Twenty souls. A small classroom. That’s where it all began. The International Central Gospel Church ICGC. Founded in 1984 by Pastor Dr Mensa Otabil. This wasn’t just any church. It was a seed of faith planted in the heart of Accra. It blossomed into something extraordinary.
The early years were humble. Meetings bounced between classrooms private residences even a cinema theatre. The congregation grew from twenty to one hundred and eighty. Imagine the energy the shared belief. They moved to Baden Powell Memorial Hall. This became their home for ten years. Their numbers soared past 4000. ICGC wasn’t just growing in Accra. It was planting churches across Ghana. It extended its reach to Europe and the United States.
But ICGC’s vision wasn’t confined to spreading the gospel. It embraced social responsibility. In 1988 it established Central Aid. This is a scholarship programme for needy students. It’s considered one of the largest non-governmental schemes in Ghana. It also founded Central University College. This is now the largest private university in Ghana.
Think about that. A church that builds a university. A church that empowers students. This is a testament to the vision of ICGC. A beacon of hope and progress. Annual charity events like ‘Gold Frankincense and Myrrh’ support the Children’s Cancer Unit at Korle Bu. Since 2011 over 1500 children have benefited.
The International Central Gospel Church. It’s more than bricks and mortar. More than sermons and songs. It’s a community. A family. A force for good in Ghana and beyond. It’s a legacy built on faith. On hope. On the transformative power of belief. It’s a place where twenty souls grew into a congregation of almost 50000. A testament to the enduring power of faith. This is ICGC. This is its story.