The Teshie-Nungua Area Church of Pentecost has honoured the late Pastor Samuel Andrews Kwadwo Karikari for his service to the Area, the entire church and the nation at large.
The Area last Sunday renamed the Macedonia assembly under the Nshorna District after the late pastor. The church is now known as “Samuel Adrews Kwadwo Karikari Memorial Temple.”
At a special ceremony attended by the widow, children and family of the late Pastor Karikari last Sunday, the Area Head Prophet James Osei Amaniampong paid glowing tribute to the late Pastor Karikari and the work he did. He described him as a great man of God who never complained about his conditions. He said Pastor Karikari and family travelled the length and breadth of the country preaching the word of God, winning souls for Christ and inspiring and encouraging Christians with songs he received from above.
He said the late Pastor Karikari trained his wife and children well resulting in their strong faith and participation in church activities. “A righteous man delivers people from death, the advice of a righteous man saves lives, the support and property of a righteous man all culminates in life,” Prophet Amaniampong said adding, “Pastor Karikari was a righteous man, he led a righteous life and the name of the righteous will not be rotten.”
He urged all members to leave good names and good paths as well as sign posts behind as Pastor Karikari did for generations to follow.
“At a point when our church’s records were scattered and getting missing, Pastor Karikari and a few others spent quality time to put them together, he also ensured that most of our songs as a church were documented. He also translated the minister’s manual and other documents from English to Twi,” Prophet Amaniampong further explained.
Pastor Karikari helped in the compilation of several Christian chorus in Twi and contributed articles in the Pentecost Fire. He was instrumental in the formation of the church ‘s National Music Committee and was the first chairman between 1993 and 1997. He was also instrumental in the organization of the first music seminar of the church in Kumasi in 1997.
His desire was to see Music taking its proper place in the church.
Prophet Amaniampong further said the church relied on Pastor Karikari in the resolution of conflicts since he was an expert in conflict resolution.
In a sermon on the topic “The Good Shepherd and his Sheep, Pastor Stephen Amponsah of the New York District of the Church said shepherds are important. He however warned believers to be wary of self-appointed shepherds whose sole aim is to benefit from the flock.
He explained that though David was sometimes in need or lacked something, he wrote in Psalm 23 that he lacked nothing since the Lord was his shepherd. He explained that when David wrote Psalm 23, what he meant by “ he makes me lie down in green pastures “ was the fact that the Lord could create green pastures even in the wilderness.”
He urged Christians to make the Lord their shepherd adding, “Even in the wilderness he will find a way to feed you.” He said he believes that Pastor Karikari was a good shepherd that is why even after his death, he is being honoured.
The late Pastor Karikari was born on 13th February, 1930. He was educated at the Apapam Presbyterian School, Kibi Presby Primary & Middle schools and the Sloyan Duployan Commercial College at Kibi.
He also obtained a diploma in secretaryship from the School of Careers, London.
He worked as a stenographer in Tarkwa and later worked with the Amalgamated Banquet Areas (ABA), also a mining company in Tarkwa. In 1954, he worked as a typist clerk and Messenger for a law firm in Takoradi.
In 1964 he got married to Elizabeth Gyanwa Baiden of Shama and was blessed with seven children, five girls and two boys.
He was called to be a Deacon in 1951, overseer in 1956 and Pastor in 1963. He was highly gifted in songs as a great composer and singer, a trait his wife and kids exhibit greatly.
He served in various parts of the country including Beposo Dunkwa, Wassaw Manso, Shama, Sekondi, Takoradi, Sefwi Wiawso, Kumasi, Abetifi, Akim Achiase, Akim Tafo, and the Church of Pentecost Head office.
Pastor Karikari was linked to the then Nungua District upon his transfer to the church’s head office as a Records Manager in 1990. The then district benefitted from his inspired songs as he offered the corrections and directions when the church’s songs were being sung wrongly.
Pastor Karikari’s Wife Elisabeth gave a powerful song ministration at the ceremony to honour her late husband. His children also sang some of the songs God gave to their father when he was in active service.
They were grateful to the church and the Area for the honour done their late father which they said has inspired their family and their children to continue from where their father left off.
With the exception of the last born who is domiciled in Germany, all Pastor Karikari’s children were present at the ceremony including the actor Seth Karikari, popularly known as “Koofori “in show biz circles.
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By: Isabella Gyau Orhin