TRIBUTE BY THE PENTECOST INTERNATIONAL WORSHIP CENTRE (A Ministry of The Church of Pentecost), KOKOMLEMLE, ACCRA

To

Late Elder Samuel Bediako Waterberg

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes says the spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds will follow them!” (Rev. 14:13).

It is always disheartening and painful to part company with a loved one, especially when that person is endeared to your heart. That is the exact picture we are beholding this moment, as we mourn our beloved with heavy hearts.

We therefore, console ourselves with conviction that, our beloved late fellow in the Lord, brother, uncle, father and friend, has been called home from this flesh to His Maker.

It has pleased the Lord to call him to eternal glory to rest from his hard work on this earth at a prime age. Much as we would have wished that he lived until a good old age, we are gladdened that he has gone to be with the Lord as a gallant soldier of Christ; and we will see him again on the day of resurrection.

Having accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour, he was baptized on 21st February, 1992. He was an ordained Elder of the Church.

He joined PIWC Accra on 4th September, 2011, when he returned from the Netherlands, and has continued to be a dedicated member till his home call.

Besides being a Presbytery member, he was active, committed and selfless at the Centre. All can testify that, he served God wholeheartedly and faithfully until his demise. Being a banker with strong entrepreneurial abilities, he championed the set-up of the ARISE FUND (an Investment and loans scheme for the Centre) and managed it until his passing. He was punctual at Church services, Friday Prayer meetings and Bible Study discussions. His dancing skills at church was an attraction for others to dance to the glory of God.

He exhibited humility, warmth, affability and love to those who drew closer to him and from afar. He was a man full of energy. He was a business coach, mentor, an encourager, and generous.

Indeed, the late Elder was an achiever whose hard work, innovation and creativity in business creation and growth won him both national and International awards.


Leadership Roles served at PIWC
• District Presbytery Member
• Member of the Men’s Ministry
• Couple’s Fellowship Committee, Member
• Expatriate’s Ministry - Chairman
• Arise Fund Committee – Chairman
• 
• Community Leader, (Dome, Taifa, Chantang and its environs)

Today, as his mortal remains lies before the congregation, families, friends, loved ones and sympathizers, we may conclude that he is no more, but his contributions, deeds and rich qualities during the life he lived on this earth are fresh in our memories.

The late Elder Samuel Bediako Waterberg will forever and really be missed by the Area, Pastorate, Presbytery and the entire congregation of the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Kokomlemle. However, we are gladdened in our hearts that, He who called him is faithful, and will keep him till we meet again.

Our heartfelt condolences go to the entire family, especially to the widow and the children, and be assured that God will surely take care of them.

ELDER, WILL BE MISSED AND FONDLY BE REMEMBERED BY ALL AS HE REST IN THE LORD.
WE FARE HIM WELL FELLOW SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
MAY HE SLEEP ON TILL WE MEET YONDER SHORE

In memory of Samuel Bediako Waterberg 
March 27 last was a terrible day for me. It was on the evening of that day that I learned Samuel Waterberg had died. I remember vividly seeing the Whatsapp message on my I-phone: “Samuel Waterberg has died today. Very, very sad news !!!!!”. And two minutes later, the phone started ringing and it never stopped anymore. I could not believe the news: how can somebody like Samuel die?
Soon after my arrival in Ghana in September 2016, I met Samuel. Samuel was part of the inner circle network of the embassy and so he was a very welcome guest at our many social gatherings, including those at the residence. He became quickly a friend of the house.
Moreover, I discovered soon that he was often an inspirational speaker at the many events we organized for the promotion of entrepreneurship in Ghana: Growing Business Together, New Business Challenge, you name it. Samuel was always there as he was a logical choice.
With his award-winning smile, his energy and his strong belief that nothing is impossible, he was the embodiment of the can-do-mentality. You felt that he was sharing his energy with you. When you listened to him, you felt refreshed. Samuel belonged to those people who, if they enter the room, simply make you happy. I cannot think of any gift larger than that.
I remember my visits to his office where we had intense discussions on the future of the People Pension’s Trust, an incredibly courageous undertaking of Samuel. For an outsider, it must often have looked like an uphill struggle, which only Samuel could win.
And, he was about to do just that. As an outstanding networker he had successfully brought the Dutch pension world to Ghana to help him and participate in his “People’s Pensions’ Conference”, the first ever of this kind held in Ghana. It was a unique event and when we had dinner with the whole Dutch group that evening, I could feel very strongly that we were there because of him. It was an evening I will never forget.
I remember very well our last conversation, at a wedding, on 20 February, in Tema. He was about to go to the Netherlands to do more fund-raising, and as always very optimistic. How could I have known that it was the last time I would see him.
Samuel Waterberg used his life to make a difference. And, he made a difference! He improved the lives of so many and he was a source of inspiration to many more. He will continue to live in our minds and he will remain forever a source of inspiration for us.
For me, Samuel will always be there.

Ron Strikker
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ghana