The Story of Baptist in the Bahamas: An Historical Survey

The story of Baptists worldwide is not so well known and if known is still often times confusing. Here is an attempt by a son of the Bahamas of the Baptist persuasion to bring information and stabilization to a confusing situation. In this work Bishop Josey takes us back to a time when to be Baptist was taboo and could cost your life or at the least cause your imprisonment. Then there is the question of its genesis. Where did Baptist come from generally and who were its originators? When it comes to the Bahamas did Baptist come from America or England? Is it possible to determine this; If so who were the players? Readers will come to learn some constants of Baptist over the years very much in play today. There is a very real challenge for the modern historian. As a people we have not kept records therefore the information has to be garnered from persons who purport to know. This is good until it is put to the test of others of the times who have their own memories of how it really transpired. With the varying groupings all under the banner of Baptist in the Bahamas it is hoped that this is foundational launch pad for the future.  Bishop Arnold Josey was born in New Providence in the Bahamas on June 19th 1954. As a protégé of the late Rev. Dr. R.E. Cooper Sr. he not only learned church, he learned the Baptist Church. Josey would do his schooling in the Bahamas interestingly his high School education would come from a local Catholic High School the St. Augustine's College. He would continue his schooling at The Bahamas Baptist Bible Institute, the FBI Caribbean Police School, Louisiana Baptist College and the New Life School of Theology.