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TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

LONDON

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

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[INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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CONTENTS

1. SESSION CLERK’S REPORT ....................... 4

2. MEN’S FELLOWSHIP .............................. 9

3. WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP ....................... 11

4. YOUNG PEOPLE’S GUILD ....................... 12

5. CHURCH CHOIR ..................................... 13

6. SINGING BAND ..................................... 14

7. BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER GROUP ........ 15

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SESSION CLERK’S REPORT - 2012

PREAMBLE

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corithians 13 : 4-7,13

INTRODUCTION

Trinity Presbyterian Church, London Congregation is located at the South Lee Christian Centre in the

London Borough of Lewisham. It is one of the nine Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) congregations in

London and environs. In fact, it is the only PCG church in London that has acquired its place of worship. We

also own a manse which is just five minutes’ walk from the church building. This manse houses the District

Minister. Services are held twice every Sunday. The first service conducted in English starts at 11:00am and

ends at 12:30pm. The second service is conducted in Twi and is 2:00pm to 5:30pm. Our Caretaker is Mr

Samuel Asiedu Sasu who works under the supervision of the District minister-Rev Ben Larsey.

As at the last count, church membership stood at 409.

CURRENT OFFICES (PRESBYTERS)

The church is a United Kingdom Registered Charity which has seventeen elected Session Members

forming the Board of Trustees. They are:

Dr. Israel Nartey (Senior Presbyter), Mr. Akwasi Adu-Larbi (Treasurer), Mr. Frank Akoto (Session Clerk), Madam Adwoa Konadu Yiadom (Assistant Session Clerk) Mrs. Doris Owusu (Financial Secretary) Miss Beatrice Nunoo, Mr. David Ofori Mrs. Cecilia Akuffo Mr. Steve Ofei, Mr. Ike Quist Arcton, Mrs. Georgina Abrafi Oduro, Mrs. Victoria Kotei, Mrs. Abena Marfoah Hemans, Mrs. Felicia Owusu Amoakwah, Mr. George Commodore, Mr. Ebenezer Odame Bekoe,

Mr. David Ansah.

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CURRENT OFFICES (GROUPS) MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

President : Steve Ofei,

Vice President : Emmanuel Amponsah,

Acting Secretary : Felix Ankrah,

Assistant Secretary : Joseph Kwasi Botchway,

Treasurer: Seth Bernard Appiah

Assistant Treasurer : Samuel Appiah,

Financial Secretary: Ernest Osei,

Assistant Financial Secretary - Ebenezer Odame-Bekoe,

Chaplain: Simon Adu Henaku,

Assistant Chaplain : Alex Anim Annor,

Music Master : Alwyn Fleischer Djoleto,

Assistant Music Master: Ebenezer Odame-Bekoe,

Welfare Officer: Christopher O Amoako.

Independent Auditor: Akwasi Adu Larbi

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

President : Madam Adwoa Konadu Yiadom,

Vice President : Ms. Kinful Abbey,

Secretary : Mrs. Rose Akrofi,

Asst. Secretary : Mrs. Dorothy Opoku-Attah

Treasurer : Miss Beatrice Mettle-Nunoo

Financial Secretary: Mrs. Stella Kyeremanteng-Adarkwah

Protocol Officers : Mrs. Georgina Abrafi Oduro, Madam Victoria Asoh Adonteng & Miss Ivy Thompson

