Spirit-filled professors lead Presby Church

“We thank God for you”, was the greeting on the tongue and lips of literally thousands who gathered at the Thanksgiving and Valedictory (Farewell Service) for Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, the 16th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG)  held at the Peniel Presbyterian Church Congregation at Salem, Teshie on November 27, 2016.

Rt. Rev. Prof.  Martey, a distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology, served in the highest office of the PCG as Moderator from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2016.

Professor Martey was educated on both sides of the Atlantic; he obtained an M.Th. from University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Britain, and a PhD from Union Theological Seminary, New York City, USA.

But more essentially, he has an authentic Christian faith and practice. He is a man of true Biblical spirituality.

During Rev. Prof. Martey’s six years in office, “the church had the opportunity to study the third Person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) in depth. Your expositions on the Holy Spirit have been insightful”.

Since 2010; his first year in office, one annual theme on the Holy Spirit has followed another: Empowered by the Holy Spirit. (2010/2011); The Holy Spirit and the believer (2011); The Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church today (2012); The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (2013); Be filled with the Holy Spirit (2013); The Anointing of the Holy Spirit (2015) and When the Holy Spirit Moves (2016).

Rev. Prof. Martey asserts, “Indeed when the Holy Spirit moves, Churches are addressed to wake up and proclaim the sovereignty and supremacy of Jesus Christ. When the Spirit moves, miracles do happen and believers give testimonies”.

He acknowledges his theological learning but cherishes most his personal encounter with and deepening knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and the critical importance of this in authentic Christian living and bearing fruit in Christian service that abides.

Rev. Prof. Martey was also convinced that “strategic management is the hallmark of great and excellent leadership”.

He worked with the General Council on a PCG Blueprint which was purposely designed to accomplish the Great Commission and to ensure consistent growth of the Church.

Indeed, this is the first time in the history of the PCG that a master plan covering all areas of Church life and nurture has been drawn to help achieve the PCG mission objectives.

“Major strides have been made including the following: Improving worship material and making them available in English as well as Ghanaian languages (or our mother tongues); Resourcing lay training centres; and making suitable Christian education materials for teaching Church members (e.g. Catechism, Youth Ministry Resource Manual; New tune books covering all 850 hymns of the PCG)

Rev. Prof. Martey revived and upheld appreciation for the PCG values. The PCG Department of Education has instituted “A Presbyterian Heritage Day” to be celebrated annually where there would be discussions, lectures and symposia on relevant topics.

Rev. Prof. Martey also worked on new church structures that will better bring the church closer to the flock and promote growth. New Administrative Presbyteries have been increased from 16 to 21.

A new ultra-modern PCG Head office complex erected at Osu Kuku Hill, Accra and christened “Church House” was dedicated to the glory of God on Friday November 13, 2015.

The PCG Guild of Chairpersons have remarked, “Rev. Prof. Martey, you have raised spirituality to a higher level in the Church. Prayer was visible in your life and ministry. You exalted the word of God as your source of reference than all human philosophies. …

“Prof. Martey, you are an achiever for the Lord. Among the things you will be remembered for are two of your many quotes, which have become our guiding principle – “let’s minimise our mistakes”; and “let’s strengthen our patience”.

Now a new era has dawned at PCG with the induction of Rt. Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo as the 17th Moderator of the PCG on  Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Kaneshie Presbyterian Church.

Rt. Rev. Prof. Omenyo is a professor of African Christianity and has served as a Minister of the PCG for the past 31 years.

Until his assumption of office as Moderator, Prof. Omenyo has been a Senior Member of the University of Ghana, Legon for the past 21 years. He has worked as a lecturer at the Department for the Study of Religions and served as Hall Master of  Akuafo Hall and Dean, Faculty of Arts.

Currently, he is the Provost of the College of Education and since October 2016, he has doubled as the Acting Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development.

Legon’s loss is PCG’s gain. But in all, he will serve the Church and the Country and beyond.

At his induction, Prof. Omenyo quipped, “A Spirit-filled church must be engaged in Missio-Dei (God’s mission).

The new professor on the PCG block with research interest in Pentecostal and Charismatic movements cherishes true spirituality and authentic discipleship.

The PCG leadership will continue to seek to be in step with the Holy Spirit.