Imagine a church where Sierra Leoneans around the Dallas Fort worth community will proudly call there own; now imagine a church whose pastor’s vision is to transparently work in the interest of every Sierra Leonean and other nationalities in and out of the United States; then imagine a church where the pastor’s on-going counseling ministry is opened to its congregation—ready to help in its own unique way with some of the pains in the community; and, finally, just imagine a church that will be changing lives, daily, right before your eyes.
It’s not your imagination! The church is Hope International Church which was partially launched in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford in Texas on Sunday, December 14th 2009. Members of the Sierra Leone community came in full swing and assembled in the Ballroom hall in Pipeline to witness this historic event. It’s the brainchild of the visionary, Minister Emmanuel Kwasi Botchway, whose incredible sense of pastoral leadership and humility won the hearts and minds of all Sierra Leoneans present.
Minister Emmanuel Botchway praying with a member of his church
Min. Emmanuel K. Botchway who grew up and went to school in Sierra Leone was born in neighboring Liberia to a Ghanaian father and a Liberian mother. Min. Botchway attended the Milton Comprehensive School in Bo where he captained the school’s soccer team. He played for Kakua Rangers, the darling of Bo town and later captained Wellington People Football Club where he excelled almost to the point of a maestro in soccer. His wife of eleven years is a beautiful Sierra Leonean woman, Sis. Anne Botchway with whom she has two adorable girls. Min Botchway holds a master’s degree in Counseling and he is a candidate for the prestigious doctoral degree in counseling this summer.
Minister Emmanuel K. Botchway
In his opening statement, the master of ceremony, Mr. David Kessebeh(top photo) welcomed all and sundry to the gathering. He challenged every Sierra Leonean present to yield to the clarion call and help plant a Sierra Leonean based church in the neighborhood. “I challenge you all to search your souls and ask yourselves what legacy do you want to leave for you children and grand children long after you have gone” he said. “There can’t be any better one now than sowing a seed and planting a church in the community”, he added.
The church in session
Mr. Tom Gramby, a fine gentleman and a role model for Sierra Leoneans in the community introduced the visionary, Emmanuel Botchway, to the community in a magnificent style. In casting his vision, Min. Emmanuel Botchway began by displaying his deep sense of humor about a thief in Krio. This story was enough to get the congregation braced for a trip of what became the journey of the religious unification of the Sierra Leonean community in the metro area.
Minister Botchway is "Blessed to be a Blessing" and according to him, God has sent him a vision for the Sierra Leonean community that is generational, relational, and practical. It is the dream for our community, that many have once seen as divided, to become a blessing! A place where hurting and dispirited people can find healing and the "Living Hope". A place that may seem small in men’s eyes to be used by God to touch the DFW metro area.
He painstakingly categorized his vision for the community which he rightly called “Holistic” in its approach. Unlike many other churches, Minister Botchway vowed to handle the business of the church with honesty, integrity and transparency. “One of my main goals is to strengthen the faith of the Sierra Leone congregation in its mission to be the community of Christ” he said. “The blessing can move the congregation forward in providing the kind of environment where people are safe in building relationships based on love, trust, compassion, and forgiveness, watching over the welfare of its members - ranging from immigration help to other minute assistances such as buying a car”, he added. “It is his belief that one of the central roles of a church is not to talk the talk, neither to preach the preach but that church leadership should walk the talk” This seemingly few lines made a powerful statement that drew a standing ovation from the congregation.
Another highlight of the evening was the blessing of the vision. In her blessings, Pastor Florence Kroma of the Mount Zion Praise Church in Denton rallied the community to join hands with Min. Botchway and plant a seed that will testify to the greatness and uniqueness of the lord.
The vote of thanks was given by Sis. Anne Botchway who thanked those present for committing their resources, energy and precious time in making this meeting a success.
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