Anyako EP Chruch celebrates150th anniversary....December 6 , 2007, page 36

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Anyako

The Anyako Evangelical Presbyterian Church has celebrated a weeklong 150th anniversary with a thanksgiving service and fundraising at which GHC 14,200(C142million) was realized last Sunday.
The funds will be used to refurbish a modern library for schools and the construction of a residential accommodation for the parish.
Preaching the sermon, the moderator of the church, Right Reverend Dr. Livingstone Buama said the anniversary should sanctify and glorify the name of God and that the expectation of the people should be fulfilling a new hope.
He said the anniversary should reflect “an element of recollection, an element of participation and an element of anticipation” imbued with the perspectives of retrospection, stocktaking and soul searching.
Rt. Rev.Buama said although things may look hard and life threatening, salvation will eventually come on condition that recipients of salvation were steadfast, circumspect of their behaviour and wore the garment of holiness and righteousness.
He urged Christians to exhibit the virtues of love which were the hallmark of Christianity adding that a positive regard for the other person was a good sign of love.
In an address, the president of the of the Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose paid tribute to the early missionaries and that the people should draw useful lessons from the 150 years of existence of the EP Church in Anyako.
According to him, it was time for Africans to champion Christianity and do it exemplarily by worshipping the almighty God with greater scientific outlook, reduced superstition and fostered values which promotes peace and progress in the society.
He said like all knowledge, knowledge of the almighty God was bound to start somewhere with some people before spreading adding that like the discoveries of science , mathematics and computers, the knowledge of Almighty God started with Abraham and started spreading from Israel to Europe from where it came to Africa.
In an address, the Dufia of Anyako, Togbi Gligue Tenge Dzokoto VI said the journey of the church to150 years today was not easy but with the help of the chiefs all obstacles were cleared for the missionaries to settle to establish church and educational facilities.
He said although it had witnessed breakaways and splits the church was still growing but said the lack of job opportunities in the area compelled the youth to migrate to urban centres and that affected the size of the congregation.
In a welcoming address, the southern presbytery chairman, Rev. E.O. Tibu said the celebration was unique because it will generate a new spirit among the people the people to continue to work to save souls for the kingdom of God.
The synod clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Hebert Oppong presented GHC100 to the church as part of the goodwill message of the sister church.
The occasion was used to highlight the establishment of the E.P University after having been granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Board(NAB).
The function was chaired by a business executive, Mr. Raymond Okudzeto whilst the synod clerk Rev. Frank Anku conducted the order of service.
Other activities for the celebration were lectures, cultural music and dancing, quiz competition, choral night, candle light procession and a welcome church service.