Childhoodand Early Life in Portland, Acklins (1933-42)
RoydenIsaac Hanna was born to Isaac and Kathleen Hanna on August 21, 1933, on AcklinsIsland, in the Bahamas. He was the fifth of ten children, and his mother’sdesire was that he become an Anglican Priest. After a miscarriage, she prayedearnestly that God would give her another son and promised to give him to theLord. Roy was christened in Saint Aidens Anglican Church. One of his Godfatherswas his uncle, the Catechist, and the other was the Priest.
The first nine years of Roy’s lifewere much protected because his father and mother lived in Portland, sevenmiles from Pompey Bay. Most of the time, his immediate family was the totalityof his little world. Occasionally there were guests from another settlement;and sometimes on weekends, Christmas, and Easter, they would attend Church inPompey Bay.
The family didn’t work the farm onSunday. By Saturday, wood and water were in place, and washing, cleaning,mending, and ironing were all done. By ten O’clock on Sunday, they all weregathered in clean clothes for Sunday School (led by his mother) and the worshipservice (led by his father) according to the Anglican Catechism and Book ofCommon Prayers.
EarlyEducation (Binacle Hill, Pompey Bay) and
TeacherTraining (Nassau) (1942-1954)
When Roy began school at age nine,he lived with family friends, lovingly called Aunt Julie and Uncle Ben. Theylived in Binnacle Hill, fourteen miles from Portland. As a result, Roy wenthome only on holidays; and he attended the Methodist Church with his lovingcaregivers.
When Roy was eleven years old, someolder siblings left school in Pompey Bay. This made room for him in the home ofhis aunt and uncle, Martha and Curtis Tynes. A few years later, his youngerbrothers and sisters were of school age and his parents rented a home in PompeyBay.
In grade six, at age fourteen, Royconsidered leaving school, as many did. Fortunately, there was a new teacher,Mr. E. G. Taylor, who inspired the students that they could complete elementaryeducation, and that he could take them through secondary school. By the end ofthe first year, Roy was among seven who were successful in the School LeavingCertificate Examination.
The next year, Roy passed theCambridge Junior Examination, was appointed Junior Student teacher, and earneda monthly salary of fourteen pounds, ten shillings. That was a lot of money ashe was among the few who received a salary on the island; and Roy caught avision of the value of a good education.
A year later, Roy was accepted intothe Teacher Training College; and he passed the Senior Cambridge SchoolCertificate Examination in December, 1953. Completing teacher training inAugust, 1954, he was appointed headmaster at Stanyard Creek, Andros. In onelarge auditorium, Roy taught grades four to six and taught the student teachersin evening classes.
As Roy’s education expanded, hisfaith in God was undermined. First, as a child, he heard relatives ridiculingthe concept of the dead going to heaven. Second, in his High School and Collegeclasses, evolution was presented as an alternative to creation. Third, incollege religious classes, the teacher proposed that the Bible simply presentedthe human bias of the ancient people of Israel.
Lifeas a Teacher in Andros (1954-1956)
Roy never openly proclaimed thatthere was no God. Neither did he discontinue his Church attendance. At StanyardCreek, Andros, he served as assistant Catechist, doing something he did notbelieve in. Yet, as he looked at himself, people around him, and nature, hewondered where this all came from. Maybe there was some intelligent forcebehind it all. Looking up to the heavens he said: “Lord, are you really outthere? Why don’t you speak to me?”
One day, God answered. Beforeleaving his school, Roy checked to see whether the back door was locked. Thereon the ground he saw a little book titled: “Prophecy Speaks, DissolvingDoubts.” The book began with the following announcement: “INFIDELITY CHALLENGEDAND REFUTED: An unusual lecture by David Dare, a converted infidel. Allskeptics, scoffers, unbelievers, infidels, all classes of doubters areespecially invited.... If you are a free thinker, agnostic, heretic or atheist,come! THIS MEETING IS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!”
Roy was one of those doubters. Ifthere was a God, he wanted to know it; and if not, he also wanted to know, sohe could forget about Him. He continued to read after closing the front door ofthe school, as he walked slowly to his residence, and as he entered his livingroom and sat on the sofa. The book was fascinating, and it was just the messagehe needed.
