The vision to establish a branch of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) in Worcester, Massachusetts, began over two decades ago through a conversation between Mr. Emmanuel Asante and Mrs. Rebecca Asare-Larbi. Both were members of Lighthouse Chapel at the time, but Mr. Asante, who previously worshiped with ICGC in Ghana, shared a desire to see the ministry’s impact extended to Worcester. After prayerful consideration, Mrs. Asare-Larbi discussed the idea with Pastor Nana Danquah, and together they reached out to Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of ICGC.

Rev. Dr. Otabil directed them to Rev. Emmanuel Owusu Kyereko, then Pastor of ICGC New York, who offered his full support and pastoral covering. Under his guidance, and with help from Pastor Joseph Adjapong, ICGC Worcester held its very first service on January 7, 2002, at 15 Vincent Avenue in the home of Pastor Danquah. That historic meeting gathered seven believers—six Ghanaians and one Kenyan—and marked the humble beginning of what would become a vibrant and influential church family.

As attendance quickly grew, services moved to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Recognizing the need for consistent local leadership, Pastor Charles Aye-Addo, then a student at Drew University and a former assistant pastor at ICGC Adenta (Accra), was appointed Resident Pastor in January 2003. Through his vision and tireless leadership, the church secured its own permanent home in November 2004, purchasing the former Grace Baptist Church building—becoming the first ICGC-owned property outside Ghana.

In 2008, Rev. Dr. Aye-Addo led the establishment of the Akwaaba Health Initiative, a free community clinic that continues to provide medical care for the uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented members of the community. He also launched an after-school tutoring program that continues to support students’ academic success.