HISTORY OF THE MYSTICAL ORDER

BY: Archbishop Sir Dr. Godfrey Gregg

In 2010 Godfrey met Darrin on the social networking and became friends after a period of chatting.  They had several discussions concerning the Spiritual Baptist Faith of which they were members. Their discussion became more interesting as they spoke of the people they knew within the faith and even their relatives in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Darrin had left Brooklyn to live in Rochester upstate New York, while Godfrey was living in Brooklyn. Since no Baptist churches were in Rochester to continue his religious rites, Darrin became associated with the Pentecostal ministries. He began a prayer group Star Light of Israel at his home and felt comfortable doing the work of the Lord according to Spiritual Baptist rites. Godfrey continued to visit churches in Brooklyn and stay connected with the Faith, but remained independently to the Archdiocese and other church affiliations. Darrin was invited back to the fold and to join Godfrey with his prayer group in Brooklyn. They continued meeting on the phone and they joined in prayer and meetings on the phone. The interest began to grow and so they reached out to loved ones and others that have left the faith for many reasons to join fellowship with them. They discussed the merging of the groups in Rochester and Brooklyn and that went smoothly. They began meeting on the phone until they were able to get together to have formal meetings.  This went on for a period of time until they had their first election of officers to serve the group. They took the decision to register as a church with the State of New York. At that meeting Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson was elected Archbishop and Apostolic Head, Godfrey Gregg was elected Divine Secretary/Treasurer and appointed Bishop, while Patricia Hackshaw was appointed Abbess. The new group prayed and the name “MYSTICAL ORDER OF SPIRITUAL BAPTIST” was agreed upon; thus they were in a position to complete the paper work and be legally registered. The church needed three “trustees” and the aforementioned were given the mandate to hold the position for a two years period. To be renewed at the third annual meeting of the church. In February of 2012 the church was officially registered at 360 Adams House in the Borough of Brooklyn. This was after the document was sworn to before a Notary Public. Later same day Archbishop Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson and Bishop Godfrey Gregg were registered at City Hall as Licensed Marriage Officiant with the Great State of New York. Abbess Patricia Hackshaw was later licensed at City Hall as a Marriage Officiant. Thus the first chapter was closed and the church was on a mission to spread the message that Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. No time was wasted to set up the wheels in motion. The church held its first Ordination to elevate a member to the post of Deaconess. The service was conducted by the Archbishop with assistance from the clergy. The church continued to receive ministers and members into fellowship and the word began to spread. It was not an easy first year or second year. During 2012 many ministers were received into fellowship and the passing of the Rules and Bylaws of the church. The ministers’ manual was completed and is currently under review. The preparation of a song book has begun and within the next several months should be completed. An email project was launched and it is still going strong reaching some seventy persons and hopefully one hundred by the end of 2013. In May of 2012 Abbess Patricia Hackshaw was elevated to Queen Abbess while Bishop Godfrey Gregg was elevated to Senior Bishop and Administrator. In October 2012 then Archbishop Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson was elevated to Patriarch and Presiding Prelate with assistance of Dr. Waterman Full Gospel Tabernacle. Later same day the Patriarch delivered his first Patriarchal Statement and made several appointments to senior positions. The Patriarch relinquished his office of Archbishop and appointed his Senior Bishop Godfrey Gregg to fill the Office of Archbishop and Apostolic Head. That made room for other appointments. Bishop Antonio Providence was appointed the new Senior Bishop; while a new position was created and filled by Bishop Lewis Roberts as the Chief Bishop. The long awaited Office of Cardinal was later filled by Bishop Eric Alleyne. Consecration service followed in early 2013. The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist Inc. has several affiliate churches in England, St. Croix and Trinidad and Tobago. There are many more members in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Canada. Early in 2013 the Mystical Order was invited to the crowing service of the Mother in St. Croix and the Queen Abbess Dr. Patricia Hackshaw represented the Order. May I say here that St. Croix; St. Philemon Spiritual Baptist Church is an affiliate to the Mystical Order? At that service the Queen Abbess was instructed by the Archbishop and with the consent of the Patriarch to Consecrate and elevate the Mother Ursula Lawrence to an Abbess and to seat her in the church. It shows how important the roles of women are within this Noble Mystical Order. The church continues to grow and the Leadership is stronger and unshakeable. October this year the Patriarch will celebrate his first year in Office and it will be time to return and give God thanks. The Mystical Order is at present looking for space to fellowship and continues the work of the Lord reaching men and women and to bring them into the fold of Christ. A few weeks ago the Mystical Order launched its website www.mysticalorderinc.org. That ceremony was attended by Clergy, members and well-wishers. The website was officially declared operational by the Patriarch and Presiding Prelate Rt. Hon Sir Dr. Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson.  As the church grows the history will continue and God will get the honour and the glory.