Before he closed the book thatevening, Roy knelt down, acknowledging that God is real, and that Jesus isGod’s Son. Roy now believed that the Bible was God’s word and that the man whowas crucified on the Roman cross was indeed his Saviour, and the Saviour of theworld.
However, there was one morechallenge. If Jesus founded one Church and we all use the same Bible, why arethere so many churches teaching different doctrines? He talked to somepreachers and friends about this and concluded that Satan has us all mixed up.Therefore, we should do the best that we can and one day Jesus would return andset all things right.
Lifeas a Teacher in Cat Island (1956-1959)
In September of 1956, the Board ofEducation transferred Roy to be headmaster at Knowles, Cat Island. He sailedaboard the Alice Mable and arrived on a Friday. On Saturday morning he got upearly, looked around the yard, and began to unpack. Unexpectedly, he heard thesinging of religious songs. He thought: What’s happening on a Saturday? Is it afuneral? He walked down to the main street, turned left, looked up, and thereit was: “Knowles Seventh-day Adventist Church.” Right then, the Spirit of Godsaid: “Well Roy, you have been checking out churches, but you have neverchecked out this one.”
Roy had not been completely ignorantof the Adventist church. One of his aunts was married to an Adventist; and atage fifteen, someone enrolled him in the Voice of Prophecy Bible study course.Later, he met H. A Roach at the Teacher Training College; and every Saturday onthe way to market, he saw Jack B. Dean going to the Engleston Adventist Church.Also, Mr. S. E. Sears had sold two Adventist books to Roy, but he had never foundtime to read them. However, now, the urge to study these books was strong.
Months later, one Friday as the sunwas setting, Roy walked among the trees near his house and promised God that hewould keep the Sabbath holy. In the morning, he talked with his sister, Mabry,and brother, Gerard, who lived with him. “I am going to visit the AdventistChurch today.” To his surprise, they said: “Well, if you are going, we aregoing also.” As they entered the church door, the members were singing: “Thereis a gate that stands ajar.” “O depth of mercy, can it be, that gate was leftajar for me.” Roy felt that the coming of Jesus was very near and that he hadmade it into Adventism just on time.
After this, there were many testsand trials surrounding the observance of the Sabbath. However, the Lord saw Roysafely through them all. One of these trials came before he was baptized. Asthe headmaster, he was expected to be involved in the 1957 Regatta in CatIsland; but he informed the Regatta chairman that he could not participate onSabbath. Later, the community was surprised by the arrival of the GovernorGeneral and the Minister of Education.
Roy's absence caused concern and apetition was circulated calling for him to be removed as without manners, unfitto teach, and opposed to island improvement. Fortunately, another petition wasmade in his support. Both petitions went to the Minister of Education who wrotea letter of reproof and asked the commissioner to make a recommendation. At acommunity meeting, one person spoke in favor of each petition; then Roy wasgiven an opportunity to speak. When the vote was taken, a majority desired thathe continue as the teacher of their children.
Marriage,Preaching, and Teaching in Nassau and Andros (1958-1961)
Soon after the showdown, PresidentColeburn and Elder Nairn of the Adventist Mission came to Cat Island for thebaptism of Roy and his siblings, Mabry and Gerard. One year later, in August,1958, Roy was invited to join the work of the church as a teacher at Bahamas Academy.
In December of that year, Roy unitedhis life in marriage with a gracious, talented, and attractive young Adventistteacher whom he had met at Teachers’ Summer School two years before. After hejoined the Church, she took a very special interest in encouraging him to befaithful despite the trials.
About two months after theirmarriage, Pastor Roy Mote spoke with them after church: “You are the twopersons we need to take care of the mission school in Andros. Will you go ifour committee votes it?” So off to Andros they went. However, it was not longbefore Roy was asked to spend most of his time with the Church, while Madelineremained with the school. One summer, they conducted three weeks ofevangelistic meetings in Long Bay Cays. His mother’s prayer, before Roy’sbirth, was now answered as he accepted the call to gospel ministry.
