STORY
Greater Cleveland Church Dedicates New Building, Hosts Fundraising Event
May 11, 2024
Francis Tuffour
Today, Greater Cleveland Church in Cleveland, Ohio, joyously celebrated the dedication of its new building with a fundraising event. This historic occasion attracted attendees from several states and Canada.
The scene was markedly different on a morning graced with showers, reminiscent of the church's early years of worship in a gymnasium with a leaking roof. Despite the morning downpour, the congregation could now worship peacefully within their new, secure building. Michael Opuni-Asiedu, the church's pastor, welcomed everyone to the dedication of the new building, expressing gratitude for the countless prayers, faith, and community efforts that made it possible.
The Greater Cleveland Church's journey began in 2005 in the Cleveland-Akron area, founded by Ghanaian families with a vision to create a community-centric place of worship. Starting from humble beginnings in home settings, the church experienced growth and challenges alike, eventually moving services from homes to a gymnasium. By 2011, the church expanded significantly, acquiring a dedicated church building on Addison Road with the support of the Ohio Conference. This site enabled the church to conduct extensive community outreach and evangelistic activities. In 2022, the church moved to a new location on Ford Road in Highland Heights, continuing its mission, which was driven by strong community and spiritual leadership. Throughout history, the church has been marked by resilience, community support, and an unwavering faith in its mission.
The fundraising event, integral to the day's activities, was dedicated to meeting the financial needs associated with the new building. Elder Frederick Opuni-Mensah, a Senior Program Manager at ADRA International, chaired the event and, along with supporters, contributed $20,000. Dr. Osei Agyena and Elder Michael Somuah, representing the North America Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist (NAGSDA), generously added $10,000. Additionally, sister Ghanaian churches from the US and Canada provided further support with their donations.
Pastor Bob Cundiff, the president of Ohio Conference, was the guest speaker for the event and preached on the theme: "Building on Christ: A Legacy of Faith." He shared that a life in Christ is transformational. He stressed, 'When we build our life on Christ. It changes our lives. It changes our identities. This knowledge changes the way that I view myself. For me, it changes the way that I feel about myself." Drawing people's attention to the deeper meaning of the building's dedication, he explained that what truly defines a sanctuary is not its steep roof, pipe organ, pulpit, stained glass, or even a cross but God's presence. "Folks, we dedicate sanctuary today. That's important. Congratulations! And good on you for all of the effort and work that has taken place to come to this day. But you know what makes the sanctuary meaningful? It's this: It's when the sanctuary of your heart is also a place God inhabits. Amen! For God to be in this sanctuary, He must be in you. When you walk into this place, it becomes a holy place because you are here. After all, you bring the presence of Christ with you." During the dedication ceremony, he prayed and dedicated the "sanctuary of hearts" before presenting the new building to God's hands.
Following a heartfelt prayer, Pastor Cundiff stepped forward for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Flanked by pastors and elders, with church members and guests gathered in eager anticipation, he gracefully snipped the ribbon, which was met with resounding amens and applause.
Other Ohio Conference staff who attended the event were Harold Straub, Director of Planned Giving, Properties, and Trusts, who played a crucial role in helping the church buy the new building; Andrew Stutton, Associate Treasurer; and Francis Tuffour, Digital Media, and Communication Director, Sampson Twumasi, lead pastor for Columbus Ghanaian church, and Michael Adomako, pastor at Prince of Peace Ghanaian church in Columbus.
share this
Related Stories
The Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, “Heaven for All!,” recently joined churches worldwide in celebrating World Adventurer Day. Although the church’s “Little Stars” Adventurer Club is less than a year old, the children led a special Adventurer Sabbath during the worship service. They participated in the opening of the service, presented a musical selection, recited Scripture-based poems, assisted with the collection of tithes and offerings, offered the prayer for the offering, and introduced the congregational hymn. The celebration also marked an important milestone for the club. Adventurers completed the Little Lamb and Busy Bee levels and advanced to the Early Bird and Sunbeam levels. Each child received a Bible storybook and a pin recognizing the completion of their level. Following the worship service, club members completed the “My Church” Adventurer Award by meeting church leaders, asking questions about their roles, and learning more about how the church serves its congregation. The children also received commemorative gifts. The special Sabbath highlighted the involvement of the church’s youngest members in worship while encouraging their continued spiritual growth and engagement in the life of the congregation.
The Greater Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist Church concluded its 10-day evangelistic series, “A Better Tomorrow,” with a baptismal service celebrating individuals who publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ. The series was presented by Pastor Israel Okyere and hosted by Pastor Michael Opuni. Throughout the 10-day event, community members gathered in person and online to study the Bible, strengthen their faith, and learn about God’s plan for their lives. Each evening featured messages centered on practical and biblical themes, including spiritual awakening, transformation, assurance, commitment, and decision. Through preaching, prayer, and fellowship, attendees were encouraged to deepen their relationship with Christ. The series concluded with a baptismal service in which several individuals publicly professed their faith through baptism. Family members, friends, and church members gathered to witness and celebrate the occasion as the candidates entered the waters of baptism, symbolizing their new life in Christ. Following the series, the Greater Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist Church affirmed its commitment to supporting the newly baptized members in their spiritual growth while continuing its mission of sharing the gospel throughout the community.
A conference departmental leader and ministry partners are highlighting the power of service-driven outreach through a featured discussion on "Christ's Method in Action," showcasing efforts to meet practical needs while building stronger, healthier communities. The program, presented on 3ABN Today, features Pastor Delthony Gordon, Adventist Community Services (ACS) Director for the Ohio Conference and pastor of the Beavercreek Seventh-day Adventist Church, alongside Nicole Braxton of AMEN Free Clinic. The discussion focuses on collaborative approaches to community engagement, compassionate service, and improving access to essential resources. Participants emphasized the importance of addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through hands-on ministry and community partnerships. The conversation highlights how faith-based organizations and healthcare-focused outreach initiatives can work together to serve individuals and families facing challenges. "Christ's Method in Action" illustrates a model of service that seeks to build trust, foster relationships, and create meaningful opportunities for positive change throughout Ohio communities using the important outreach arm - Adventist Community Services. The program serves as an example of the ongoing commitment of community organizations, volunteers, and ministry leaders who are working to provide practical support and hope to those in need. For more information about Adventist Community Services in Ohio and related outreach initiatives, visit www.ACSOhio.org , or email acs@ohioadventist.org.
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us
