Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams (“Papa”), Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of United Denominational Action Chapel International
On Sunday, May 12, 2024, our beloved Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams (“Papa”), Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of United Denominational Action Chapel International, celebrated his 67th birthday. Glory be to God who took this great servant of God from the muddy clay to the top of the hill (Psalm 40:2).
The Bible is full of men and women with unique spiritual abilities. When you think of David, you think of a warrior, a leader, and a psalmist. Mention Joshua’s name and you will hear the voices of military leaders. Speaking of Abraham, you will hear the name of the father of the Jews. God gives individuals the grace to do things that they normally cannot do.
At the same time, mention of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams brings intercessory prayer, faith, and pastoralism to the fore. He has been synonymous with these qualities since he began his ministry over 40 years ago.
What can we learn from the life of this servant of the Lord?
1. God can transform hardened sinners so that they can be a light to others.
Duncan-Williams grew up as a wayward young man deeply influenced by the devil. He used to be involved in all kinds of debauchery. One day, an evil spirit attacked him and burned his fingers, resulting in his hospitalization for four months at the Koreb Teaching Hospital in Accra, where Christian evangelists preached to him the gospel. He was reborn. The man who had been sitting in darkness saw light and began to testify about how God had saved him.
Each of us is born with sin. David said, “My mother conceived me in sin” (Psalm 51:5). While Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute believers, Christ appeared to him and transformed him into a preacher (Acts 9). Just as the Archbishop was saved by grace through faith, no one who comes to Christ regardless of sin will be forsaken. There is no sinner untouched by the blood of Christ.
2. There is no greatness without struggle
When the archbishop was born again, he enrolled in the All Citizens Bible Societies International (AFCBII) of Archbishop Benson for Christ of Idahosa to prepare for evangelization. Two years later, he returned to Ghana but faced a lot of rejection and discouragement due to his lack of name recognition. He started out as an evangelist and preached in various places. When he asked other ministries for help, the evangelists were turned down on the excuse that their methods were erratic.
Great men and women understand that success in life comes at a price. They pursue what burns in their hearts, but not necessarily greatness. They follow an uncertain path of denial, disappointment, and rejection, but if they don’t give up, it can lead to greatness.
3. Believe in what God has given you and use it for His glory.
The archbishop began by preaching on campus and organizing revival meetings. At one of those revival meetings, he was directed by God to start a church. He doubted and resisted his ability to pastor and teach the saints. Initially, he was in charge of rescue and power service, and his colleague was in charge of education. This led to some of his flock being taken away. He then decided to educate himself and grew to the admiration of those who turned to him for help.
This lesson teaches us to believe in our mission. God equips those who are called. When God called Moses to complain about his words, God put words in his mouth (Exodus 3). We must rely on God’s power to do His work regardless of our own inadequacies.
4. God can use one person to pioneer His work in a nation.
Many accounts of Ghana’s Christian history identify the archbishop as the father of the charismatic movement. He founded one of the first charismatic churches, held revival meetings, and played an important role in evangelistic work on the high school campus. Bishop Doug Heward Mills said the archbishop was humiliated for his ministry, including having his hair shaved, but wore his hat to church to continue his mission.
God uses chosen people for unique roles. John the Baptist was called by God to be a pioneer in preaching the gospel to announce the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ (Matthew 3). John suffered much persecution and was eventually beheaded. Similarly, the Archbishop fought and won a spiritual battle in Ghana. God can use whomever He chooses for His special work in any nation.
5. Prayer brings miracles into our lives
Lacking education, the archbishop relied on God with fasting and fervent prayer. His strategic intercessory prayer ministry was born then and has since influenced many countries around the world. He has organized numerous international prayer summits in many locations around the world. He said, “It is through prayer that we will destroy the kingdom of darkness and carry out the written judgment that the gates of hell will not prevail. Prayer moves God.”
The men and women who move mountains have prayers. John Wesley, Leonard Ravenhill, Paul, and Jesus Christ are examples of people who pray. The Queen of Scots feared John Knox’s prayers more than the entire assembled army of England. We must be mean, fervent, praying women who can move the hand of God.
6. Ministry leaders must guide ambitious ministers.
The Archbishop has mentored many ministers and leaders, including heads of state and business leaders. Ghana started without a leader, so Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Nigeria became a mentor and exemplary role model. Notable among those he fostered were Bishop Eastwood Anaba of Fountain Gate in his chapel and Doug his Bishop Heward Mills in Lighthouse chapel. He has many sons and daughters who look up to him.
We must lift others up just as the Lord lifts us up. Barnabas raised John Mark, who was rejected by Paul. He became a useful figure to Paul in the later years of his ministry (Acts 15, 2 Timothy 4:11). We must teach and lead the next generation to do God’s work, just as the Archbishop did.
7. God can turn a nobody into a global influencer.
The archbishop’s influence extends beyond Ghana. Despite his personal, marital, and ministry challenges, he has come out stronger.he was celebrated new african magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2012), and the first non-American to pray at an American presidential inauguration. God lifted him up before the eyes of the people.
The same God who lifted up Archbishop Duncan-Williams can lift up anyone who bows to Him. The Apostle Peter said that the humble will be exalted by the Lord (1 Peter 5:5-6). We celebrate the Archbishop’s journey from a state of despair to a saint full of hope and spreading the Gospel of Christ.
conclusion
The archbishop was an ordinary man who came to save the faith and served God zealously. His life is a testament to God’s transforming power. We can learn from God and rely on the same God to turn our lives around.
Eric Otchere I’m a Christian blogger and podcaster. He runs his two active blogs. www.livingourbible.com and www.inspiringnet.com Its sole purpose is to inspire people to achieve their destiny. To contact him, use the following methods: info@livingourbible.com.
References:
- destined to influence Written by Nicholas Duncan-Williams (2002).
- Doug Heward Mills visits Action Chapel on Archbishop Duncan William’s birthday
- The man and his influence: Archbishop Duncan-Williams exclusive interview with Bernard Havre of City TV.
- 100 Most Influential Africans (2012): Religion.
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