Cape coast, Nov. 12, GNA – The Church of Christ on Sunday climaxed its 60th anniversary celebration with a divine thanksgiving service, on the theme: « Celebrating God’s abundant grace and mercy ».
The celebration was attended by Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, Mr Agyiri Blankson, Council of State member, Mr Ernest Arthur, Cape Coast Metro Chief Executive, Mr Edem Atinga, Office of Former President Rawlings, and Regional Fire, Prisons and Police Commanders.
Some activities that marked the anniversary celebration included general processions through the principal streets of Cape Coast amidst brass band music, revivals, evangelism and a sod cutting for the Lord’s Leadership Institute, an educational centre.
Addressing the congregation, Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church praised the founder of the Church, Prophet John Mensah for his religious pioneering role in the country.
He described him as an epitome of a Christian who dedicated and committed his life to healing, teaching and evangelism to serve humanity and urged members to emulate his religious traits.
Rev. Prof Asante called on religious historians to properly document the religious history of Ghana to reflect the immense contribution locals made to the growth of Christianity in Ghana.
He lauded the church for nibbing in the bud the sharp divisions that roared its ugly head among its leadership and stressed the need for them to unite their front and cement the glowing new relationship to enhance church growth.
They must follow the Lord Jesus Christ’s example of forgiveness of trespasses by praying for those who persecute them saying « I urge you all to bury the past, move on in peace and tranquillity by continually preaching and seeking the face of God to have a holistic Christian life ».
Prof Asante reminded Christendom that even on the cross before He died, Jesus Christ prayed to his father in Heaven to forgive those who had hated him and plotted to eliminate him adding that « without forgiveness, it would be difficult to please God and experience his manifold blessings.
According to him, service to God and mankind was the essence of stewardship and urged members of the church to rise to their religious responsibilities and stimulate the desired motivational spirit of renewal and transformation towards effective nation building.
He rallied the support of Churches to ceaselessly pray for the leadership of the nation to enable them exercise their responsibilities with humane, integrity and honesty for the progress of the country.
Prof Asante indicated that the growth of Churches should be measured not only by the number of its followers but also in the quality of life of its members’ dedication to uphold the spiritual virtues of Jesus Christ for physical, psychological and spiritual growth.
Most Rev. Dr Daniel Markin, Leader and Apostle General of the Church thanked the congregation for remaining faithful in the wake of all the leadership challenges it faced.
However, he admonished them to eschew all forms negative deeds that made them unsanctified before the Lord and rededicate themselves to the service of God and humanity.
He urged them to be relentless and pray for the growth of the church and honour their civic responsibilities to help propel the growth of the country.
