A decade of fellowship and service to community
VISIONAIRES APOSTOLIC will be celebrating 10 years of existence serving God, family and the community of Montego Bay in St James.
The church, located at Lot 8 Vernon’s Drive in the Second City, was born from founding president, Bishop Dr. Robert O. Coates, through a vision from the Lord where the religious institution has grown from a six-person committee on April 14, 2008, to well over a 150 membership presently.
“Regular Monday meetings were held on the verandah of Bishop Coates’ home but due to the growth, it was moved downstairs to his garage,” said Andrene Clarke-Coates, the bishop’s wife.
By organising weekly bible study and prayer in conjunction with worship services and a back-to-school treat that attracted over 120 children, the Visionaires Apostolic in its early days was able to pull a huge turnout of souls who were so hungry for the Word of God.
“We opened our home for divine Sunday and Sunday-night services and Bible study and prayer meetings, which were held on Monday nights. He would make regular
trips to pick up and take home persons who were not living in proximity. Even until this day, the car has proven faithful, as it continues to ensure that the women and children are transported home safely after service” ClarkeCoates explained.
Regular attendance grew to over 70 members on some Sundays, with persons receiving the blessing and healings of the Holy Ghost.
Over the decade, Visionaires Apostolic spearheaded several projects such as a family and friends fun day in St Ann, in addition to other missions in Mayfield Falls, Apple Valley Park, Tropical Escape and more.
LAYING ROOTS
It was time for Visionaires Apostolic to find a foundation to lay its roots and so Bishop Coates led a ministry at Lot 8 Vernon’s Drive for a dynamic prayer meeting. He hoped to acquire the property and after continued lobbying to the owners, the property was purchased for the erection of the House of God.
“On January 20, 2012, the doors were opened to a section of the first phase of the building by The Honourable Custos Rotulorum Ewen George Corrodus, CD, and Mrs Sheila Lewis. Since then, we have been experiencing a rapid growth as so many hungry and wounded souls have come to experience new life in Jesus Christ,” outlined ClarkeCoates.
The church hosted its first convention and ordination in 2013, now held annually, and we followed up on this with another major event, the Women’s Convention in 2014.
Fast-forward to the present day, the church currently has the active Youth, Sunday School, Usher, Praise and Worship Team, and Ladies Auxiliary Departments. The ministerial body consists of the bishop; his wife; Elder Benjamin and Mother Martha Coates, parents of the bishop;
Obedient to the calling of God on his life, Bishop Dr Robert O. Coates resigned from his secular job and decided to focus on the vision. There were days when he suffered bruises and severe pains after falling from the top of the building while working effortlessly to complete the sanctuary. Many laughed at him, rejected him, but he was determined to complete the task that God assigned him to do. The Sanctuary is now completed with the official dedication date - April 16, 2018.
deacons; evangelists; and missionaries. There is also a Care Team who ensures that food, clothing and toiletries are distributed on a consistent basis to needy persons.
“The church has been experiencing great revival and rapid numeric growth, especially since 2017. Numerous persons have been baptised in the name of Jesus, most of whom have also received the gift of the Holy Ghost. There are some Sundays that we have seen the manifestation of the Holy Ghost moving like a magnet in our midst. At times during praise and worship, God steps into our midst and changes the order of service so that we have to go according the leading of the Holy Spirit. Oh, what rejoicing when we get into His presence. This is holy ground where we are sure that there are angels all around,” Clarke-Coates explained.
FOCUSING ON VISION
“Obedient to the calling of God on his life, Bishop Dr Robert O. Coates resigned from his secular job and decided to focus on the vision. There were days when he suffered bruises and severe pains after falling from the top of the building while working effortlessly to complete the sanctuary. Many laughed at him, rejected him, but he was determined to complete the task that God assigned him to do. The sanctuary is now completed with the official dedication date set for April 16, 2018. This marks history in the Apostolic arena! Visionaires Apostolic has come this far by faith, and we will continue to grow from strength to strength with God as our guide,” she added.
The aim of Visionaires Apostolic is to spread the gospel of Jesus to the world at large while maintaining holiness standards and godly principles. The church’s motto is ‘To be witnesses of Him (God) in all the world’, thus reaching the lost and dying.