History of the Church
Establishment Of The Church In North America
Some Ghanaians were worshipping in a predominantly African Church in New York in the later part of the 1980’s and the early part of the 1990’s. The name of the church was United African Brotherhood (UAB.) After some time several developments in the church produced unresolvable differences in the church which resulted in a split. A number of people left UAB and started a prayer group with the teachings of the Bible. This group of believers started conducting church services on Sundays. The key leaders and officers of the group were Elders David Owusu Asimeng, Philip Duah (no longer in the church), Mac Otchere, Elijah Addae, Pastor Edward Okyere (now with Miracle Church of Christ). The others were Deacon Nana Osei Tutu (now Elder), Deacon Dumfeh, Sisters Perpetual Acheampong, Juliana Kusi Dansoh and Constance Asiedu (now deaconesses). Several other people whose names shall be too many to list also contributed to the establishment of the fellowship.
As the membership of the fellowship grew, it became necessary to formally establish a church and it was at this time that Elder Owusu Asimeng mentioned this to Apostle Peter Attah Antwi, the then President of The Apostolic Church of Ghana. After visiting the USA, Apostle Attah Antwi met with the National Council who then sent Apostle Ebenezer Abebrese, the then General Secretary of the Church and Apostle Victor Boafo, the then Area Apostle for Cape Coast and leader of the National Evangelical Team, to visit the USA in August 1993. Before their visit, some of the leaders of the new church fellowship were thinking of affiliating with the Assembly of God or adopting the name “Miracle Church of Christ.” The Lord used the visit of these two servants and the teamwork among the officers to convince the members to affiliate with The Apostolic Church of Ghana. Subsequently, the name “The Apostolic Church International” was chosen to refer to the churches that shall be established in North America on behalf of The Apostolic Church of Ghana.
In November 1993, The National Council, appointed Apostle Victor Boafo as the first missionary to shepherd the flock in New York. He arrived in New York in November 1993 and began the work in North America on behalf of the National Council as National Superintendent of North America.