Church services climax Easter festivities in regions

Churches across the country organised services and crusades to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Easter.

Our correspondents report that churches in the regions were fully packed, as worshippers travelled to their hometowns to join their families to climax the Easter and give thanks to God.

The day was devoted to the singing of praises and adoration songs, while congregants, the majority of them dressed in white, waved handkerchiefs and danced gracefully to mark the day.

From the Western Region, Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah reports that the Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt Rev. Daniel De-Graft Brace, appealed to Christians to use the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to fight against illegal mining (galamsey), corruption and indiscipline in the country.

We strongly support the efforts of the government to fight the galamsey menace, given the extent of destruction of our water bodies, filth in our immediate surroundings and the environment at large, as well as corruption and all forms of indiscipline in society,” he said.

At the Hope Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Sakumono Estates, near Tema, one of the resident ministers, Rev. Mrs Akua Appiah Ansah, who preached on the topic: “Living the resurrection life”, said the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ should give hope to society, reports Benjamin Xornam Glover. 

She said Christians and Ghanaians in general must let the joy of Jesus’ resurrection give them hope, since Christ, by His death, had taken away all pain, insults, mockery, sorrow, dashed hopes, frustrated plans, anxieties and disappointments.

From Bolgatanga, Vincent Amenuveve reports that a Kenyan guest minister at the Holy Ghost Temple of the Assemblies of God Church, Bishop Ben Oyikolo, admonished the clergy to avoid using the word of God to enrich themselves.

According to him, Jesus Christ did not come to die for pastors to use his name to exploit innocent Christians but to save mankind, stressing that “pastors should be seen as role models”.

From the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, Sunyani, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah reports that the Methodist Bishop of Sunyani, Rt Rev. Kofi Asare-Bediako, called for consensus building between the Majority and the Minority sides in Parliament to deepen governance in order to accelerate the country’s socio-economic growth.

He said the axiom: “The Minority will have its say but the Majority will have its way” promoted ‘majoritarian’ rule, even if that was not in the interest of the people.

In an Easter message, Rt Rev. Asare-Bediako stated that Ghanaians expected their Members of Parliament (MPs) to collaborate to find solutions to the pressing needs of the people.

The Sunyani Area “A” District of the Christ Apostolic Church of Ghana (CAC) used the Easter to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the church, during which the Head Pastor, Rev. David Biney, cautioned Ghanaians, especially Christians, against homosexuality, reports Biiya Mukusah Ali. 

According to him, Ghana, being a religious nation, must come out to state clearly its stand on homosexuality in the country. 

From the Christian Charismatic Centre (CCC) in Kumasi, Donald Ato Dapatem reports that the Head Pastor, Ransford Obeng, urged the youth of the country to reflect on the significance of the death and resurrection of Christ and model their lives after that.

He said on his way to Jerusalem, Christ could have ridden on chariots but settled on a donkey, which represented humility, and also went ahead to die for the sins of mankind to exhibit love for all.

Touching on the government’s 100 days in office, Pastor Obeng said, “So far, so good”, but urged the government not to veer off the blessings and guidance of God on whom they called when they were seeking power.

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports from Kumasi that the General Overseer of the Christ Resurrection Church, Rev. Joshua Mensah, appealed to Christians to help support the government to succeed in its quest to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth. 

He said it was the duty of all Christians to support all governments to develop the country. 

Touching on the galamsey menace, he said if there were enough jobs in the country for those involved in the practice, many of them would stop. 

The Resident Minister of the Emmanuel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, New Abirem in the Eastern Region, Rev. Kofi Osei, asked Christians to live new lives, as the resurrected Jesus had made everything new, reports Mary Gyekyewaa Gyekye.

In a sermon on the theme, “Living the resurrected life”, he said Jesus had power to change every troubling situation and so it was necessary to forget the problems and focus on Him.

Because of life's challenges, we forget that Jesus walks with us always. I assure you that He is risen and He will never forsake you,” he said.

Churches across the country organised services and crusades to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Easter.

Our correspondents report that churches in the regions were fully packed, as worshippers travelled to their hometowns to join their families to climax the Easter and give thanks to God.

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