Embedded Files
Past Pastors
Past Pastors
The Sandy Bay Baptist Church has been blessed with several pastors and leaders throughout its history.During periods without a pastor, including 2003–2008, various ministers and visiting missionaries helped provide preaching and Temporary pastoral leadership.
The Recorded pastoral leadership included:
Missionaries :
Missionaries :
Orvelle Bryant (1978–1981)
Vincentians
Vincentians
Pastor Juan Barker (1981–1983)
Pastor Martin Condice (1984–2002)
Pastor Simeon Edwards (1990–2000)
Pastor Walter Billengy (2001–2003)
Pastor Tommy Edwards (2008–2019).
Since 2019, Pastor Rawl Baptiste has served as pastor.
The Founding — 1978
The Founding — 1978
The seeds that grew into Sandy Bay Baptist Church were sown in 1978, when missionary Orvelle Bryant, desiring to reach the rural and Carib community of Sandy Bay, held a medical clinic in the area. Alongside the clinic, Bryant conducted a seven-week open-air evangelistic crusade at what is now known as the Old School grounds. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Angie and Amy. The crusade resulted in several conversions and created interest in establishing a church in Sandy Bay. Vincentians Vitorine DaSouza, Elias Davis, Hannah Jordan, and Noreen York worked alongside Bryant as plans were made to begin the church.
The seeds that grew into Sandy Bay Baptist Church were sown in 1978, when missionary Orvelle Bryant, desiring to reach the rural and Carib community of Sandy Bay, held a medical clinic in the area. Alongside the clinic, Bryant conducted a seven-week open-air evangelistic crusade at what is now known as the Old School grounds. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Angie and Amy. The crusade resulted in several conversions and created interest in establishing a church in Sandy Bay. Vincentians Vitorine DaSouza, Elias Davis, Hannah Jordan, and Noreen York worked alongside Bryant as plans were made to begin the church.
The First Church Meeting
The First Church Meeting
Permission to use a government-owned handicraft center was delayed, so the first official meeting of SBBC was held outdoors in September 1978. Ten new converts were baptized that day, bringing the church’s membership to fourteen, including the Bryant family.
Permission to use a government-owned handicraft center was delayed, so the first official meeting of SBBC was held outdoors in September 1978. Ten new converts were baptized that day, bringing the church’s membership to fourteen, including the Bryant family.
The First Church Building — 1979
The First Church Building — 1979
SBBC continued to grow and petitioned the government for permission to construct a church building. In 1979, the church was officially organized and constituted, and construction of the first building began. Materials were funded through a loan from the Windward Islands Baptist Mission of the Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board, while local volunteers and Vincentian Baptists helped with the construction. Volunteers also came from elsewhere, including a team from Antioch, Tennessee, led by Vincentian Stratford “Sailor” Hoyte.
SBBC continued to grow and petitioned the government for permission to construct a church building. In 1979, the church was officially organized and constituted, and construction of the first building began. Materials were funded through a loan from the Windward Islands Baptist Mission of the Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board, while local volunteers and Vincentian Baptists helped with the construction. Volunteers also came from elsewhere, including a team from Antioch, Tennessee, led by Vincentian Stratford “Sailor” Hoyte.
La Soufrière Eruption — 1979
La Soufrière Eruption — 1979
On Good Friday, April 13, 1979, La Soufrière volcano erupted. Although there were no deaths or injuries in Sandy Bay, many residents were evacuated to camps near Stubbs. During the three- to four-month evacuation, missionaries and Vincentian Baptists ministered to those in the camps and continued evangelistic work. This resulted in more conversions and increased SBBC’s membership. When residents returned to Sandy Bay, the church realized that its growing membership required a larger building, so additional foundation work was begun.
On Good Friday, April 13, 1979, La Soufrière volcano erupted. Although there were no deaths or injuries in Sandy Bay, many residents were evacuated to camps near Stubbs. During the three- to four-month evacuation, missionaries and Vincentian Baptists ministered to those in the camps and continued evangelistic work. This resulted in more conversions and increased SBBC’s membership. When residents returned to Sandy Bay, the church realized that its growing membership required a larger building, so additional foundation work was begun.
Hurricane David — 1979
Hurricane David — 1979
In late August 1979, Hurricane David severely damaged the area and destroyed the new church building. Despite this setback, SBBC remained determined to rebuild. The church purchased another property farther inland, near the original location and along the Windward Highway, where construction could begin again.
In late August 1979, Hurricane David severely damaged the area and destroyed the new church building. Despite this setback, SBBC remained determined to rebuild. The church purchased another property farther inland, near the original location and along the Windward Highway, where construction could begin again.