Evangelismin Acklins (1961-1962)
Roy and Madeline often sent Biblepamphlets and texts of Scripture to his family in Acklins urging them to acceptJesus and His teachings. Roy’s prayers for them ascended daily to God, manytimes with tears. In January of 1961, they were overjoyed when the AdventistMission granted their request to establish residence in Acklins; and they alsoserved the Church in Crooked Island. Withoutany formal training in evangelism, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, theyled Roy’s father, mother, three of his younger siblings, his brother-in-law andhis wife, and three others into the fellowship of the Adventist Church. Today,many of these converts and their descendants continue to lead many into thekingdom of God.
Lifeand Ministry in Jamaica (1962-1965)
In 1962, Roy and Madeline traveledto West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University), in Jamaica. Whilehe studied Theology, she completed a two-year Education program and received aCertificate in Education from the Joint Board of Teacher Education, UWI. Shetaught at the College Primary School, and they served in the local churchesdespite the rigors of college, the demands of their three young boys, Martin,Haydn and Edward, and her youngest sister Althea and sister-in-law Joan whostayed with her while they studied at WIC.
Because of financial limitations,Roy and his family did not return home for holidays. He got five hours ofcredit based on his Teachers’ Certificate and studied every summer so that hecould finish the four-year program in three years. He graduated in 1965 andreturned to ministry in the Bahamas.
One great evidence of Roy’s andMadeline’s pastoral and teaching skills is the educational accomplishments oftheir children: Martin teaches Theology in graduate school; Haydn has served asteacher and school principal; Betty and Edward are music educators, and Estherworked in the banking sector and serves in ministry with her husband. Now thisheritage is being passed on to the grandchildren: Pharez, Melody, Zachary,Dominic, Gabrielle, Jonathan, Hadassah, Manaen, and Atarah.
ExpandingMinistry in Eleuthera (1965-1969)
On returning to the Bahamas, Roy'sfirst mission station was the island of Eleuthera. They lived in Palmetto Pointand pastored churches in Tarpum Bay, Gregory Town, Bluff, and Harbour Island;and they completed the building and dedication of the church at Bluff. Madeline served as a teacher in publicschools, working with Principals Emma Cooper and Timothy Gibson. A student fromEleuthera, Henrietta Johnson, later became the wife of their first son, Martin.Royden and Madeline often spoke fondly of their fellowship with families suchas the Woods, Scavellas, Knowles, Hutchesons, Clarkes, and Sawyers. Theirvisits to her sister Loretta and her brother-in-law Ellison, who were principaland vice principal at the Wemyss Bight School, were also highlights of theirEleuthera experience.
TheNassau Tenure (1969-2001)
In January 1969, Roy and Madelinereturned to Nassau where he began pastoral work at the Johnson Park Church.Later, Englerston was added to his district. He facilitated building anddedicating churches when he served the Maranatha and New Providence Churches.He continued the building that had already started at Maranatha and dedicatedthe Church. At the New Providence Church, he led from the time the property waspurchased until just before the dedication, when he became the pastor of the GrantsTown Church (1975-1980). Roy also served as pastor of the Centerville Church(1989-1991), the Berea Church (1991-1999), and the Philadelphia Church(1999-2001). He prepared Berea and Philadelphia for dedication in 1998 and2001. In addition, he served as secretary of the Bahamas Mission during thetime when Pastor S. N. McKinney was president in the 1970s. He had theopportunity to serve as secretary again when Pastor McKinney was re-elected asPresident of the Conference in the 1980s.
During this time, Roy also supportedthe career of his wife Madeline who returned to work at Bahamas Academy,completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education at Oakwood College, and earned aMaster’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Andrews University. Most of herteaching at the secondary level was in the areas of Mathematics andHistory. Parents sought her forafter-school tutoring in Math. She also made significant contributions (alongwith Principal Althea McMillan and other faculty members) to the establishment,development, curriculum, and accreditation of the Early Learning Centre at theBahamas Academy Elementary School.
MinistryDuring Retirement (2001-2022)
After forty-one years of faithfulservice in education and church ministry, Pastor Hanna retired, but continuedto serve. He frequently preached in various churches and was specially involvedin ministry at the Breath of Life Church. He and his wife went on annualmission trips to Lovely Bay, Acklins, which resulted in the establishment of achurch in 2005. Later, they donated some of their homestead property for thebuilding of the Redemption Adventist Church that continues to be a vibrantworshiping and ministry community.
