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.
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