HISTORY OF LIGHTHOUSE (CENTRAL) ASSEMBLY

 

 

INTRODUCTION

The Lighthouse Assembly of God Church popularly know as (Central) was started in 1944 by the first missionary to be stationed in Kumasi.

Rev. John Burdette Wiles was housed at Dr. Poku’s house now Kumasi Travel Agency in Asafo. It was in this house that the church was started.

In 1945 when the church population started increasing they rented a cinema house now Evangelical Church of God at Fanti New Town.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPLE

With effective evangelization, more and more souls were won to the Lord. It was due to this that Rev. Wiles bought the present site from the Asantehene Nana Osei Agyemang Prempeh II at a ground rent of one shilling in 1949.

The construction of the Temple began late in 1949 through communal labour offered by church members. The work was done in the evenings to allow the members to carry on their normal business. The architectural designs were made by Rev. Wiles. Rev. Tchie did the supervision.

There were only two paid workers were employed. Mr. John Ofori Snr. of blessed memory and Mr. Acquaye. Mr. John Ofori Snr. was the mason while Mr. Acquaye was the carpenter.

The church’s temple was dedicated on 11th December, 1954 at 11 am. Among some of the important personalities that were invited were Nana Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II the Asantehene, Rev. J.D. Savell Assistant General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, USA, Rev. C. Greenway – Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Togo, Rev. W.F. McCorke Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. James Kessler who was the Instructor of the Bible College, Rev. E.G. Ziemann was then the Missionary Supervisor in Ashanti Region.

At the time of the dedication the church membership stood at about 200. This was because of Rev. Tchie resigned from the Lighthouse Assembly of God.

Rev. E.B. Akoto succeeded Rev. Tchie when he broke away from the church.

 

PASTORS WHO PASTORED THE CHURCH

Rev. John Burdette Wiles was the first Pastor of the church. Rev. Tchie was the first Ghanaian to join Rev. Wiles to pastor the church.

Following the departure of Rev. Tchie, Rev. E.B. Akoto came to take over the church. Let me take this opportunity to mention the names of some of the Pastors who pastured the church. They are: Rev. Gyan-Fosu, Rev. Stephen Amponsah, Rev. Charles Danquah, Rev. E.N. Agyei, Rev. Paul Aidoo, Rev. Nicholas Opuni, Rev. Ransford Obeng, and Rev. Archibold Sam currently the church is being pastured by Rev. Appiah-Kubi assisted by Rev. Joseph Appiah.

 

PASTORS THAT PASSED THROUGH THE CHURCH

There a lot of Pastors who passed through Central Church or were supported by the Church to become Ministers of the Gospel. Let me name a few of them:

Rev. Thomas Sarpong, Rev. Joseph Mensah who became the Principal of the Mid-Ghana Bible College, Rev. Paul Dapaah the past General Treasrer of Assemblies of God, Rev. Charles Appiah-Boakye who was also the former General Secretary of Assemblies of God, Ghana. The rest are Rev. Duncan Nuako, Rev. Jones Adu Mensah, Rev. Peter Amoah, Rev. Raphael Oppong, Rev. John Dadzie, Rev. Mrs. Hannah Amposah, the lateRev. Owusu Anane, Rev. Akom Kyei, rev. Tony Amoakohene, Rev. Stephen Acheampong, Rev. P.K. Ablordey, Rev. Alex Opoku Amponsah, Rev. Collins Okai the National Youth Director, Rev. Nuamah, National Director Campus Ministries, Rev. Philip Owusu, Rev. Kofi Bempah and many more. Our current Regional Superintendent Rev. Tito Agyei has also been a member of the church before.

 

CHURCH BOARD

The first church Board of the church was

Mr. H.C. Derx

S.K. Adade

J.E. Acquaye

M. Addo

J. Kyerekyire  

E. Essiama.

 

The first deaconess of the church was Mrs. Aye.

 

This Board was formed in 1954. Later on

 

Mr. F.Y. Frimpong

Mr. Kwabena Darko

John Ofori

Nana Berhin and

Mr. Berko followed.