil. History of AGA-USA 1980-2020)
Follow up meetings in 2000, 2008, and 2015 were convened with the USA leaders and teams from Head Office in Jamaica, to learn the progress in the process. During this latter period, the committee assisted with the establishment of South Florida Gospel Church.
One major question which was tackled was that of incorporation of the individual churches. Olivet being the oldest church had the influence of seniority; so that while there were various views, the by-laws of Olivet became an initial point of reference for each individual church. (See Appendix )
An important decision made was that “We would maintain the legal names of our churches as ‘Gospel Assemblies’ and use public names as “Gospel Churches” for clarity and recognition by the public.” (Vaughn, Denzil. History of AGA-USA 1980-2020)
Meetings composed exclusively of US leaders took place intermittently moving the process slowly forward. The last meeting between the Executive leadership of the AGA and the Standing Committee of the AGA-USA churches took place on Saturday, May 27, 2019. Representatives in attendance were:
- Pastor Denzil Vaughn – Pastor, Faith Gospel Church
- Pastor Damion Barrett – Pastor, Glory Gospel Church
- Rev. Russell McCloud – Pastor, Olivet Gospel Church
- Fredrick Butler – Olivet Gospel Church (Youth Pastor)
- Pastor Ansel Aiken – Pastor, South Florida Gospel Church
- Rev. Anthony White – President, AGA
- Rev. Peter Garth – 1st VP, AGA
- Rev. Carlton Dennis – 2nd VP, AGA
- Elder David Hall – Public Relations Director, AGA
The process goes on, marching steadily under the leadership of Chairman Denzil Vaughn, ably assisted by Pastor Damion Barrett. The AGA-USA process continues as the churches persevere and are being preserved by Almighty God despite challenges and adversities.