For many years, the children of the Central Assembly in the Toflokpo District of The Church of Pentecost met under a Neem tree for Sunday School. But now, they can heave a sigh of relief because their District Minister, Pastor Isaac Dickson Baidoo, and his wife, Dora, have singlehandedly built them a suitable place of worship.
The beautiful edifice, which was constructed at a GHS 125,000.00, was dedicated last Sunday by Apostle Emmanuel O. Ankra-Badu (Tema Area Head), with assistance from Evangelist Ohene-Asa Otu (Sefwi-Juaboso Area Head) and the Children’s Ministry Director, Pastor Professor Otoo Ellis.
Also present at the colourful event were ministers and wives in the Tema Area, traditional leaders, as well as the officers and members of the Toflokpo District and other nearby districts.
Recounting the genesis of the project at the ceremony, Mrs Dora Baidoo, a tutor at the Bonikope School Complex, said it all began one Sunday morning in 2019 when she was on her way to church. As she got closer to the auditorium, she saw the children gathered under the tree where they usually held their meetings. Suddenly, it began to rain, so the children had to carry their benches into the main church auditorium for shelter. As she looked on at the unpleasant situation, she heard a voice saying: “What will you do about this situation?” However, she did not respond and ignored the voice.
Three weeks later, she heard the voice again, “Won’t you do what I told you about the Children’s place of worship?”
“This time I responded and said that I am only a teacher by profession and did not have enough money for such a project. But the voice assured me that I would have enough money when I commenced it,” she narrated.
After the experience, Mrs. Baidoo became nervous and immediately shared what had happened with her husband, who encouraged her with the word of God in Haggai 2:8 and Psalm 127:1. He also assured her of his support for the project.
Pastor Baidoo summoned the District Executive Committee to inform them about the project. They also assured the couple of their unflinching support.
On hearing the ambitions project, the then Area Head, Apostle Matthew Larbi Wettey (now retired) offered words of encouragement to the couple and performed the sod-cutting ceremony for its commencement in April 2020.
The project continued steadily but was later halted due to financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, just as the Lord had assured her of His provision for the project, Mrs Baidoo received a breakthrough.
According to Mrs. Baidoo, she felt some pain in her leg and visited the hospital for treatment but to no avail. A friend introduced her to a herbal medicine that completely healed her of the ailment.
“One day, in my sleep, I had a strange dream in which my husband was encouraging me to be a sales agent for the herbal medicine. So, when I woke up, I contacted the manufacturer and signed up as a sales agent,” she said.
Mrs. Baidoo said the decision served as a major turning point as it provided her additional income to push the project until its successful completion.
Pastor and Mrs. Baidoo are very grateful to God for His faithfulness and for helping them to provide a suitable place for worship for the children.
They are hopeful that the edifice would help boost children’s attendance at Sunday School.
Dedicating the building, Apostle Emmanuel Ofei Ankra-Badu thanked the Baidoo family for bearing such a great vision, which is worthy of emulation. He charged the leadership of the church to take good care of the building and engage in aggressive evangelism to win more children in the community for Christ.
Moved by the gesture, the Area Children’s Ministry pledged to install a flatscreen TV in the facility for the children to facilitate teaching and learning of the word of God.
Report by Pastor Boachie-Ansah (Tema Area Media Team)