TRIBUTE BY MORGAN F. ASIEDU, ESQ. (Chairman - Scripture Union Council, Ghana) Now praise we great and famous men The Fathers named in story; And praise the Lord who now as then Reveals in man His glory. MHB 896 The Very Reverend J.M. Donkor was posted to Larteh- Akuapem as the Superintendent Minister in 1983. He came to meet a Church that was low in morale and spiritual activity. The six years that he spent in Larteh could be classified as one of the best periods in the recent history of the Church. It can be said of Osofo Donkor that he indeed hit the ground running. His approach was to first meet the spiritual needs of the people and then galvanise all and sundry to do the work of God. Osofo identified the young talented people in the Church and pushed them to give themselves to the work of the Lord. This he did by encouraging those who could pursue the Local Preachers’ course to do so and challenge those who had the call of God on them to enter the ministry. For those of us who were in the University at the time and were thus only available during holidays, he made sure that we were featured in the Preaching Plan during the vacation periods when we were available. Osofo was not only interested in the youth. He worked very closely with his leaders to get all to participate in Church programmes. Osofo cared deeply about the spiritual growth and well-being of his congregation. He thus introduced his special thrice a year prayer session during the Odwira festival and end-of-year festivities. These were times when the non-resident natives came home in their numbers for funerals and various family re-unions. Osofo took advantage of this and introduced his special one-week prayer and fasting sessions. The Morning Prayer meeting started at 4: 00am and ended around 6: 00am. People would come from Accra, Tema, Koforidua and other towns and stay for the week of prayer during which there were a lot of spiritual ministrations and testimonies of what the Lord was doing in answer to prayers. These sessions were open to all and it was common to see Presbyterians, Pentecost, Anglicans, Catholics and people from other denominations join in these prayer sessions. His favorite hymn during these sessions was MHB 152. 1. What means this eager anxious throng Which moves with busy haste along These wondrous gatherings day by day? What means this strange commotions pray? In accents hushed the throng reply Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 2. Who is this Jesus? Why should he The city move so mightily A passing stranger has he skill To move the multitude at will? Again the stirring tones reply Jesus of Nazareth passeth by 3. Jesus tis he who once below Man’s pathway trod ‘mid pain and woe; And burdened ones where’er He came, Brought out their sick, and deaf, and lame, The blind rejoiced to hear the cry Jesus of Nazareth passeth by 50 CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE THE VERY REV. JOSEPH MAXWELL DONKOR
4. Ho all ye heavenly laden, come, Here’s pardon comfort, rest and home’ Ye wanderers from a Father’s face, Return, accept His proffered grace, Ye tempted ones there’s refuge nigh Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. The reality or truth of this song was witnessed by all and sundry year in year out, as Jesus of Nazareth “passed through” the congregation bringing healing and deliverance to His people. The testimonies that poured out during the prayer meetings were many and even those who for one reason or the other could not attend would send oil and gallons of water to the Church and place them at the altar for them to be blessed on the last day of the six-day session for their use. Again, they came back with testimonies of what the “holy oil” and “holy water” did in their lives. Osofo was not just a spiritual person, he was also very caring. Visitation came naturally to him, and he really got to know his flock beyond the spiritual level. He cared about their financial, academic, relationships, future aspirations, and all. His was total ministration and this was to the old and young alike. It was in pursuance of this that he established a monthly Church fellowship at the Methodist Head Office in Accra where he met and ministered to the needs of his distant-member flock resident in Accra-Tema and to administer the holy communion to them, an innovation that was greatly appreciated and well patronised and which has continued to date. It was thus not surprising that the Church grew under his leadership, a fact which also reflected in the infrastructural development during his era. Osofo was thus able to complete the Chapel which had been under construction for over forty years and commissioned it. He also built a vestry comprising choristers changing room, leaders meeting room, the minister’s office, among others. It was with real tears that the people of Larteh said goodbye to Osofo in 1989. However, this feeling was mutual as Osofo and his family had also come to accept Larteh as their home. Indeed, his children George, Alex, Solomon, Serwah and others had become so integrated that leaving was difficult for all. His last-born Comfort who was born at Larteh was the favourite of all and affectionately called Yaa Lartebea. But