YOUNG ADULT’S FELLOWSHIP

President: Ms Rebecca Asantewaa Darko,

Secretary: Nana Kwame Ampadu-Badu,

Financial Secretary: Mrs Ruth Antwi Marfo,

Treasurer: Ms Leticia Asah,

Male Organiser: Mr Prosper Defor,

Women Organiser: Ms Felicia Asante

YOUNG PEOPLE’S GUILD

President: William Asiama Bekoe

Vice President Yaa Obuo-Dadzie

Secretary Dinah Ofosu-Asante

Asst. Secretary Rebecca Opoku-Attah

Treasurer Eugene Ntow Atiemo

Female Organiser Lydia Opoku-Attah

Male Organiser Stanley Kotei

Financial Secretary Lucy Osafo

Evangelism Secretary Phyllis Asiama-Bekoe

Executive Advisor David Ansah

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CHURCH CHOIR

President : Mrs. Comfort Ofei

Vice President : Mr. Ebenzer Odame-Bekoe

Secretary : Mr. Kweku Annan

Assistant secretary: Mr. Eugene Ntow Atiemo

Treasurer : Mrs. Rejoice Amekudzi

Organiser : Mrs. Lucy Tannor

Welfare Secretary : Mrs Mary Tannor

Chaplain : Ms Beatrice Adu-Pobi

Custodians : Mr. David Aninakwa & Mrs Alice Adomako

Choir Master : Mr. Isaac Owusu Antwi

Vice Choir Master : Mr. Alwyn Djoleto

Choir Mother : Mrs. Christina Graham

SINGING BAND

President : Mr. Jonas Hemans

Secretary: Mrs. Georgina Abrafi Oduro

Asst. secretary: Ms Christiana Odartey

Treasurer: Ms Ivy Thompson

Welfare Secretary: Madam Florence Osafo Gyarteng

Mother: Matilda Twum Barima

Porter: Alice Asantewaa Gyarteng

Choir Master: Ebenezer Odame-Bekoe

Chaplian: Mrs. Lucy Addai-Nkansah

BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER GROUP

President: Mr. Kofi Marfo

Vice President: Mr. Kofi Abrokwa

Secretary: Mrs. Joyce Addo-Yobo

Vice Secretary: Mrs. Eleanora Abrokwa

Treasurer: Mrs. Grace Nartey

Financial Secretary: Ms. Kinful Abbey

Protocol Officer: Mrs. Charity Serbeh Kyei

Chaplain: Mr. Kwame Boakye (Transferred to North London as Caretaker)

ASSESSMENT OF PREVIOUS OBJECTIVES

Our vision is to be Christ-centered, Evangelistic, Disciplined, Democratic, United, Self-Sustaining and

Growing Church. We are on course to achieving these objectives.

At the beginning of the year, with the absence of a Minister to guide us, the church was in dire

need of spiritual leadership. By the Almighty’s abundant Grace we were blessed with the arrival of

Rev. Benjamin Okpoti Larsey, the District Minister in June. Our eyes have been opened to the right

way of going about business in the church and the church is adapting to this trend.

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MAJOR GOALS

To build a gallery in the church;

To increase the membership of the church;

To create satellite churches to cater for the increasing numbers;

To improve commitment and dedication of members;

To organise quarterly meetings between new members and elders of the church. This is to

provide feedback and make the elders accessible and the church democratic.

To organise a series of various programs and evangelise to all;

To actively involve the youth in the spreading of the gospel;

To involve other congregations in various activities and improve inter-congregational

harmony.

To run the church with adopted workable sections in the constitutions of both the

Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Charity Commission of the UK, removing conflicting

clauses and clarifying policies. We do this to operate within the legal framework of the UK.

To streamline the running of the congregation in accordance with the constitution and

conventions of the church.

By the Almighty’s abundant Grace, we have seen the end of yet another year. Glory be to the Almighty’s Name.

The year 2012 has also been an eventful year and we thank the Almighty for seeing us through all the trials and tribulations.

There were changes in the leadership of the church. In May, Dr. Israel Nartey replaced Mrs. Cecilia Akuffo as the Senior Presbyter of the church while Mr. Akwasi Adu-Larbi took over as Treasurer of the church when Mr. David Ofori resigned.

The marriages of Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Boakye and Mr. and Mrs. Nana Darko were blessed in the church during the year.

In May, the five-day 2nd Overseas Missionary Field Conference of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana was hosted by Trinity in May. Among the dignitaries who attended were: Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rev. Herbert Anim Opong, the Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCG and Rev. William Ofosu-Addo, the Director of Mission and evangelism of the PCG. In attendance were delegates from Italy, Germany, the USA, UK, Norway, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Australia and Ghana.

