Scranton, PA July 16-20, 2008. Ghanaian Adventists resident in United States and Canada have completed their annual camp meeting at Scranton, Pennsylvania. Under the theme “Led By His Spirit”, over one thousand Ghanaians assembled at the campus of Marywood University, a Catholic institution two hour drive west of New York city. Other campers also came from Europe and Ghana to share the blessings of this yearly convocation. Campers came with their families to pray for revival and renewal, study the Bible in-depth and to fellowship together in this 20th annual convocation which began from Wednesday and ended on Sunday.
Meetings began every morning at 5:00 am with special prayer session led by Pastor Kwasi Sarpong of Cincinnati Ghana SDA Church. During the early morning prayer session, members met to do intercessory prayers confessing their sins and seeking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in cell groups and also pray for others on wide ranging issues. Dr. S.K. Pipim, a prolific Bible scholar and well known author from the University of Michigan brought special Bible studies on the work of the Holy Spirit to the campers every day at 6:00 am. His thought-provoking and soul-searching messages brought tears to campers who thronged the 1200 seater auditorium every morning to hear his messages.
On Friday campers devoted themselves to all day prayers and fasting which was led by about 25 Adventist Ghanaian Pastors and ordained elders. They sang great hymns of inspiration, read their Bibles, gave touching testimonies and lifted up their eyes to the Lord in importunate prayers. Some of the Pastors offered to the campers’ prayers, counseling and other spiritual services.
The Special Guest of Honor was Dr. Emmanuel Osei, the senior church Pastor of London Ghana SDA Church. His seminar and Sabbath divine service messages centered on the Adventist-spirit filled life. Speaking to a packed audience of over 1600 Sabbath worshippers, he admonished the campers to go out from the camp grounds to live a life that will bring many to Christ through a life led by the spirit of God. He challenged the audience to continually seek for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and develop intimate relationship with God and His word.
The children’s program was under the supervision of Pastor J.K. Amoah, Mrs. Esther Owusu Ansah and Ms. Margaret Oppong. Other speakers who made presentations at the adult section were Dr. Michael Adjei-Poku (Adventist Health lifestyle), Dr Paul Yeboah (Holy Life in Hard Times), Sarah Pokuaa (Holy Spirit-dependent Life), Gabriel Boakye Dankwa (Ye Shall Receive Power) and Dr. Kwabena Donkor (Consecration Service). Other church leaders in attendance were Mr. Akumfi-Ameyaw, Principal of Asokore SDA Training College of Eastern Region, Ghana whose accredited institution had benefitted from a $30,000.00 bore-hole water project funded by the North American Ghanaian Adventist organization, Dr Jacob Nortey, former President of the Africa-Indian Ocean Division of SDA Church who is now a tenured professor at Atlantic Union College, Dr. Luis Metallus, Vice President of Atlantic Union of SDA Churches and several other Ghanaian professionals domiciled in North America.
On Sabbath worship campers pledged over $100,000.00 to support Ghana projects of doing evangelism in North Ghana and Volta region, construction of church buildings in Ghana, translation of Ewe hymnal, sponsorship of academic lecturers from USA and Canada to teach at Valley View University and building of a dormitory at Valley View University in Accra, Ghana as an investment to support Ghana projects under the “Operation Reach Back” initiatives.
During the nominating committee report which was chaired by Pastor Kwasi Sarpong, both Pastors Enoch Affum and S.K. Twumasi were reelected as president and secretary respectively of the North America Ghanaian Adventist Organization while Elder Osei Agyena of Chicago Ghana SDA church was elected as the new treasurer. Other officers selected were Mr. Sammy Danquah as Music Director and Mrs. Asamoah Frimpong, the Women’s Ministry Director.
In a post-camp meeting interview, several campers expressed great joy, satisfaction and blessings from attending camp meeting 2008. A non-Adventist Ghanaian attending the event made a commitment to get baptized and become part of the Adventist church. Dr Jacob Nortey, a veteran church leader and administrator could not hide his ecstatic feelings when in an assessment said “In many respects it was like a camp meeting of yesteryears -very spiritual. Particularly refreshing was your devoting the whole of Friday to prayer, fasting and testimonies! Thanks to you and your fellow officers in calling our attention to prayer!” That said it all. 2009 camp meeting will be held at the same venue in Scranton from July 14-19, 2009