After this, Roy and Madeline desiredto continue blazing the gospel trail. They prayed for opportunity and strengthto continue to do exploits for God and lead many souls to Christ. However,further post-retirement projects were thwarted after Madeline suffered fromstrokes and other complications that reduced her physical and mental strengthleading to her death shortly after sunset on Sabbath, September 16, 2017. Inrecent months, Roy became increasingly frail and on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, atthe age of 88, he unexpectedly fell asleep in Jesus after a sudden healthcrisis.
When recording his life story, Roywrote: “I feel that I have done my best to stand for God and truth, andsometimes against great odds.” “I can repeat the Apostle Paul’s testimony in 2Timothy 4:7-8—‘I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. Henceforth,there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteousJudge shall give me at His appearing.’”
The members of Pastor Royden IsaacHanna’s family are comforted in the Blessed Hope that he and his belovedMadeline will soon respond to the call of the Life Giver, when Jesus comesagain.
Pastor Royden Isaac Hanna’s life,love, and legacy will forever be cherished by:
Sons: Dr.Martin Hanna, Mr. Haydn Hanna, Mr. Edward Hanna
Daughters: MissBetty Hanna and Mrs. Esther Gordon
Son-in-law: PastorDelthony Gordon
Daughters-in-law: Dr.Henrietta Hanna, Mrs. Barbara Hanna, Mrs. Dian Hanna
Grandchildren: Pharez,Melody, Zachary, Dominic, Gabrielle, Manaen, and Atarah Hanna; Jonathan andHadassah Gordon
Brothers: Gerard Hanna and Leon Hanna
Sisters: Thelma Hanna, Joan Duncombe, AliceSands, Muriel Darling
Sisters-in-Law: CarolynHanna, Doreen Hanna, Miriam Smith, Dr. Althea McMillan, Inez Moncur, Mildred Hanna
Brothers-in-law: Dr. Wendell McMillan, Pastor JeremiahDuncombe, James Sands
Nieces: Voniel Smith; Jeannieand Barbara Ferguson; Dorinda Darling; Idamae, Zelda, Donna, Angela, and HopeHanna; Patricia Cleare, Chyrial Penn, Violet Bowlin, Alree Price, Juliet andCarla Sands; Sherry Rahming, Cynthia Johnson, Eleanor Harden, Shon and KathleenFord; Kaywana Forbes, Kemoree, Brendeka and Jennifer Duncombe; AlexandraRipley; Joan Rahming; Loleta Dorsett, Alice Gilbert, Veronica Sherman, MaryGrey, Melanie Ciccolella, Zelda Azor, Donna Hannah, Lisa Cunningham, Agatha Nottage,Netta Blake, Ellissa Mwesigwa, Coralie Adderley, Laurel Long, Dr. LaKeischaMcMillan, Portia Allen, Jennifer, Zipporah, Amanda, Marica, Ingrid, Shirley,Yvonne, Kathenna, Janet, and Marcela Moncur; Kimberley, Hazel and JackieGreenslade; Lenece Stubbs, Janis Butler, Denise Smith
Nephews: Charles, Hubert, and DonaldFerguson; Kenny Darling; David, Andrew, Mark, Matthew, Leonard, Phillip,Christopher, Frank Jr., Leon, Drayton, Frederick, Francis, Reginald, Raymond,and Greg Hanna; Randolph Bowlin, Pastor Kent Price, Roderick and Roger Sands;Louis Cleare, Jeremiah Jr., Vincent, and Cpl. 2757 Wayne Duncombe; David Smith,Jerome Ford; Eris Moncur Sr., Alden Smith, George, Reginald, Maxwell Jr.,Nelson, Peter, Carver, Ricardo, Dwight, Alton, Dale, and John Moncur; HighCommissioner Ellison Greenslade, Desmond Greenslade, ACP Ashton Greenslade,Sgt. 464 Kevin Greenslade, Stephen Greenslade; Archibald and Edison Minnis;Wycliff Bowen, Wendell McMillan II, John Mwesigwa, Ethan Adderley, StephenAllen, Kevin Long, Mitchell Gilbert, Harry Azor, Levon Hannah, August Blakes,Anthony Nottage
Many grand, great grand, and greatgreat grandnieces and nephews. Numerousfriends, cousins, former parishioners, ministerial and professional colleagues.
