African Churches Celebrate First Unity Sabbath

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Under the theme, “United in Mission,” members from Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) 11 African congregations joined together in the first-ever Africa Unity Sabbath at the Ebenezer Ghana church in Newark, N.J. The worship experience was the culmination of months of planning and praying by African Ministerium pastors who felt the need to bring people together after being separated by COVID-19. African churches lay leadership gladly accepted the idea and different subcommittees formed to plan various activities for the event.

Excitement was palpable as attendees met old and new friends at the church. Appiah Kubi Kwarteng, pastor of the Philadelphia Ghana and Perth Amboy (N.J.) churches, led the Adult Sabbath School lesson discussion, while Isaac Nwadike, pastor of the Living Faith church in West Orange, N.J., led the youth lesson discussion. A special program marked the transition to the divine worship program as the African pastors, led by Boni Getugi, pastor of the Living Springs church in Baltimore, took the opportunity to honor Amofah Asamoah, pastor of the Ebenezer Ghana and Maranatha Ghana churches in New Jersey, for leading the African Ministerium from 2008–2022.

Marcellus T. Robinson, AEC president, arrived in African attire, given to him by Uzooma Erondu, pastor of the Maranatha Adventist Fellowship in Bowie, Md. Robinson also received gifts from Kwadwo Ntansah, pastor of the Grace Ghana church in Newark, Del. Finally, George Okumu, pastor of the Angaza Sharon church in Newark, Del., offered a special prayer of dedication for the new African Ministerium leadership, the AEC administration and the African churches. Robinson’s sermon focused on intentional friendship, evangelism and discipleship.

“Having not worshipped together since the 2019 AEC camp meeting in the African tent, we enjoyed great reunion and fellowship, meeting old friends and making new ones,” shares Moses Njuguna, pastor of the New Maranatha Karibu church in Jersey City, N.J., and leader of AEC’s African Ministerium.