History Of St John's Baptist Church
Brahabebome - Obuasi
Origin
The first church service to officially inaugurate or outdoor the church was conducted by Rev. Kojo Osei-Wusu (now Rev. Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusu), the Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Amakom Kumasi, Pastor Charles Fiifi Amoah (now Rev. Charles Fiifi Amoah) the head pastor of Triumphant Baptist Church, Asuoyeboah Kumasi was the first Baptist recognised minister to pastor the church.
The church was given the accolade “the church of the moment” by the Ghana Baptist Convention for its rapid growth and dynamism. Other church leaders who have remained till now, others who have left plus some who have joined are: Deacons Christopher Obeng Afriyie, Samuel Dontoh, Ohemeng Boateng, James Acquah (now Pastor James Acquah), Be Appiah-Kubi, Daniel Ofori Agyemang, Stephenson Awuku Nanegbe, Daniel Brenya and Kwame Owusu.
The Deaconesses are: Cecilia Binfoh, Augustina Anokye, Phyllis Anyamesem Mensah (now Phyllis Dwomoh Boateng) and Joana Pankah. These three also served as executive committee members under Rev. Alex Brenya-Korankyi’s leadership: Adom Sarpong (now Pastor), Charles Ofori and Eva Asamoah. For church council, here are their names; Faustina Awuku, Maxwell Domme Baba, Charles Owusu Amissah, Augustina Mensah, Lawrencia Akubia, Francis Appiah, James Appiah, Kwabena Nuamah, Mercy Kwarfo, Prince Frimpong, Christiana Forson, Pastor Ofori Boateng and Pastor Richard Yeboah (a.k.a. Kofi Mensah).
Another person whose name cannot be forgotten as far as the annals of this church is concerned is the then Pastor and now Rev. Daniel Seidu. He played a very good role in the musical aspect of the church apart from being a church council member. He (Rev. Daniel Seidu) started the church choir. Another person whose name cannot be brushed under the carpet is Faustina Awuku. Her contribution towards the sustenance of the choir is immerse.
Rev. Paxman John Boadu was the second Ghana Baptist Convention recognized minister to pastor the church though he did not spend many years here (one and half year). He came and continued the good works started by Rev. Amoah. It was during his tenure as pastor that both the St. John’s Preparatory School and St. John’s Bakery were started. Both are now things of the past; both were shut down because of mismanagement. Again, it was under his watch that two of the three daughter churches opened by the mother church (St. John’s) came to being.
The three churches are: Triumphant Baptist Church, Akaporiso – Obuasi, Grace Baptist Church, Asokwa –Adansi, and Joy Baptist Church, Kwabenakwakrom – Obuasi. The building plots for two of the three daughter churches were purchased by the church’s men’s ministry; i.e that of Joy and Grace. Sadly, it was under his administration that the church witnessed the worse form of indiscipline in the life of the church which dented the hard gain good reputation of the church. In fact, it has taken time for that damage to be repaired by God’s grace.
An IMC (Interim Management Committee) was put in place to hold the fort after Rev. Paxman Boadu had left. The IMC which was led by Deacon Ofori Agyemang steered the affairs of the church for three years. It was during that time that the current pastoral mission house (at the foundation level) was bought but was completed under Rev. Brenya’s administration. A fatal lorry accident which left two church members dead and many others injured was also recorded under the IMC period.
Men’s ministry’s recognition by the national, Association and local presidents on 25th October, 1998, the then President of the men’s ministry Bro. Kwame Owusu, now Deacon Kwame Owusu was given a certificate of honour for his dedication and hardwork.
Again, the men’s ministry is still playing its role like never before, they are responsible for the tiling of the church’s modern auditorium pulpit.
The W.M.U. is also doing very well not forgetting the youth through whose effort (both W.M.U. and youth), the church can boast of a poly tank and a brand new television set at the pastor’s office.
The following ministers pastored the daughter churches along the line: Rev. Daniel Seidu – Triumphant – Akaporiso, Rev. Samuel Acquah and Rev. Francis Ampomah for Joy Baptist – Kwabenakwakrom. The late Rev. William Donkor (Sofo Paa Willie) and Rev. Stephen Otchere Cudjoe also pastored Grace Baptist – Asokwa, not forgetting these lay leaders who helped in one way or the another. John Dommi, a member of the St. John’s Baptist church was the first lay leader to lead the Asokwa church.
We owe all these men of God thanksgiving and ask for God’s blessing upon their lives.
Pastor Alex Brenya-Korankyi is the third minister to lead St. John’s Baptist church, having led Resurrection Baptist church, Dompoasi, The Light Baptist Church, Old Ayaase, Full Gospel Baptist Church – Old Edubiase, from 1994-1996, then Emmanuel Baptist Church Anhwiaso and Divine Baptist Church – Fumso Adansi from 1997-1999.
In the year 2000, he was asked to come to St. John’s Baptist by the Association leadership led by Rev. Yaw Sintim Ampofo as a caretaker pastor (he was the then Association Evangelist).
After prayers he warmly accepted it in good faith. After 2 years i.e (2000-2002), he was voted upon overwhelmingly to become the third minister of the church.
Under his leadership the church has seen massive growth, Spiritually, numerically and infrastructure wise. The church has a 30 year action plan which it is pursuing. Attached is a copy of the action plan – the ticked ones are those achieved.
In all these, no human being can take credit for anything, all the glory, honour and adoration go to the Father, through the son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
However, the church leaders (i.e the E.C members and the church council members) under Rev. Charles Fiifi Amoah and Rev. Paxman John Boadu deserve some commendations for the great work they did. God richly bless them and our humble prayer for them is that they live long to see more of the fruits of their labour and toil.