The Five Porches of Deliverance Centre Apostolic Tabernacle Church?

The Bahamas is a country blessed with an incredible number of different churches. It seems as though there is a church, temple, cathedral or revival tent on almost every other corner. The names of many of these small churches have caught my eye since we arrived in the islands.

My experience as a Roman Catholic has led me to believe that most churches had rather simple names. Many Catholic churches were named after the Holy Family or the saints – St. Andrew, St. Bernard, St. Cecelia, St. Dominic and so on. Short and sweet, and clearly named.

The churches in the Bahamas have far more interesting names. I have seen the following:

Church of God of Prophecy
Cousin McPhee Cathedral
Final Hours Ministries
God’s Temple of Praise
Mt Pleasant Green Baptist Church International
Abundant Life Bible Church
Living Word Church of God
Living Water Church of God
Soul Winning Church of God in Christ
Breath of Life Unity Church
Walking Church of God Ministry
Free in Jesus Miracle Deliverance Temple
Oasis of Love Ministries ---and my personal favorite
Five Porches of Deliverance Centre Apostolic Tabernacle Church.

I find the church names very interesting, but I have a hard time really differentiating how they may differ. Because of the stiff competition to save souls, each name seems to be more of a marketing strategy than a clear explanation of the churches denomination or basic beliefs.

The Baptist Churches have tried to attract members by using the adjective “new” to name many of their churches. For example we have:

New Beginning Jubilee Baptist Church
New Destiny Baptist Church
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
New Covenant Baptist Church
New Free Community Holiness Baptist Church
New Testament Independent Baptist Church
New Lively Hope Baptist Church
New Wine Kingdom Ministries

It makes me thankful that I am not a new arrival to Nassau looking to find a suitable place of worship. I’d have a hard time choosing between a church that has wine, hope, green, cousin, winning or oasis of love built into its name.

I will just continue to go to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral where a Mass breaks out every Sunday, right in the middle of a high-spirited Gospel music concert!