Columbus Ghanaian Celebrates 25 Years of Faith

Story by Francis Tuffour

Members and guests of the Columbus (Ohio) Ghanaian church recently gathered to celebrate a significant milestone: 25 years of ministry, mission and community rooted in unwavering faith. Under the theme, “After 25 Years—We Still Believe,” the celebration reflected on the church’s journey and looked forward with hope.

Recounting the church’s early days, Kusi Odomse Akuoko, the pioneer elder, shared how, in March 1998, 11 Ghanaian immigrants united with a shared mission to worship and fellowship in a culturally familiar setting. They adopted the Twi language to deepen their sense of identity and community. Meetings began in member Kwabena Okyere Ababio’s apartment, where they studied the Bible together. Akuoko highlighted the Ohio Conference’s support since the group’s formation, which he credited as vital to the congregation’s establishment and growth. Officially organized in 2000, the church quickly became a center of evangelistic activity, with members engaging in house-to-house visitations and literature distribution.

Today, the church’s reach extends beyond its physical location, maintaining a vibrant digital presence. A weekly Sabbath School discussion program on Hope TV Ghana, co-hosted by Ababio and Samuel Adjei, associate pastor of the Columbus Ghanaian church, exemplifies the church’s innova- tive approach to sharing the gospel.

Adding to the atmosphere, their Adehyeɛ Pathfinder Club’s marching band energized the cel- ebration, parading through the aisles with rhythmic drums, trumpets, songs and well-coordinated drills.

The service welcomed leaders from the Ohio Conference, including Bob Cundiff, president; Andrew Sutton, treasurer; and Francis Tuffour, director of Digital Media and Communication.

Present from the Mid-Ghana Union Conference were Kwame Annor-Boahen, president; and Richard Armah Tandoh, director of Publishing Ministries. Isaac B. Boateng, founding pastor, and Derick Adu, former associate pastor, also joined the celebration, offering reflections on the church’s impact.

In Boateng’s sermon, titled, “We Still Believe,” he challenged the church to remain steadfast, recalling how the congregation grew from 70 to 320 mem- bers within two years of its organization. Boateng praised the congregation for purchasing land and constructing their church building within six months. He commended Samuel K. Twumasi, the current senior pastor, for his visionary leadership and passion for evangelism, emphasizing the need to equip the next generation to carry on the work.

Cundiff affirmed the congregation’s strength: “I hold you up as a model of a healthy, well-functioning church—one that nurtures its children and shares the gospel.”

Adu reflected on the fulfillment of a vision cast 37 years ago to establish Ghanaian churches across North America, recognizing Columbus as a shining example.

As part of the anniversary celebration, the church raised funds to support key areas of ongoing development, including its online min- istry, the mortgage for the English congregation and parking lot improvements. Twumasi outlined a forward-looking vision that enhances the church’s hybrid ministry, effectively combining online and in-person worship, strengthening community impact, reaching out to former members, planting new churches and fostering stronger intergenerational connections.