13 Mar 2025, 06:04Robert Kyei-GyauLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
London Ghana SDA Church Hosts Cultural Day Celebrating Heritage and Unity
On Sabbath, 8 March 2025, the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church transformed into a vibrant display of global cultures. Congregants, adorned in a kaleidoscope of kente, fugu, and other international textiles, celebrated the rich diversity within their community. The air, thick with the enticing aromas of international cuisine, resonated with joyful worship, embodying unity amidst varied heritages.
While the service, themed “Celebrating Our Heritage,” acknowledged Ghana’s Independence Day (6 March 1957) and gave thanks for its peaceful elections, it notably expanded to embrace the congregation’s wider cultural spectrum. Gratitude was expressed for God’s blessings, with specific mention of Ghana’s stability.
The service featured familiar hymns, intercessory prayers, and a spirited rendition of Ghana’s national anthem. The Choir and Singing Band’s patriotic songs celebrated both national progress and God’s guidance.
Elder Samuel Adjei-Owusu’s sermon, “Horrible Choice in Horeb,” drew parallels between biblical idolatry and contemporary Christian life, urging authentic worship. “Ghanaians are inherently religious, but we must ensure our worship remains true to God,” he emphasised, extending the message to the diverse congregation.
Echoing Ellen G. White, he called for principled leadership, integrity, and accountability:
“The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest… men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”
He also stressed the importance of respecting church leadership and avoiding hypocrisy.
A feast of traditional Ghanaian dishes, including jollof rice and kenkey, followed the service for the attendees and visitors to enjoy. In the afternoon, Elders George Addae and Yaw Bayim Adomako, who were all part of the pioneers of the original London Ghana fellowship along with Elder Agyei-Owusu and others, offered an insightful historical account of Ghana’s independence, highlighting the significant role which the first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, played not just in Ghana’s independence from British rule but that of the entire African continent at large.
The event, a powerful reminder of faith and unity, underscored the community’s commitment to God. In a climate where mono-ethnic churches face scrutiny, this celebration highlights their vital role in welcoming and supporting new migrants. Churches like London Ghana SDA provide a crucial “home away from home,” fostering community through shared language and culture, a significant factor in multiculturalism within the United Kingdom.
On Sabbath, 8 March 2025, the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church transformed into a vibrant display of global cultures. Congregants, adorned in a kaleidoscope of kente, fugu, and other international textiles, celebrated the rich diversity within their community. The air, thick with the enticing aromas of international cuisine, resonated with joyful worship, embodying unity amidst varied heritages.
While the service, themed “Celebrating Our Heritage,” acknowledged Ghana’s Independence Day (6 March 1957) and gave thanks for its peaceful elections, it notably expanded to embrace the congregation’s wider cultural spectrum. Gratitude was expressed for God’s blessings, with specific mention of Ghana’s stability.
The service featured familiar hymns, intercessory prayers, and a spirited rendition of Ghana’s national anthem. The Choir and Singing Band’s patriotic songs celebrated both national progress and God’s guidance.
Elder Samuel Adjei-Owusu’s sermon, “Horrible Choice in Horeb,” drew parallels between biblical idolatry and contemporary Christian life, urging authentic worship. “Ghanaians are inherently religious, but we must ensure our worship remains true to God,” he emphasised, extending the message to the diverse congregation.
Echoing Ellen G. White, he called for principled leadership, integrity, and accountability:
“The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest… men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”
He also stressed the importance of respecting church leadership and avoiding hypocrisy.
A feast of traditional Ghanaian dishes, including jollof rice and kenkey, followed the service for the attendees and visitors to enjoy. In the afternoon, Elders George Addae and Yaw Bayim Adomako, who were all part of the pioneers of the original London Ghana fellowship along with Elder Agyei-Owusu and others, offered an insightful historical account of Ghana’s independence, highlighting the significant role which the first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, played not just in Ghana’s independence from British rule but that of the entire African continent at large.
The event, a powerful reminder of faith and unity, underscored the community’s commitment to God. In a climate where mono-ethnic churches face scrutiny, this celebration highlights their vital role in welcoming and supporting new migrants. Churches like London Ghana SDA provide a crucial “home away from home,” fostering community through shared language and culture, a significant factor in multiculturalism within the United Kingdom.
