Waiting Upon The Lord In Maryland

Societes Of The Methodist Church Ghana In North America Wait Upon The Lord In Maryland

By Joseph Essiful-Ansah

The Lay Chairman of The Methodist Church Ghana, North America Mission, Opanin Kodwo Fosu has appealed to all Ghanaians especially those of the Wesleyan family to join their brothers and sisters at the Camp Meeting scheduled for September 3 to 6, 2009. He revealed that the theme for the Camp Meeting is “Time to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth”, with reference to Saint John’s Gospel 4: 24 and extended the invitation to all especially, “our brothers and sisters who left the fold to come back home and enjoy growing in faith within the Wesleyan family”.

Opanin Fosu noted with joy that since 2007 when the first Camp Meeting was held also in Maryland and the one held last year in New Jersey the sprit of Revival has been kindled that members yearn to meet to have their hearts ‘strangely warmed.’ He discounted the notion that orthodox churches are not spiritual and invited all those interested in the truth to be at this year’s Camp Meeting for a change of mind.

The program as presented starts on Thursday with a Retreat by the Women’s Fellowship with all Societies participating. Sister Esther Agbosu of the Rev. Gaddiel Acquaah Memorial Methodist, Alexandria, Virginia is the Main Speaker and Teacher for the Women’s Revival that ends on Friday for the Retreat/ Camp Meeting for all to begin

On Friday after the Welcoming Formalities, the Association of Ghana Methodist Church Choirs is hosting the Wesley Night that would see all the Church Choirs parading on stage with sacred Hymns, Canticles, Psalms and songs as we find in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. Very Reverend Kofi Bart-Martin of Covenant Methodist Church, Maryland, is the Moderating Minister for the programme, which is to remind all Methodists of the important role hymns, songs and Psalms play in the worship life of the Methodist. The Preface to the Methodist Hymn Book reveals “Methodism was born in songs…”

As a follow up, Opanin Fosu explained that Saturday morning would be devoted for Hymns and their Meanings to be led by Very Rev. Dr. Dominic Dadzie. He noted that Methodists sing their theology and it is therefore important to sing the hymns with meaning to bring blessings to the members and the glory to God. This is to be followed by a Christian Education session to be led by Very Rev. Stephen Owusu of Ghana Emmanuel Methodist Society, Newark, New Jersey and Evangelist Ofori of Good Shepherd Methodist Society, Worcester, Massachusetts

Saturday would also see Organizations, the Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship, the Choir Council and the Youth and Children Ministry holding Conferences to consider and adopt strategies for the expansion and growth of Ghana Methodism in the United States and Canada. The importance of the Men’s Fellowship meeting especially is revealed by the fact that Delegates from Germany and other European countries are attending to explore ways Ghana Methodist Societies outside the motherland can come together in building our Church.

Saturday night is called Revival Night for a reason and Evangelist Oppong Boateng of Texas is to lead the programme of healing and deliverance. Many Campers are said to be looking forward to this programme believing that this would be as Mount Zion where there will be deliverance and where Campers would possess what is rightfully theirs.

On Sunday, Bro. Ebenezer Acheampong of Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto would lead Campers in a Thanksgiving Service to climax the Camp Meeting and Rev. Charles Fiifi Acquah of Providence, Rhodes Island would preach the Sermon on the theme. The Mass Choir led by Brother Papa Arko Arkhurst would also be in attendance. Circuit Steward of the Washington Mission Circuit, hosts of the Camp Meeting, Bro. Joseph Baffour Amoateng told the Reporter that some 100 Campers are expected and preparations both spiritual and physical are underway to ensure that at the end of the 3-day Meeting all can join in saying TO GOD BE THE GLORY.