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MISSION STATEMENT

The main objectives of the formation of the church were as follows; It was felt that members of the Methodist church in Ghana who had migrated from Ghana to New York could worship in their own language and in their own unique way as it is practiced in Ghana, and therefore it was to be encouraged. Secondly, it was believed that members would know themselves to enable them to offer assistance to each other in times of difficulties. Thirdly, it was felt that we would at times offer financial support to our mother churches in Ghana.

WHO WE ARE

The Ghana United Methodist Church as the name suggests, is a Methodist Church affiliated with the United

Methodist Church/USA and located in the Bronx. It was founded by Rev. J.O Sarfo with immigrants from the West African Nation of Ghana in 1988. The congregation is made up of Ghanaian immigrants and number over 600. The worship services are conducted in a mix of English and Akan and all are welcome.

As a Methodist Institution our beliefs are firmly based on the Bible. We affirm the inerrancy of scripture, the realityof a triune God, the divinity of Jesus Christ. A cogent summary of the beliefs of all Methodists is captured by theApostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed:

WHAT WE BELIEVE

BRIEF HISTORY

The Ghana United Methodist Church, Bronx, New York, began with the official name ‘Ghana Methodist Church, USA.’ with people who migrated from Ghana in the 1970’s and 1980’s to the United States of America. Sometime, in August 1985, Rev. Jacob Owusu Sarfo, initiated the founding of the Ghana Methodist Church. Rev. Sarfo played a very crucial role by visiting the following Associations in New York, namely, Asanteman Association, Okuapeman Association, Akan Association, and Akyem Association Looking for the former members of the Methodist Church in Ghana. He carried his campaign for membership to the various gatherings of the Ghanaian communities in New York.By December 1985, Rev. Sarfo had collected about 62 names with addresses and telephone numbers. He then resolved to write and invite them to a meeting at the Salem Methodist Church in Harlem on January 4th, 1986. About 52 Ghanaians attended the meeting. Rev. J.O. Sarfo informed them officially of his intention to form Ghana Methodist Church. All the people at the meeting embraced the news whole-heartedly, and agreed to be involved in the formation of the Church.

LEADERSHIP

THE FIRST LEADER’S MEETING

During the first church service on January 11th, 1986, Rev. Sarfo selected some members to be leaders of the church. They held the first leader’s meeting on January 18th, 1986 at the residence of the late Bonsu Anane. The following were the first Leaders of the church:

• Rev. J.O Sarfo - Minister and Founder
• The late Rev. Dr. Samuel Akesson
• The late Bro. Bonsu Anane – Chairperson (3 months)
• Bro. Francis K. Sekyiamah – Chairperson
• Sis. Grace Oteng Sarkodie - Vice Chairperson
• Bro. James Kusi – Secretary
• Bro. Albert Osei-Owusu - Asst. Secretary
• Sis. Charity Dede Campbell – Treasurer
• The late Bro. Abeeku De Graft Johnson – Member
• Sis. Elizabeth Sarfo - Member

CHAIRPERSONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL

• Dr. Frank Essien
• Dr. Samuel K. Amoako
• Mr. James Kusi
• Mr. Andy Offei Amankwah
• Dr. Samuel K. Amoako
• Mr. Alex Boakye-Ansah
• Mr. Kofi E. Appram

• Mrs. Rebecca Adjei-Ofori

• Mr. Benjamin Abankwa

• Mr. Clement Boateng - Current

PASTORS WHO ASSISTED DURING THE INITIAL FORMATION OF THE CHURCH

• Rev. Dr. Samuel Akesson
• Rev. Dr. Samuel Acquaah-Arhin
• Rev. John Ansah-Akorful
• Rev. Helina Opoku Sarkodie

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH GHANA UMC

• Rev. Dr. George T. Johnson
• Rev. Carol Matterson Cox
• Rev. Noel Chin
• Rev. St. Clair A. Samuel

• Rev. Dr. Denise Smart Sears

• Rev. Simeon Law - Current

LAYLEADERS OF THE CHURCH:

• Mr. Francis Kwame Sekyiamah from 1986 to 1993
• Dr. Frank Essien from 1993 to 1996.
• Mr. Albert Osei-Owusu from 1996 to 2003.
• Mr. Samuel Addo from 2004 to 2008.
• Mrs. Hannah Kusi from 2009 to 2012

• Bro. Daniel Asibuoh-Sarpong from 2013 to 2016

• Dr. Alfred Amponsem from 2016 - 2019

. Bro. George Ansah - Current

MINISTERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THE CHURCH

• Rev. Jacob Owusu Sarfo, Founder, served from 1986 to October 1998
• Rev. Isaac K. Boamah, December, 1998 to June 2000
• Rev. Dr. Samuel Q.E. Ghartey from January 2001 to April 2002
• Rev. Ebenezer K. Dadson from August 1st, 2002 to June 2006
• Rev. Dr.Victor E. Acquaah-Harrison from June 2006 to July 2010
• Rev. Dr. Samuel E. Nketsia from January 2011 to September 2017

• Rev. Dr. Samuel Acquaah-Arhin from November 2017 to Present

Following the Ghana Methodist Church tradition, the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx, celebrated the 170th Anniversary of the Ghana Methodist Church with enthusiasm, on December 4th, 2005. Ghana United Methodist Church 10th Anniversary celebration was held on Sunday, November 9th, 1997. During the Annual Charge Conference, on December 10th, 2006, lawyer John K. Akpalu initiated a Resolution and officially re-incorporated Ghana United Methodist Church, Bronx to be identified with the New York Annual Conference. This was inadvertently not done when the Church was accepted to the New York Annual Conference in June 1993. During the time of the acceptance to the New York Annual Conference, Ghana United Methodist Church was granted tax exemption status by the Internal Revenue Service in June 1993.