In a year when the world stood still and economies tumbled, some saints in Cape Coast found a new song; “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)”. Currently in Ghana, the New Apostolic Church has three (3) Campus Congregations in three different tertiary institutions in Ghana namely: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST, Kumasi), University of Cape Coast (UCC) and University of Ghana (Legon). This year, UCC congregation turned 12: Rejoice...!!!
Sacrifice and Dedication of the Forbearers
The University of Cape Coast Congregation (NAC UCC) is twelve (12) years old. NAC UCC is under the Cape Coast District, which is part of the Cape Coast Apostle Working Area.
The congregation was successfully established some 12 years ago in September 2008 by Priest Felix Anderson, who is now in the United States of America. This followed earlier sacrificial efforts and coordination by Sister Felicia Otabil and then brother Bernard Osei Owusu, who is now the Shepherd and rector for the KNUST Campus Congregation and also the current coordinator for tertiary students in Ghana. At the time, divine services were conducted in their hostel rooms for the sake of the faithful ones who could not always afford going to Cape Coast Central Church to fellowship.
A first Step into the new hope
With a growing number of student members, the young congregation searched for a more spacious place of worship. Priest Anderson then found a classroom at Amamoma (a community around the UCC Campus) to rent for the church activities. The congregation has been worshipping there since then. District Evangelist Goka, Priest Felix Anderson, Community Evangelist Alexander Nketsia and Priest Moses Gyebi were the first ministers to lead Divine Services for the campus congregation. There were nine (9) members at the very first divine service.
The congregation can now boast of an average attendance of 28 members in a divine service with a total membership of 40 (both students and some few members who live around the University community).
Activities on campus over the past years have been the regular Sunday Divine Services which begin at 8:00 AM, bible studies at 6:30 PM on Thursdays and Saturday choir rehearsals at 3:00 PM. Other notable activities organized include seminars on various topics for members and guests, freshers’ Akwaaba games and orientation for the new level 100 members and the occasional visit to the Cape Coast Central church.
The congregation also has a leadership body that assists and helps the Rector and ministers in planning and organizing activities on campus and planning of programs.
A call to duty of Christ’s bride
During the 10th anniversary (2018) which was graced by members from the KNUST and Legon Campus Congregations, the congregation made a donation to our church in Jukwa Sefwi (Cape Coast District) to support their Sunday School and construction of their church building.
One of the main plans for this year for Campus Congregation was to start embarking on a “Student In Church Evangelism” (SICE), an evangelism outreach to communities which was slated for the month of May but could not come off due to the Covid -19 pandemic.
A thankful heart and a future hope
On this twelfth anniversary, the University of Cape Coast Campus Congregation has some grateful words to share:
“We would like to thank the good Lord for how far He has brought us,’ and also thank Apostle Robert Ashie Kotei (Cape Coast Apostle Area), District Rector Emmanuel Quansah, Deputy District Rector Aidoo, Priest Abraham Adjei (NAC UCC Rector), our past and present Ministers and all ministers of the Cape Coast Central church. We also acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of all our members and everyone including the team that takes charge of the media and publicity works of the congregation for having contributed to the success of the congregation,
We pray that we get Campus Congregations established in almost all our Tertiary Institutions and hopefully our Senior High Schools in Ghana. Thank you and God richly bless you all.”