The First Ghanaian Adventist Church is Organized on the West Coast
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services or did not attend at he Riverside Ghanaian all. From those deliberations, company was duly the idea of coming together to formed as a new form an association that would church of Southeastern cater to the needs of Ghanaian California Conference (SECC) students and their families on January 8 in the La Sierra was born. A committee was Academy gym. The new set up, and a constitution was Riverside Ghanaian church is developed for the Ghanaian the first Ghanaian SeventhAdventist Association of day Adventist church on the Southern California. Pacific Coast. The new association The words Mo gye tum SECC President Jonathan Park acknowledges the decided to start a Ghanaian (a Ghanaian phrase meaning flag presentation. branch Sabbath School at La “Do you agree?”) and Ye Sierra University church, initially meeting once a month. gye tum (meaning “We agree”) resounded from the Eventually, a decision was made for the association congregation, responding to the call and challenge to meet once a week instead of monthly. In addition, of becoming a new church body. This celebratory they did not want to meet just for Sabbath School but milestone can be attributed to a lay-driven effort of to also add a church worship service. Many Ghanaian dedicated members who started with a mindset of Adventists in the local area started joining the students ministry. in weekly Sabbath School study and began actively The beginning of this journey started in 2002, when participating in the church programs. nine Ghanaian students were admitted into La Sierra In 2007, the association requested to become an University. By June 2003, the number increased to 16. official organized group of SECC. Through the support Fortunately, they were shown hospitality from four of La Sierra University church, the group moved to its Ghanaian families and the All Nations African church in current location in 2005 and the branch Sabbath School a nearby community. was organized as an official company. Fellowship dinners were always provided. These Over the years, the group has baptized 13 fellowship dinners often led to deliberations on life in individuals. At the church organization celebration, America. Because of language and cultural differences, three young people from the original branch Sabbath some Ghanaians attended non-Adventist church School were baptized. The faithful members of this newly formed church have also contributed a total of $1,201,365 in tithe and offerings during this period. On January 8, 2022, the officers of SECC were proud to say, “Ye gye tum,” meaning “We too agree!” ____________________ By Robert Edwards Church members celebrate churchhood.
Southeastern California Conference
March 2022 51
