NORTH BRONX GHANA SDA IS OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED
Four years after it started as a small group, North Bronx Ghana SDA Church has officially been organized into a full fledged church within the Northeastern Conference of SDA Churches. The Executive Secretary of the General Conference of SDA Church and the officers of Northeastern Conference of SDA Churches were on hand on Sabbath November 17, 2007 to ensure that the program was a success.
The program began after the arrival of representatives of sister Ghanaian churches in North America. They came from all corners of United States and Canada to celebrate the day with North Bronx Ghana SDA Church. Several Ghanaian church pastors, singing groups and well wishers were also in attendance to lend their support and prayers.
Preaching the sermon during the main worship hour, Elder Matthew Bediako, Secretary of worldwide SDA Church congratulated the leaders and members of North Bronx church for working hard to make the occasion a reality. He recounted the challenges that are ahead of the church and entreated the members to remain steadfast and bond together as one people with one common purpose. Again, he strengthened the members to remember that God has specifically called them into the North Bronx community for the express purpose of being true Christians not only in name but in all conduct. “You are to go out today and bear good fruits. You are to lift the name of Christ and tell your neighbors that Christ is coming soon.” He said forcefully.
After a series of songs and ululation praising God for what he has done for North Bronx church, the President of Northeastern Conference of SDA Elder Trevor Baker arrived with his secretary, Elder Larry Bailey and the treasurer, Elder Ebenezer Agboka to conduct the official organization ceremony. They reviewed the operations, working procedures and church governance of the Adventist church worldwide before proceeding to accept a vote to accept North Bronx church as the 165th SDA church within the sisterhood of Adventist churches of Northeastern Conference of SDA.
The president and his officers advised the North Bronx Church to understand that they are being organized to go out and win more souls into the kingdom of God. He said, “You are the First Ghana SDA Church within our conference territory. The onus is on you to plant more Ghanaian churches within the conference. This will hasten the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ”
Recounting the history of North Bronx SDA Church, church clerk Dr Samuel Agyeman narrated how the church members who were formerly worshipping at First Ghana Church in South Bronx came together to start the church. Necleus members were Elder and Mrs Kwaku Ofran and their daughter Rita Amaniampong, Elder and Mrs Harrison Asare Kwakye, Elder and Mrs Amofah Boafo and Mr and Mrs K.K. Owusu-Ansah. He stated that within the four years they have grown to be 108 members, held several evangelistic meetings, baptized many souls and have acquired a beautiful sanctuary at the cost of more than one million dollars to the glory of God.
Tons of appreciations were given to officers of the Northeastern Conference, North American Ghanaian churches and their pastors and the Ghanaian community for supporting and encouraging them to achieve official recognition. Individual members such as Pastor and Mrs Dwayne Turner, Pastor and Mrs. Isaac Gyamera, Elder and Mrs. Kwaku Ofran, Elder and Mrs. William Bekoe, Drs Yaw and Afia Kwarteng Peprah, Elder and Mrs Osei Kofi Akwaboah, Mr and Mrs Akwasi Oduro and Mr and Mrs Kwaku Amoateng were also recognized for their service rendered to the success of the North Bronx Ghana SDA Church. The church currently meets at 401 Castle Hill, Bronx, NY 10473. Tel and fax # is 718-239-6066. Email address is northbronxghana@hotmail.com