In June, the Grace Evangelical Team which is made up of Evangelist Dr. Abboah-Offei, Mrs. Faustina Abboah-Offei and Paster Charles Ofosu-Ayarkwa, held a two-week revival program to spiritually empower the congregants. This program was patronised by members of all other PCG congregations in London. The programme ended on 17th June with a mini-Harvest for the church.

On 14th October, we were privileged to host the Queen mother and her entourage of the Akyem traditional area in Ghana at our church service. They were on a visit to London and chose to worship with us on that day.

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On the 4th of November, Trinity hosted a PCG District-wide joint service for the formal induction of Rev. Ben Larsey as the District Minister of the London PCG. It was a grad occasion which was officiated by no less a person than Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, the Moderator of the General Assemble of the PCG.

Trinity’s Annual Harvest was held on the 11th of November and it turned out to be the most successful harvest ever organised by the church.

This year we are saddened by the loss of six of our members who passed away. They are Mr. Mr. William Sarkodie (Paa Willie), Mr. Sampson Mireku, Nana Owiredu Akyeampong, Mr.Victor Mante, Mrs. Lucy Addai-Nkansah and Mrs. Grace Sowah. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

All in all, Trinity, we are Blessed. Let us give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercies endure forever. Ewurade asomdwee nka mo nyinaa.

FRANK AKOTO

SESSION CLERK

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GROUPS’ REPORTS

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

PREAMBLE: “Lord Jesus make this Men’s Fellowship Group a candle shinning with your light, Steadfastly unflinching,

Standing tall for you, Strong and Free and Holy and above all be humble in everything we do”.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership of the group as at today stood at 50 compared with last year of 46. On records we

managed to stabilize our membership with a fairly high retention. However on activity level our core membership

dropped to an average of 20 – 24. This is a great concern to the Executive Committee.

OFFICERS: The Officers who serve on the governing body of the group form the executive committee and are made up

of 14 members, consisting of 7 principal officers and 7 deputies. Current officers are; Steve Ofei President, Emmanuel

Amponsah Vice President, Joseph Kwasi Botchway Secretary, Felix Ankrah Anobah Acting Secretary, Seth Bernard

Appiah Treasurer, Samuel Appiah Assistant Treasurer, Ernest Osei Financial Secretary, Ebenezer Odame-Bekoe

Assistant Financial Secretary, Simion Adu Henaku Chaplain, Alex Anim Annor Assistant Chaplain, Alwyn Offei Fleischer

Music Master, Ebenezer Odame-Bekoe Assistant Music Master, Christopher O Amoako Welfare Officer. Independent

Examiner (Auditor) Akwasi Adu Larbi

Messrs Emmanuel Amponsah and Felix Ankrah are the only officers who have not served their three years fixed term in

office. Election of new officers is scheduled on 18 November 2012.

MEETINGS: The group meets once in every Third Sunday of the month for general meeting at 12.30pm just after the

Sunday English Service. Executive Committee meetings are held occasionally prior to the general meetings.

ACTIVITIES: Programmes such as Bible study, Songs rehearsal and Visitations to the sick and bereaved members of

the group were undertaking.

Our programmes of activities upholds the principal goals in our constitution and included

Wining souls for Christ and enriching people spiritually

Rebuilding individual and Church relationships through evangelism

Rebuilding our spiritual growth and development through prayer and fasting

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ACHIEVEMENTS:

1. We are proud again to state that the group held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28th July this year. This A. G. M. is seen as a matter of good governance to bring about accountability and transparency on the part of the executive committee. Debatable topics for discussion at the Conference during the A. G. M. were

a. What does it mean to be a Christian? b. Is there life after death and does Heaven and Hell really exist?

These discussion topics were led by Rev Ben Larsey and Rev E. Aggrey Ogoe.

2. Also proud to announce that the group chaired the Trinity P.C. G. 2012 Annual Church Harvest and Fund Raising with a donation of 4250.00 pounds.

