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October 8, 2024
New Life International at St Andrews United Methodist Church Celebrates Consecration of New Church Building in Alexandria, Virginia
In a joyous and spiritually uplifting ceremony, New Life International at St Andrews United Methodist Church officially consecrated its new church building this past Sunday. The event was a testament to the faith, dedication, and perseverance of the congregation, who have worked tirelessly to make their vision of a new worship space a reality.
The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Kirk Nave the Northern Virginia District Superintendent who led the congregation in prayers of blessing for the new building, dedicating it as a house of worship, fellowship, and service. “This is more than just a building,” Rev. Dr. John Obeng, the resident minister addressed the attendees, reflecting on the journey that led to this day. “This building is the fulfillment of years of prayer, planning, and faithfulness. We thank God for providing us with this space, not just for ourselves, but for our community, and we are committed to using it to glorify God in all we do.”
He continued “It is a sacred space where the community can come together to grow in faith, support one another, and serve the world around them.”
The consecration began with a special moment with greetings from former Pastors of the Church including Rev Dr. Kitan Patreski, Rev. Jim Johnson, and Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Nkrumah. Rev. David Bonney, the lead Pastor of Fairfax United Methodist Church, where New Life’s Fairfax campus has been hosted for the past 7 years gave a goodwill message.
Hymns filled the air as the congregation followed, many visibly moved by the significance of the moment. The praise and worship team electrified the atmosphere with a time of praise and sang celebratory song for the occasion.
Rev. Kirk Nave and Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert joined Rev. Dr. Obeng to perform the consecration, the blessing of the altar, pulpit, and congregation, inviting God’s presence to dwell in the new space.
The Official name of the Building will be New Life United Methodist Church at St. Andrews.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert the former Northern Virginia District Superintendent delivered a message of hope and assured the congregation that New Life International at St. Andrews United Methodist Church will grow and will be a catalyst for spiritual development in the community. After the service the congregation and ministers gathered for the symbolic opening of the church doors.
The new facility, which can accommodate over 300 worshippers, features modern amenities designed to enhance the worship experience, as well as spaces for children’s ministry, Bible studies, community outreach programs, and fellowship events. The church leadership hopes the building will be a beacon of hope and love, not just for its members but for the entire neighborhood.
Among the many attendees were community leaders, including leaders of the Ghanaian community (the Asantefuohene and Kontihemaa) of Washington DC Metro area and representatives from other local churches, who joined in celebrating the occasion. “This is a wonderful addition to our community,” said Mr. Patrick Opoku-Manu a local leader. “We are excited to see how New Life Methodist Church continues to grow and serve in its new home.”
The event concluded with a special reception in the church’s fellowship hall, where members of the congregation shared stories of the church’s history, while looking forward to its bright future.
With the consecration of the new building, New Life International at St. Andrews United Methodist Church is entering a new chapter of its history, one filled with promise and opportunity for spiritual growth, outreach, and deeper connection with the surrounding community.