Article
Miracle of Multiplication: Small Northwood Church Baptizes 54 People
Aug 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
share this
Related Articles
The Ohio Conference is thrilled to announce significant progress on the new building at Camp Mohaven, a pivotal part of its Building for Eternity campaign. According to Bob Cundiff, the conference president who toured the site today with the Camp Mohaven Board, the new facility is designed to enhance the camp's capacity and versatility. The building, a marvel of design and functionality, encompasses a 100-foot width framed by expansive 80-foot hangar-style doors, promising a transformative open-air pavilion experience. These doors, a unique feature, facilitate large gatherings, offering shelter and open-air access to the lush surroundings, including the picturesque horse pasture and barn areas. The structure also features multiple 30-foot doors that streamline storage and vehicle maintenance, shielding valuable equipment from inclement weather. Strategically positioned near the top of a hill, the building will serve as a focal point during camp meetings, expected to draw thousands, including both Hispanic and English-speaking communities, for a historic joint camp meeting scheduled for September 27-28. This prime location not only offers breathtaking views but also symbolizes the importance of the new facility in the camp's future. The facility is poised to become a crown jewel at Camp Mohaven, further enriched by envisioned RV and tent camping expansions along the adjacent tree lines. This development is more than a building; it's a step forward in nurturing our community's spiritual and recreational needs, ensuring that Camp Mohaven remains a beacon of fellowship and spiritual growth. Stay connected with the Ohio Conference's digital platforms for continuous updates on this project and more.
On April 26th and 27th, 2024, the Ohio Conference hosted its inaugural Elders Retreat at Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio. The retreat, designed to foster spiritual leadership among church elders, featured Pastor David M. Klinedinst as the guest speaker, who focused on "Living an Evangelistic Life." The event, which began with check-in at 4 PM on the 26th, convened elders from across the conference's territory. Throughout the two-day retreat, presentations and activities centered on integrating evangelism into daily life, aiming to enrich the participants' ministry skills. The three Ohio Conference officers, Bob Cundiff, Executive Secretary Oswaldo Magaña, and Treasurer Roy M. Simpson, were not only present but actively engaged in the retreat, underscoring its significance for the church's leadership and evangelistic initiatives. The Elders Retreat reflects the Ohio Conference's ongoing efforts to support and develop church leadership in alignment with the Seventh-day Adventist Church's mission of community service and global outreach. As the event concluded, the gathered elders were expected to return to their communities, equipped with enhanced insights and strategies for evangelistic engagement.
The Ohio Conference has announced a new date for this year's camp meeting at Camp Mohaven, as detailed in a letter sent by Elder Bob Cundiff to pastors and church members yesterday. Due to construction delays, the rescheduled gathering is now set for September 27-28. The camp meeting will feature a joint celebration for both the Hispanic and English-speaking churches and will include the dedication of the new building. Please refer to the letter below for details. Dear Pastors and Members, On April 16, 2024, the Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to reschedule our 2024 camp meeting to September 27 and 28 due to construction delays with our new building at Camp Mohaven. These delays will prohibit us from dedicating the building during our previously scheduled camp meeting dates. The Committee felt that an adjusted schedule allowing us to dedicate the new building would be a more rewarding experience for our members than conducting camp meetings in a tent next to a large construction project. This year marks a significant milestone for our constituency as we celebrate the completion of the new building at Camp Mohaven. In line with our theme of “Building for Eternity,” we are excited to announce that we will hold a joint camp meeting for our Hispanic and English-speaking congregations for the first time. This occasion will also serve as the dedication ceremony for our new facility, symbolizing a new chapter in our ministry. This historic event will undoubtedly fill the new building and position our territory for a high Sabbath. It will provide an opportunity for members throughout our territory to come together, worship, and celebrate the "Building for Eternity" campaign. We deeply appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding the change. Please adjust your calendars accordingly, make plans now to attend, and invite others. We value your presence and look forward to sharing this significant event with you. May God bless you as you prepare for this significant event, and I eagerly anticipate celebrating with each of you. Yours in service, Bob Cundiff President, Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us
Phone: (937) 741-0236
1251 E Dorothy Ln.
Dayton, OH 45419
Fax: (937) 250-1566
Office Hours:
Mon-Thur 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Friday-Sun: Closed Mon-Thurs.