Monday, 28 October 2013
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GHANA
AKYEM ABUAKWA PRESBYTERY
YOUTH MINISTRY
YOUTH COORDINATOR ADDRESS TO
THE 35TH PRESBYTERY YPG DELEGATE CONFERENCE HELT AT
GRACE CONGREGATION-ASUOM
FROM 25TH -27TH OCTOBER, 2013,
PREAMBLE: Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice [Phil. 4:4]
INTRODUCTION: Grace and mercy from our lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
We thank God for another opportunity to gather and take stock of the past year
and to plan for the ensuing year. I must than all guilders for their support
which has brought the guild so far. I know that for the past two years the
guild has suffered interms of finances but people were still working so
effectively to sustain the guild. God richly bless you all.
THEME OF THE YEAR: beloved in the Lord as you all aware, the Presbyterian
Church of Ghana for the past three years has been considering the personhood
and the activities of the Holy Spirit as their ecclesiastical themes. And this
ecclesiastical year theme is: the fruit of the spirit and the believer (GA
5:22-23) Beloved in the Lord fruit bearing is very essential to God. Right from
the beginning of creation we learnt that God blessed the man and the woman and
told them to be fruitful. (Gen. 1:28) dearly beloved, before one can bear fruit
the following prerequites are needed.
Ø We must be a born again Christian
(John 3:3)
Ø One must die to the world (Gal. 5:24)
Ø One must abide in the saviour (John
15:5-6)
Ø We must be student of the bible
It is important to
observe that the fruit here described is not produced by a believer, but by the
Holy spirit working through a Christian who is in vital union with Christ (Jn.
15:1-8). The word FRUIT is singular indicating that the qualities constitute a
unity, all of which should be found in a believer who lives under the control
of the spirit. Paul mentioned the fruit of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control and said
there are no prohibited against such virtues.
ELECTION: Elections in our church for the past years has not been nothing good to
write home about especially in YPG. I would want to appeal to the conscience of
all delegates to behave well during and after the elections. I would also
encourage those who are going to be elected to continue the good work of the
out-going executive.
YOUTH AND STUDENT WEEK CELEBRATION
We must be grateful to
God for listening to our prayer. We prayed for the return of the youth anD
student week celebration and God willing it is back in the system and i learnt
by March we will be celebrating youth and Students week. I would want to appeal
to all guilders at various levels of the guild to utilize the opportunity to
raise funds to support the union because we have complained a lot for lack of
funds. Again, i will encourage all guiders to prepare and participate well in
the week celebration as never before.
PROJECT: with regards to project the presbytery cannot boast of any. I would like
to encourage the incoming executives to have a project in mind to help the
presbytery and also to look for funds to support the rabbit project.
LEADERSHIP: Leadership has been a problem for the presbytery but i want
to say that, this problem will continue since job opportunities are in the
cities. I would like Dos and president at this conference to initiate
leadership programmes for their guilders.
APPRECIATION: I must thank the Lord for seeing us through the thick and
thin during the year under review. My next appreciation goes to the out-gone
chairperson and clerk Rev. P. K. Dekyem and Rev. E. K. Adjpong respectively for
their support for youth work in the presbytery. I must also congratulate the
new chairperson and clerk Rev. Ansah Peasa and Rev. George Andam respectively
for their new office. May the good Lord be with them. I cannot forget my team
whom i worked with fir three year; the superintendent, and co. God richly bless
you for the sacrifices you made to lift YPG so high. I am also grateful to all
district ministers, ministers, catechists and presbyters for their support for
youth work. God richly bless you all.
Long live PCG
Long live Abuakwa
Presbytery
And long live YPG.
Superintendent's Address to Conference
SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESS PRESENTED
TO THE 35TH PRESBYTERY YPG CONFERENCE HELD AT ASUOM FROm FRIDAY 25TH
TO SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER, 2013
Mr.
Chairman,
all protocol observed, Shalowm Alekem………………Alekem Shalowm, YPG………………..Service all
the way.
We
are grateful to the Most High God for making it possible for us to once again
meet to take stock of our stewardship in the guild for the 35th
time.
APPRECIATION.
Let
me thank the good Lord for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard. I have
really been blessed by this opportunity and I will continue to bless Him for
that. To my able presbytery executive committee members, I don’t know how to
thank you for the support and commitment shown in these three years. You have
all contributed your quota to the development of the guild work in the
Presbytery and I will forever remember you for that. Rev. Amuzu, I know you
will give my successor the kind guidance and support you gave me and the
Presbytery Guild will continue to be among the best in the Presbyterian Church
of Ghana.
Mr.