Osofo’s transfer from Larteh was not the end of his relationship with us, for he had found family, and had many sons and daughters that he constantly called on phone to encourage and cheer on. My family was one such family that he cherished. He referred to my mother as his sister and all her children became sons and daughters of his and vice versa. That one of Osofo Donkor’s grand-daughters was named after my mother is a testimony of the life-long relationship with my family. Osofo was interested in our careers, our marriages, our children, our businesses and whatever we did. His calls were constant. He advised us to take care of our spouses and be faithful to them. “Kwabena, mmaa nyinaa adeâ baako na ômmo wô, nti sâ Nyame ma wo bi a na w’atô wo bo na wo ne no atena” I clearly remember this advice to me. Osofo Panyin was very appreciative. He greatly loved it whenever we were able to visit him. He felt so proud of our achievements in life and would pray for the Lord’s continuous favour and grace on us. He had his information network in place and would call to congratulate me whenever we did something special for the Church at Larteh. His response whenever I asked him how he got to know was “Kwabena mete ne nyinaa”. Osofo Panyin, you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race. May the good Lord, the Great Shepherd of the flock, grant you eternal rest till we meet again. CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE THE VERY REV. JOSEPH MAXWELL DONKOR 51
TRIBUTE BY ALFRED ODAME (Former Societey Steward, Wesley Methodist Church, Bekwai) Our beloved, the Very Rev. J.M. Donkor used to quote this text “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain”. 1 Cor 15: 58. Knowing that his labour in the Lord shall not be in vain, he committed himself fully to the service of God and at the same time ensured that the needed infrastructure was constructed. Papa ensured that Church members grew spiritually by organizing revival meetings in the last week of every month. He tackled the construction of the tower of the Chapel, the ceiling of the Chapel which had not been done for ages. He also built a Centinary Hall for meetings and other programmes. His greatest of all his projects was the founding of Bekwai Wesley High School in 1994 inspite of the opposition he encountered from a section of the leaders when the proposal to construct the Senior High School was laid before the Leaders Meeting. The Wesley High School has now become one of the biggest assets to the Methodist Church Ghana and the entire nation. The progress of his leaders was his heart’s desire. He encouraged some of us to futher our education, others were also encouraged to acquire land to build their houses. He never downplayed the issues about his Leaders or Church members. He involved himself in finding solution to issues on education, employment, business, sickness, and marital issues. He was a father to all. One thing I remember Papa for is that anytime he launched appeal for funds at the Church for any project, he would be the first person to respond before inviting other members to come on board attesting to the principle of “leadership by example”. Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear, especially when he invited me on several occasions for a discussion which I kept on procrastinating. May the good memories hold deep in our hearts. May God grant you the best place in heaven, where eternal peace reigns supreme. Amen. TRIBUTE BY ODIE FELIX ADUMOAH (ALIAS ODNKOSI) REVELATION 21-1 “And I saw a new heaven and a new Earth for the first heaven and the first Earth have passed away and there was no more sea.” I ndeed, a father who acted as a leader of the Church, a trainer, a disciplinarian is gone to his Maker. A father who did not cater for his children alone but made others to do the work of God has left us. I will never forget him sending me to Presbyterian Training College Akropong-Akwapin to be a teacher and learning to play the Church organ. In fact, a great vacuum has been created for me. I have nothing to say more. May the good Lord keep him in his bosom forever till we meet again. Osofo Panyin J.M., rest in peace. Amen 52 CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE THE VERY REV. JOSEPH MAXWELL DONKOR
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SILENTLY THE SHADES OF EVENING 1. Silently the shades of evening Gather round my lowly door; Silently they bring before me Faces I shall see no more. 2. O the lost, the unforgotten, Though the world be oft forgot! O the shrouded and the lonely, In our hearts they perish not! 3. Living in the silent hours, Where our spirits only blend, They, unlinked with earthly trouble, We, still hoping for its end. 4. How such holy memories cluster, Like the stars when storms are past, Pointing up to that fair heaven, We may hope to gain at last. Author: Christopher. C. Cox, in Woodworth’s Cabinet, 1847 CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE THE VERY REV. JOSEPH MAXWELL DONKOR 71
We wish to express our profound gratitude to all those who in diverse ways consoled, mourned, supported and prayed with us during the bereavement of our father and son. Appreciation ThridGrid Express 0559.66.74.93