Professor Samuel Nortey (L) the 1st Vice Connectional Chairman of the GHAMECC -Ghana
Professor Samuel Nortey, the 1st Vice Connectional Chairman of the Association of Methodist Church Choirs (GHAMECC -Ghana) and a lecturer at the KNUST, has hailed the success of “The Robe Must Go To Town,” an evangelism initiative launched in November 2022 by the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church Choir, saying the program is exceeding expectations.
Professor Nortey, a lead founder of the program, shared his enthusiasm while speaking at an edition of the program hosted by the Pankrono Circuit in Mamponteng.
Professor Nortey emphasized that the initiative’s success stems from its innovative approach to reaching individuals outside of traditional church settings. “The Robe Must Go To Town’ was created during my tenure as Chairman for the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Choir.” Professor Nortey recounted, adding that, “It has been remarkable to see it attract not only the characters, but also lay executives, other church members and even Reverend Ministers. According to him, the program has become a means of reaching people that would not normally attend church services.”
“The Robe Must Go To Town” effectively transitions traditional revivals into community engagement, actively seeking to connect with the public. The program, rooted in the concept of “bring one to the Lord,” utilizes the choir’s musical talents and spoken word to reach those “yearning to hear the word of God.”
Since its inception, he said, the initiative has undertaken several successful outings.
“The program began with outings to areas like Adum. While initially met with modest success, subsequent events began to gain traction and generate interest. The impact is growing, with more people hearing the message,” said Professor Nortey.
The professor further elaborated on how the initiative has expanded its reach over time.
“The initiative’s success has led to its adoption by other dioceses at the choir level. A pivotal moment occurred when the lay chairman, Professor Labi, championed the effort, leading the lay movement council to orchestrate a recent event. The latest event saw unprecedented participation from various church organizations, including men’s and women’s fellowships. Despite heavy rain, individuals from all walks of life attended, demonstrating the initiative’s growing appeal.”
Further explaining how the evangelism is done through the program’s designation, the Professor said,
“The program involves singing, sharing tracts, and delivering the spoken word. The team also goes house-to-house, sharing the word of God, distributing tracts, and praying with residents. The names of those who show interest are collected and passed on to the local circuit officers for follow-up and integration into nearby societies.”
“The initiative works closely with local circuit officers, who are instrumental in organizing events and providing ongoing support to new converts. The initiative recently worked with the Pankrono Circuit which was instrumental in organizing the location to hold the event at the Mamponteng Palace,” said Professor Nortey
The professor expressed his satisfaction with the level of dedication by the choristers to see the initiative go far.
Outlining a future vision or expectations for the program, Prof. Nortey said the he long-term vision is to expand the initiative further, involving more church organizations and eventually the clergy.
“The goal is to fully manifest the bring one to the Lord concept by consistently reaching out and connecting with individuals beyond the church walls. The hope is that the expansion will get more people involved and is okay even if one person gets saved”. Professor Samuel Nortey concluded.