Rebuilding and Growth
Rebuilding and Growth
While the church was being rebuilt, SBBC met in the home of Elsworth Delves. The church continued its ministry and growth during this period. By January 1991, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Baptist Convention reported that the Sandy Bay and Overland church buildings were expected to be completed.
While the church was being rebuilt, SBBC met in the home of Elsworth Delves. The church continued its ministry and growth during this period. By January 1991, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Baptist Convention reported that the Sandy Bay and Overland church buildings were expected to be completed.
Pastoral Leadership
Pastoral Leadership
Missionary Orvelle Bryant left Sandy Bay in 1981 to focus on ministry elsewhere in St. Vincent. Pastor Juan Barker became the first Vincentian pastor of SBBC and served from 1981 to 1983. He was followed by Pastor Martin Condice, who served from 1984 to 2002 while also working on Mustique. Pastor Simeon Edwards provided additional pastoral leadership from 1990 to 2000, followed by Pastor Walter Billengy, who served beginning in 2001 until his death in June 2003. After Pastor Billengy’s death, the church went without a pastor from 2003 to 2008, relying on visiting ministers and missionaries. In 2008, SBBC called Pastor Tommy Edwards, who served until 2019. Pastor Rawl Baptiste became pastor in 2019 and continues to serve today.
Missionary Orvelle Bryant left Sandy Bay in 1981 to focus on ministry elsewhere in St. Vincent. Pastor Juan Barker became the first Vincentian pastor of SBBC and served from 1981 to 1983. He was followed by Pastor Martin Condice, who served from 1984 to 2002 while also working on Mustique. Pastor Simeon Edwards provided additional pastoral leadership from 1990 to 2000, followed by Pastor Walter Billengy, who served beginning in 2001 until his death in June 2003. After Pastor Billengy’s death, the church went without a pastor from 2003 to 2008, relying on visiting ministers and missionaries. In 2008, SBBC called Pastor Tommy Edwards, who served until 2019. Pastor Rawl Baptiste became pastor in 2019 and continues to serve today.
Community Ministry
Community Ministry
From its beginning, SBBC has focused on meeting the needs of the Sandy Bay community. The church has been involved in evangelism, medical and dental clinics, food assistance, youth ministry, Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry, and assistance with medical expenses. Missionary Susan Bryant also helped establish a community health program and trained local women. The church has continued this tradition by distributing food baskets to families in need and supporting community members facing medical expenses.
From its beginning, SBBC has focused on meeting the needs of the Sandy Bay community. The church has been involved in evangelism, medical and dental clinics, food assistance, youth ministry, Vacation Bible School, children’s ministry, and assistance with medical expenses. Missionary Susan Bryant also helped establish a community health program and trained local women. The church has continued this tradition by distributing food baskets to families in need and supporting community members facing medical expenses.
Water Project
Water Project
One of SBBC’s earliest community projects was providing access to water. Missionary Bryant led a project to construct a water pipe from Sandy Bay to Overland, beginning in 1980 and completing in 1981. Much of the funding came from Southern Baptist churches in the United States, while volunteers provided the labour. When the water supply became operational, hundreds of people gathered in Overland with buckets to collect water.
One of SBBC’s earliest community projects was providing access to water. Missionary Bryant led a project to construct a water pipe from Sandy Bay to Overland, beginning in 1980 and completing in 1981. Much of the funding came from Southern Baptist churches in the United States, while volunteers provided the labour. When the water supply became operational, hundreds of people gathered in Overland with buckets to collect water.
Evangelism and Outreach
Evangelism and Outreach
Evangelism has remained a central part of SBBC’s ministry since its founding. The church has conducted evangelism training, participated in island-wide crusades, and regularly reached out to the surrounding community. Members also participate in door-to-door outreach, sharing the Gospel while looking for opportunities to assist people with practical needs.
Evangelism has remained a central part of SBBC’s ministry since its founding. The church has conducted evangelism training, participated in island-wide crusades, and regularly reached out to the surrounding community. Members also participate in door-to-door outreach, sharing the Gospel while looking for opportunities to assist people with practical needs.
SBBC Today
SBBC Today
Sandy Bay Baptist Church continues its tradition of faith, evangelism, discipleship, and community service. Despite facing challenges such as a volcanic eruption, evacuation, a hurricane, the loss of its first building, and periods without a pastor, the church has continued to grow and serve the people of Sandy Bay. As of 2010, the church’s active membership was approximately 100, and its ministry continues under the leadership of Pastor Rawl Baptiste.
Sandy Bay Baptist Church continues its tradition of faith, evangelism, discipleship, and community service. Despite facing challenges such as a volcanic eruption, evacuation, a hurricane, the loss of its first building, and periods without a pastor, the church has continued to grow and serve the people of Sandy Bay. As of 2010, the church’s active membership was approximately 100, and its ministry continues under the leadership of Pastor Rawl Baptiste.
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