Providing music and leading the singing for Cross Over 2024, were the Rev. John Owusu-Agyemany, of Altoona, and Father Daniel Adjei, who played keyboard for the event. Both priests are from Ghana. For millions across Africa, Cross Over is a highly-anticipated event.

“Tonight we pray for the unity of all Christian people. You are truly welcome here. If you invite us to your churches, be assured we will come.”

The Rev. Francis Kwane Anane underscored the sincerity of those words during Cross Over by hugging everyone in the church at midnight and wishing them “Happy New Year.”

Cross Over, hosted by Anane and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City, welcomed visitors from as far away as Des Moines and Ames, and as close as Coalville and Fort Dodge to the unique New Year’s Eve celebration.

Anane, in the above quote, was offering a special message for Protestants.

About 50 people attended the special service known as Cross Over. It was presided over by Anane, who comes from Ghana, where Cross Over is a well-established annual tradition.

Anane is a strong adherent of the Catholic Charismatic Revival Movement, which originated at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in February 1967. The movement quickly spread to Notre Dame University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan. Today it is a worldwide phenomenon, and has enjoyed the official support of four popes: Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II and the current pontiff, Pope Francis.

Cross Over embodies the objectives of the Charismatic Revival, and the evening ceremonies, which ran from 10 p.m. until 12.30 a.m., were characterized by a series of Bible passages, read by members of St. Thomas’s Charismatic Revival group, lively music — some of it originating in Ghana — and a joyous atmosphere of celebration of being alive and safely transitioning to the possibilities of the new year of 2025.

“We really enjoyed it. There was definitely a charismatic atmosphere,” said Anna and Kim Walsh of Coalville. “We liked all the Bible readings. Time went by fast.”

Pat and Tom Rittscher, of Webster City, called it “quite uplifting.”

“This is a good perspective to start a new year,” Mark O’Malley, of Webster City, said.

Francis Owassu, a professor of city planning at Iowa State University, had much to say about his Cross Over.

“This was very inspirational,” he said. “I’m very hopeful in my personal life and the world we all live in. Challenges will happen, but this puts worry in perspective. God will see us through.”