La Sierra-rooted Ghanaian SDA church celebrates new Redlands home

Over the following six years, their numbers gradually increased, first with the addition of spouses and other Ghanaian community members. The small group began holding Sabbath School classes in the La Sierra University Church with the main worship services in Gladwyn Hall, then in a chapel at Sierra Towers men’s dorm and then in Cossentine Hall.

In 2010, the group moved to the chapel at La Sierra Academy down the street from the university, and when its numbers totaled around 50 in 2015, the fledgling congregation moved into a nearby strip mall space on Magnolia Avenue. By 2024, their number had risen to approximately 80 members and the congregation decided it was time to acquire their own church building.

“The focused drive, faith, and dedication of the students and Ghanaian community members who began gathering on La Sierra’s grounds is such an inspiration." -- Dr. Christon Arthur, President, La Sierra University

After an approximate six-month search, they settled on an 8,922-square-foot church building located on Orange Street in Redlands with a 200-seat sanctuary, classrooms and dining room. With the assistance of the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the sale on the $1.2 million property was completed in February. On March 8, the congregation held a joyful dedication service for their new house of worship with leadership and representatives from the conference, La Sierra and Loma Linda universities, the city of Redlands, the North American Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist organization and other special guests delivering messages of congratulations and support.

Presenters included La Sierra University President Christon Arthur and his wife, Carmelita, Loma Linda University Health President Richard Hart and his wife, Judy, Pastor Dan Smith who led the La Sierra University Church when the Ghanian congregation met there for Sabbath School, as well as Redlands Chief of Police Rachel Tolber and Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo and his wife, Maria.

“It was an honor and a blessing to participate in the Riverside Ghanaian SDA Church’s celebration of their new home, and to learn of this congregation’s story which began 22 years ago on La Sierra’s campus as way to connect with and support each other,” Arthur said following the service. “The focused drive, faith, and dedication of the students and Ghanaian community members who began gathering on La Sierra’s grounds, then in its church, dorms and other buildings, is such an inspiration. Their journey is representative of the university’s mission which we strive daily to pursue, of seeking truth, knowing God, and serving others."

"But this group did not give up. God has been good to us." -- Elder Kofi Antobam, Riverside Ghanaian SDA Church

Jonathan Park, president of the Southeastern California Conference was unable to attend but provided a message by video. “This milestone highlight’s your congregation’s faith, commitment and hard work that reflects God’s abundant grace and favor,” he said. “I know that this church will serve as a sacred sanctuary where hearts are transformed, faith is strengthened, and the message of Christ will be felt by all people.”

Patty Maruffo, executive secretary of the Southeastern California Conference delivered the day’s sermon while Southeastern California Conference Treasurer Verlon Strauss presented the tithes and offerings call.

Samuel Adjei-Boadi, pastor of the Riverside Ghanaian SDA Church noted in a program message, “This dedication themed ‘In His Presence: A Dwelling Place of Faith and Fellowship,’ signifies more than just a new location. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our church’s history, filled with opportunities for expanded ministry and outreach to the Redlands community.”

Elder Kofi Antobam presented a call for donations to help the church pay off its mortgage. He thanked conference leadership for their trust and belief in the congregation, relayed through its contribution of half of the required $300,000 downpayment on the building purchase. The remainder was provided by the church members.

Toward honoring its donors, the church has created a Hall of Faith for displaying names and photos of those who contribute between $1,000 and $5,000; a Hall of Hope for honoring contributions between $6,000 and $10,000; and a Hall of Love recognizing donations of $11,000 or more.

“[We have a church] that we can call our own,” Antobam said to the congregation. “And the Lord has done it.

Antobam, one of the founding members of the Ghanaian congregation, graduated from La Sierra in 2004 with an MBA in financial management. “At one point we were actually worshipping under the trees by the [La Sierra University] computer center,” he said. “But this group did not give up. God has been good to us. And imagine that we have a place that we can call our own today, it is just the Lord who can do that.”