I want a principle within of jealous, godly fear. A sensibility of sin; a pain to feel it near. …
O may the least omission, pain my reawakened soul. And drive me to that blood again; which makes the wounded whole. (MHB 626:1 & 5)

And that is an apt description of the man we mourn today. Very Rev Prof Joshua Narteh Kudadjie was literally the father and spirit of Haggai Methodist Church, formerly Amasaman Methodist Church. He joined the church with his dear wife Mama Miriam in 1998 as the Second Minister in the then Ga Mission (before it became a circuit).

Although he was based in Amasaman he regularly visited and worshipped with other sister societies in the now Ga Sub-Urban Circuit. Among these sister Societies were Kpobiman, Medie Samsam, Mempemehuasem, Amamole, Sarpeiman, Pokuase, Kwashiekumaman and Ardeyman, to mention only a few.

In our Society, we sometimes wondered why a whole professor like him would like to minis­ter in such a rural society that worshipped in an old wooden structure that used torch light and lanterns because we were not connected to the national grid then. When he heard it, he light-heartedly responded that he was a “rural boy” and enjoyed ministering in rural settings.

Papa, Daddy, Osofo Nukpa, Papa Osofo, Prof. as we affectionately called him, was a father, brother, friend and confidante to all, both men and women, old and young, member of the church or not. He was a delight at Church any day and every day, Sundays and weekdays alike, when his strength enabled him. Through his sermons, teachings, devotions, revivals, Good Fridays “town preaching” and active participation in Church programmes, Papa Osofo Nukpa made a great impact not only on us church members but also the community members. We collaborated on many occasions with other denominations around us and he became a mentor and consultant to many of the young Pastors of these churches.

When the Amasaman Methodist Church decided to build a permanent chapel to replace the wooden structure which was becoming rather too old and small for its over 100 members then, he worked closely with the Architect and the Building Committee to ensure that the chapel was well designed to accommodate 400 to 500 people at a go. He reasoned that the church was growing and had the potential to host Synods in future.

Papa Osofo Nukpa’s contribution towards the construction of the chapel cannot be over-em­phasized. Not only did he contribute his own money, he took active part in raising Funds for the building and engaged his nuclear and extended family, friends far and near in the Fund-raising activities. Papa Osofo and Maame Osofo Kudadjie carried concrete and water alongside young people during communal labour.

Even though the building is still a work-in-pro­gress, we thank God that it is an edifice which is admired by all. His prayer was that as we built the Chapel, the Temple of God, we would remember that our bodies would also be built to the glory of God.

Though the Amasaman Methodist Church was traditionally revived in 1985, the revival became more evident under Prof. when organisations such as the Women’s Fellowship, Men’s Fellowship, Singing Band, Choir were inaugurated. For example Men’s Fellowship was inaugurated in 2002 while Women’s Fellowship was inaugu­rated on 20th October, 2003. Papa Osofo was very much involved in getting members to learn their memory verses and encouraged all to know what these organisations stood for. To grow the membership and encourage members to join, he often personally paid for their respective cloth/ uniform for some of the members.
 
Besides, Papa was engrossed in the annual Bible Week Celebrations in the Church and not a year passed by without members knowing how the Bible came to be available to us all at our door steps today while recounting the Mary Jones story. He also made himself available to the Children’s Service and especially, during the Children’s Week Celebrations each year. He always had a word or two to share with the children and their teachers each time they interacted, praying for them and blessing them all along.

Papa Osofo Nukpa always said that Jesus took care of the spiritual as well as the physical needs of the people and he demonstrated this espe­cially among the youth and the widows in the society. He personally sponsored some young members to go back to school while he managed to secure scholarships for some others who had difficulty with their fees. Others he still linked to master craftsmen for development in training and apprenticeship.

Papa Osofo’s pastoral visits were exceptional. He had time for everybody and was a most generous man as he gave gifts to all manner of people. Hardly did anyone visit him and his wife at home without being given a token to take back.

This tribute would not be complete without talk­ing about the celebration of the Annual Harvests with Papa Osofo Nukpa. The sick, widowed orphaned and the poor were never left out of the Harvests which he insisted should not be con­fused with Fundraising but should be separated entirely. These were joyous memories of carrying our “first fruits” in a basket and handing them over to him to put before the altar as described in Deuteronomy 26.

Very Rev. J. N Kudadjie was expected to Superannuate in 2008 but was encouraged to stay on for a few more years, all to the glory of God. Even after he superannuated, he was regularly at church, supporting the various Ministers-in-Charge of the Society/Zone who came in succession. They included Very Rev. Benjamin Ofoe, Very Rev. Isaac Amo-Brentu, Very Rev. Sarah Amankwah-Wiredu and currently, Very Rev. Abraham Tetteh.

With heavy hearts, we of Haggai Methodist Church, Amasaman received the unpleasant news of the demise of our beloved Papa Osofo Nukpa … with some element of doubt. This was because we were with him, we actually saw him at church service on Sunday 19th January 2020. He actively participated in the Bible Class Meeting, pronounced the Benediction after the Service in his characteristic powerful voice and went on to visit a member who had lost her husband and prayed for her. Yes Papa was slow and looked a bit tired that day but we had no indication that he was bidding us farewell. Although death is the inevitable end of life of all mortals we least expected such news!

Death is swallowed up in victory; O death, where is thy victory; O death, where is thy sting? ............. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:19, 53-57).

Papa Osofo Nukpa, Prof Daddy, we appreciate your practical love for Christ. You were humble, attentive, trustworthy, transparent, meticulous, supportive and faithful. We enjoyed your nur­turing, teaching and loving kindness. We will continue to cherish your infectious smile. We will emulate your attention to detail and deep seriousness for the things of God, among count­less other memories. They will encourage and challenge us to say:
The lives of great men remind us
We can also make our lives sublime And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time...

Papa Osofo Kudadjie, having served your Lord with your talents, substance, time and energy with such devotion to your last breath, you have graciously been called to higher service. Papa, Ayekoo! Well done! We believe you are now rest­ing in the arms of our Lord God Almighty with songs of praise on your lips. So we join you to sing:

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath;
And when my voice is lost in death;
Praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne’er be past
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures (MHB 428:1).

Papa Osofo Kudadjie, Fare thee well!
Very Rev Prof J.N Kudadjie, da yie! Nyame mfa wo nsie.
Osofo Nukpa Kudadjie, yaa wo ojogbann ye Kristo mli!
Amen.