3. Our Chief Patron, Dr. I. Nartey was elected as the Senior Presbyter of Trinity P. C. G. London Congregation in May 2012.

PROBLEMS:

1. Continuous dropping in number of Core member’s participation in group programmes and church service attendance is a great cause for concern to the executive committee.

PROJECTIONS:

1. To meet one of our objectives in rebuilding our spiritual growth and development through prayer and fasting, we wish to organize a weekend trip to a place such as Ash Burner for retreat.

2. Intensify bible study and an effective membership drive in the coming year 3. A mission to support the church in her worship and to be the driving force in the Church to take up the

challenges and responsibilities to assist with the development and growth of the Church.

FINANCE: The group is managed financially through monthly membership dues of 5 pounds each and voluntary

contributions. Income from these has never been good in 2012 compared to previous year’s income generations.

Another source of funding the group is through Fund Raising activity in the church but we never had the opportunity to

hold anniversary nor fund raising in the year 2012. We humble request the Session to allow us hold such event next

year.

DEATH: We recorded one death during the year: The late Mr. Victor Mantey. May His Soul Rest in perfect peace

CONCLUSION: It is our prayer that the Almighty God will make this Men’s Fellowship group a river of water pure and

sweet and its member’s servants of the Church and to serve everyone we meet.

Signed: Felix Ankrah Anobah

Acting secretary.

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WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

No on roll: 90

Active members 45 – 50

Preamble

We welcomed the year 2012 with a covenant service. We followed the scheme of work provided from Head

Office. This encompassed various activities, talks, debates on topical and health issues, Bible study, home

economics and cookery demonstrations.

Achievements

We embarked upon intensive evangelism, an outreach programme visiting the housebound, and the sick,

infirm and backsliders of the entire congregation. This has proved to be successful. We continue to provide

support where necessary.

Recruitment

Recruitment has been low this year. Only a handful of new members joined. Peraps this is due to the increase

in the age of the YAF. However, we are pleased to receive Rev. and Mrs. Larsey later in the year. Mrs. Larsey

has automatically enrolled in our class

Welfare

As always, where we are able to assist, we do our best. This yearwe donated a small amount to three charities

in Ghana: Children’s home in Kumasi, School for the Blind in Akropong and School for the Deaf.

Conclusion

We have enjoyed a very fruitful year. Sadly, two of our dynamic members have been called to glory.

God willing we hope to continue with the outreach programme for the benefit of all.

Secretary

Women’s Fellowship

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YOUNG PEOPLE’S GUILD

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the

Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations... Amen... Psalm

100:4-5

The aim of the Y.P.G is to promote the spiritual, moral and social welfare of the youth of the Presbyterian

Church so they can accept their responsibilities.

NUMERICAL STRENGTH

The total number of the guild currently stands at 20, comprising of 15 females and 10 males. We wish to

entreat all the young people in the congregation to join the guild so that together we can build a better and a

strong church in the future. As we the young ones are the future leaders of this church, we need to prepare

now as a stitch in time saves nine.

MEETINGS

The guild meets the third Saturday of every month at 3pm-5pm.

ACTIVITIES

We try to satisfy both the spiritual and physical needs of its members; among numerous engagements by the

guild are Bible studies, Talk shows, Symposia, Trips, Learning of songs etc. We look forward to improving

upon this in the coming year with activities like praise and worship night. We therefore entreat every member

of the church to support us.

Last year the guild hosted a praise and worship night which invited the church. The aim was to encourage the

youth. The guild is looking at hosting more shows like that as a way of evangelism.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH

The guild is financed by monthly dues by its members and occasional donations from its patrons, friends and

well wishers

FUTURE PLANS

Future plans of the guild include re-registration of all its members, more ways of encouraging the youth in the

church, more evangelism, prayer meetings and bible studies.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we will like to take this opportunity to thank our patrons, session representatives who have been

there to guide us throughout the year; we cherish your support with all our hearts. And to all who in one or

another have been friends of the group we say thank you. But like Oliver Twist, we will ask for more.

