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| A smartly dressed Rev. Chris Baah Nartey |
What
makes him great, what truly separates him from others- is that he is the same
man about whom everyone would tell you pretty much the same thing. His level of
humility is startling; the warmth around him is soothing; similarly, his definition
of philanthropy/fellow-feeling is comforting.
Sometimes
you are left wondering how God could deposit this set of qualities in one man.
He
is generous to a fault. What is more amazing? He is not just as skilled a
preacher and motivational speaker on the microphone, (as he is an accountant on
the balance sheet), but also a charismatic and consummate soul-winner (and an
evangelist), one who does “all” things just to win some for Christ”.
Like
the Titan, he possesses this uncommon will power that has made him sprout and
grow (from where others withered) into the huge potential he is today.
The Krobo Quill caught
up with Rev. Christian Baah Nartey (CBN) to tell us about how he managed his
way out from the small community of Somanya-Abokobi and blossomed into the charming,
young and promising minister, a name on the lips of many.
Birth
and early life
When
on Monday July 23, 1979 a shrill voice came piercing through the rather quiet neighborhood
of Somanya-Abokobi (a lesser known Abokobi), it was that of a baby boy who came
to be known as Christian Baah Nartey
The
good news about the birth of this cute baby boy was soon to saturate the area,
lighting the hearts of both parents with unimaginable joy.
Days
quickly rolled into weeks and subsequently into month and soon baby Chris was
up on his feet taking bold steps (a clear demonstration of his innate boldness
that has brought him this far), giving his parents the signal that he was set for
life’s journey.
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| Rev Chris (first on left roll) leading a "6 March" for his school |
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| When "we were we" |
His
next home was the Ahamadiya Primary School where he first had the taste of
formal education and from where he learnt, among others, to string words into
the immaculate English he writes and speaks now.
He displayed
academic brilliance right from the onset, from Ahamadiya, through the Sra Presby
Junior Secondary School (JSS), Somanya and latter the Yilo Krobo Senior
Secondary School, also in Somanya where he read business accounting, leaving
behind exemplary academic records.
Further
steps up the academic lather (Tertiary Education)
Propelled
by his thirst for higher education, young Chris Baah Nartey headed for the
Koforidua Polytechnic in 1999 and studied Accounting for his High National
Diploma (certificate), munching any literature (book) on accounting within
reach. He eventually graduated in 2002 after three years.
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| "Small in bone, big in brain"- Rev (second from left on back roll) in a poss with some of his mates |
The
making of a pastor
Building
on his solid Christian upbringing and a long time ambition, he heeded the call
for a more dedicated and, if you like, greater service in the Lord’s vineyard.
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| And he was baptised into the Christian faith |
He
thus proceeded in 2006 to the Trinity Theological Seminary for formal training
in that regard. After one year study/studies, he was awarded “Certificate in
Ministry” with a special offer, an exemption, to read for his first degree
within 3 years instead of the usual 4 years. This was largely due to his
sterling performance in the certificate course.
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| Rev. on the day of his graduation from the Union Presbyterian Serminary, USA |
Soul
winning in practice
When
the time came for practical soul winning (after graduation), he was posted on
probation to his home presbytery, Dangme-Tongu, one of the 16 Presbyteries into
which the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has been divided, and put in charge of a
relatively young congregation- Hebron Presby at Nuaso, Odumase-Krobo- to
nurture and grow in all aspects.
Very
few of his type and orientation/training (as ministers who play in the orthodox
space), have the skill and, if you like the will-power, as he does, to locate and
walk the middle ground between orthodox and charismatic worship.
His
is a bouquet of flavours; He has learnt to blend different flavours in his
worship and ministry to appeal to both the young (youth) and old (aged) alike.
What is more striking is that, while doing this, he still has his own way of
dishing out to the typical Presbyterians a good dose of the conservative taste
they yearn to have. That is yet another area in which he stands distinguished.
His
background in accounting made him the obvious choice for the position of a
Finance Director of the Presbytery, a position that hitherto was more of a
preserve of senior ministers. Once again, he fitted perfectly into this role,
seamlessly combining it with the rather demanding task of raising a congregation
up onto its feet.
Under
his auspices as the minister in charge, the Hebron congregation grew in numbers
and standing, taking up an enviable position in the comity of congregations in
the presbytery. This came with a corresponding level of infrastructural
development. The chapel was painted and furnished under his watch. A new, multi-purposed
mission house/office complex also sprung up; the first floor has since been
furnished and commissioned.
Between
2010 and 2016, he turned the church into a well-known hub for spiritual growth,
hinged on innovative programmes such as the Annual PrayerFest and what he named
Jericho Blast, a seven day personal encounter with the Lord.
Other
bespoke and segment-specific programmes initiated and ran by him include the “Singles
Prayer Summit” which has been running since 2013; “Men’s Power Summit” as well
as “Winning Women” both of which have been on the rail since 2014.
Interestingly,
he didn’t confine his ministry to the four corners of his chapel neither did he
remain a blessing to only Presbyterian. He’s spread his tentacle to cover other
denominations including the Church of Pentecost, the Methodist Church etc.
where he is often billed to feature.
For four
years, he’s also been on air (on Rite FM, a Somanya-based radio station), using
radio as a medium to reach out to more and more people.
Giving
back to society
In
the Dangme speaking areas in particular, the name CBN has come to be associated
with generosity. Most people- the young and old alike- who one way or the
other, have crossed path with him have “seen something of themselves”. He’s washed
off his blessings to stream into and change their lives.
Within
this rather short period of six years of ministry, he’s spearheaded a sponsorship
drive to support about ten youngsters of the church to acquired tertiary
education, with a similar number going into trade and business.
His
“Widows and Orphans Welfare Project” is fledging; thanks to this initiative,
smile has been restored on the faces of some widows and orphans in his
neighbourhood, including the children in the Nectar Home Orphanage at Nuaso,
Odumase-Krobo.
Family
life
Rev.
Chris is the fourth of five children born to Mr. Emmanuel Kwesi Nartey, a
retired civil servant and Mrs. Comfort Ami Nartey, a trader (now deceased) and is
the older of the two males, preceded by three females. He is married to Mrs.
Mabel Ayermle Nartey with whom he has four adorable girls.
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| Rev and Mrs. Nartey's four angels |
The
return of CBN
He returns
to post better trained, more experienced and fired up to do more exploits; we
can only expect him to set the place ablaze once more.
PICTURE GALLERY
