OUR HISTORY
In September 1973, Bro. J. K.J Quansah and his wife Rose organized the first Sunday School at House No. D. 229, Sahara to give the children Christian Education. Children Service was also started later. The Sunday School and the Children’s Service were later moved to St. Martin de Porres Preparatory School when Sunday Forenoon Services commenced. The following Brothers and Sisters took charge of the children on Sunday mornings at the Children’s Service and in the afternoon taught them at Sunday School: J.K.J. Quansah, Francis Cudjoe, James Ocran, Sabina Nunoo, Rose Quansah, Elizabeth Baisie and others.
THE NEW LIFE FOR ALL PROGRAMME
In 1978, Bro. G. E. Bonney who was the Assistant Organist and of Bro. J. K. J. Quansah’s Bible Class
recommended “The New Life For All” (NLFA) programme to the church, which was accepted. Leaders were trained and equipped in the use of NLFA materials for evangelism. The church embarked on congregational training on Wednesday evenings in addition to well-patronized prayer meetings which resulted in many members already in the church accepting Christ for the first time.
Society Status
At a Quarterly Meeting of the North Accra Circuit held on 14th September, 1976, and presided over by The Most Rev’d T. W. Koomson before his retirement, it was recommended that the Dansoman Church be accorded full Society status within the North Accra Circuit. However, it was not until September 1978 that at a similar Quarterly Meeting chaired by The Rt. Rev’d W. G. M. Brandful, this young church was fully recognized and christened “ Mount Olivet Methodist Society “ The need for the Society to have her own church property became paramount; hence a parcel of land covering an area of 2.26 acres was acquired, a working drawing for a Church Hall attached to a school and Manse was tasked on the mission architect, Bro. O. T. Agyeman. The out- house of the Manse was started in June 1981 and dedicated in May, 1982 by Rev’d Maclean Kumi who deputized for the District Chairman.
MPRP
The following sisters, Mrs Rose Quansah, Mrs Comfort Sapong Dam, Mrs Gladys Morrison, Mrs Naomi Cudjoe, Mrs Florence Fabin, Miss Ophelia Nettey and Miss Ruth Amoah got together and started prayer meetings in their homes in February, 1984. What was then known as Wednesday Prayer Meeting has now become what is known as Methodist Prayer and Renewal Programme (MPRP). Here many a woman has come to find grace in the presence of the Lord; broken and distraught women have been mended and wise and divinely led counseling by the leaders, visiting teachers/ preachers have transformed sad and wilting spirits to lively and cheerful Christians. Others have been experiencing spiritual upliftment. Many also have received New Life in Christ Jesus and some have been delivered from demonic possession and oppression.
Circuit Status
In October 1989, the Society was elevated to the status of a Circuit and named the Dansoman Circuit. The Circuit was inaugurated on 31st March, 1990 and Rev’d Isaac Bonful was inducted into office as its first Superintendent Minister.
Mt. Olivet Methodist Society has given birth to three fully-fledged Societies, namely: Sakaman (now known as Grace), Bread of Life and Maranatha Societies.
These Societies have also given birth to other Societies. Therefore Mt Olivet Society has grandchildren as well.
FORENOON SERVICE
On 6th October 1974, the first Sunday Forenoon Service was held at St. Martin de Porres Preparatory School. The service was conducted by Bro. D. D. Nunoo, now an ordained Minister of the Gospel. The congregation numbered forty-five and the collection for the day amounted to ¢6.08p.
The church automatically became a Preaching Post under the Calvary Methodist Society with Bro. R. J. Sam as the Caretaker. Two Auxiliary Ministers Rev’d J. E. Ebe- Arthur and Rev’d J. K. Abakah and Mr. & Mrs J.S, Annan also of Calvary Society made themselves available for regular preaching appointments. Bros. R. J. Sam, J. K. J. Quansah, D. D. Nunoo, G. E. Dennis and Mr. & Mrs Charles Amonoo-Acquah became the resident Local Preachers. The church embarked on House-to-House Evangelism within Dansoman and got many converts to join its membership. The Calvary Methodist Guild led by Bro. R. J.Sam who was then the Vice President initiated this Evangelism Programme.
