Church Dedicates Building, Hosts Fundraising Event

Story by Francis Tuffour

The Greater Cleveland church recently celebrated the dedication of its new building with a fundraising event. This historic occasion attracted attendees from several states and Canada.

Michael Opuni-Asiedu, church pastor, welcomed everyone to the dedication of the new building, expressing gratitude for the countless prayers, faith and community efforts that made it possible.

The Greater Cleveland church’s journey began in 2005 in the Cleveland-Akron area, founded by Ghanaian families with a vision to create a community-centric place of worship. Starting from humble beginnings in home settings, the church experienced growth and challenges alike, eventually moving services from homes to a gymnasium. By 2011, the church expanded significantly, acquiring a dedicated church building on Addison Road with the support from the Ohio Conference. This site enabled the church to conduct extensive community outreach and evangelistic activities. In 2022, the church moved to a new location, continuing its mission and driven by strong community and spiritual leadership.

The fundraising event, integral to the day’s activities, was dedicated to meeting the financial needs associated with the new building. Frederick Opuni-Mensah, a senior program manager at ADRA International, chaired the event and, along with supporters, contributed $20,000. Osei Agyena and Michael Somuah, representing the North America Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist (NAGSDA) churches, generously added $10,000. Additionally, sister Ghanaian churches from the United States and Canada provided further support with donations.

Bob Cundiff, Ohio Conference president, was the guest speaker for the event themed, “Building on Christ: A Legacy of Faith.” He shared that a life in Christ is transformational. “When we build our life on Christ, it changes our lives, it changes our identities,” he preached. “This knowledge changes the way that I view myself. For me, it changes the way that I feel about myself.” Drawing people’s attention to the deeper meaning of the building’s dedication, he explained what truly defines a sanctuary is not its steep roof, pipe organ, pulpit, stained glass or even a cross, but God’s presence.

“We dedicate the sanctuary today. That’s important. Congratulations!” he said. “But you know what makes the sanctuary meaningful? It’s when the sanctuary of your heart is also a place God inhabits. Amen! For God to be in this sanctuary, He must be in you. When you walk into this place, it becomes a holy place because you are here. After all, you bring the presence of Christ with you.”

During the dedication ceremony, he prayed for all the church members and attendees of the event before presenting the new building into God’s hands. Following a heartfelt prayer, Cundiff participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Joined by pastors and elders, with church members and guests gathered in anticipation, he snipped the ribbon, which was met with resounding amens and applause.

Other Ohio Conference staff who attended the event included Harold Straub, director of Planned Giving, Properties and Trusts, who played a crucial role in helping the church buy the new building; Andrew Stutton, associate treasurer; and Francis Tuffour, Digital Media and Communication director; as well as Sampson Twumasi, lead pastor of the Columbus Ghanaian church; and Michael Adomako, pastor of the Prince of Peace Ghanaian church in Columbus.