The Revd Dr Frederick Augustus Adorkorbidji: 1954-2016
'Freddie's ministry touched many people both in Ghana and here in the UK. He has sown much fruit and touched very many lives over the years'
Frederick Augustus Adorkorbidji, always affectionately known as Freddie, was born in Accra, Ghana to his father Adolf and his mother Mary. He was the fourth child of nine, so he has eight surviving brothers and sisters. His father died in 1990 but his mother Mary is still alive, aged 95.
After completing his foundational education he joined the world of work as a cashier in the Ghana national trading corporation, but has always been involved in Christian things.
He was raised in a Presbyterian Church and met his beloved Aba when they both joined an ecumenical youth choir called Joyful Way Incorporated, in Accra. Their love blossomed; they married in 1986 and have celebrated 30 years of marriage and ministry together. Their union was blessed with two wonderful sons, Delasi and Mac, of whom he was very proud. He was so looking forward to officiating at their marriages during the coming year.
Freddie was called to the Christian ministry in 1981 after suffering an accident, and he prepared for ministry at the Maranatha Bible Seminary in Accra. On graduating he was called to his first pastorate in Ghana by the Kanda Baptist Church. Freddie always had a thirst for knowledge and gained entry to a theological seminary in Nigeria, where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree before returning to the pastorate at Kanda.
Freddie moved to South Wales Baptist College to do a Master's degree, and when that was achieved he returned to Ghana where he settled at the Temple of Grace Baptist Church.
It was in 2001 that Freddie was called to the pastorate of Grangetown Baptist Church, Cardiff and stayed there while simultaneously studying for his PhD at the West Theological College in Bridgend. In 2014 he was called to be the senior tutor in Pastoral Theology and also taught Systematic Theology at the Ghana Baptist University College. The Revd Dr Kofi Manful made the journey to Cardiff to pay a warm tribute to Freddie for the contribution he has made to the life of their college. The Revd Dr Steve Asante of the Ghana Baptist Convention also spoke in glowing terms of Freddie's influence in their convention over many years.
Freddie's ministry touched many people both in Ghana and here in the UK. He has sown much fruit and touched very many lives over the years, leaving a lasting legacy, all of which represents a ministry that honoured Christ in all things.
Freddie was a spiritually minded man of God, but he did keep his feet on the ground by maintaining a keen Interest in sport. He was a keen supporter of Arsenal Football Club and also took a keen interest in the progress of Andy Murray, the world's number two tennis player. His sons said that when he was watching a game on television he would show his passion and frustration in equal measure. You would think that he was the best coach in the world!
As a husband Aba said Freddie was a most loving man, who was principled and someone who would not compromise on the things of God. As father, Delasi and Mac agreed that their Dad was always consistently firm, but fair.
I knew Freddie as a colleague in ministry and a friend. I loved our praying together; he had the ability to take you into the heavenly realms and to bring Heaven down to Earth. It has been a privilege to journey with him through the period of his illness. He kept faith alive and at the end he was ready to be released from the body and to go to be with his Lord.
A service in celebration of Freddie's life was held at Belmont Baptist Church Cardiff on 7 June 2016, and was attended by a large congregation that had travelled the globe to be present.
The Revd John James, Penarth