By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Aug. 17, GNA – The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) has called on Christians and its leaders to demonstrate mercy, uphold integrity and emulate the teachings of Jesus Christ to help the Church rise above challenges confronting it.
Rt Rev Dr Lt Col Bliss Divine Agbeko (Rtd), Moderator of the General Assembly of the EPCG, made the call during a Thanksgiving Service held in Ho as part of activities marking the 12th General Assembly of the Church, on the theme: “Mercy Beyond Boundaries.”
He said Christians should not take the law into their own hands or allow personal interests and conflicts to prevent them from intervening in situations where their help was needed.
Rt Rev Agbeko urged Christians to do what was right and show mercy to others, regardless of their background, stressing that the Church must demonstrate Christ-like character in its activities and interactions with society.
He said the Church had a responsibility to show mercy to the nation and avoid discrimination, adding that Christians who demonstrated genuine love, compassion and integrity would help the Church to grow and positively influence society.
The Moderator also urged members to maintain clean hearts and conduct themselves in ways that reflected the character of Christ, while encouraging them to respect their leaders and work collectively to address issues that hindered the growth of the Church.
Rev Prof Frederick Mawusi Amevenku, Moderator-elect of the General Assembly of the EPCG, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Church belonged to God and that Jesus Christ, as its head, had given believers the Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples.
He said his administration would focus strongly on discipleship, particularly teaching members to model Christ, live according to His example and obey His teachings.
“Discipleship is about teaching everyone to model Christ, to live like Christ, to imitate the example of Christ, and then the second part of discipleship is for people to be able to obey Christ,” he said.
Rev Prof Amevenku identified the youth as a major priority of his administration, saying young people were exposed to numerous conflicting messages, particularly through social media, which could leave them without clear direction.
He said the Church would therefore intensify discipleship and equip the youth with Christian values to enable them to navigate the challenges of contemporary society.
The Moderator-elect appealed to ministers of the EPCG to support his administration through prayer and remain faithful stewards of the Church, saying leaders must demonstrate the values they expected members to uphold.
He said the Church had adopted a new strategic plan centered on revival, transformation and growth, with evangelism and youth engagement at the heart of the agenda.
Rev Prof Amevenku said keeping young people actively engaged in the work of God could help protect them from social vices, adding that church leaders had a responsibility to guide, equip and inspire them.
He also urged clergy to rededicate themselves to the Word of God and demonstrate Christ-like conduct through their preaching, teaching and behaviour in society, saying their actions could influence young people to emulate positive Christian values.
The Moderator-elect said the EPCG, for more than 179 years, the Church had partnered government in national development through education, healthcare, social services, skills training and interventions in deprived communities.
It has also supported communities with schools, boreholes and disaster interventions and would continue to intensify such activities as part of its social responsibility.
“We are not called only to preach to people, but also to help heal them and to teach them as well. So, any time the people are in difficulty, we need to journey with them, Rev Prof Amevenku said.
He expressed confidence that with the support of clergy, members and other stakeholders, the Church could remain faithful to its mission and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Rev Prof Amevenku is currently the President of Trinity Theological Seminary, President of the EP Pastors Association and District Pastor of the Kisiman District of the EPCG.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah
