NEW COVENANT UMC
It was February 4th, 2007, in the Queen City of the West. Old man Winter came to visit. It was under these circumstances that about a score of expectant African Immigrants gathered in the Chapel in the Westwood UMC building some 17 years ago. The inaugural attendees had been invited via a hastily put-together flyer under the leadership of Ebo Ghartey, the son of a preacher, officially not an ordained minister, but a great lover of Christ with a passion for the souls of men. He, along with Sabina Ghartey, Samuel Enyan, Hannah Hagan, and Samuel Darko convinced the then Pastor of Westwood, Rev. Steve Bennet that a UMC catering to the spiritual needs and worship aspirations of African immigrants could take root and thrive here in Cincinnati area. And so with a steady hand and copious hope in God’s faithfulness, New Covenant was birthed.
Soon, the first Interim Leadership Team comprising Dr. Wireko, Mr. Ebo Ghartey, Mr. Sam Enyan, Ms. Abena Amoah, Ms. Ochen Okpa, Mr. Michael Gyamfi, Mr. Samuel Opoku Gyan, Mr. Isaac Wilson, and Mr Samuel Darko, Mr Abel Gyan, was formed to run the church. The members of NC along with the volunteer interim leadership body shared the burden of leadership under grace. We made preachers of anyone whose vocal chords were strong enough to speak. We invited preachers from any Ghanaian church denomination who were willing to fill our pulpit, and any instrumentalist willing to play our drums. When our hearts grew faint, God brought Rev. Ashitey, and Rev. Oliver Adams our way. Also, God brought Rev. Rev. Kofi Amoateng and almost concurrently Rev. Francis Graham our way to help for about 3 years.
On the 10th year from the birth of NC, God let His face shine upon us and with the help of Westwood UMC and the new District Leadership under Rev. Dr. Todd Anderson and the tireless Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen, we had a first district-appointed leader in the person of Ps. Ernest P. Ologo, who joined us at the beginning of 2017. In the quest for growth in numbers and spiritually, Ps. Ernest P. Ologo and the then leadership team spearheaded New Covenant’s relocation from Westwood UMC to Lindenwald UMC and from Lindenwald UMC to currently St Mark’s UMC.
“We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished but it is ongoing. This is not the end but it is the road” – Martin Luther. We invite you to join us in the “road”, with your prayers, your presence, and acts of generosity. We invite you to join us on the “road” as we proclaim that because of God’s unfailing faithfulness, the NC narrative is just getting started.
Thanks and God bless!!