Rev. David Barrow

Inspiration Award Rev. Dr. David Barrow

A Bridge to Our Legacy

Just before the onset of Covid19, there was a movement of the largest group of Panamanians to Barbados, the vast majority for the first time seeing the country with which they felt some affinity – in fact, have some lineage.

And for the first time in 100 years, through the gathering, there was reunification of the Christian Mission of Panama Inc. with the Christian Mission Church in Barbados.

Most of the work for that historic occasion was undertaken by Rev. Dr. David M. Barrow, Senior Pastor, Mt. Zion Tabernacle Christian Mission of Panama, Inc., in Brooklyn, New York. While the focus was religious, the cementing of ties between the more than 300 delegates from churches in the United States, Panama, Cuba and Colombia with Barbadians, and the exposure to aspects of Barbados, were huge steps in meshing and reinvigorating the shared heritage of Panamanians and Barbadians. Similarly, while Rev. Barrow is devoted to his Ministry, through it, whether in his church or on the streets of New York, he finds ways to highlight his grounding in Barbados and its intersection with Panama while inspiring worship and togetherness. Born in Bowmanston, St. John, Barbados, he attended Sunday School with his grandmother at the New Testament Church of God and committed himself to the ministry at 14.

During those early years, he became active in the church as a Sunday School teacher, Young People Leader and District Youth President. He completed several Bible Courses, and at 18 enrolled in the New Testament Church of God Bible College in Barbados where he earned a certificate in Biblical Studies and a Diploma in Theology. Upon graduating, Rev. Barrow was ordained a Minister and installed as the Pastor of New Testament Church of God, in the district where he grew up. He managed the somewhat difficult task of pastoring the church where he lived as a young man before emigrating to the United States to join his fiancée Yvette Grant, who was and still is a member of Mt. Zion Tabernacle C.M.O.P. Within a year, they were married; the couple has a son, Chad David.

Rev. Barrow became a member of Mt. Zion Tabernacle C.M.O.P., Inc. and has served in numerous capacities: Associate Minister, Sunday School Teacher, Men’s Fellowship President, Trustees’ President, Assistant Pastor, Interim Pastor, Member of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Executive Board, District Superintendent, and now as Senior Pastor and Assistant to the General Superintendent of the Christian Mission of Panama.

He has carried the word to San Andres Colombia, Panama, and Barbados. Many lives have been changed and many won to the Lord. In January of 2006, he graduated as a member of the United Chaplin International and in September of 2010 received the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from the International Theological Seminary of California.

Whether behind the pulpit or on the street corner during the summer months, Rev. Dr. David M. Barrow has held fast to his promise to God to serve him wherever. His work in exposing shared Barbadian and Panamanian links is equally motivating.