Chairman, let me say a big thank you to the 21
district organisers I worked with, they were such a blessing. My D.O’s, for
your love, support, constructive criticism (and at times your complains,), which
I really enjoyed,
has helped my administration a lot, I say God richly bless you.
To
my family, there were times you needed me at home but due to the numerous
travels I was not available for you, you supported me and always advised me to
give out my best to the service of God. Mum and Dad, it is the way you trained
me as a Child that has brought me to this level, May the God Lord richly bless
you. To my lovely wife, I say I Love you and God bless you for your support. I
know you will continue to support and help me do the work of our maker.
Mr.
Chairman, I cannot end without thanking my immediate predecessors: Mr. Albert
Agyei Boateng, Rev. Paul Darko, Rev. Yaw Boadu and Mr. Jones Darko Boateng who
continually call to advice and support whenever their services were
needed. To Rev. Paul Dekyem and Rev. Kwasi Agyapong, former Chairperson
and Clerk
respectively I worked with I say thank you very
much for your support to the youth worked. You were such a blessing to me and
my team. I pray the current Chairperson and Clerk will see the essence of the
youth in Church growth and give their maximum support to the youth for the
development of the Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery. For Rev. R.O. Berko and Rev. Nkum,
former and current Presbytery CLAN Directors respectively,
your support to the youth work is enormous and we will forever be grateful. I
know the God Lord who called you into this ministry will forever bless you for
the Love with which you handle the groups under your care especially the youth.
Papa Nkum, God richly bless you. There were times we had to Change our dates
and venues for youth activities just like this conference but you
supported and always had time to visit and give your keynote addresses. To all guilders, God richly bless you for
supporting me to this far.
THEME FOR CONFERENCE
The fruit of the
spirit and the believer (Gal. 5:22-23)
Paul
calls on us as Christians to exhibit the fruit virtues of Love,
Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, faith, Meekness and
temperance. It is
these virtues that show our true Christian
character.
Mr.
Chairman, let me talk on only the first one-Love
Paul
began with love as the first in the list of virtues in Galatians 5:22. In fact,
love was the chief virtue in early Christian ethical instruction. For Paul,
Christians should put love over all the other virtues because love “binds
them all together in perfect unity” (Col 3:14).
In
Greek, there are different words used to describe the act of loving. These
are;
Eros.it
is from this word that we get the words “erotic” and “romantic” and it is a
word for love between the sexes. It refers to the chemical
reaction of a man and a woman. It is sexual love.
Philia.
This is the highest word in secular Greek for human love. It involves the body,
mind and spirit of humanity in a warm, tender and intimate relationship towards
others. It is not a permanent love based upon the loveliness of the one who is
loved. As Shakespeare puts it “Love is not love which alters when it alteration
finds”.
Storgé.
This is a word for family love. It is used for parents’
love for their children and children’s’ love for parents
etc.
Agapé.
This word is not found in secular Greek. The Biblical writers coined this word
to describe the new quality of relationship and the new attitude the Christian
has towards others. But above all, it is used for God’s attitude and action
towards human beings. It is the sacrificial and self-giving love demonstrated
by Christ’s death on the Cross. It is this love Paul talks about as the first
in the fruit virtues.
In
1Corinthians 13, Paul makes it clear, that any
Christian who operates in the gifts of the spirit but has no love is nothing.” I may be able to speak the
languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech
is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of
inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may
have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am
nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be
burnt—but if I have no love, this does me no good. Love is patient and kind; it
is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish
or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives
up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal. There are
inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in
strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass.
For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.” (1 Cor. 13:1-10)
Indeed,
love is the “tree” that bears the fruit of Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
ELECTION
OF OFFICERS.
Mr.
Chairman, this conference will elect leaders to Man the affairs of the guild
for the next three years. "He that
would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his
lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him
seek peace and pursue it.” (1Pet. 3:10-11).May we vote on the intuition of
the Holy Spirit not on our personal intuition so that after this conference, we
will all rally behind those chosen to lead us for the good of the guild and the
Church. Let elections never bring hatred and division among us again.
Mr.
Chairman, it is sad to note that there are a lot of potential leaders in the
presbytery but only few avail themself during the time of nominations. This
development is very serious and the earlier we find solutions to it, the
better. I would want this conference to come out find lasting solutions to this
serious challenge.
I want to promise, the executive to be
elected that, together with my team, we will always be there for them. Our doors are widely open and whenever
they need us,
we are ready Twenty four seven
to support them.
Youth week celebration
Mr.
