Streams of Power Church, 60 years spreading the news of the Gospel

by Luke R.V Browne

I would like to congratulate the Streams of Power Church on reaching its 60th anniversary. This is a magnificent milestone, and the Church celebrated it in fine style with a fitting spirit-filled service at the Victoria Park.

DUTCH MISSIONARIES from Holland – Karel Hoekendijk (affectionately called Father Karel); his wife Elizabeth Hoekendijk (Mother Bepth).

This venue was chosen because of the Church’s history which dates back to a series of nightly gospel meetings which were put on by a group of Dutch missionaries from Holland – Karel Hoekendijk (affectionately called Father Karel); his wife Elizabeth Hoekendijk (Mother Bepth); his son Franz Hoekendijk; and his daughter-in-law, Yvonne Hoekendijk (Franz’s wife).

The meetings ran for a period of about two weeks starting on 11th February, 1965. They filled a spiritual void in this country and uplifted the morale and morality of our nation. The atmosphere was punctuated with classic songs of salvation, praise, worship and revival such as “Jesus took my burden and rolled them in the sea; All the way to Calvary He went for me; I have decided to follow Jesus”.

The news of these meetings spread like wildfire throughout the country by way of what was a popular refrain – “there is meeting tonight, meeting tonight – meeting at Victoria Park.” Night after night people poured into Victoria Park from all over the country on buses, trucks and other vehicles, and many of them experienced miracles of spiritual and physical healing. The Gospel was on everybody’s lips. The Gospel was the gossip.
The meetings culminated with mass baptism at Indian Bay and the formation of the Streams of Power Church, which started in March, 1965, under the pastoral care of a Dutchman by the name of Hendrick “Henk” Huisman, who was affectionately known as Brother Henk. Brother Henk was recruited by Father Karel. The Church moved from the Peace Memorial Hall to the Sion Lodge at Sion Hill (currently the Sion Hill Anglican Church) in June, 1965 and then to Harlem Edge in Bottom Town before settling at its own place of worship at Sion Hill where it is still located on 22nd February 1970. The inaugural sermon at the Church was delivered by a Jew whose name was Samuel Doctoran.

By the time the Church moved to Sion Hill, it had already become an incorporated entity under the laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

After serving as Pastor of the Streams of Power Church for nine (9) years, Brother Henk returned to Holland in February, 1974. He was replaced by a young man on fire for God – Errol Daniel.

Pastor Daniel assumed the office of Superintendent or overseer at the Streams of Power Church on 8th February, 1974. He had been trained at the West Indies School of Theology in Trinidad and Tobago and had performed pastoral duties at the Hilltop Tabernacle for five (5) years from 1969 to 1974. Additionally, he had just started the “Joyful News” radio programme that was aired for the first time on 22nd January, 1972. This programme, aired on then Radio 705, has been on air for over 53 years and is perhaps the oldest local religious programme in St Vincent and the Grenadines today.

Pastor Daniel had the qualities, knowledge and skills that were required for spiritual leadership and church administration. He had a vision for the growth of the ministry. He preached many high-quality sermons and attended to the needs of Church members. Importantly, he won many souls for Christ and is making a sterling contribution to the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

The Streams of Power Church which started with a handful of faithful worshippers at one site, now has a congregation of thousands of members spread across several locations – Sion Hill, Sans Souci, Carriere and Bequia. The Church also has a property at Ratho Mill.

We must make the point that Pastor Daniel has been an outstanding Minister of the Gospel and pioneer in the field of religious broadcasting. I already told you that he started the “Joyful News” Programme way back in 1972. In 1983, he started the popular television programme “Direction.”

In 1998, he started Praise FM which is a 24-hour gospel radio station. These are tremendous achievements. In this age of the internet, the Church is being true to its name and faithful to the Great Commission in that it is streaming the power of the gospel to live audiences all over the world.

It has produced many distinguished men and women in our society.

As the salt of the earth, they help with the preservation of our society.

Happy Anniversary Streams of Power! To God be the glory.