STORY
Miracle of Multiplication: Small Northwood Church Baptizes 54 People
August 16, 2023
Francis Tuffour
Families brought their babies for blessing
It is nearly impossible for a church to double or triple its membership after an evangelistic series. But a tiny Northwood Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northwood, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio, with about 15-20 members in average attendance, welcomed 54 new members through baptism following its gospel outreach a few days ago. The event, themed “Summer Blast: Building Lives Around Solid Truth,” had the church's pastor, Kojo Twumasi as host and speaker.
Besides the nightly messages from the speaker, the church provided free clothes, school supplies, food, transportation, music, vacation Bible classes, snow cones, prizes, inflatable bouncy house games, and other giveaways.
Kojo posted on his Facebook page, praised God, and described his congregation as “a small yet determined” that shared the Good News and met the physical and spiritual needs of the people in his community. “As a result, the Lord blessed us with 54 new souls (all non-Adventist). The Lord blessed us in a seemingly impossible place (Northwest Ohio) amongst a seemingly impossible people group (Anglo-Americans), he added.
Kojo commended the immense contribution of about 40 volunteers from Northwood, Toledo, and Parkwood churches. He also expressed appreciation to Bible counselors, In His Word Ministries, and others who supported the campaign through prayers.
Responding to the post, Bob Cundiff, president of the Ohio Conference, wrote: "What a blessing and joy this series was to these churches and their community. Good strong work Northwood, Toledo, and Parkwood!" During the campaign, Kojo prayed for the sick, and when he invited them for anointing, over 75 people lined up for the service.
Kojo also led a community baby blessing service. The church leaders earlier told the community members to bring their babies to be dedicated, and he blessed seven babies. While the campaign touched the lives of many children and youth, the adults were not left out; adults came along with their young ones. Among the 54 people was a couple; the husband is 95 years old, and his wife is 82, who could not hide their joy about their new lives and kissed each other.
According to Kojo, when they organized the vacation Bible school, they expected 55 kids, but it ballooned to about 100 kids. About seven vacation Bible school students were baptized. All the children who participated were given certificates after completion and awards.
Kojo’s dad, Sampson Twumasi, senior pastor of Columbus Ghanaian church, came to support his son during the baptismal service. Immediately after the campaign, Kojo began new believers’ Bible study and is looking forward to starting the children's Bible study classes shortly.
A 95-year-old husband and his 82-year-old wife kissing after baptism
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