Chairman, by the grace of God, the 13th General Assembly reverses
the decision
of the 10th General Assembly to
celebrate Departmental weeks instead of the group’s week. This
means that from next year we will be celebrating the youth week. Because the
decision was taking after the printing of the 2014 almanac, we have been given
the ESR week in March to celebrate the Youth Week. I want to urge all locals to
start preparing seriously from this conference for the celebrations. Let us
give it all the attention and seriousness it deserves. Let us not disappoint
the people who fought to bring it back. Being actively involved in taking the
decision at the General Assembly, I will be very disappointed if the full
benefit of the celebration is not achieved as expected. I know it will be my
last in the guild since I will be moving to YAF just a week after the
celebration, but I will give off my best to make it a success. Let us all
celebrate it as if it was the first and last.
Rabbit project
Mr.
Chairman, by the grace of God and with the support of some guilders (Especially
the Presbytery Executive committee members and some D.O’s) we have successfully
started a rabbit project at New-Tafo on an Abusa contract basis. We started with ten
rabbits but as I speak they have all kindled therefore we have about
eighty bunnies added. I want conference to think about expanding this viable
project by getting a permanent place and adding more rabbits since we currently
have it in the house of one of our Presbyterian Minister.
Youth in Church evangelism.
Mr.
Chairman, Youth in Church evangelism has come to stay in the Presbytery. I want
to thank all who have supported to make it achieve its successes. To the
Presbytery Director of Mission and Evangelism; Rev. S.K. Anarfi and the Former
Chairperson who always supported us, the Presbytery Evangelism coordinator;
Samuel Asante Marfo and his team, all guilders who have actively participated
since we started in Akyem Akropong till this year’s at Apedwa and all who
prayed to support us, I say Ayekoo.
Mr.
Chairman, we have been able to purchase megaphones and a projector and its
screen for the organisation of the programme and pray all to help with other
materials and instruments that will help to make it big and better. It’s my
wish that the incoming executive will continue to make P-YICE a priority
programme on the Calendar of the guild to make it better. I promise to always
support for the successful planning of subsequent evangelistic activities.
Response to decisions of conference
Mr.
Chairman, it is known that he Presbytery conference is the highest decision
making body of the Guild in the Presbytery.
Conference is
attended by representatives from the various branch guilds, Districts and the
Presbytery
leadership but its decisions are not taking seriously.
Conference decided three years ago to purchase a vehicle for the Youth in
Church Evangelism. For the realisation of this vision, conference decided that
each District guild pays an amount of GH¢100.00 but three years down the line
some districts have still not paid.
Just last year Mr. Chairman, the 34th
Conference at Asamankese decided that each guilder pays an amount of GH¢1.00 to
support a rabbit project and GH¢1.00 towards the successful organisation of the
Youth in Church evangelism but as I speak, no local guild has forwarded these
monies to the Presbytery. This is very dangerous for the future of the guild.
If decisions we take ourselves cannot be implemented by the districts and
locals then, how do we move forward as a group.
Issues on homosexuality
Mr.
Chairman, homosexuality is gaining grounds in the world since most countries in
the west and even some in Africa (South African for example) have taking
decisions to allow gay marriages, and some Christian Churches are also allowing
to the extent of ordaining gays as Ministers of the Gospel. It is very sad that
people who claim to be Christians are allowing such demonic, barbaric and
satanic act in the house of God. What recently made me sad the more is the
statements of the two revered “Men of God.” The Pope said it clearly that he
has no power to judge homosexuals if the will serve God. Bishop Desmond Tutu
also spoilt the whole issue by saying he would rather go the hell than
to serve a homophobic God. This point to the fact that the devil is greatly at
work and we need to seriously pray so that this barbaric and satanic inhuman
act would not be accepted in our dear country and even those who have accepted
it would come to their senses. It is surprising that the Islamic world is not
even discussion this issue let alone accepting it. We need to pray.
Immergence of Islamist militant groups.
Mr.
Chairman, Islamist militant groups are a threat
to the society and Christianity in Africa. I recently visited Northern Nigeria
where the boko haram operate and believe you me, there are more Christian there
than Muslim, but the minority are destroying the majority. Most of the
Christians are abandoning their homes and running to the South for
security. Their intense destruction of
Chapels and Schools in Nigerian and the recent attack of the Al-Shabaab in
Westgate mall in Nairobi which took the life of many including Prof. Kofi
Awoonor, and their most recent attack in the central Somali town of Beledwenye
who claimed at least 10 lives, should tell us that we must be praying seriously
for our Christian brothers and also against any such attack in this country of
ours. These groups will stop at nothing since they believe they are fighting
the course of Allah.
Conclusion:
Mr. Chairman,
I want to conclude by once again thanking all guilders and non guilders who
have and are still supporting the youth work in the presbytery.
I
wish conference fruitful and
successful deliberations.
God
bless PCG
God bless Akyem
Abuakwa
God
bless Y.P.G
Thank
you
Daniel Kwasi Opoku
(Superintendent)
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