SDA launches 75th anniversary celebration

The Hansen Road Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has launched its 75th anniversary celebration in Accra, on the theme: “Celebrating our rich heritage- Living in the light of His word.”

Giving a brief history of the church established in May 1941, Pastor Professor J.J. Nortey, former President of the Africa-India Ocean Division of the SDA, he noted that the mission was pivotal of Adventism in Accra.

He said it developed over the years to have a number of branches springing up in Accra and its environs, thereby becoming the “Grandmother of all Adventist Churches in Accra”.

Some of the branches include Labone, Odorkor, Accra Newtown, Tema, Bubiashie, Mataheko and Abeka.

Activities lined up for the year, in the various SDA churches in Accra include clean up exercises as a civic duty in conformity to the National Sanitation Day programme.

A programme dubbed: “This is my story,” would place the spotlight on senior citizens of the church.

There would also be a musical concert to be organised in the last month of every quarter.

April has been declared as Health Awareness Month, to be marked with activities such as blood donation, health talk, health walk and keep fit exercises.

There would also be a debate and quiz competitions to be based on the scriptures, history of the church, and the church’s weekly Bible study lessons.

A time with the Missionaries and Pioneers of the church as well as the congregation in the Diaspora, dubbed: “Akwaaba Week” would start from June 18 – 25 June, followed by the outdooring of an anniversary brochure.

Children’s funfair and a grand musical concert have been scheduled for June, to be followed by indoor and outdoor games in August.

An Evangelistic Campaign to win more souls for the Lord, a grand float, and a “photo fair” have been scheduled for October.

The anniversary celebration would be climaxed in the last week of October and followed with a thanksgiving service on November 5 and the outdooring of a documentary on the church on December 31.

Pastor T.T. Ocran, President of the Southern Ghana Union Conference of the SDA formally declared the year-long celebration dully launched.

In a goodwill message, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, who was a leading member of the Hansen Road Church, advice the church not to relent in its efforts of winning and preparing souls for the second coming of Christ.

He also admonished the church to continue promoting health messages of the global Adventist church adding: “Never stop what has brought this church this far, and continue to promote the Adventist health message because more people need them.”

The anniversary launch, which had most of the church’s past and present leaders in attendance, also witnessed the presence of some high profile dignitaries, including the President of South Ghana Conference, Pastor S.O.T Hammond.