REGIONAL—Samuel Ansong has been serving as pastor at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden and Ireton since June 2023. He and his wife, Willette, are grateful for the support throughout the communities of Hawarden and Ireton and is looking forward to 2024.
“The African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ has been a marvelous pillar in my life,” Ansong said. “My experience and challenges in life have shaped the person I am today in a transformative way and have set me on the path that I find myself walking on today.”
Ansong was born in Kumasi, Ghana, in 1992 and is one of seven siblings. He is thankful for a supportive home life growing up and attributes his mother for cultivating his spiritual calling.
“I was seven years of age,” Ansong said. “While in Ghana, my mother took my siblings and me to prayer summit in the forest regions of the West African country. I was not sure what to expect. At the prayer summit, my brothers, and sisters, along with a group of fellow Christians, walked 10 miles in highly vegetated terrain and fasted the entire trip until we reached the destination. On this day was when I realized that the call to ministry was a path that connected to my personhood.”
Ansong said he was transformed from within and although he was a child, it was a significant time for him as it impacted his life greatly. From that moment on, Ansong made the decision to continue to believe in the powerful works of God.
Two years went on and miracles began to blossom for some members of his family. Ansong said his family won a lottery that granted them the opportunity to become a U.S. Citizen.
“Unfortunately, the lottery did not cover everyone,” Ansong said. “With great grief, they left the children behind. Then after spending at least two years in the states, they were able to earn enough to reunite us back together with them. When I was 9, my siblings and I left my native country and took a flight to once again be reunited with my parents. I was very happy. The idea of starting our new life in Lamoni, Iowa, was thrilling. The separation wasn’t easy.”
His assimilation into America was not as welcoming as he had hoped.
“I was an outsider,” Ansong said. “A foreign child who could not be understood because of the language barrier that I experienced within myself. For this reason, my slow adaptation to the culture of the Lamoni School District was labeled as special needs. I was misunderstood and those labels forced me into boxes that psychologically imprisoned me as a child.”
Ansong described it as being “hinged” between two worlds. At home, he emerged in Ghanaian culture, cuisine and music and at school he was alienated from within because his culture did not have the right ingredients to help him navigate through what it means to truly be human. High school did not provide any help with fitting in.
“Although it was easy feeling negatively alienated, I always tried my best to reflect the power of God through humility and shalom for the weak wherever I was,” Ansong said. “Whenever my neighbor needed me, I went freely. This was the God-fearing faith in me that lead me to witness to my neighbor through my actions and words. I had seen how my family demonstrated great resilience when faced with their own issues. So, that truly inspired me to continue that seed that they encouraged me to sort after. On the other hand, this was a pivotal moment in my life that crumbled a lot of the hate speech, segregation, and racial walls that had been built up among me and the community that I grew up in.”
The United Methodist Church had a hand in helping Ansong stay in the states. Ansong said his ministry was able to help strengthen his faith and foster his spiritual growth. As a member of the church, he attended youth groups and volunteering for mission trips in rural cities and he always provided whatever support he could to the church. The church positioned him to develop the desire to become part of campus ministries.
During Ansong’s time in undergrad school at Graceland University, he was a servant to his local community. While serving, Ansong attained the position of volunteer preacher for the local nursing and rehab center for three years during his college career. He also played basketball during this time. In his fourth year, the Methodist Church allowed Ansong the opportunity to lead two small United Methodist Church parishes in Kellerton and Beaconsfield.
“God was so good to me during these years,” Ansong said. “During my two years of service, I continued the spiritual route, which I was able to achieve my license local pastor certificate to continue to model for the younger generation. From a pastoral and spiritual position, I came to the Methodist Church because I believe that the Methodist Church has always been a denomination that values the power of justice and equality for all. Most people don’t know this but whenever black American got discriminated against for so many kinds of economic and racial reasons, the Methodist Church was the first denomination to accept Black people into the church. And to speak heavily against slavery and racial inequality.”
In away, Ansong is giving back. After a time of discernment, he ended up applying to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. During his time there, he learned a lot about diversity and about how to respect and appreciate people who have different views. In May 2020 Ansong graduated with his masters in divinity and returned to the Midwest.
“I have been supported by a lot of people here in the community,” Ansong said. “For example, Pastor Barb, has done a really good job in introducing me to the community and the nursing home. Also, whenever there were files that I did not understand, Pastor Barb was there to help assist me. Overall, she was there for me when I need her support for my first funeral service here in Hawarden. Not only her but the mayors of Hawarden and Ireton have loved the visions I carry — that I want to implement here in both communities.”
In his time in the community, Ansong would like to use his talents of being a disc jockey to bring people together.
“DJs can created an important role in creating connections and creating spiritual strength through music with people and help develop unforgettable memories — just that can be long lasting — in a way that encourages people to seek peace and love for all,” Ansong said. “If I ever get an opportunity to be a DJ and create a space for community gatherings, it will allow me to provide a safe, wholesome place for different celebrations of gathering for the communities I serve, such as New Year celebration for the community. These intimate gatherings are a great way for lonely community members to get out and connect on a deeper level. You don’t have to include a pitch about joining your church, just be involved in your communities.”
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