Expelled SDA members reinstated

Berekum, Sept 06, GNA - Some 169 members of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church belonging to expelled branch churches in Berekum District of Brong Ahafo have been re-instated They have been re-grouped into four branches, namely Alpha SDA, Amazing SDA, Omega SDA and Mispa SDA.

The Mid West Ghana Conference of the church recommended the expulsion of 12 of its branch churches in January during its third triennial session Sunyani for committing various offences including dissent.

The expelled branches were Continental, Biadan, Kutre, Senase, Benkasa, Jejemireja, Estate, Kato, Nyamekyere and Namasua. The others were Kyeremasu in Dormaa District and Techiman Zongo Branches.

The members were re-instated after their applications were considered at a week-long meeting at Berekum that ended at the weekend.

Pastor James Badu, the President of the Conference, explained that the Conference had a policy to expel any branch or individual who rebelled against it.

He said the policy also allowed the Conference to give any expelled branch or individual 90 days to reconsider their faith and allegiance to the Conference.

Any such affected branch or individuals who wanted to be reconsidered should write an application to the Conference for consideration.

"After the expiration of the 90 days, the Conference recognized that about 70 per cent of members of the expelled branches had applied and after careful consideration the Conference decided to accept them back into the church", the pastor said.