Grenada
Christopher
Columbus sailed past Grenada in 1498. At this time the island was already
inhabited by the Carib Indians. For a century and a
half, the Caribs repulsed all attempts at European settlement. That
is
until the French launched from near by Martinique and gained a
foothold on the island. Things immediately took a turn for the worse
as the
Carib people were ostentationably forced further and further off
their island. The last of the Caribs fought several losing battles,
and ultimately chose to jump to their death off a precipice in
the north of the island. The French named the spot “Le Morne
de Sauteurs,” or “Leapers’ Hill.”
Under the Treaty
of Versailles in 1783, the island was permanently ceded to the
British. The British in typical fashion for the times immediately
imported large numbers of slaves from Africa. With these slaves, they
began numerous sugar plantations. Slavery was abolished in 1834.
In
1974 Grenada won its independence from Great Britain. The island’s
French heritage (both colonial and revolutionary) are still evident
in names, its architecture, and the strong presence of Catholicism.
A
short time later a socialist/communist state was trying to emerge in
Grenada. At the request of the Governor General, the United States,
Jamaica,
and the Eastern Caribbean States intervened militarily. This is
the famous “rescue
mission.” These forces restored order quickly. In December
of 1984 a general election re-established democratic government.
The Church of
the Nazarene
Grenada is the third island in the Windward Island district. The Church of
the Nazarene was officially registered on the island in May of 1977. This
is largely due to the diligent work of Robert Ashley (missionary) and Mrs.
Nelcina Sandy (Grenadian) and their families.
The fist services
were held in a three-bedroom home in Fontenoy. Seventy people showed up
for the very first Wednesday night service. The first
three converts were saved by the first Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Sandy
moved into the
home and began to pastor the growing congregation. In 1979 the church was
officially organized. In 1980 several CNTC (Caribbean Nazarene Theological
College) students came to begin the work in the town of Munich.
In October
1983, a surprise invasion by the U.S. and other forces helped keep Granada
from a Communist takeover. Because of this, the work of the
church was never seriously interrupted. The Church of the Nazarene is
continuing its ministry on the island.
Sources:
Parker, J. Fred. Mission to the World: A History of Missions in the
Church of the Nazarene through 1985. Nazarene Publishing House,
Kansas City,
MO, 1988.
http://www.interknowledge.com/