Ghana Methodism Born In Bethlehem, Georgia

…and its environs
“In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I, Kofi Amoateng, an Ordained Minister of The Methodist Church Ghana declare Christ the King Ghana Methodist Church, Bethlehem Georgia duly inaugurated.” With these words Ghana Methodism was born in Winder, Georgia on Sunday June 9th 2013. The day would be remembered as a great one by the Christian community and Invited Guests who worshipped at Christ the King Ghana Methodist Church of Bethlehem, Georgia. For at this Divine Service for the Inauguration of the Society and its various Organizations, Choirs robes for the Adult as well as the Junior Choirs were dedicated to the glory of God.

The Divine Service under the Theme: “CHRIST OUR CORNERSTONE, ON HIM ALONE WE BUILD”, was officiated by Very Reverend Kofi Amoateng, a Minister of The Methodist Church Ghana, now studying at the Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. He was ably assisted by Pastor Babatunde, a Nigerian Anglican Minister of the same Seminary. The Guest of Honor was the Mayor of the City of Winder, David Maynard Esq.,

Preaching the Sermon on the theme, the Very Rev. Amoateng referred to the hymn by in the Methodist Hymn Book 702 and intimated his joy that the young church is declaring that Christ is its Cornerstone and that on Him alone will they build the super structure. “This is a recipe for success”, he declared. He called on Leaders and members of the Society to keep Christ as the Church’s Cornerstone adding that greater exploits for Christ can only be achieved with these two key Church builders. Very Rev. Amoateng called on members to keep on with prayer, Bible study and fellowship in love. An altar-call after the Sermon won three souls into the Kingdom while worshippers applauded the angelic host rejoicing in Heaven over the souls won for Christ. In his address, Mayor David Maynard expressed joy at that he could be part of such spirit filled service and described the Service as a whole new experience. ‘It has been a whole new experience. It has been a pleasant encounter and one much to be desired’, he surmised. He presented the trophy to Sister Esther Vaughn Siame, the leader of the Wednesday-Born group who came first during the appeal for funds

The Caretaker of the Society, Ghana Methodism Stalwart, Brother Joseph Essiful-Ansah in giving the history of the young Ghana Methodist Society, noted that most Ghanaians who by God’s grace find their way to countries such as the United States are quick to sacrifice their Christian faith on the altar of economic prosperity. “We tend to forget the God of our Lord Jesus Christ by chasing earthly dreams at the expense of our spiritual prosperity”; he stated with regret. He then promised that Christ the King Ghana has come to evangelize our people and to remind them of the God whom they cried unto when most of us were praying for visas.

The organizations of the Church, the Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship, the Methodist Youth Fellowship, the Adult and Junior Choirs and the Glorious Singers for King Jesus were then inaugurated. The flair of the moment was the special Service of enrolment of members of the Women’s Fellowship with Sister Juliana Watson as the President. The enrolment was conducted by Sister Doris Gyamfi of Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina on behalf of Sister Sarah Cofie, the President of the North American Mission of the Women’s Fellowship.

A highlight of the memorable Service was the Blessing of the 24 year-old marriage of Choir Master and Organist Brother Anthony Eiwuley-Morkeh and Sister Cynthia Atta Kakra Yankey which saw the beautiful bride beaming with smiles while cameras clicked almost every minute. It was a sight to behold indeed. The bridegroom played on the organ a favourite hymn of the bride while the new Mrs. Cynthia Eiwuley-Morkeh looked on tear-eyed with joy.

The Climax of the Inauguration Service was the dedication of Choir robes and the procession of both junior and senior Choirs of the Church. The entire Congregation stood in great admiration as the robed Choirs processed for the first time and clapped exuberantly after the Choirs rendered appropriately Handel’s famed Anthem “BUT THANKS, THANKS BE TO GOD”. The eventful Service was topped with a sumptuous Luncheon with a vast collection of mainly Ghanaian dishes prompting Pastor Babatunde to comment that ‘You people want to kill me with food’.

The Inauguration Service, heralded by a weeklong fasting and prayer programme also saw members converge at the Church venue for a half night Prayer meeting led by Caretaker Brother Joseph Essiful-Ansah. A special Saturday ‘Meet-Me-There’ where members shared fellowship, got the premises ready and prayed even more for the Inauguration Service was also held together with a delegation from Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC and special Guest, Sister Jane Ashun of Wesley Methodist, Brooklyn, New York. The Prayer time was led by Bro. Emmanuel Afful, a Master of Divinity Student of Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky.

As part of the Service the leadership of the Church honoured Very Rev. Kofi Amoateng who has been with the Church through thick and thin. It also awarded special trophies and seed money to three High School Graduates of the Society – Twins June-Pearl and Darryl Watson and Antoinette Morkeh. Mayor Maynard did the honours. Very Rev. Amoateng thanked leaders and members of the Church on behalf of the Award winners indicating that his trophy, to be placed at a prominent place in his hall, would always remind him of service in humility and in face of much tribulation. Having introduced himself to the leadership of the Church after a year of its existence, Very Rev. Amoateng helped nurture the new Church through short visits, phone prayer meetings and personal counseling and evangelism.

“To the glory of God, Christ the King Ghana Methodist Church is born and thanks be to God for this victory”, Sister Josephine Atta Panyin Yankey-Ehui, founding member and Inauguration Planning Committee member stated in a short post event interview. Mrs. Yankey-Ehui added that members are truly grateful to God for His special dealings with the Society and with members such that everything “we touch turns to ‘spiritual gold’”. She also thanked Very Rev. Amoateng for his spiritual guidance and assistance revealing “when many clergy and Lay abandoned the young Church for ‘church political expediency’, he stuck with us even in the face of threats from certain quarters. He like the early Apostles decided that it is better to listen to and obey God than mortal men and he helped us greatly. God will remember him.”