In a world increasingly marked by division, the ministry of reconciliation and unity through Christ stands as a beacon of hope. Benjamin Osei’s life and ministry shine as a compelling testament to the power of faith, resilience, and Jesus’ enduring love. This year, Acadia Divinity College is honoured to bestow upon Benjamin Osei the 2024 ADC Alumni Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his long-suffering and faithful service to marginalized youth and his community.
From his early years in Ghana, ignited by his grandparents’ conversion to Christianity, Benjamin’s spiritual journey has been marked by God’s sovereignty and grace. Amidst cultural and religious tensions, his commitment to Christ was forged in the crucible of adversity, leading him from the shores of Africa to the classrooms of Acadia Divinity College.
At Acadia, Benjamin found more than an academic institution; he found a place where his faith was nurtured and his call to ministry was affirmed.
“Acadia became my spiritual home,” Benjamin says, reflecting on the College’s profound impact on his development as a disciple of Christ. Here, his calling took shape, driven by a call to minister to the marginalized and the youth.
Ben’s ministry in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community, in partnership with Youth Unlimited and local churches, embodies the essence of his calling. The community, located in the northwest of the City of Toronto, has struggled with high poverty and crime rates since its founding in the 1960s. With unwavering dedication, he has reached out to at-risk youth, offering them hope, guidance, and the transformative love of Christ. Through sports programs, mentorship, and pastoral care, Benjamin has become a pillar of support and light in a community often overshadowed by hardship.
Reflecting on his journey, Benjamin acknowledges his challenges and trials, including personal health battles and the painful experience of deportation. Yet, through every storm, his faith has remained unshaken. “God has fought my battles for me, and I have seen His goodness in the land of the living,” Benjamin affirms.
Benjamin’s philosophy of ministry is rooted in authenticity, relational connectedness, and a commitment to being Christ’s hands and feet in a broken world. He believes in the power of life-giving relationships to foster community, encourage spiritual growth, and effect change for the cause of Christ. “We are better together,” Benjamin reminds us, echoing the core message of unity that has defined his ministry.
As we celebrate Benjamin Osei as the recipient of the 2024 ADC Distinguished Alumni Award, we recognize not just the remarkable impact of his ministry but also the enduring legacy of faith, hope, and love he continues to build. His life story inspires us to persevere in our own callings, to embrace the ministry of reconciliation, and to remember that, indeed, we are better together.
Benjamin resides with his family, a testament to the grace and provision of God through the highs and lows of life. As he looks to the future, his heart remains set on nurturing the next generation of leaders and faithfully serving wherever God leads.
Please join us in congratulating Benjamin Osei on this well-deserved honor, a true servant of God whose life and ministry embody the values and mission of Acadia Divinity College. Together, let us pray for his continued work, that it may yield abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God.
The ADC Alumni Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1995, honours graduates of Acadia Divinity College whose gifts for ministry have contributed significantly to the Christian Church in Canada or throughout the world.
