LIGHT HOUSE CENTRAL ASSEMBLY OF GOD

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Church building

 

MEN’S MINISTRY

The Men’s Ministry consists of male adults who are married. It was set up as one of the departments of the church to equip the men through training and also prepare them effectively to serve the Lord.

The Ministry concerns itself mainly with rural evangelism, crusades, setting up of churches and putting up church buildings for rural communities. One of these churches is at Aduman Assemblies of God Church which was put up by the Men’s Ministry. Other churches that have benefited from the Men’s Ministry programme include New Tafo Assemblies of God.

CHRIST AMBASSADORS

The actual work of the Youth Ministry began as far back as 1961 through the efforts of Madam P. Scott, a missionary stationed at the Northern Region.

She saw that the strength of every church lies in the youth. As a result, she formed the Christ Ambassadors with the help of Madam Roll, her co-partner in the work of God.

The first executives were:

Mr. Kwaku Berhin (President)

Mr. John Boateng (Secretary)

Mr. Kwabena Darko (Treasurer)

The Aims of the Christ Ambassadors are to:

  • Equip the youth in the study of the word of God.
  • Help the local church.
  • Train the youth for effective evangelism.
  • Establish a bond of unity and fellowship among the youth in and outside the church.

Some of the past presidents were:

  • Mr. Kwaku Berhin
  • Mr. Kwabena Darko
  • Mr. Owusu Afriyie
  • Mr. Paul Amankwah
  • Mr. Joe Mensah
  • Rev. Collins Okai
  • Mr. Ansah Addo
  • Mr. Akwasi Afrifa Sarpong

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

The Women’s Ministry was established in 1956 with major objective to organize the women to serve God, Church, The Nation and any serviceable area. It started with only nine women with Madam Bernice Boateng, a Chorister, as the first leader of the ministry.

Other leaders who have handled the Ministry were:

  • Madam Ernestina Aryeh
  • Mrs. Christiana Darko
  • Mrs. Susana Serwaa
  • Mrs. Grace Takyi
  • Mrs. Vivian Amoah

ACTIVITIES

  • The Women’s Ministry prays for the Nation and the church.
  • Organize Bible studies programmes to prepare the women for profitable ventures in the Lord.
  • Church cleaning and decoration.
  • Offer financial and other material assistance to the church’s Bible school.
  • Social gathering for the women, train and prepare the young girls through Missionettes and Y’s which are affiliate groups within the Women’s Ministry.

SHORT HISTORY OF LIGHTHOUSE CENTRAL A/G


It is generally believed that Central church, Kumasi began in 1944/45. While that is true to a large extent, it should also be remembered that the true history of the Assemblies of God, Ghana began in the Northern Territories under British colonial rule in the 1930’s. It was only after churches were established there that the attention of missionaries (mostly Americans) were turned to the Southern sector of the Gold Coast (Ghana). In actual fact the first native Pastors of churches in Southern Ghana including Kumasi and Accra had originally been converted in the Northern Territories. Although themselves Southerners, they had heard the gospel while they were in the North as traders, workers or businessmen. They include Osofo Tchie and Rev. Bamford Akoto, to mention a few.

In 1944, the first American missionary to be stationed in Kumasi, Rev. John Burdette Wiles arrived. He was house at Dr. Poku’s house (former Luv FM) where he begun his apostolic ministry. It is not clear who the first converts were, but that early congregation met at Rev. Wiles’ residence for church, prayer meetings and evening Bible classes. Bro. Dadson acted as his interpreter at that time.

In 1945 with the church population increasing rapidly, Rev. Wiles residence was too small to accommodate them. Consequently, the church rented Kwasi Tando’s cinema house (now Evangelical Church of God). As the work became too difficult for Rev. Wiles alone with the ever-increasing population, Rev. Tchie was brought down from Tamale to act as first native pastor.


CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE

Actual construction of the temple began late in 1949 largely through communal labour offered by church members. The work was done largely in the evenings (to allow members to carry on their normal day-time business) and no work was done on Sundays for obvious reasons. The architectural designs were made by Rev. Wiles and supervision was provided by him and Rev. Tchie. Heavy construction materials like sand were transported in Rev. Wiles jeep trailer. Only two members were employed as paid workers. Bro. John Ofori, Snr. was the mason while Bro. Aquaye was the carpenter. The enthusiasm of the building crew was such that work continued on a daily basis till late in the night even though no food was provided. Artificial light was provided by Rev. Wiles generator.

While construction work was going on, normal church activities e.g. Sunday services were carried out under a tent erected where the flag pole was standing. As soon as the basement was completed these activities were shifted there.

It should be remembered that the church construction occurred concurrently with the construction of the mission bungalows near City Hotel. The total cost of construction was$92,000. Funds were provided largely by voluntary contributions from United States of America. However at the end of the building project, a debt of $3,000 was left to be borne by Central church (more on this later). The church as we know it today was completed and dedicated to the glory of God in 1954.


THE DEDICATION

The official opening and dedication of the Assembly of God Church, Kumasi Ashanti (for that was the original name) took place on 11th December, 1954 at 11.00 am. So important was this milestone in the church’s history that meets of the top hierarchy of the Assemblies of God in the U.S.A. and the Foreign Missions were present. The dedication was under the patronage of Nana Sir Agyemang Prempeh ll, the Asantehene. Among the dignitaries present were:

  • Rev. J. O. Savell – Assistant General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, America.
  • Rev. C. Greenway – Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Churches, Togo and Dahomey (Benin).
  • Rev. W. F. McCorkle – Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Churches, Gold Coast.
  • Rev. J. S. Kessler – Missionary Instructor, Bible Training College, Kumasi.
  • Rev. J. B. Wiles – Kumasi Missionary (on leave).
  • Rev. E. G. Ziemann – Missionary Supervisor, Ashanti.

The Rev. E. B. Akoto was the Pastor of the Kumasi Church, following the departure of Rev. Tchie. The first church board was comprised of:

  • Bros. H. C. Derx
  • J. E. Acquaye
  • M. Addo
  • J. Kyerekyire
  • S. K. Addae
  • E. Essiema