Therefore we wish to receive more of those and frequent visits to our meetings as we trust this will boost our

morals.

Long live Trinity Presby and long live YPG.

Y! Y!! YPG!!! Service all the way.

God bless you all.

Vice- President: Maame Yaa Obuo-Dadzie

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CHURCH CHOIR

NUMERICAL STRENGTH(MEMBERSHIP):

Numerical strength of the Choir stands at thirty eight (38 which consist of 16 males and 22 females. Twenty five of the

members are regular. This represents an increase in our membership as compared to the previous year. The choir

continues to embark on a recruitment drive to increase our membership especially male singers in the church by inviting

people to our meetings.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHOIR:

The Church Choir has been actively involved in most of the activities organised by the church and in the District. Leading

in singing during all local church activities such as nine lesson and carol services, as well as other programmes

organised outside the church.

The Choir has also introduced Bible study as part of our monthly meeting programmes to enhance our spiritual life as

choristers

The Choir has seen a number of bereavements which some members have suffered by losing their loved ones. In such

circumstances, we provide moral as well as financial support to members.

The Choir has initiated consultation with local Choirs towards the formation of District Choir’s Union which will be

inaugurated next year, and Trinity choir plays a major role in this.

FINANCE:

The Choir finances are carefully managed through good book keeping by our financial secretary. The only source of the

choir income is through membership dues of five pounds (£5.00) a month, anniversary proceeds and donations from our

patrons and other well-wishers.

DIFFICULTIES:

Due to work commitments some members finds it very difficult to attend Choir rehearsals and also problems with Choir

masters which has a lot of effect on the Choir’s performance.

CONCLUSION

The Church Choir take this opportunity to thank the session, patrons and all who in diverse ways have been supporting

the Choir. The Choir will continue to be strong and effective group within the Church to fulfil its purpose in serving the

living God. We wish the Session and the entire Congregation Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Eugene Ntow A

Assistant Church Choir secretary.

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SINGING BAND

The Singing band was founded in 1996 with fifteen members. Since its creation, our aim has been to uplift souls through

gospel song ministration. Out of 30 registered members, 15 are very active so we call upon all to join. We meet twice a

month on Saturdays between the hours of 3 to 5pm

In 2010 we were delighted to celebrate our 5th anniversary which was very successful. Based on this success we invited

other sister bands to join hands with us to form a district. We are yet to get replies regarding out invitation. If this vision is

realised, we plan to send delegates each year to the National conference which is held in Ghana to propagate our work

in the UK.

All funds in our coffers are generated from membership dues, which is support by the church. We call upon all with kind

heart to donate whatever they can to propagate our course. In deed the most important resource to us is dedicated

members, and again we call on all to join especially the young members of the church who love to sing. Don’t worry

about you voice cause we will give you full voice training. Amen

We deeply regret to announce the death of our chaplain Mrs Lucy Addai Nkansah which happened in London on the 5th

of October 2012. May the good Lord grant her soul perfect peace.

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. God bless you all

Thank you.

Secretary

Georgina Abrafi Oduro

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Bible Study and Prayer Group

Preamble:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Act 1:8

Membership:

The total number of members currently on record is about forty (47), however at our regular meetings; the average

attendance is about 25. One of our members has relocated to Ghana and is now on our record as a distance member.

Sadly, two (2) of our members; Mad. Lucy Addae Nkansah and Mad. Grace Sowah are now resting in the Lord. May

their souls rest in perfect peace!

Objective:

Our Theme for this year has been ‘The Holy Spirit and the Believer: Our Response’. This was the National BSPG Theme

for the year 2012. The focus of the group this year has been to: promote the spiritual growth of members; increase the

knowledge of Spiritual Gifting; increase membership; raise the profile of the group in the church; assist in the work of

evangelism; and to promote the numerical and spiritual growth of the congregation. Members were actively encouraged

to get closer to God, identify their gift areas and to be active in the church.

