Our History

1.     I.C.G.C BEFORE DECEMBER 1994.

Spirit Life Community as it is known now has a rather chequered but interesting history dating back to 16 December 1994 and having its roots in I.C.G.C, Kumasi. I.C.G.C, Kumasi was pioneered by 2 bible school colleagues namely Rev. Frank Opoku Amoako and Rev. Ekow Eshun in 1991 who became Senior Pastor and Assistant Pastor respectively.

In 1992, whilst Rev. Opoku Amoako was leaving Kumasi to go and pastor I.C.G.C, Cape Coast, Rev. Eben Dadson fresh from bible school was also sent to I.C.G.C, Kumasi to assist Rev. Ekow Eshun.  In 1993, Rev. Robert Ankai-Taylor of blessed memory (husband of Pastor Mrs. Ernestina Ankai-Taylor) was also released from his assistant pastor role at I.C.G.C, Obuasi and sent to I.C.G.C, Kumasi as a 2nd associate of Rev. Ekow Eshun.

In May of 1994, in line with a major pastoral transfer initiative by Pastor Mensa Otabil, Rev. Obeng Darko, a very experienced and gifted minister, peer and colleague of Pastor Otabil and Senior Associate at I.C.G.C, Accra was to come to assume leadership of I.C.G.C, Kumasi whilst Rev. Ekow Eshun also was to assume leadership of I.C.G.C, Takoradi. The then Senior Pastor of I.C.G.C, Takoradi Rev. Edwin Donkor, had also been tasked to go to I.C.G.C, Accra and serve as Assistant Pastor to Pastor Otabil. It was later agreed however that Rev. Ekow Eshun should stay at Kumasi and assist Rev. Obeng Darko after he himself had put in a request to do so rather than go to I.C.G.C, Takoradi. Consequently, by June of 1994, I.C.G.C, Kumasi was led by Rev. Obeng Darko, Rev. Ekow Eshun, Rev. Eben. K. Dadson and Rev. Ankai Taylor of blessed memory. Even though as a team of pastors at Kumasi we worked together quite well and the local church or branch was also doing quite well, events surrounding the transfers of pastors had left some tension between Rev. Obeng Darko and Pastor Otabil especially. The transition had not been managed well and other previous hurts and pains in their personal and working relationships at I.C.G.C, Accra had made it worse amidst accusations and counter accusations. This undoubtedly began to affect the Kumasi church especially because news of this had began to trickle in as pastors and members of branches were talking about the issue.

The months between August and November 1994 were quite turbulent for I.C.G.C, Kumasi at the time because the effect of the deteriorating relationship between Pastors Otabil and Obeng Darko was now been felt in various ways. Communication had broken down. Suspicion of each other had grown.  Peace could not be brokered between them. It is noteworthy however that at this time, a statement of autonomy for the Kumasi branch was operating. This had been secured and signed by Pastor Otabil at the time of Pastor Obeng Darko’s coming to Kumasi in May 1994. A section of the membership of I.C.G.C, Kumasi comprising largely of cell leaders had been brainwashed, misinformed and stirred up to rise against the leadership of Pastor Obeng Darko at Kumasi.

After a series of private meetings with some of these cell leaders Intended to educate them about the real facts regarding the autonomy of the branch, and also to broker peace at the local level, they rebelled repeatedly. Things came to the fore consequently on Friday 16 December 1994, after an open rebellion by these aforementioned cell leaders and a few others in a church meeting. The then team of pastors led by Pastor Obeng Darko unanimously opted to leave ICGC basically because of mistrust in the leadership of I.C.G.C and a breach of trust in the autonomy statement. A good no of leaders stuck with the pastors resulting in the birth of Tabernacle of Witness Church International on 16 December 1994 with Pastor Obeng Darko as leader and Pastors Ekow Eshun, Eben. K Dadson and Ankai - Taylor as associates respectively.


1994-1999

This was the period when Rev. Obeng Darko was Senior Pastor of this new church called Tabernacle of Witness Church International. It was a joyful period because all the internal strife and tension was gone and our independence had become meaningful as a local church. We suffered great persecution from other ministers and churches but we were not moved because we were content within and we were not willing to trade it for anything else. Many believers, pastors and churches didn't want to associate with us because we had done what was unthinkable and unimaginable - we were the first breakaway group in a major charismatic church i.e. I.C.G.C. In a sense, we had spoilt the record and reputation of I.C.G.C. Besides, we were seen as a threat because of the calibre of pastors we were. Indeed our very existence created a bit of fear for other senior pastors who were not doing enough for their associates and members because our example was an encouragement for others. This was a very trying moment for us as ministers and as a church. Our situation was unprecedented in charismatic history in Ghana.

All eyes were watching and all tongues were wagging to see who will be the next to follow our example. Amazingly, God's grace and mercy was abundant to sustain us with great joy, peace and fulfilment. We had great conviction that we would see God's glory, His grace and growth. Special mention must be made of Prophet Samuel Kofi Arthur, whom God used to minister to us prophetically in a way and time that was purely supernatural. This was just before Christmas of 1994 just about a week after we had left I.C.G.C on 16 December 1994. He was the stand - in or replacement speaker for an original speaker who couldn't come for our Christmas convention. He didn't know anything about the tension brewing between us and I.C.G.C, Accra.

God supernaturally gave him revelations about our past, present and future as individuals and as a church. His ministry was enough to strengthen us and encourage us that God was with us in spite of the hostility and suspicion we were facing from other believers and churches. Mr. Ekow Dadson and his wife Pastor Mrs. Margaret Dadson also deserve special mention for being a great source of encouragement and financial support during that trying period. In those days they literally supported us financially and materially and made regular trips from Cape Coast to Kumasi to refresh us. Much of our current constitution was put together at this time by the pastors. In those days we described ourselves as a “militant and prophetic church.”


MISSION

To bring people to Jesus and membership in his family, develop them to Christ-like maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission, in the world, in order to magnify God’s name.


VISION

To build A Christ-Centred Community of Spirit-Filled Disciples Equipped For Diverse Specialised Ministries and Outreach