CHILDREN MINISTRY

I enjoy the songs very well”. Touched by the little boy’s revelation, Margaret later arranged with other two fellowship members to pay Kwame a visit.
Upon reaching his home, Margaret was so surprised to find out that Kwame’s place of abode was very far away from the church premises. Yet, he managed to get to the auditorium every Saturday just to listen to the songs the choir ministered and also watch the organists play the keyboard. After that visit, Margaret started thinking about what to do to help this little boy achieve his dream. The semester ended without any idea on what to do.
When the new academic year (2013/2014) began, Margaret realised the number of children coming around during Sabbath worship had increased. Unfortunately, they only disturbed and loitered about. To bring the situation under control, some fellowship members chased them out of the auditorium to ensure a siren atmosphere for worship. On one of their usual runaways, Margaret realised there was a particular child among them who had a serious health challenge. Her name was Grace. Immediately after seeing Grace’s plight, Margaret had a strange feeling she could do something to help this little girl and the other children. She then informed them to come early the following Sabbath so they could have their worship service before the main church service. She promised also to give them gifts. The children were all very excited about that.
To her utmost surprise, many of the children came the following Sabbath. Margaret still had not planned exactly what to do for them because she did not expect they would come. She whispered a prayer asking God to give her something to do for these little ones. An idea came. She made them sit near the plantains where they could have shade just beside the auditorium. Quickly, she pleaded with members of the Deaconry Department to help her with some chairs for her special quests, the little children.
Because she had no knowledge in education and also handling children, Margaret called on other fellowship members, Doris Anderson and Gideon Akuoko who assisted and supported her not just on the first meeting, but till they completed their Bachelor’s degree in 2014. The first meeting was very short. Prayers were said and the children were taught some songs. About 20 children were in attendance. Elder Ernest Agyapong, Dorcas Danquah and Esther Danquah played significant roles in offering gifts to support this infant army then.
Sometimes, Margaret was thrilled to see that some of the little children arrived at the auditorium as early as 7am, before she did. As the days went by, the numbers kept increasing because the children had informed their friends and parents about the gifts given them when they came. When Pastor Ankomah saw this flowering ministry, he was impressed and that gave Margaret more strength to continue although there were oppositions against the idea of having a Children’s Ministry. From time to time, visits were paid to almost all the homes of the children to know where they lived.
Gradually, fellowship members came to accept the children as part of the fellowship. Every Sabbath, some fellowship members volunteered to teach the children new songs, and share with them Bible stories about children.
Realising she had few weeks left to complete her Bachelor’s degree, Margaret was worried what the state of the ministry would be after her graduation. But God in His wisdom touched and impressed upon the hearts of the nominating committee that year to nominate leaders for the children. Hearing the committee’s first reading that a new department: the Children’s Ministry had been created, the joy and gratitude in Margaret’s heart was immeasurable.
Eric Ackah and Millicent Akpaku were the first official leaders nominated by the fellowship in the 2014/2015 academic year to head and lead the Children’s Ministry. During their time, Eric and Millicent were able to train the children to be able to memorize and recite texts from the Bible. T-shirts were also made for the ministry to make the children look good for Sabbath worship. People such as Gideon Owusu, Hannah Mensah, Nicholas Boabeng, Elvis Agyeman Boadu, Daniel Grant Fampong, Michael Arthur, Hannah Eshun, Immaculate Cudjo. Annabel Kuffour, Andrews Acheampong, Bridget Osei Amoanimma, Obaa Yaa Korsah, Sarah Frimpong, Mary Adusei, Miriam Ayesua Frimpong among others, have worked with and contributed to the development of the Gnaas UCC Children’s Ministry in divers ways.
Currently, the Children’s Ministry has about 50 members with and average Sabbath attendance of 35 members. Aside from its annual Children’s Day Celebration, the Ministry now embarks on other activities such as Child Evangelism, Fruit Sabbath, Craft Sabbath, Sabbath Walk as well as Progressive Classes. This year (2019/2020 academic year), the Children’s Ministry is investing five children into the Adventist Youth Ministry, three Pathfinders and two Adventurers.
The Ministry has now also been divided into three classes: Primary A comprises children between the ages of two and five, Primary B comprising children from the age of five to seven and Class C comprising children from age eight to twelve.
A special thanks goes to Margaret Boahemaa Owusu for conceiving and bringing into fruition the idea of this Children’s Ministry. The Ministry is also grateful to Pastor Professor Y. A. Ankomah for accepting, encouraging and supporting this dream. Again, the Ministry acknowledges the sacrifices of all its past and current leaders as well as all fellowship members who have contributed to its growth until now. May the sweat of their labour yield heavenly dividends.
May God bless us all.

MARANATHA!