The Very Rev. Kofi Bart-Martin, Minister-in-charge of Covenant Methodist Church, Maryland has called on Ghana Methodist Societies in North America to eschew feuding and unnecessary competition. He was speaking as part of the Inauguration of the Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Society of The Methodist Church Ghana, North Carolina recently. He declared that the Societies of The Methodist Church Ghana and those of Ghana United Methodist Congregations continue to be kin even if under different Conferences. “Those who have decided to belong to The Methodist Church Ghana are not enemies to those in the U.M.C”, he declared.

The Society’s Inauguration began with a 2 day Revival led by Rev. Charles Fiifi Acquah of Providence, Rhodes Island who was later charged to oversee the young Society. He led the members in two weeks of fasting and prayer prior to the occasion and held a special Two-night Revival programme to usher in the Society’s birth. The Revival was which under the Theme: “QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT FIRE” from 1 Thessalonians 5:19 saw members of the Society in serious prayer each night for God’ s face to be revealed as a new Society was in the birth throes. The successful night Sessions were climaxed with a Special Service to inaugurate the new Society.

The Special Service attended by the Choir and members of the Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia under whose care the new Society was placed by the North America Mission until it matured. Members of Calvary Redeeming Methodist Church and Covenant Methodist Church both in Maryland graced the occasion. The Mission’s Women Fellowship Co-ordinating Council was represented by its Chairperson and Secretary while the President of The Mission’s Choir Co-ordinating Council sent a word of Congratulations.

Also present were some members of the Ghana Calvary Methodist [Nursery] Society from Greensboro also in North Carolina. The Gyamfi Couple who also started the Charlotte Society started the said Society. Friends and family in and around Charlotte, North Carolina also joined in celebrating the New Society to the glory of God.

Sis. Doris Gyamfi, Society Steward of Ghana Ebenezer, Charlotte read the history of the new Society after which the Very Rev. Bart- Martin led the Society Steward, Leaders and members of the new Society to declare their vows before the Lord as part of the Inauguration while Organist Anthony Eiwuley- Morkeh played ‘A charge to keep I have” softly in the background. Others din the Congregation prayed silently in support as they observed history being made. The Society Steward and Leaders were later introduced to the Congregation. After this Rev. Charles F. Acquah prayed and anointed the Leaders for ministry as directed by the Holy Spirit. The Leaders of the Society are:

Very Rev. Bart- Martin welcomed the Ghana Ebenezer Society on behalf of the North America Mission of The Methodist Church Ghana and asked the Leaders not to rest on their oars but strive to strengthen the Society and establish new ones in and around Charlotte. The Vice Chairman of the Lay Movement Council of North America, Brother Baffour Amaoteng who represented the Council presented to the Society’s Caretaker for the Society a copy of the Constitution and Standing Orders of The Methodist Church Ghana, the Church’s Almanac, a Bible and Copies of DVD Recordings of the Mission’s First Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia in late April of this year. He made the presentation on behalf of the Mission. Bro. Amoateng entreated the Leaders to study the important documents as a guide in managing the Society

Cash Donations were received from the Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, the Covenant Methodist Church and the North America Mission. The Leaders of the new Society and kith and kin present made various cash donations to help establish the Society financially. The Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church also presented a set of drums of the new Society.

Preaching the Sermon on the theme, Rev. Charles Fiifi Acquah challenged the Leaders and members of the new Society to endeavour to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning continually in their hearts and in the Society. He explained that without Him the Society will not survive or if it does it would be a dormant unproductive entity. He stressed that for it to be able to evangelize Charlotte and its environs, the Society needs to rely constantly and totally on the Holy Spirit. He reminded the Congregation of God ‘s admonition to Aaron and his sons as one finds in the Book of Leviticus to keep the fire on the altar burning day and night. “Our altars today are our hearts and we dare not quench the Holy Spirit fire thereon”, Rev Acquah declared solemnly.

He further revealed that to our founding Fathers, Revs. John Wesley and Gaddiel Acquaah knew this secret well and penned it down for Methodists, who sing their theology. While congratulating the leaders and members of the Ghana Ebenezer Methodist Church of Charlotte, Rev. Acquah prayed that the journey so well began would continually be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Moving the Vote of Thanks, an emotional Society Steward, Sis. Doris Gyamfi stated “I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and support; but we have we have God foremost to thank for this success story. To Him alone be the glory”.