A story of Influence (ICGC)
Social Developmental Interventions of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC)
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The focus of every organisation is significantly influenced by the philosophy and experiences of its founders. Pastor Mensa Otabil rose from a background of personal adversity having lost both parents within a year as a teenager.
This displacement and the support he received from public-spirited people stirred in him a desire to make the world a better place for people with all kinds of challenges.
As a result, the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has since its establishment in February 1984, demonstrated a strong commitment to helping the most vulnerable in society.
The church's statement of philosophy emphasizes its belief in upholding human dignity. This desire finds expression in a number of social interventions aimed at improving the quality of life not just of its members but people of all faiths and society as a whole.
As it strives to meet the spiritual needs of its members and the world at large, the church also invests in programmes, activities and projects that demonstrate the love of Christ to the needy, vulnerable and underprivileged.
Central Aid Scholarship Scheme
The Central Aid scholarship fund was established in 1988 in response to the burgeoning numbers of needy youth whose educational dreams were hindered by financial constraints. It offers educational scholarships to needy brilliant pupils at the second-cycle level irrespective of religious affiliation or ethnicity Since its inception, the agency has awarded scholarships to some three thousand (3,000) brilliant needy students through their secondary, technical and vocational education in Ghana.
Central University
Central University College (CUC) started as a short-term pastoral training institute of the church in October 1988. In June 1991, it was incorporated as the Central Bible College and ran for two years before being renamed Central Christian College. With time, the college grew in depth of tuition and variety of programmes offered. It upgraded its curricula to include baccalaureate level programmes, expanding even further to include an integrated and practice oriented business school, and named Central Business School. With sights on being a preferred liberal arts college of choice, the university was re-branded Central University College in 1998.
The National Accreditation Board has since accredited it as a tertiary institution. Having met the necessary educational requirements of Ghana, it received a Presidential Charter in April this year and thus attained the level of a full university, capable of awarding its own degrees. Central university strives to produce a new generation of African leaders with high ethical standards, while establishing a dynamic link between faith and learning.
Children’s Cancer Unit
ICGC has over the years adopted one project each year as the main beneficiary of its charity activities. Five years ago, the pressing need for financial aid to patients receiving treatment at the Children’s Cancer unit came to the church's attention. In consultation with the management of the unit, the church instituted a monthly donation to support the high cost of medications and treatment drugs of the children on admission.
Officials of ICGC paying a visit to the Children’s Cancer Unit at Korle Bu
As a result, 100 per cent of the children were able to receive treatment and no one was turned away for financial reasons. The church has maintained the support for five consecutive years. ICGC is cognizant of the worth of every child and his/her potential to solve major problems in the world. It is this belief that makes the church continue supporting the Children’s Cancer Unit.
Life Walk
Every year, ICGC organises a health walk known as Life Walk. Pastor Otabil leads thousands of participants on the 12-kilometre walk with the dual purpose of promoting fitness and healthy living on one hand and generating funds for charity on the other.
Life Walk is the annual fitness and charity event of ICGC
Construction of Dormitory – Osu Children’s Home
In 2007, ICGC constructed a 50-bed two-storey fully furnished boys’ hostel for the Osu Children’s Home at a cost of $200,000. The facility, comprising a dormitory, a state-of-the-art e-learning centre, a staff flat, a dining room, a store room, a sick bay and washrooms, was to create for the children, many of whom are orphans, the right environment to enable them to reach their full potential. The church continues to maintain and renovate the facility to ensure that it continues to serve the children well.
Health & Recreational Facility
In 2008, ICGC constructed a multipurpose recreational facility comprising basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, christened Body Temple. It was built for the mutual use and benefit of its members, the community and interested members of the general public.
ICGC remains committed to continually investing in the poor, needy and vulnerable through its social interventions and programmes. The church believes that these activities help make Christ real to the beneficiaries in a practical and life-changing way.
The Boys’ Dormitory at the Osu Children’s Home.
Pastor Mensa Otabil unveiling the plaque to inaugurated the dormitory
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