Northwood Church Doubles in Size at Evangelistic Series

Story by Francis Tuffour

It is nearly impossible for a church to double or triple its membership after just one evangelistic series, but a tiny church in a suburb in Toledo, Ohio, did just that. With an average attendance of about 15–20 members, Ohio Conference’s Northwood church welcomed 54 new members through baptism following its gospel outreach a few days ago. 

Kojo Twumasi, Northwood pastor, spoke for the event, themed “Summer Blast: Building Lives Around Solid Truth.” Praising God, Twumasi describes his congregation as “small, yet determined” to share the Good News and meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people in his community. He says that as a result of this commitment, the Lord blessed the church with 54 new Seventh-day Adventists in a seemingly impossible place—Northwest Ohio—and among a group that is typically hard to reach—people of European descent. 

He commended about 40 volunteers who provided an immense contribution from the Northwood, Toledo, and Parkwood churches. He also expressed appreciation to Bible counselors, In His Word Ministries, and others who supported the campaign through prayer.

Bob Cundiff, Ohio Conference president, says, "What a blessing and joy this series was to these churches and their community. Good strong work, Northwood, Toledo and Parkwood!" 

In addition to the nightly messages, conference church members provided free clothes, school supplies, food, transportation, music, Vacation Bible School (VBS) classes, snow cones, prizes, inflatable bouncy house games and other giveaways. 

During the campaign, Twumasi prayed for those suffering from illnesses. When he invited attendees up front during an anointing service, more than 75 people came forward for healing. He also led a community baby blessing service where seen babies were dedicated to God. 

When the team organized VBS, they expected only 55 kids, but attendance ballooned to about 100 kids with approximately seven of them getting baptized. All participants received certificates and awards at the end of VBS.

Much as the campaign touched the lives of many children and youth, the adults also received a blessing. An older couple, ages 95 and 82, were among the 54 who got baptized. Twumasi says the couple could not hide their joy about their new lives, displaying it by kissing each other after they were baptized.

Twumasi has already started a new believers’ Bible study group and is looking forward to starting a children's Bible study class shortly.