On July 12, 2026, Ambassador Jones traveled to New York as part of the 53rd Anniversary of The Bahamas Independence. Ambassador Jones attended a Church service at the Times Square church, along with the New York Consulate staffers. The service united worshipper from 66 countries and 45 U.S states through its online broadcast.
During the service, Senior Pastor Tim Dilena offered prayers for The Bahamas as the nation celebrated 53 years of independence and remembered those who tragically lost their lives in the plane crash in Andros on Independence Day. Later, after the service, Pastor Dilena held a private reception for the delegation and the diaspora, where Consul General Major presented a donation to Times Square Church and Pastor Dilena’s wife Cindy, was given a floral arrangement on behalf of the Consulate to thank her for the reception and Consul General Major also presented a donation to Times Square Church.
The Embassy extends gratitude to the organizers and all who gathered to mark this important milestone.