PRAYER CELLS
Prayer Cells were also established by the leaders in their homes where members in that vicinity met to pray. Weekly Prayer Meetings and fortnight “All Night Prayer Meetings” were also instituted. Open Air Crusades, Dawn Broadcasts and house to house visitation formed part of the early activities of this Church and these have contributed immensely to the spiritual upliftment of the Church. Increase in the membership necessitated the transfer from the original classroom to the Day Nursery wing of the school which was more spacious for worship, which we popularly called the “Round House.”
The First Resident Minister and Building Project
Rev’d J. S. Hutchful was stationed in Dansoman in October, 1981 as the Society’s first Resident Minister. Under the inspiration of Rev’d J. S. Hutchful, a Project- a complex of a Church Hall, a School and Offices was embarked upon. It was a sheer delight to see members assemble, especially on Saturdays to carry bricks and mortar for the project. Rev’d Hawl Entsua- Mensah ( the then Superintendent Minister of North Accra Circuit), officially laid the foundation stone on 8th April 1984.
On 29th July 1984, the congregation moved from St Martin de Porres to the new Church Hall which was eventually completed in 1985.
The Second Resident Minister
Rev’d Isaac Bonful was posted to Mount Olivet in October, 1987 as the second Resident Minister when Rev’d J. S. Hutchful superannuated.
Rev’d Bonful applied his energies in further kindling spiritual awareness and made remarkable impact. He instituted week long revival meetings to precede important events in the Church’s Calendar such as Christmas, Easter, Harvest, Evangelism Week etc. Guest Speakers carefully selected for their spiritual gifts made lasting, if not indelible impressions. He also well succeeded in his teaching on Giving and Tithing. The fruits of the Bible- based teachings are evidenced in the particularly significant giving spirit of the church members and visitors to it. It is not unusual to hear that Mount Olivet is recognized as having made the highest contributions to “New Life For All Sundays” and “ Bible Week” throughout the
Connexion and among all churches.
On 29th July 1984, the congregation moved from St Martin de Porres to the new Church Hall which was eventually completed in 1985.
Sukura Nursery Society
Sukura Nursery Society, under Mt. Olivet Society, was established in 1990 through the efforts of some evangelical minded members like Bro. Lawrence Larewanu, an official of the Ghana Evangelism Committee. He contacted Mount Olivet Leaders’ Meeting in October 1989 requesting it to mobilize some group of persons of Northern Ghana origin and teach them how to read the Bible. Leaders, including Bros. B. K. Hammond, Joseph Aryitey and Sis. Comfort Sarpong-Dam volunteered to support the exercise with Bro. J. F. Arthur as Leader of the team.
Bro. Larewanu met with the Builsa Chief in the area on the project and Mount Olivet Society provided some logistics such as Christian literature in Buli language. The study sessions started in front of the Chief’s Palace and later transferred into a school building on Saturday evenings. Mt. Olivet Women’s Fellowship, led by Sisters Dinah Wilberforce and Felicia Arthur supported the literacy classes with training in sewing and the production of fruit juice and pomade.
The members became committed and requested Mt. Olivet to transform the study session into a church. The Leaders’ Meeting accepted the request and christened it Sukura Preaching Post. Mt. Olivet Society purchased a plot of land for Sukura in 1990 to build a Church and a school. Sukura Nursery Society worshipped in the School till July 2001 when it moved into its new site which is yet to be completed.
Sukura had its first Minister The Rev’d D. D. Nunoo, one of the founding members of Mt. Olivet. Other Ministers who have been posted to Sukura include The Rev’d B. K. Buabeng and The Rev’d Amponsah-Donkor. At the time of compiling this document,Sukura is without a Minister. However, Bros. J. F. Arthur and B. K. Hammond continue to hold the fort with the support of some very dedicated Bible Class Leaders. Mt. Olivet continues to oversee Sukura Nursery Society.
Vocational School
Mount Olivet Society established a Sewing School to train young girls from Sukura to have some profession. Later other girls were enrolled. The School has now been registered as a Vocational School.
