£3m London Ghana SDA Church Officially Opens.

Nothing, not even the all day long intermittent rains of June 30, 2007 could stop the members of the London Ghana SDA Church from celebrating the greatness of God by opening their newly built £3 million sanctuary.

Like the people of Israel, for over forty years, the Ghanaian Seventh-Day Adventist Community had wandered about in the city of London worshipping in members living rooms, dinning rooms, terraces, classrooms, and school halls. They eventually for a decade settled in a school gymnasium. The consensus however had always been to build a sanctuary for the Lord.

The grand opening of this Chapel therefore was a long cherished dream that had become a reality. The genuine expression of joy of many of the pioneers of the Ghanaian fellowship such as elder (s) Jacob Frempong, Yaw Bayim Adomako, Dr. Yeboah, Seth Obeng, Oheneba Kwabena Apaw, Madam Rose Boateng, Mary and Alice Mensah and others was also captured in the repertoire of the choir that focussed on inviting everyone to come and see what the Lord has done for His people. And come they did come to celebrate this great day. With the kind permission of the Newham council over a 1,000 people from other sister Ghanaian churches, nationalities and religions joined the 500 strong membership of the church clad in a specially designed cloth ordered from Ghana, to dance, sing praises and thank the Lord for using them for His service.

Preaching the divine service sermon under the theme “Remember Not to Forget”, Pastor M.A. Bediako, the Executive Secretary of the General Conference of the church, reminded the congregation that, this sanctuary being opened was a testament of how the Lord had been with the Ghanaian congregation. He said, like Israel passing through the red sea, the Lord had led this “immigrant” church through storms of discouragement, lack of finances, lack of commitment etc. Yet, the Lord has brought his people this far. Quoting Joshua 4:5-9 He said “Just like the Lord requested Israel to pick up stones from the river Jordan to place them at where they will rest that night, the Lord had used you to build this church as a testament to His name, so that you will not forget what the Lord has done for you” Remember not to forget what the Lord has done for you. Pastor Don McFarlane, President of the British Union Conference, who has been instrumental in making the dream of the church a reality conducted the consecration service to formally open the church. He urged the members to remember that Adventists all over the world have been called for the same mission. “Our mission is about telling the world about God coming to dwell amongst us, dying for us and rising again to make complete our redemption story”. This church he said must affect positively the entire community, the entire city and the entire nation.

Led by Pastor Humphrey Walters, the President of the South England Conference, special prayers were said for the congregation.

In a key note address the special guest of honour, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, His Excellency Mr. Annan Cato, spoke of the essential need to recognize the spiritual nature of each person in order to restore vitality and purpose to both individuals and society. “For the Ghanaian community here in the UK, this represents a new beginning. We want you to know who we are, what we believe, and all we stand for,” said Mr. Cato
He praised the Adventist church of the role it has played over the years in the promotion of health, education and assisting the government of Ghana to raise the living standards of the people. “That is practical Christianity” He said.
The Church Pastor, Dr. Emmanuel Osei, on behalf of the church acknowledged the contribution of all the former leaders of the church such as, Pastors, George Okumo-Camerra, Dr E. O. Sackey, Matthias Esson, Brighton Kavaloh, G.S. Daddey and the late Pastor Andrew Beccai. Turning his attention to the congregation Pastor Osei said the opening of the church was also beginning a new page in the lives of individual members and the church as a whole. “This occasion, does not only signify the opening of ‘our’ new Church. It also represents the opening of the new Church for you. For this reason, our doors are open, seven days a week. No matter your social standing, your race, or your creed — and whether to just find out the answers to your questions, or to be ‘helped’ for whatever the need, you are welcome. Together with Pastor Fergus Owusu Boateng, we will be here to pray and to counsel you in the Lord.
Many of the present who had defiled the morning rains and crowded into the former St Cedds premises to celebrate the Grand Opening of the magnificent new premises of the Church had reported early to take a historic tour of the church building which, today appears to be the beckon for residents in one of the most important Olympic sites in London.
The London-Ghana Adventist Church is aligned to London’s most popular road, the A13. It is situated in the Olympic area and experts say the price of the property will triple by the year 2012 when the world’s most prestigious games will be held.
A new hall has been built to connect to the sanctuary. When needed this hall, that is separated from the actual worship place by an entry lobby with nice wooden doors decorated by designed glasses could be opened to join the two into one big hall of worship.
There is a custom-made, slide- covered baptistery at the end of the sanctuary where chairs are arranged for the choir to use during service times, one ultra-modern utility hall, two youth halls, a number of offices, a vestry are among other facilities available.
A long red carpet is rolls from the main entrance to the pulpit to welcome members and guests alike and on the sides lay hard and richly polished wooden floors with blue chairs to seat nearly 500 people. An upper terrace that seats close to 200 persons also comes to add up more space for the congregation.
Some of the members who distinguished themselves in various ways towards the completion of the project, were honoured. They included Elders, Samuel Adjei Owusu, Armstrong Opoku- Kyeremateng, George Addai and Yaw Bayim Adomako, all members of the building committee. The rest included the architect of the project, Mr. Paul Henry, who could not help but shed tears of joy, Mrs Estella Obeng and Madam Cecelia Nimo.