New Testament Church of God in Jamaica welcomes UK associate to ‘spiritual homeland’ for centennial celebrations
In what is being described as “a powerful and deeply symbolic moment of reunion”, the National Executive Council of the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) in England and Wales is visiting Jamaica to join in the centennial celebrations marking 100 years of the New Testament Church of God, Jamaica.
Officially established in 1925, the New Testament Church in Jamaica is commemorating its 100th years in 2025. From obscurity and through struggles, the New Testament Church of God has grown into becoming the second largest and most dynamic denomination in Jamaica, the organisation said in a press release.
Led by Administrative Bishop Claion Grandison, the delegation’s visit – from May 12 to May 19 –represents not only a gesture of honour and thanksgiving, but a return to the spiritual homeland from which the NTCOG in the UK first emerged, the release stated, adding that the centennial milestone offers a sacred opportunity to reflect on the remarkable Jamaican-British legacy that has shaped the identity and mission of the Church across the Atlantic.
“The story of the New Testament Church of God in England and Wales cannot be told without Jamaica,” said Bishop Grandison. “The men and women who journeyed from this island brought with them more than luggage – they carried a vibrant Pentecostal faith, a love for God, and a vision that would birth a movement in the UK.”
National Executive Council members of the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) in England and Wales present £2,500 to Cedar Grove Academy in Jamaica.
Founded in 1953 by Jamaican pioneers like Dr Oliver A Lyseight and others, the New Testament Church of God in the UK began as small fellowships, often in homes and rented halls, the release stated.
Their aim, it added, was to preserve their spiritual identity in a foreign land, where they were generally met with racism and rejection and were forced to forge their own spiritual path. Over the decades, those humble beginnings evolved into a thriving network of over 15,000 members and 40,000 adherents across England and Wales.
This official visit is touted as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of the unbreakable bond between Jamaica and the United Kingdom – a relationship born in faith, sustained through resilience, and propelled by a shared vision for the future of God’s Kingdom.
The Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica, Bishop Dr Roy Notice, remarked that, “the visit of the delegation from the New Testament Church of God, England and Wales is historic and has deep spiritual significance. It is a powerful statement of kinship and put into perspective our shared past, present and future. It is a statement of our shared commitment to Kingdom-building and to partner towards the transformation of people, families and their communities.”
During their time in Jamaica, the New Testament Church of God in England and Wales’ leadership will participate in services, strategic meetings, and collaborative gatherings with their Jamaican counterparts. This includes a joint summit of the Jamaican and UK leaders on May 14, 2025, at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay, St. Ann. The team will also support community projects which align with the vision of the church. These include the Yadel Girls Home in Old Harbour, the Cedar Grove Academy in Portmore and the Claremount New Testament Church of God in Hanover.
The visit underscores a commitment to strengthening ties, exchanging vision, and continuing the legacy of relevant and relational ministry together. As the New Testament Church of God, Jamaica marks a century of Spirit-led impact, the New Testament Church of God, England and Wales said it stands in full celebration, declaring in unity: “Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” – Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)