Diaspora News of Tuesday, 22 April 2003

Source: Deacon Richard Adjei

SARS Cripple Churches In Toronto - Rejoinder

The article "SARS Cripple Ghanaian Churches In Toronto" contained a lot of inaccuracies, falsehood, and outright lies. Our Elders have already corrected the writer on SIL yet the writer is not convinced.

NSEMFOO ABIOLA-OBI wrote: "Many Christians in the Ghanaian community are scared to go to their churches nowadays. I was at Ghana Church of Pentecost on Arrow Road today to worship GOD with my brethrens. To be frank, all the chairs in the church were almost empty with the pastor wearing mask and gloves of SARS."

I am a deacon at the Church of Pentecost Canada (the one on Arrow Road he mentioned) and for all I know, attendance at our services were not in any way disrupted by SARS. In fact, we held a convention from Thursday April 17- Sunday April 20 in which we had our brethren from as far as Winnipeg, Montreal, London, Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, etc. present. On the Sunday service, we had about 1500 - 2000 people present, including 700 children. There was no one who came to church wearing any masks. In no way, shape or form were we hindered by SARS because we believe the Savior we serve is greater than and has more power than SARS.

All the Ghanaian churches from All Nations, Methodist, Apostolic, Disciples Revival, Roman, etc. held their special Easter services without any disruption. Just ask any of the members of such churches.
Even yesterday, there was a Musical Concert at God's Army Church which featured who is who in Ghanaian Christian musicians in Toronto.
There are a lot of fasehoods in what Nsemfoo Abiola-Obi wrote. It may have been in jest that he wrote those allegations. However sacred things are not to be joked with.
Webmaster, kindly post this rejoinder for visitors of your esteemed website to judge for themselves as to whether what Nsemfoo Abiola-Obi wrote are true or not.
God bless you.
Deacon Richard Adjei
Aka Owura Kofi Church of Pentecost Canada