Valedictory service has been held in honour of one of the stalwart servants, Rev. Raymond Adibrosu Kofi Samatey, and wife, Mrs. Victoria Afua Samatey on 13th June 2021 at Revival Assemblies of God, Wa in the Upper West region. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the General Treasurer, Rev. Dr. Sam Ato Bentil, and the Regional Executives of the region. In attendance also was the National Pension Administrator, Mr. Felix Nana Boakye, ministers from the Wa District, Upper West Region, and a host of well-wishers across the length and breadth of the country to grace the ceremony. Rev. Samatey until his retirement was the Head Pastor of Assemblies of God, Bethel branch in the Wa District, and Regional Treasurer of Upper West Region. He served the organization for 14 years and held several positions during his ministry. The profile below highlights the ministerial works and other experiences of Rev. Samatey.
Profile of Rev. Raymond Adibrosu Kofi Samatey
Raymond Adibrosu Kofi Samatey was born to Mr. and Mrs. E.R Samatey on 19th August 1955 at Bodada-Buem in the Oti Region. He completed his commercial education in Akim Tafo Eastern Region and was working with the State Transport Cooperation as an accounting staff and came to Wa on transfer in 1988. But after the takeover of PNDC was retrench by the government in 1991 and he became a photographer to earn a living but for his zeal for the Lord found himself in the Sunday and mission department in the Revival A/G Church at the labor Office Wa.
During the times of Rev. Jean Rowe who was pastoring the Charia A/G Church gave him the opportunity anytime, she was traveling to be handling the Charia A/G Church and that made him develop a passion for soul-winning into His Kingdom, during that time Ray was even pastoring two (2) church services a day. His involvement and commitment in church activities made him become a Pastor and a missionary before going to the Bible School.
He handled Gbankor A/G Church, Charia A/G Church, Asse A/G Church, and Loho A/G Church respectively with the help of Rev Robert Akulbugri who encouraged him to understand his calling in 2004 that there was something to do for God until 2005 he entered into NGBC at Tamale and graduated in 2007 with the theme “I am Not Ashamed of the of the Gospel of Christ”….. (Rom 1:16). He is somebody who loves God and who does not want anyone to die without Jesus Christ. Rev. Raymond popularly known as Uncle Ray came and did a survey at Wechiau with Rev. Martin Saa Naa Guri now pastoring Hamile A/G Church soon after his graduation in December 2007. With the assistance of his formal Regional Superintendent Rev Dr. Daniel Ayembilla, Rev YY Inusah, and the cooperation of Love A/G Church, Tema on 21st April 2008 in the leadership of Rev Alfred Akombi having been beaten by a heavy rain came to begin a crusade at Wechiau on 22nd -25th April 2008.
It was a very successful crusade during its session, but souls failed to come to church due to religious discrimination. However, while the crusade was ongoing, he had the edge to go to the other side which led him and his team to discover their Macedonia calling at Kacheau now Zion A/G which has currently produced two Pastors to the region. The following churches were also planted by Rev. Samatey:
1. Wechiau ……………………………………………………..April 2008
2. Kachiau ………………………………………………………May 2008
3. Kandiau. …………….. ………………………………………Mach, 2009
6. Tuole …………………………………………………………Feb 2016
7. Dornye………………… …………………………………… ..2016
8. Kpanfa………… …………………………… ……………….Jan 2017
ONGOING PROJECTS
He has raised two (2) pastors currently pastoring at Gwolu and Vieri respectively,
CHURCH BUILDING
1. Zion A/G Church is 95% complete left with inside plastering with electricity installed already.
2. Kpanfa Resurrection Power A/G Church is ongoing at 15% completion with about 720 blocks awaiting to pick off whilst Vieri Praise Chapel A/G is still in a classroom. He has now connected water to the Church at Wechiau.
POSITIONS HELD
i. Regional Treasurer 2014 • 2021
ii. District Secretary from 2012-2013
Rev. Raymond (Uncle Ray) is a family man who got married in 1982 to a very beautiful lady Victoria Afua Samatey from Presby church at Abeka-Lapaz in Accra. A virtuous woman who has been his backbone despite no salary they were able to survive till date. Honey, may the good Lord bless you and establish you. They have four (4) children and two grandchildren.
The Assemblies of God, Ghana, Power House Assembly in Nkawkaw has put up a 500 new seating capacity auditorium at Accra town, to enhance the effective propagation of the gospel, after the collapse of their old building in 2014. The chapel dedication which took place on 18th July 2021 was attended by the General Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, Rev. Mrs. Gladys Frimpong-Manso, and several dignitaries including the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Nana Effah Pinamang III, Chief of Obomeng and Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Odame Obuobi, the Regional Superintendent of Eastern Region ‘C’.
The two-storey building auditorium was built within 7 years and can boast of an office for the Senior Pastor, Accounts Office, Childrens’ Chapel Auditorium, and an 8-seater washroom.
Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso in his exhortation indicated that “today is reminiscent of the dedication of the temple under King Solomon as recorded in 1 Kings 8. On that day, they praised God, made countless sacrifices, and later made a special request (1 Kings 8:30). Most importantly, King Solomon called on the people of God gathered at the temple dedication to adhere to God’s commands if they want answers to their prayers. The King prayed, “May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees, and regulations he gave our fathers.” (1 Kings 8:58) Just as we prepare to dedicate this temple today, I want to appeal to all members of this church, old and new, to re-dedicate their lives to the Lord. Put all bickering aside, put all offenses aside, and reignite the fire on the day of Pentecost. Let the revival begin, let love prevail and the members of this local assembly shall be called blessed.” The General Superintendent reiterated that “ I look forward to the days ahead when we shall hear of the great and mighty works of our God in this auditorium. And I look forward to the days ahead when members of this church shall receive answers to their prayers because of their obedience to the Word of God. May He grant you strength and add to your years to see what He will do in this auditorium.”
The management of Restoration AG Child and Youth Development Centre of Breman Jamra in the Breman East district on 4th July 2021 presented equipment to 8 beneficiaries of the project at a colourful ceremony at Jamra.
Six of the beneficiaries were given two modern industrial knitting and sewing machines each whereas two others were given assorted machinery to help them in masonry and electrical works.
Present at the ceremony were a host of dignitaries including; Nana Kwesi Ennin III; Rev. and Mrs. Efiinu (the Pastor in charge of the project and wife), the Assembly Member of Jamra, Hon. Albert Eduku Akpa; Mr Joseph Mensah-Egyir, the Project Director; Mr. Samuel Drafor, the chairman of the Church Partner Committee; Caregivers and a cross-section of the general public.
The gesture is an effort to eradicate poverty from the Community and Caregivers. Rev. Efiinu, who is also the Regional Secretary of Assemblies of God, Ghana Central Region B, admonished the beneficiaries to put into good use the equipment to the benefit of the society. Speaking from 1 Timothy 1: 1-6, he urged the beneficiaries and all present to rely on God’s favour; provide servant leadership; have a harmonious relationship; say a prayer of grace, mercy and peace for the society and above all to remain focussed in life.
Nana Kwesi Ennin III who is the Gyasehene of Breman Jamra also advised the beneficiaries and the youth to desist from substance abuse and remain focus on their education and acquire technical and vocational skills. Mrs. Anastasia Efiinu who is a Principal Nursing Officer of Our Lady of Grace Hospital of Breman Asikuma also encouraged the girls who are the beneficiaries to aim high in life and avoid being victims of teenage pregnancy.
Rev. Efiinu on behalf of the project and Assemblies of God, Ghana thanked the Country Director, Management and Sponsors of Compassion International Ghana for providing the equipment to the beneficiaries.
