The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo saturday morning made a surprise visit to Calvary Charismatic Center (CCC) as the famous church and its congregation bid its co-founder, Mama Joyce Obeng a chilling good bye after a solemn burial service.
Also present at the memorial service were representations from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia as well as heads of Christian bodies, traditional leaders and leaders of various organisations such as Breast Care International (BCI) and other foreign missionaries from Europe, Asia and Africa.
As early as 7am Saturday, the precincts and the auditorium of the Church was nearly filled up forcing those who came at the advertised service time of 9am to find places at the overflow and verandas of the English speaking church.
Preaching the sermon later in the day, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr Mensa Otabil encouraged Christians not to despair when one died in the Lord.
He noted those who die in the Lord have a hope of a better place after death, adding such assurance came from the Lord Jesus who died and resurrected from the dead.
The famous preacher also reinforced that these unbridled truth is also confirmed by scripture in the gospel of John chapter 14 verses 1-3.
The ICGC leader charged the Church to go forth from the ceremony being confident that just as Mama Joyce Obeng finished her work and is abiding in the warmth of the Lord in heaven they too will receive same welcome when they die in Christ.
President Nana Akufo-Addo shaking hands with the widower & founder of the CCC; Pastor Ransford Obeng
TRIBUTES:
Paying a tearful tribute to the memory to the first lady of CCC, Reverend Ransford Obeng, General Overseer of CCC and husband to Mama Joyce said the passing of the wife is a big blow to him but promised to keep the faith till they see each other in eternity.
Pastor Joshua Obeng and Eunice Opong, children of the founder and the late first lady said they would dearly miss their mum.
They recalled the Christian values their mum passed on to them and mentioned that they learnt how to pray, fast as well as pay their tithes faithfully through the counsel of their departed parent.
President Nana Akufo-Addo(in suit), Ashanti regional Minister & other NPP functionaries
Mr and Mrs Robert Samuel, natives of Sri-Lanka and members of CCC recounted the motherly role Mrs Joyce Obeng played in their lives, noting that they had become strong in the faith because the CCC co-founder chose to imbibe in them good principles of God.
Taking their turn, elders of CCC paid glowing tribute to Mrs Obeng for her unwavering commitment to the work of God.
They said the Church had seen a constant revival and new directions because Mama Joyce decided to invest time and effort in prayer.
They noted that the setting up of a Foundation called the Mewura Boafo, a non-governmental organisation aimed at helping deprived communities get access to potable water and the institution of the lady Pastors Conference where needy ministers of the gospel were taken care of showed the humanitarian aspect of the first lady.
Pastor Mensa Otabil with Pastor Ransford Obeng(in smock)
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Perhaps what may have occasioned the sober mood of members of CCC during the burial and memorial service of Mama Joyce was the night of worship the Church had last Friday.
Calming members down on the night, the venerable Chris Delvan Gwamna, the famous Nigerian worship leader recounted through music the hope Christians have in the Lord.
He noted that anyone who believed in Christ Jesus died the day he or she accepted Him as Lord, adding that each of them would be raised up in the day of resurrection when Christ returns.
Lacing up the music with humorous jokes, Minister Gwamna had the General Overseer of CCC as well as his children laughing out their lungs when he recounted moments he lost his dad and mum in Kaduna, a city in Nigeria.