Activities:

In order to achieve the above objective, the group carried out a number of activities during the year. These activities

include:

Fasting and Prayer: In January, the group liaised with Evangelism Committee and The Prayer Team to organize a

3 weeks long session of prayer and fasting for the congregation, to seek the face of the Lord and also to pray for the

church. It started on the 9th and crowned it with an All-Night Service on the 27th. The theme for this program was

‘Rain Down Your Blessings’ (Ezekiel 34:26).

Bible Studies: The group has held regular Bible Studies in a verse-by-verse study method of the Book of

Romans. Members have also been actively involved in leading the Bible studies on Sundays.

Prayer meetings: As a group, we have been organizing prayer meetings to enable us pray across a wide range of

topics. Some of which are:

o Spiritual growth and Unity of Trinity Congregation

o Unity of the District PCG in London

o PCG and the universal church

o The sick and needy and individual needs among group members

o Social issues in the country and world peace

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Evangelism: the group organized two Welcome Lunches for people who had visited the church and expressed the

desire to join the church during the year. These allowed the leadership of the church to interact with them and to

listen to their feedback; and to help them settle into the Trinity family.

Grace Team Program: In June, the church invited the Grace Team from Ghana over for a period of two

weeks to lead a revival meeting for the Church. Some members of the BSPG formed a team of Intercessors to pray

and fast for the success of the revival. This served as a backbone for the Revival.

Night vigils: The group, teamed up with Evangelism Committee has continued to be instrumental in organizing

monthly all-night prayer vigils for the church.

Socialization: The group organized a couple of food and refreshments for its members including a barbecue in the

summer at the church premises.

Visitations: We continue to visit and call the sick to pray for them and also to encourage them. The people we visit

and call are grateful because of the encouragements we give them.

Anniversary Celebration: By the grace God, the group celebrated their anniversary after the last one in May 2009.

The theme for the anniversary was: Empowered for Evangelism. We were able to raise funds which will go toward

evangelism.

Achievements:

2012 has been a good year for the Bible Study and Prayer Group and by God’s grace; we have achieved a lot as a

group and as individuals. Some notable achievements are:

The Group supports the growth of the church by organizing quarterly lunch meetings between new members of

the church and the minister and some elders of the church. This year, we organized 2 of such meetings. At the

function, the new members were introduced to the organization and structures of the church (Trinity & PCG);

church groups and their activities; rules governing membership and the elders of the church. The meeting was

concluded with a formal welcome ceremony for the new members. Lunch and drinks were provided and served

by the BSPG and the feedback from all participants was very good.

Five new members joined the group in 2012.

Even though we are a small group, members continue to play key roles in all the church’s activities. For

example, members can be found on the Session (4 members), Bible Study leaders (about 90%), Sunday school

and JY (30%), Lay Preachers, Mission & Evangelism committee, Prayer Team and many others.

Members have actively been involved in the running of the Morning (English) Service.

The group this year has been blessed with two (2) Births and Glory be to God!

The mobile library in the Church has now been opened to the Glory of God. Individuals have been encouraged

to borrow or buy gospel literature and other materials to enable them grow spiritually.

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Shortcomings:

We have not been very active in the area of evangelism. One of our main targets at the beginning of the year was to

get on the radio but this has not been achieved so far. We look to rectify this in the coming year.

Way Forward:

We are aiming to intensify Evangelism, especially on a ‘one-to-one’ basis.

Encourage inactive members to fully participate in the group’s activities.

Encourage more people to join, especially the youth.

Though there have been shortfalls, the group is aiming to be consistent in organising the quarterly lunch

meetings between new members and the Elders of the Church.

Acknowledgment:

We give God all the praise for His guidance and strength.

We thank all those who have supported the group in diverse ways, especially our patrons.

President Secretary

Signature: K. E. Marfo Signature: J. Addo-Yobo

Name: Kofi Marfo Name: Joyce Addo-Yobo

Collated by

Frank Akoto

Session Clerk

20th November 2012