Reverend Emmanuel Betson was installed Resident Pastor of the Church of the Ghanaian Community of Chicago, (COGCC), at a colorful ceremony on May 15, 2022. The moderator of the service was Reverend Dzifanu Agbenya of Living Comfort Ministries, Chicago. The President of the Council of Ghanaian Churches, Rev. Dr. Kofi Nonoo; Rev, Dr. Isaac Paintsil, Senior Pastor of Christ’s Oasis Ministries; and Reverend Kwasi Amponsah-Yeboah, Associate Pastor and former President of the Church admirably played their leading roles in the installation. The COGCC founded in 1988, prides itself as the mother of all the Ghanaian immigrant Churches in the Chicago area.
Reverend Betson is the third Pastor in line to have been installed as Resident Pastor of the Church. He was preceded by Reverend Kojo Ntim and Reverend Benjamin Quamson. Rev. Quamson was the only Minister who was ordained and installed by the Church. The church was also blessed with past resident Pastors who accepted the position without a formal installation ceremony.
Rev. Dr. Noonoo in his message “Are You Ready To Serve,” charged Rev. Betson to be an example to the believers in conduct, in word, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, according to 1Timothy 4:12. Rev. Betson in his response promised the church to do everything within his power and beyond to make the church what God wants it to be.
In his message during the pastoral prayer and installation, Rev Dr. Isaac Paintsil asked each member of the church to contribute his or her share in the furtherance of God’s work.
Reverend Amponsah Yeboah in his introduction of the event and the candidate, informed the congregation that the occasion marks the second coming of Reverend Emmanuel Betson as a Resident Pastor of the Church. He recounted a short history of the church when he stated that “The church was started by Rev Dr. Emmanuel Grantson in August 1988, when he was a student pastor at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago”. He acknowledged that the church like many other churches has gone through trials and tribulations but has always come out of it more united and stronger. He thanked the Lord for making it possible for the church to come out of the recent crisis which nearly destroyed it. He concluded by saying that the Church belongs to all Ghanaians and all people of African descent and has been served by pastors of various ethnic and denominational backgrounds.
The installation ceremony brought together Dr. Eunice Cromwell, and her legend husband, Mr. Kofi Cromwell; Mr. Sekani Jaimevadi- a youth with exceptional talent in singing; Emmanuel Betson Jr. and Victor Betson, extraordinary violists, whilst their sister, Charis Betson, amazed the audience with her skills on the Cello. It was all joy as the congregation danced to spirit-filled songs and ministration tunes, praising, and thanking their maker.
Turnout was over 200. In attendance were Chiefs, Queen-mothers, community elders and the general public. The president of the Ghana National Council, GNC, Mr. Paa Kwasi Sam, was in attendance. Equally, Togbe Addo, current chief of the Ewe Association of Chicago and Mama Awushie Adjaho were there. Also, Chief, Mion Suhudoo Naa Dr. Habiba Seidu-Fuseini, Chief of Dagbon Traditional area in Northern Ghana and Queen-mother of the Northern Union in Chicago. Others areNanahemaa Efua Dansoa, Queen-mother of the Fante Benevolent Society of Chicago; Nana Yirentsi Bonsu, Chief of the Okuapeman Association of Chicago; Christiana Osei Wusu, Elder at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Redemption Congregation Chicago; Nii Adjei Zoodi, Chief of Wogbe Dzeke and their entourages.
In her vote of thanks, the President of the COGCC, Evelyn Tetteh thanked the Almighty Lord for allowing the church to usher in a new Pastor to lead His Church. She also thanked the attendees for their participation from the beginning until the end. She concluded by saying “A year or two ago, we could not imagine that this day would come, but God’s ways are not our ways. Indeed, He alone can turn His Children’s trials into testimonies”.
The clergy, members of the GNC present, Chiefs and queen-mothers, and other community leaders were appreciated at the service. Most of the attendees would describe the event as one of the best yet, held at the COGCC.
Source: Sankofaonline.com