Central Baptist Church

Presiding Elder

Dr. Hensworth W.C. Jonas has served since 1985 in Antigua & Barbuda as a pastor, an educator, a counselor, a church planter and in television and radio ministries with the East Caribbean Baptist Mission. He completed his undergraduate studies, magna cum laude, at Oklahoma Baptist University. His graduate studies were done with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Pensacola Theological Seminary, Master’s International School of Divinity and Walden University. He is the author of “Dancing with Idolatry: Are you bowing to a false god?” (Xulon Press, 2009). He and his wife, Vandah, have two children, Joshua and Stephanie.

Purpose

The Central Baptist Church exists for the purpose of glorifying our God with specific reference to the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The Great Commandment challenges us to love God and our fellowman. The Great Commission challenges us to evangelism, bringing people into right relationship with the Son of God; to covenant community, bringing people into a right relationship with the church of God; and to discipleship, bringing people into a right relationship with the Word of God.

Eldership and Affiliation

The Central Baptist Church shares a common Eldership with the Baptist Circuit of Churches of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission, of which it is a member congregation. The elders are Pastor Dr. Hensworth W.C. Jonas (Presiding), Pastor Ivor J. Walker, and Pastor Orvin D.E. Paige. The Central Baptist Church is historically Southern Baptist in faith and practice.

History

Central Baptist Church has ministered in Antigua & Barbuda since 1965. The church was led by six non-nationals, each serving for short periods for the first 20 years of its life. The founding minister was Pastor Cleo D. Morse of Texas, USA, an independently supported missionary of Southern Baptist roots. Since December 31, 1985 Dr. Hensworth W.C. Jonas has served as Pastor/Presiding Elder, the first Antiguan born national to serve in this role.

As the oldest surviving Baptist church on the island of Antigua, the church has given birth to the East Caribbean Baptist Mission, planted other churches and conducted a variety of ministries, including the Baptist Academy of Antigua, the Sovereign Grace Hour television and radio ministry, the Baptist Retreat Centre, and the Family Training Institute & Counseling Service.

Location

Turn off Independence Drive at the Antigua Plumbing & Hardware Center and drive through Ottos Newtown to Radio Range. It is a part of complex of pink buildings shared with the Baptist Academy on the hill overlooking the St. John’s habour.

Contact Information

• Telephone: 268-462-2894 (Church Office)
• 268-462-6029 (Fax)
• Mailing Address:
• P.O. Box 2678, St. John’s,
Antigua & Barbuda
• E-Mail: central@baptistantigua.org