It began as a small gathering under the trees on La Sierra University’s campus in June 2003. Nine Seventh-day Adventist Ghanaian students and community members formed a Sabbath worship service, bound together by a shared faith, culture, and desire to connect. 

Over the following six years, their numbers gradually increased, first with the addition of spouses and other Ghanaian community members. The small group began holding Sabbath School classes at the La Sierra University Church, with main worship services first in Gladwyn Hall, then in the chapel at Sierra Towers men’s dorm, and later in Cossentine Hall.

In 2010, the group moved to the chapel at La Sierra Academy down the street from the university. When its numbers totaled around 50 in 2015, the fledgling congregation moved into a nearby strip mall space on Magnolia Avenue. By 2024, their number had risen to approximately 80 members, and the congregation decided it was time to acquire their own church building.

After an approximately six-month search, they settled on an 8,922-square-foot church building on Orange Street in Redlands with a 200-seat sanctuary, classrooms, and dining room. With the assistance of the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the sale of the $1.2 million property was completed in February 2025. On March 8, the congregation held a joyful dedication service for their new house of worship with leadership and representatives from the conference, La Sierra and Loma Linda universities, the city of Redlands, the North American Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist organization, and other special guests delivering messages of congratulations and support. 

Presenters included Christon Arthur, president of La Sierra University, and his wife, Carmelita; Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University, and his wife, Judy; Dan Smith, who led the La Sierra University Church when the Ghanaian congregation met there for Sabbath School; Rachel Tolber, chief of police in Redlands; and Mario Saucedo, mayor of Redlands, and his wife, Maria.

“It was an honor and a blessing to participate in the Riverside Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church’s celebration of their new home and to learn of this congregation’s story, which began 22 years ago on La Sierra’s campus as a way to connect with and support each other,” Arthur said following the service. “The focused drive, faith, and dedication of the students and Ghanaian community members who began gathering on La Sierra’s grounds, then in its church, dorms, and other buildings, is such an inspiration. Their journey is representative of the university’s mission which we strive daily to pursue, of seeking truth, knowing God, and serving others.”

Jonathan Park, president of the Southeastern California Conference, was unable to attend but provided a message by video. “This milestone highlights your congregation’s faith, commitment, and hard work that reflects God’s abundant grace and favor,” he said. “I know that this church will serve as a sacred sanctuary where hearts are transformed, faith is strengthened, and the message of Christ will be felt by all people.”

Patty Maruffo, executive secretary of the Southeastern California Conference, delivered the day’s sermon while treasurer Verlon Strauss presented the call for tithes and offerings. 

In later comments, Smith recalled how Ghanaian students from La Sierra approached him when he was senior pastor of the university church more than two decades ago. “They had a dream to plant a Ghanaian church,” Smith said. “They were so deeply committed, so passionate, that I couldn't help but offer to help in any way we could. During the early years, I spoke for them many times. I would teach Sabbath School at La Sierra, help start the worship service, and then race up to Sierra Towers, the boys' dorm chapel, preach for them, and hang out with them for their glorious potlucks.

“We allowed them to run their finances through us, but their worship, their outreach, their dream, were all them,” he continued. “Ghanaians drove from all over Southern California to be part of it. To be invited to help them celebrate as they finally were able to purchase their own church in Redlands was truly a dream come true. To see a church full of people who worship the Ghanaian way was a deep and rare privilege. And then to hear that this made 60 Ghanaian churches across North America — who knew?”B

Samuel Adjei-Boadi, pastor of the Riverside Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church, noted in a church program message, “This dedication themed ‘In His Presence: A Dwelling Place of Faith and Fellowship’ signifies more than just a new location. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our church’s history, filled with opportunities for expanded ministry and outreach to the Redlands community.” 

Kofi Antobam, a church elder, called for donations to help the church pay off its mortgage. He thanked conference leadership for their trust and belief in the congregation, relayed through its contribution of half the required $300,000 down payment on the building purchase. The church members provided the remainder.

The church has created a Hall of Faith displaying names and photos of those who contribute between $1,000 and $5,000; a Hall of Hope honoring contributions between $6,000 and $10,000; and a Hall of Love recognizing donations of $11,000 or more.

“[We have a church] that we can call our own,” Antobam said to the congregation. “And the Lord has done it.”

Antobam, one of the founding members of the Ghanaian congregation, graduated from La Sierra in 2004 with an MBA in financial management. “At one point, we were actually worshiping under the trees by the [La Sierra University] computer center,” he said. “But this group did not give up. God has been good to us. And imagine that we have a place we can call our own today. It is just the Lord who can do that.”

The original version of this story was posted on the La Sierra University news site.