About Bishop Francis
On Saturday 17 February 1962 in Kumasi, Ghana, a healthy baby boy was welcomed into this world by Lawyer Francis Godfred Ampratwun and Madam Tina Davidson (Yaa Nyako) both of blessed memory. Bishop Francis belongs to a large family of half siblings (both paternal and maternal).
EARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION
Bishop Francis grew up in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, the Garden City of Kumasi. Since his parents were residing abroad, Bishop and his siblings were brought up by their graceful maternal Grandmother, Maame Afia. Bishop Francis attended Adum Presbyterian Primary School, Amankwatia Experimental School and his secondary education was at T.I. Ahmadiya. He then continued with his 6th Form education as a private student at the Opoku Ware Boys’ Secondary School to better his grades and follow his lifelong ambition to study medicine at University.
FURTHER EDUCATION
Bishop Francis currently holds a Diploma in Theology, Mission Studies & Evangelism; a Master’s degree in Theology, Doctoral Research Fellow and LLB (Hons) degree in Law and LLM Human Rights
CONVERSION
One fateful Sunday, on his way home from church, Bishop Francis was approached by a young man called Amano who showed him a booklet written by The Campus Crusade for Christ International titled The Four Spiritual Laws. Brother Amano led Bishop Francis to Christ that day.
CALL TO MINISTRY – Asokwa Baptist
Bishop Francis then started attending Grace Baptist Church and about three years later a decision was made to start a House Group in Asokwa, his neighbourhood. At the tender age of 16, Bishop Francis was nominated to assist the Leader, a wonderful man of God called Francis Kupoe.
Bishop Francis took over the leadership a year later after Francis Kupoe was transferred to Northern Ghana to work with Sudan Interior Mission. With the guidance of great men of God, Rev. Dr. Boadi, the late Rev. Frank Adams and Rev. Frank Kankam, the study group became very successful. Two Missionaries from the Southern Baptist Convention, Doug Bryant and Jerry Burney came to Asokwa to help. They helped Bishop Francis, the young leader, how to lead.
AGAPE INCORPORATED
In Asokwa, Bishop Francis (with his passion for music) and two friends Bright Gambra and Samuel Boahene founded this music group.
CALLING CONFIRMED
After his 6th Form education, Bishop Francis’s late Mum made arrangements for him to join her in London. This was a dream come true, a prayer answered, as he had always longed to be with his Mum and experience the western culture.
After checking in and about to go through immigration, Bishop Francis heard a loud voice saying “FRANCIS, DO NOT TRAVEL ABROAD, GO TO SEMINARY”. It was without a doubt, a very audible voice which he could not ignore. The message only came once and immediately arrested his spirit. That was the turning point in his life. He returned to Kumasi and enrolled in seminary the next day.
Late Rev. Dr. Steve Asante, former President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, became Bishop Francis’s first spiritual leader when he was in seminary. As the Senior Pastor of Asokwa Baptist, he was instrumental in inspiring Bishop Francis’s passion for souls, the Word of God and holiness.
EARLY CHALLENGES/TRIP TO LONDON
The decision to become a full-time Minister of the gospel caused a fissure with his Dad to the point that when he left for Seminary he never returned home. The late Deacon Boakye-Ababio took him in until he got accommodation at the Abuakwa Baptist Seminary. In his second year in seminary, Bishop Francis represented Ghana at the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in the city of Glasgow, UK.
While in London, he joined the one year old newly formed church, Christian Baptist Church under the leadership of Apostle Kingsley Appiagyei. Pastor Kingsley became Bishop Francis’s second mentor and he supported him into maturity in the Ministry. Pastor Kingsley sought permission from Asokwa Baptist Church, Ghana to release Bishop Francis to London after completing seminary. In 1988, Bishop Francis returned to London to enrol at Spurgeon’s College while serving as student Associate Pastor to Pastor Kingsley. He served faithfully and diligently and after six years he led a team of about 30 members on a missionary assignment to East London which became the starting point for CCBC.
MATTERS OF THE HEART
Lady Elizabeth, affectionately known as “Aunty” was a respectful and beautiful young woman, just the type Bishop Francis wished to be acquainted with but he kept this close to his chest for over three years without her knowledge. Everything about “Aunty” excited Bishop Francis, her looks, moves, conversations and outfits. She was and continues to be a virtuous lady. Just before embarking on his third and final year in seminary, Bishop Francis opened up and made his intentions known, i.e. his wish to marry her.
Without mincing his words, Bishop Francis gave “Aunty” a deadline, one calendar month to come with her response (but deep down he was dreading what this would be). To hear YES, was a dream come true because Bishop Francis had secured the lady he had been secretly dreaming about for the past three years. A year after the proposal, Bishop Francis travelled to the UK and a year afterwards they got married. “Aunty” then joined him in London to start their married life.
FAMILY LIFE
God has blessed “Aunty” and Bishop Francis with five lovely children and two God-daughters. The first is Heavilyn, followed by Frances, Angel, Bishop Francis Jnr, King and God daughters Kendra and Daniella. Bishop Francis now has a Son-in-Law David, who is married to Heavilyn.
CHURCH LIFE AT CALVARY & PRAYER TEMPLE
Bishop Francis has served on various boards of trustees and organisations including the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) for which he became the President of the international region and later the President of PNBC UK and Europe. Under Bishop Francis’s outstanding leadership, Calvary ended up having five services on Sundays. The steady increase in membership resulted in Calvarians outgrowing our first owned premises, Calvary Temple. The quest for a bigger and more suitable place of worship was not easy.
After various futile attempts, God proved His faithfulness and blessed us with Greatfields Temple, which currently houses our Barking Branch and a Day Nursery. Not long afterwards, God opened another avenue, a magnificent 18th century building (Grade 2 listed) in Poplar, East London which we refer to as Prayer Temple. This is a building that the great Methodist preacher and evangelist John Wesley dedicated. In spite of the competition from churches and developers, God miraculously led Bishop Francis to acquire it. Bishop Francis has trained over 100 Pastors with about 50 currently working with him. Bishop Francis has planted over 30 churches and has plans to plant 30 new branches in 2024.
REACHING THE LOST
Since Bishop Francis’s conversion at the tender age of 12, he has been moved by the Great Commission in Matthew 24. As the years draw closer to the Lord’s second coming his desire is for Christians to be serious about their responsibility. As such, Bishop Francis and his ministry friend, Bishop Francis Dag of Lighthouse Chapel have been on various crusades to contribute to the salvation of souls.
THE ORPHANAGE AND NEEDY PROGRAMME
Bishop Francis is the main sponsor of St. Francis Orphanage Programme, with CCBC contributing towards the education and welfare of the kids. We have sponsored the needy and orphans in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Compassion etc. COMPASSIONATE & PHILANTHROPY Having benefited from someone looking after and helping him gain academic success in seminary has left an indelible mark on Bishop Francis. As such he has an insatiable desire to help the needy and under-privileged children especially those who through no fault of theirs have no means (financial) to education. Hence the formation of St. Francis Foundation.
Contact us
Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church
119 East India Dock Road
London E14 6DE
+44 20 7515 1616