Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - The Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC) has inducted Reverend Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi and Reverend Enoch Nii Naa Thompson, as Executive President and Vice President respectively, in-charge of the Ministry for a second term.
The Church also inducted an 11-member Denominational Board and an advisory body, to advise the Executive President.
The GBC elects leaders for a four-year term to steer the administration of the Convention.
Delivering a sermon at the ceremony, Rev Dr Nii Amoo-Darku, former Vice President of the Convention, said it was important for the new executives to “walk in the direction of God.”
He said Christianity was not about following the crowd but rather doing the will of God and being focused on one’s mandate.
Rev Amoo-Darku, who was speaking on the theme, “Serving to please the master” said, God had chosen to partner human beings to achieve his purpose on earth, and that, “it was necessary to please God as partners in his work.
“You need to find God’s intent and purpose in order to keep pace in His ways,” he said.
He said churches were deviating from their core mandate of championing discipline and evangelism and that it was the responsibility of the Church to teach its members how to know and accept Christ, and do His will, since it is only through righteousness that a nation can progress.
He said although he would not support the government to put in place legislation that would streamline the organisations and establishment of churches, he charged the various Christian bodies to set regulatory mechanism to check members.
Rev Dr Amoo-Darku urged Christians not to only rely on the scriptures, but use their God given conscience to ascertain whether the supposed church they attend is a true Church of God.
Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi in his acceptance speech dismissed the perception that churches were exploiting their members to enrich themselves, saying that, “For some time now, the Church in Ghana has been accused of only collecting tithes and offerings from members but had not done anything for society”.
He said the perception was a falsehood, as the Church from time immemorial had played its role as an agent of development with the provision of schools, hospitals, orphanages, water projects, programmes for street children and many others.
“As part of measures to let the people of Ghana and the world know what the church has been doing in terms of development, the GCB would soon launch the Shalom Broadcasting Network to tell the story of the Church”.
Rev Adu-Gyamfi said it was sad that such accusations were being raised against the Church and blamed some Ministers of God, who bring shame and disgrace to the Christendom by using the gospel for their personal gains.
He reiterated the Convention intention to give attention to the next generation of leaders to take over from the current generation.
“I will like to encourage those between the ages of 25 to 40 years to make themselves available for training, mentorship and coaching to prepare them for the leadership of the church.”
The Executive President said the church in January next year, would introduce the Emerging Leaders Training Institute, as well as an online academic programme with United States based Success Training Institute to provide professional training for members of the church.
He thanked the church for the support and urged members to assist his administration for the next four years.
GNA
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