Meet the Elders


Hensworth W. C. Jonas

PRESIDING ELDER

The Rev. Dr. Hensworth W. C. Jonas is Presiding Elder of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission—Circuit of Churches in Antigua & Barbuda. He has been serving as a full-time pastor in the Circuit since 1985, beginning with his leadership of the Central Baptist Church. In 1991, he founded and continues to serve as the Superintendent of the ECBM Baptist Schools. That same year he co-founded the Caribbean Baptist Heritage Conference, a regional conference on Reformed theology for clergy and laity.

He led the planting of the Tyrells Baptist Church, the Covenant Baptist Church, and the Immanuel Baptist Church on the island of Antigua. Dr. Jonas is the author of 'Dancing with Idolatry: Are you bowing to a false god?' (Xulon Press, 2009). He is a magna cum laude graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. His graduate studies were done at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master's International University, and Pensacola Theological Seminary. In 2011, the Governor-General of Antigua & Barbuda appointed him as a Grand Cross of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage (GCH), a national honour for his service in education administration. He and his wife, Vandah, have three adult children (Joshua, Stephanie and Nia). They also have two grandchildren (Charity and Elias).

Ivor  J.  Walker

ASSOCIATE ELDER

The Rev. Ivor J. Walker has served as an Associate Elder of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission—Circuit of Churches in Antigua & Barbuda since December 31, 1990. He is the resident pastor at the Tyrells Baptist Church, and an Administrative Assistant of the ECBM Baptist Schools.
 
He is a retired career military officer in the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force, completing his service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His service was commended with many honours including the Meritorious Service Medal and General Service Medal.

In 2013, the Governor-General of Antigua & Barbuda appointed him as a Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (CM), a national honour for his military service. He served as Chief Immigration Officer of Antigua & Barbuda from 2009-2015. He is a graduate of the Canadian Land Forces Staff College and did additional study at the National Defence University (USA). He has earned the Master of Public Administration degree from Roehampton University (UK). Pastor Walker and his wife, Janet, have one adult daughter, Ariadne.

Orvin D. E.  Paige

ASSOCIATE ELDER

The Rev. Orvin D. E. Paige has served as an Associate Elder of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission—Circuit of Churches in Antigua & Barbuda since November 4, 2001. He is the assistant resident pastor at the Central Baptist Church.

He is a trained meteorologist, having earned a B.Sc. (First Class Honours) with the University of the West Indies. He has been employed with the Government Meteorological Service at the V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua & Barbuda since 1993. He is a regular presenter of weather news on ABS Television. Pastor Paige is also a graduate (M.Min.) of Master's International University. He and his wife, Jo Ann, have three children: Michelle, Curtis and Zahra.

Joshua  M.  Jonas

ASSOCIATE ELDER

The Rev. Joshua M. Jonas is an Associate Elder of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission—Circuit of Churches in Antigua & Barbuda, serving in the Circuit since 2012. He is the resident pastor at the Covenant Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Antigua, and an Administrative Assistant of the ECBM Baptist Schools.

Pastor Joshua Jonas is a 2009 graduate (B.A.) of Pensacola Christian College and a 2012 graduate (M.T.S.) of Reformed Baptist Seminary. He and his wife, Chanda, were married on February 14, 2015. They have two children (Charity and Elias).

Rolando A. Lewis 

ASSOCIATE ELDER

The Rev. Rolando A. Lewis is an Associate Elder of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission-Circuit of churches in Antigua & Barbuda serving in the Circuit. He was ordained on September 4, 2016. He is the resident pastor at the Immanuel Baptist Church, Pares Village, St. Peter's, Antigua and an Administrative Assistant of the ECBM Baptist Schools.
 Pastor Rolando Lewis is a 2014 graduate (B.Sc.) of Midcontinent University and a 2016 graduate (M.T.S.) of Reformed Baptist Seminary. He and his wife, Stephanie, were married on December 15, 2016.