About Us
Our History
Emmanuel Dorgbadzi was born September 21, 1936, in Mafi Devime, a small village in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa, named after the Volta River. When Emmanuel was five years old, he lost his mother in a crocodile attack in the Volta. In his teen years, Emmanuel suffered from illness. One night as he contemplated taking his life, a light appeared and a voice said, “Don’t!” That night he was completely healed and accepted Christ as his savior.
As a young man, Emmanuel completed his apprenticeship as a land surveyor through the Western African Cocoa Research Institute. During his time as a surveyor, God’s call for him to preach intensified.
In 1969, Emmanuel resigned his post as a surveyor and began working in a full-time ministry. He went to rural villages spreading the gospel and establishing churches. His work as a land surveyor enabled him to reach villages that few people even knew existed. This is why today The Great Commission Inc. has such a vast network of churches in cities and rural areas.
Emmanuel saw a poster advertising Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas (USA) in 1971 and applied. He was awarded a full scholarship.
He met his beloved wife, Patricia Dorgbadzi, while in Dallas.
After that, they returned to Ghana to start their ministry together which was officially founded in October 1973 as Evangelist Temple (Bryant Mission – Ghana). This began with nine pastors he trained as they traveled from village to village preaching the gospel, baptizing new believers, and planting churches.
While in the United States, Emmanuel developed relationships with partners who supported the mission in Ghana.
One night a man named Kermit Bryant dreamed that he was chopping down trees and an African man was building something from those trees. The next day the man from the dream, Emmanuel, was preaching at Kermit’s church. After church, Kermit began asking the man questions, invited him home for lunch, and a close friendship was formed. Kermit became the major donor to Emmanuel’s work in Ghana and, in honor of Kermit, Emmanuel named the mission “Bryant Mission.” Emmanuel named the church network “Evangelist Temple” after the church he had been a part of while in the US.
While in the United States, Emmanuel developed relationships with partners who supported the mission in Ghana.
One night a man named Kermit Bryant dreamed that he was chopping down trees and an African man was building something from those trees. The next day the man from the dream, Emmanuel, was preaching at Kermit’s church. After church, Kermit began asking the man questions, invited him home for lunch, and a close friendship was formed. Kermit became the major donor to Emmanuel’s work in Ghana and, in honor of Kermit, Emmanuel named the mission “Bryant Mission.” Emmanuel named the church network “Evangelist Temple” after the church he had been a part of while in the US.
In 1982, Emmanuel and Kermit founded The Great Commission Inc. as the American partner of The Bryant Mission.
Through the years the mission remained focused on planting and supporting churches, but it also expanded to include holistic care for the people of Ghana. Emmanuel would say, “As a pastor, you wonder, how do they [church members] make it.” He was constantly working on ways to care for the people he served.
The Bryant Mission Grammar School in Obuasi was started in 1989, with six girls and eight boys.
To provide educational opportunities, with the hope of alleviating poverty, The Bryant Mission Grammar School in Obuasi was started in 1989, with six girls and eight boys. Now the school educates 850 children each year and has expanded with new branches. Emmanuel was passionate about providing education to children and young adults. He said, “When you bring forth a person to watch that person grow, one of the best things is to educate that person. That is the only chance they have.”
The Bryant Mission Grammar School in Obuasi was started in 1989, with six girls and eight boys.
To provide educational opportunities, with the hope of alleviating poverty, The Bryant Mission Grammar School in Obuasi was started in 1989, with six girls and eight boys. Now the school educates 850 children each year and has expanded with new branches. Emmanuel was passionate about providing education to children and young adults. He said, “When you bring forth a person to watch that person grow, one of the best things is to educate that person. That is the only chance they have.”
He cared immensely about making education accessible to everyone and worked to find solutions that served “dropouts” and those unable to receive higher education. He would say, “I believe if young people, doesn’t matter where they are, are given the privilege to learn, they will come out of poverty,” and he worked to make this a reality. Emmanuel was himself a life-long learner. According to his dear friend, Pastor Datha Thomas, Emmanuel had been studying how to perform heart surgery right before he died.
Emmanuel Dorgbadzi cared immensely about making education accessible to everyone and worked tirelessly to make this a reality.
Emmanuel Dorgbadzi cared immensely about making education accessible to everyone and worked tirelessly to make this a reality.
He cared immensely about making education accessible to everyone and worked to find solutions that served “dropouts” and those unable to receive higher education. He would say, “I believe if young people, doesn’t matter where they are, are given the privilege to learn, they will come out of poverty,” and he worked to make this a reality. Emmanuel was himself a life-long learner. According to his dear friend, Pastor Datha Thomas, Emmanuel had been studying how to perform heart surgery right before he died.
In 1996, the Bryant Mission Hospital began as a children’s clinic catering to those who did not have access to medical help.
It then expanded to include other services and is now a NHIS accredited hospital serving Obuasi and surrounding communities and villages. With a staff of over 330, The Bryant Mission Hospital offers an emergency department, maternity ward, surgical theater, eye clinic, laboratory, patient wards, psychiatric care, HIV treatment, pharmacy, and community outreach.
In 1996, the Bryant Mission Hospital began as a children’s clinic catering to those who did not have access to medical help.
It then expanded to include other services and is now a NHIS accredited hospital serving Obuasi and surrounding communities and villages. With a staff of over 330, The Bryant Mission Hospital offers an emergency department, maternity ward, surgical theater, eye clinic, laboratory, patient wards, psychiatric care, HIV treatment, pharmacy, and community outreach.
The Legacy of Love, Compassion, and Care
Emmanuel told us that on February 3 he was going on a journey. On February 3, 2008, Emmanuel passed away in Obuasi. Dignitaries, tribal chiefs, politicians, and kings came to honor this apostle to Ghana and the United States as he was laid to rest.
His wife, Patricia, faithfully continued Emmanuel’s work for many years. She spent a large portion of her time in Ghana and would travel the United States fundraising for the ministry projects taking place in Ghana. She loved the people and churches she served. Patricia prayed constantly for the many ministries and people of Evangelist Temple and Bryant Mission until she passed in December 2021.
Leaders in the United States and Ghana partner daily to ensure the mission continues.
The Great Commission Inc. is led by a board of six directors and a spiritual advisor who all had close relationships with Emmanuel and Pat.
The Evangelist Temple (Bryant Mission – Ghana) Network of Churches is led by five individuals who have been a part of the mission for many years, with the two senior leaders having been taught personally by Emmanuel. The schools and hospitals are led by Ghanaian boards.
Together we keep the legacy of love, compassion, and care alive for the people of Ghana and the glory of God.
