Story: Tim Dzamboe, Anyako
THE Anyako Evangelical Presbyterian Church has celebrated its 150th anniversary with a thanksgiving service and fundraising at which GH¢14,200(¢142million) was realised last Sunday.
The fund will be used to refurbish a modern library for schools and for 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 would 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.
The President of the Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, paid tribute to the early missionaries and asked the people to 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 by example by worshipping the Almighty God with greater scientific outlook, reduced superstition and fostered values which promoted peace and progress in the society.
The Dufia of Anyako, Togbi Gligue Tenge Dzokoto VI, said the journey of the church to 150 years today was not easy but with the help of the chiefs, all obstacles were cleared for the missionaries to settle to establish the 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 would generate a new spirit among the people to continue to work to save souls for the kingdom of God.
The Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Herbert Oppong, presented GH¢100 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 s
Other activities for the week-long celebration were lectures, cultural music and dancing, quiz competition, choral night and candlelight procession.
No comments:
Post a Comment