Welfare Fund
The Society has sought to minister not only to the spiritual needs of the members but also to meet their material needs. The fund covers weddings, births, assists children who are entering Senior High School for the first time including children who are members of our church but their parents are not. It also assists members who suffer any form of disaster. The Fund also pays 5% of members medical bills upon recommendation of the Medical Team.
Funeral Fund
Like a surrogate extended family, Mount Olivet Society has set up a Funeral Fund to assist in case of bereavement. On the death of a relative, such as father, mother or a child, a fitting donation is given to the member. On the death of a member, the church provides a bus to convey the family and church members to the person’s home town or wherever the burial would take place and a fitting donation is given to the family.
Scholarship Scheme
The Church offers a scholarship to brilliant but needy children of members.
Other Nursery Societies
Mt Olivet Society also established three Nursery Societies, namely: Odupong-Ofaakor, Jei Krodua/Mangoase and Adawukwa in the year 2000 and provided a building for each of them to worship in. These Societies were handed over to the Winneba Diocese in the year 2008.
The following are Ministers and Stewards who have served the Mt.Olivet Society:
Superintendent Ministers:
| The Very Rev’d Isaac Bonful (deceased) | October 1987 – | September 1991 |
| The Very Rev;d Dr Benjamin W. Garbrah | October 1991 – | September 1997 |
| The Most Rev’d Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah | October 1997 – | September 1998 |
| The Very Rev’d William Blankson | October 1998 – | September 2001 |
| The Very Rev’d Samuel Osabutey | October 2001 – | September 2003 |
| The Rt. Rev’d Titus K. Awotwi Pratt | October 2003 – | September 2009 |
| The Very Rev’d George Mensah | October 2009 – | September 2012 |
| The Rt. Rev’d John A. Y. Adubah | October 2012 – | date |
Circuit Ministers
| The Rev’d J. S. Hutchful (deceased) | October 1981 – | September 1987 |
| The Rev’d Siisi Oppong (deceased) | October 1987 – | |
| The Rev’d George Grant Ennin | October 1991 – | September 1995 |
| The Rev’d Samuel Kusi | October 1995 – | September 1998 |
| The Rev’d Isaac Yao Boamah | October 1998 – | September 1999 |
| The Rev’d Daniel Kwesi Tannor | October 1999 – | September 2002 |
| The Rev’d George Aikins Ampiah Bonney | October 2002 – | September 2006 |
| The Rev’d Walter Pimpong | October 2002 – | September 2008 |
| The Rev’d Richardson A. Andam | October 2006 – | September 2009 |
| The Rev’d Obeng Maxwell | October 2009 – | September 2013 |
| The Rev’d Alex Aidoo | January 2009 – | to date |
| The Rev’d Kofi Owusu | January 2010 – | September 2010 |
| The Rev’d Ampofo Twumasi | ||
| The Very Rev’d Joshua Tawiah | January 2013 – | date |
Other Ministers
Mt. Olivet Society has produced twelve ministers; they are as follows:
The Rev’d Sussan Donkor (deceased), The Rev’d John Asher (deceased), The Rev’d Daniel D. Nunoo, The Rev’d William Ampofo-Twumasi, The Very Rev’d Dr. Maxwell Aryee, The Rev’d Michael Acquah, The Very Rev’d J. K. K. des Bordes, The Very Rev’d Benjamin Eugene Preko, The Rev’d Kingsley Ofe-Amoyaw, The Rev’d Lt. (GN) David B. Quayson, The Very Rev’d Naana Esi Dannyame and The Rev’d Monica Amoo-Gottfried.
Society Stewards
Bro, Robert J. Sam 1974 – 1982
Bro. D. D. Nunoo 1982 – 1983
Bro. James Sarpong-Dam 1983 – 1984
Bro. J. K. J. Quansah 1984 – 1989
Bro. B. A. Wilberforce 1989 – 1991
Bro. Joseph A. Aryitey 1991 – 1995
Bro. George A. Dougan 1995 – 2000
Bro. Alfred B. Ampratwum 2000 – 2005
Sis. Martha Acquah – Hayford 2005 – 2011
Bro. Thomas Essel 2011 – date