Seventh-day Adventist Church Removes

Samuel Koranteng-Pipim from Membership in Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Dateline – January 18, 2021
Dayton Ohio, United States | Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists  

On January 16, 2021, after much prayer and with a grieving heart, the
Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church voted to remove
Samuel Koranteng-Pipim from membership for alleged sexual offenses.
The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists supports the decision
of this local church, saddened by the pain this moment has brought.
Furthermore, we wish to provide added comment on the situation.

In 2012, the Michigan Conference removed Pipim from membership for

similar allegations. In 2014, a local church in the Ohio Conference
accepted Pipim into membership. In 2020, after new allegations
arose, the Ohio Conference Executive Committee reviewed the entire
history of the matter and examined allegations of sexual violence by at
least 10 women. They discovered shocking and consistent patterns in
these allegations – each from unrelated, geographically distant women.
With this knowledge, and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of
their sources, Ohio Conference executive leadership offered counsel to
the local church.

Women have been accusing Pipim of predacious sexual behavior

for nearly three decades. Pipim denies many
allegations, and repeatedly frames others as infrequent and
consensual moral falls. However, the allegations indicate a repetitive
pattern of spiritual manipulation and predatory behavior against those
who are most vulnerable, least able to defend themselves, and least
in a position to seek prosecution for rape or sexual harassment.
Especially so, given his self-professed global ministry
as a speaker, youth mentor, and writer. 

The Ohio Conference supports the January 16, 2021 action of the
Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church because the
pattern of allegations violates membership reinstatement
requirements as outlined by the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual,
p 67.

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The Ohio Conference unequivocally warns the public
against inviting Pipim as a speaker, using his books or materials, or
placing him in a position of spiritual authority, leadership, or influence
over others. 

The Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Ohio Conference have zero
tolerance for sexual misconduct. The Ohio Conference cares deeply
about the pain suffered by victims of this case. We extend our
apologies globally to those who have been hurt and wish to be an agent
of healing, hope, and wholeness. We have heard your voices, and we
take each story seriously. 

________________________
The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is one of the oldest
networks of churches in the global Seventh-day Adventist
Church family. Our sisterhood – comprised of 101 churches – is
blessed with a great diversity of cultures, each speaking the Good
News in ways that reach and serve their respective communities. Our
mission is to announce the saving grace of Jesus Christ, His ministry on
our behalf, our eager anticipation of His soon return, as well
as the hope and wholeness He offers to those who commit their lives to
Him. Two functions of that mission are to protect the safety of all those
to whom we minister and uphold the good name of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church.  

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 FAQs  

• Why was Pipim accepted as a member of the Ohio Conference

after he had already lost his membership in another Seventh-
day Adventist congregation? 
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, membership is initiated at
the local church level. As such, each congregation independently
governs its admission and expulsion of members. The Columbus
Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church – believing Pipim to be
sincerely repentant – rebaptized him into membership. The
Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church is a thriving,
innovative congregation with many active, committed members
of all ages. They chose to offer forgiveness and grace
to Pipim and held the highest hope that his professed
commitment to the teachings of the Bible would cause him
to reject a life inconsistent with decency, morality, and church
standards. However, after new accusations arose, the church
and Ohio Conference reexamined the entire case. The church
then acted under a unanimous recommendation of the Board to
remove Pipim’s membership. As such, he no longer holds any
connection with, or endorsement of any entity within the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. 
• How can I contact the Ohio Conference and where can I get
further information? 
Contact the Digital Media and Communication director
for the Ohio Conference, Kasper Haughton Jr.,
at information@ohioadventist.org.

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