Day 23 - Sunday Morning at a Ghanian Church Service

Ghanaians, in general, are very religious so the Ghana 6 group decided we would all like to attend a religious service at least once during our visit to Ghana. 

Akiba (USA) discovered that one of her Tema Tech clients, Tony, was a member of the Charismatic church.  Charismatic Christianity is a Christian doctrine that believe that modern day members experience miracles, prophecies, speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts.   The Charismatic branch of Christianity places a lot of emphasis on joy, faith and hope through singing and dancing.

Tony graciously invited us all to the service today and even went as far as picking us all up and dropping us all back at the hotel.  When we first arrived at around 8:30 AM there was already a small group of worshippers present.  Most of them were pacing back and forth and chanting.   We found our later they were speaking in tongues - which is a way to talk directly to God without the devil being able to understand the conversation.




The Ghana 6 team at the Charismatic service


The formal service began sometime later - what an uplifting experience!   The congregation really got into the service - there was people singing and clapping and dancing for most of the service.  Akiba, Shika and I were even invited to the front to dance with the rest of the congregation.  Of course, I had no idea what I was doing and what the dance steps were - but no one seemed to care.

The congregation

The minister spoke in English and welcomed each of us from our native countries which he had listed out and the interpreter translated everything into Twi (their local language here).  The congregation greeted us with high fives, hand shakes and hugs during the meet and greet portion of the ceremony.  During one part of the service, a baby was "presented" which seemed to be likened to a baptismal ceremony.

Looking out the window into the yard, there were a small number of the congregation with a group of children.  This was their version of Sunday school!  The  children were learning to clap, sing and chant like the rest of the community.

Sunday school

Back at the hotel - the Ghana 6 group with Tony

Quite an experience for a Catholic girl from Canada!