A Chinese adage has it that, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step’. And like Rome, the Immanuel Methodist Society (Church) has not been a day’s work.
From the very humble beginnings of holding weekly class meetings in the residence of a couple, Mr and Mrs Ackom Mensah, both of blessed memory at the Airport Residential Area in Accra, the members of the class from the Calvary Methodist Church, Adabraka, Accra, never looked back.
That single step to hold the class meetings marked the beginning of a journey of faith as the group of committed and dedicated Christians started holding evening services at the Association International School at the Airport Residential Area, developed into a preaching post, and later moved to hold services at the Englebert School before securing a piece of land at the Regimanuel-Gray Estates, East Airport, where the Immanuel Methodist Society has grown to be one of the leading Methodist Outposts in Ghana.
Towards the end of 1999, Rev. J.E. Ebe-Arthur, the then Superintendent Minister of the North Accra Circuit, encouraged the leadership of the airport group to start holding Sunday morning services. Leaders of the North Accra Circuit gave approval to the request which enabled the holding of its first morning service on April 10,1994 with Brother Kingsford Amoah as the Preacher.
Mustard seed
The ‘Mustard Seed’, which ironically, was the theme for the sermon by the then Rev. Dr Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, currently the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church-Ghana, at the first anniversary of the evening service held by the group on October 29, 1995 at the Association International School in the Airport Residential area has 20 years on, grown like a ‘tree planted by the waters, yielding fruits each season’ to what is aptly described by its current crop of members as the warmest church in the West African sub-region.
If ambition, is indeed setting a bold vision, then one can describe the Christian Soldiers of the ilk of Mr Kwesi Abbey Sam and his wife, Mercy, of blessed memory, who at a point in time, hosted the gallant group for class meetings, Prof. K.E deGraft-Johnson, Naana Ampratwum, Dr Ofori Quaah, Mrs Alice Acquaye, Mr Emmanuel Botchway and wife, Regina, the late Mrs Felicia Addae, Mrs Lilly Adjei, Madam Angelina Wood, Mrs Rose Nsenkyire, Mr E.K.Y. Ewool, Mrs Opoku Adelaide, Mr Ayayee Effe and others to mention but a few.
The preaching post
The preaching post received tremendous support and guidance from ministers of the gospel within and out of the North Accra Circuit of the Methodist Church including Most Rev. Prof. Emeritus K.A. Dickson, Very Rev. John Ampiah-Acheampong as well as some evangelists in the circuit who had become friends offering pieces of advice and encouragement.
The name Immanuel
With the increase in the numbers at the preaching post, came the need for proper identification. In 1998, a number of names were thrown up by the members for consideration out of which the lot fell on ‘IMMANUEL’ which according to the Holy Scriptures means ‘God with Us’. And indeed God has been with the society, giving them men and women of faith with the willingness to contribute and sacrifice in all forms and situations for its rapid growth and development.
The Immanuel Society was, thus, inaugurated on January 30,1999 with the Rev. John K. Bassaw as its first Minister-In-Charge who worked tirelessly in the heady transitional period but had to travel out of the shores of Ghana after seven months to pursue further studies abroad.
His position was, thus, filled by the then Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekow Ghunney, another minister of great vision and passion who led the flock to its permanent abode at the Regimanuel-Gray Estates, East Airport, on a tract of land facilitated by Mr and Mrs Botchway on which the foundation stone was laid on June 1, 2002.
As Immanuel Methodist blossomed into a fully fledged society, various organisations were formed including the Women’s and Men’s Fellowships, the Choir, the Singing Band, the Talent Singers, the Youth Fellowship, the Girls Fellowship and lately the Christ Little Band.
The Children’s Service has also experienced growth. The current Minister in charge, Very Rev. Kodwo Arko-Boham, is leading the crusade for the establishment of a Boys and Girls Brigade.
As part of its social responsibility activities, Immanuel Methodist adopted the Bawjiase Orphanage as its Sharon Project as well as the Borstal Home in Accra. It regularly sends donations in cash and items to the Osu Children’s Home, the Pantang Hospital and patients at the Nyaho Clinic.
Cancer/Scholarship Fund
In July 2014, the society established a Cancer Assistance Fund to help poor and vulnerable cancer patients in the country.
It has also established an international school complex offering subsidised education at the kindergarten, primary and junior high school levels.
The society has a scholarship scheme for brilliant, needy students in secondary and tertiary institutions. It is currently refurbishing the washrooms and bathhouses for the Senior Correctional Home at Roman Ridge, Accra, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
It is important to state that the Immanuel Society has exceptionally been blessed with ministers who have all demonstrated dedication for its growth from Rev. Joseph Arthur who took over from the Very Rev. Dr Kow Ghunney in August 2004, Rt. Rev. Justice K. A. Dadson who took over from Rev. Joseph Arthur in August 2009 and Very Rev. Kodwo Arko-Boham, the current Minister in charge of the society who took over in 2012.
The Very Rev. Prof. David John Kwamena Ekem has been of tremendous help to the Immanuel Society having been an Auxiliary Minister from 2007 to date. Very Rev.
Rebecca Baiden is also currently serving as an auxiliary minister of the society.
Other auxiliary ministers who have served Immanuel Methodist include Very Rev. John Onwona, Very Rev. Francis Acquah and Very Rev. Paul Adu Jnr.
