BIOGRAPHY
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Madam Kate Dorothy Koranteng, known to many of us as “Auntie Kate,” was the 14th child of Mr. John Darko-Koranteng and Mrs. Kate Serwaah-Koranteng of blessed memories. Kate's parents did their best in raising her to be a self-independent, industrious, generous, and hardworking lady. Kate was educated at Kumasi Methodist Girls School, graduated with a distinction and received the school honor plaque in 1948. She continued her education at Korle-Bu Nursing Training School in Accra. Eager to complete her education but faced with a life-threatening condition, Kate made the painful decision to withdraw from nursing school in her final year.
Kate started her career as a teacher at Akim-Oda Methodist Girls and later entered into the private clothing business. Young Kate searched for spiritual protection from the Lord and, during a convention organized by The Apostolic Church of Ghana, gave her life to Christ in 1953. Kate became an active member of the Apostolic Church of Ghana and devoted most of her time to church activities. She participated in organizing women’s conventions and pastors’ meetings in her area. She had the privilege of working with most of the pioneer pastors of the church, who became her spiritual mentors and encouraged her to grow more spiritually in her Christian faith. Some of these pastors of blessed memories of the Apostolic Church of Ghana are pastors: E. Aboage-Atta, D.G Ofosu, A.K Yaw, Edu-Pareh and Kesse. Kate gave donations in various ways to the church, and the Lord richly blessed her and her business.
The Lord also blessed Kate with seven children: Roberta, (Robert of blessed memory), Celestial, Charles, Lawrence, Lawrencia, and Emmanuel. She encouraged all her children to achieve their full potential in life and guided them to success. Kate was very protective of her children, always urging them to unite and to keep the family legacy. The children have lost a great mother, counselor, advisor, sister, and friend. Mama Kate! You have nurtured your children; you have completed your task on earth, and your memory will forever live.
Rest in Peace.
TRIBUTE BY: THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF GHANA
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” (Rev. 14:13). (This tribute was read at the time of the funeral.)
The entire body of Christ in general and The Apostolic Church of Ghana, especially Achiase District, has lost a gallant soldier and a great servant of God. The woman of virtue (Proverbs 31) who served the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind lies motionless before our very eyes.
The mother of mothers with a gifted mind who advises encourages, and counsels with unsurpassed wisdom rests in solitude in our mist. Her works echo the message to all of us that for everything under the sun, there is a time and a season. Beloved in Christ, we are bidding farewell to our dearly loved mother, sister, and friend Deaconess Kate Dorothy Koranteng who suddenly departed from us in this life on December 31st, 2010. Painful as her death is to us, we rejoice in this because she had a strong relationship with the Lord and spent her earthly days in his service.
Deaconess Kate Dorothy Koranteng became a member of the Apostolic Church in March 1953, during the time of Pastor Adu-Pareh. When The Apostolic Church of Ghana experienced the “great division” in the church, she was among the few people who stood to ensure the continuous burning of the Apostolic flame in Achiase District. As a woman of vision, her persistence and financial contribution ensure the construction and completion of the church building in her town. She dedicated and committed her life to her creator and served the Lord with zeal. Maame Kate became Deaconess and subsequently became District Women’s Leader for about 15 years. Adhering to the word of God, “Train up a child in the way [s]he should go, and when [s]he is old [s]he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6), she often sponsored about eight female youth to national conventions, counseled, and supported them, and today, most of her children in the Lord are Area, District, and local women leaders.
She also held various positions as church secretary, district financial secretary (1969 – 1981), local finance chair lady, etc. Regarding finance and proper counseling, she was part of the backbone of this church, and seven years ago when the church decided to expand the local branches, she willingly offered a plot of land in front of her house and contributed financially towards the building of the church structure.
As Mama Kate make her triumphant journey to eternity, we say, “well done, good and faithful servant, you have fought a good fight, run the race well, and have kept the faith. There is no doubt that what is left for you to collect is the crown of victory which the Lord has promised to give to you and to all those who love his appearing.”
On behalf of the presbytery and the entire membership of the church, we express our Condolences to the bereaved family. “Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” (Isaiah 57:2).
May God himself wipe away all tears and provide you with your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. AmenYεn Maame Pa, Damerifa Due, Damerifa Due! Nyame nfa wo nsie.
TRIBUTE BY: PASTOR S.O DEBRAH
(Former resident pastor: Akim Achiase District.)
Madame Kate heard about my transfer to Akim Achiase when she was visiting her children in Canada. She wrote a congratulatory letter to me, and when she came back to Ghana, she adopted me as one of her sons.
As she had the gift of discernment, she assiduously worked with me wholeheartedly, and I appointed her as the Central Assembly’s Financial Chairperson. Her faithfulness and courageous caliber raised the financial position in her district. Under her guidance, Achiase District was able to pay all its outstanding debts.
Madame Kate was very courageous, faithful, and had at heart the progress of the Apostolic Church. She spoke very well about the church, hence assisted the church in opening two additional Assemblies (Getseman and Nazareth) in Achiase township.
Mama Kate donated a communion set from Montreal to the church, wood for pews at the central church, and also put up a structure in front of her house for Nazareth Assembly as a worship center. She also helped the church to buy a permanent site for another church building. The worship center reached the roofing level before I was transferred again to Agogo in Asante Akyem.
Mama Kate could not hide her feelings of faith, principles, and benevolence. It is my fervent prayer that her children will implement her vision for the church.
Mama Kate, Pastor S. O. Debrah, and his family and the family of the late pastor E. K. Dwomoh wish you a safe journey until we meet again.