3 Dec 2025, 16:45Darell J. Philip, London Area 6C Communications CoordinatorHackney, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Jonathan’s Lad: Hackney SDA Church Moved by Young Guest Preacher
The Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) community were left stunned by the power-packed preaching by 12-year-old Nana-Osei Bonsu Boakye-Dankwa. Accompanied by his mother, Alberta, and his elder sister, Gabrielle, who read his scripture reading, Nana-Osei, a member of the Reading Ghana Seventh-day Adventist Church, is also the son of a late pastor—and this was clear to see in his powerful preaching.
In his introduction, Nana-Osei was described as one who advocates as a voice for the disabled, with himself impacted by cerebral palsy. Yet the delivery of his sermon, entitled “Jonathan’s Lad”, was one with power and conviction, challenging all those listening to live a life of unquestionable obedience—just as Jonathan’s lad demonstrated in the biblical account found in 1 Samuel 20:35–40.
“Jonathan’s lad represents all those who trust in God,” said Nana-Osei. He continued: “God is the one who engages us intellectually into a relationship with Him (see Isaiah 55:8). In our walk with God, we are challenged to walk by faith and not by sight. In the minutest details of life, God instructs us, and we prove our love by our obedience to Him.”
Nana-Osei likened his analogy of a train without coal being unable to move to those without the Holy Spirit being ineffective in taking the gospel message forward to the ends of the earth, as God has commissioned believers to do. “It is impossible for true faith to exist without true obedience. Obedience is the invisible side of faith—without it, it is impossible to please God,” said Nana-Osei.
In conclusion to his message, Nana-Osei, reading from Revelation 3:20 appealed to the congregation to respond to the knock of Jesus on their hearts by surrendering their lives to Him. He also pointed out the importance of working in partnership with God for the saving of souls for the kingdom.
“Remember, the secret meaning of Jonathan’s lad retrieving the arrows was a code between Jonathan and David. Jonathan’s lad became an instrument of a purpose higher than himself, which saved the next King of Israel—David,” concluded Nana-Osei.
The Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) community were left stunned by the power-packed preaching by 12-year-old Nana-Osei Bonsu Boakye-Dankwa. Accompanied by his mother, Alberta, and his elder sister, Gabrielle, who read his scripture reading, Nana-Osei, a member of the Reading Ghana Seventh-day Adventist Church, is also the son of a late pastor—and this was clear to see in his powerful preaching.
In his introduction, Nana-Osei was described as one who advocates as a voice for the disabled, with himself impacted by cerebral palsy. Yet the delivery of his sermon, entitled “Jonathan’s Lad”, was one with power and conviction, challenging all those listening to live a life of unquestionable obedience—just as Jonathan’s lad demonstrated in the biblical account found in 1 Samuel 20:35–40.
“Jonathan’s lad represents all those who trust in God,” said Nana-Osei. He continued: “God is the one who engages us intellectually into a relationship with Him (see Isaiah 55:8). In our walk with God, we are challenged to walk by faith and not by sight. In the minutest details of life, God instructs us, and we prove our love by our obedience to Him.”
Nana-Osei likened his analogy of a train without coal being unable to move to those without the Holy Spirit being ineffective in taking the gospel message forward to the ends of the earth, as God has commissioned believers to do. “It is impossible for true faith to exist without true obedience. Obedience is the invisible side of faith—without it, it is impossible to please God,” said Nana-Osei.
In conclusion to his message, Nana-Osei, reading from Revelation 3:20 appealed to the congregation to respond to the knock of Jesus on their hearts by surrendering their lives to Him. He also pointed out the importance of working in partnership with God for the saving of souls for the kingdom.
“Remember, the secret meaning of Jonathan’s lad retrieving the arrows was a code between Jonathan and David. Jonathan’s lad became an instrument of a purpose higher than himself, which saved the next King of Israel—David,” concluded Nana-Osei.
