My first service at The Church of God - A series of articles on the Bay Islands religions

As many of you know, I’ve been visiting different churches around the island to learn more about our religious traditions, especially the Protestant ones that have shaped so much of our culture. This is the first of several articles I’ll be writing about the Church of God, starting with my experience in Coxen Hole.

Before attending, I met with Kimberly Raymond, who grew up in the Church of God in French Harbour and later, when she married someone from the western side, transferred to the one in Coxen Hole. She gave me an honest look at what life in the church is like, their discipline, their traditions, and especially their emphasis on modesty. Once baptized, or "saved" as they call it, women wear their hair in a bun. They don’t wear makeup, jewelry, or dye their hair. They don’t straighten it, pluck their eyebrows, among other things. Instead, they teach that God made you perfect in His image, so why change that? It’s not about a rigid checklist of rules, it’s about learning to love yourself the way you are. Kimberly is a perfect example. She’s one of the most content people I’ve met, and I started to see how this philosophy shapes that peace.

She invited me to attend a service, and I wanted to be as respectful as possible. I wore black stockings, a long modest dress (a recent gift from Miss Penny Elwin that thankfully I had around), and I tied my hair up in a bun. The Sunday school and the later service was scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but this Sunday it ran until 1:30, four hours in total.

At first, I felt a little uncomfortable without makeup on, my dark circles and freckles were visible, that which I usually hide. But as I looked around, I saw how happy and content the women were. They weren’t missing anything. Everyone was dressed modestly, yet uniquely themselves. Many women wore handmade outfits, matching skirts and blouses sewn by local seamstresses. Some wore flats, some heels, but all were modest and respectful in their attire. Without makeup or jewelry, there was no sense of vanity. It felt freeing, as though nothing distracted from the purpose of being there. I soon realized how liberating it was to be in a space where worth wasn’t measured by appearances.

I've been to churches before where I've noticed people compare watches, jewels, their new outfits; I never found anything wrong with it until I came here and I realize the Bible does teach against vanity. It may sound like I've been swallowed by ancient practices, and while God doesn't love us any less for it, it's clear that those who attend the Church of God try to abide by the Bible as much as possible.

When I walked in, the first thing I noticed wasn’t what I saw but what I smelled. The old wood carried a scent that felt historic, like stepping back into the 1900s. The church was clean, simple, and very organized. On the walls were Bible verses such as: “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth”, “The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer”, and “Behold, I make all things new”.

Discipline is woven into everything. The service began exactly at 9:32 with hymn #757. A bell was rung when the congregation needed to quiet down. Psalms 46 was read responsively: one line by the director, the next by the congregation, and the final verse recited together. There’s also a memory verse each week, this time Hebrews 13:4 on marriage as a sacred ordinance. Everyone is expected to recite it, and those who can’t must stand against the wall until Sunday school ends; there wasn't much but about 30 minutes left to end Sunday school. I saw two young girls have to do this, and it was clear the lesson wasn’t about punishment but about responsibility.

Attendance is called one by one by the Church secretary, with members answering present, absent, or sick. If you arrive late, you stand and explain why. On the right-hand wall hangs a large chart that tracks enrollment, attendance, and offerings. That week’s numbers were:

Enrollment: 224

Last Sunday: 215 present, $297 offering

This Sunday: 188 present, $244 offering

Even in worship, discipline shows, but it doesn’t diminish passion. I happened to sit in front of a woman whose singing could rival Aretha Franklin. With her little boy on her hip, she belted out New Jerusalem (hymn #22) and The Reformation Glory (hymn #10) with such force and soul that I could feel it in my chest. She wasn’t a soloist, just a regular church member. But that’s what made it so moving. Everyone sang with the same intensity.

And finally, one detail that might seem small but says everything about this church: the bathrooms. When I arrived early, Kimberly gave me a quick tour, the bathrooms were spotless. After four hours and many women going in and out, I needed to go as well. They looked untouched, as if no one had been in them at all. That kind of care and order summed up the entire experience: respect, discipline, and love for their space and community.

There are many misconceptions about the Church of God, but what I found was far from the harsh stereotypes I had heard. Instead, I experienced joy, self-respect, and one of the most disciplined environments I’ve ever seen. This was only the beginning, I’ll be sharing more about what I learned during the service.

PS. It's been almost four days since this Sunday and I can still hear that sister sing in my mind.

Thank you, Kimberly.