The 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship will take off in earnest in Accra on Wednesday, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates from across the world.
Scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 to Friday, October 16 this year, in Accra, the congress is being hosted in Africa for the first time in the 115-year history of Assemblies of God worldwide.
It is on the theme: “Commissioned-One Mandate, Every Nation.”
There will be morning sessions at the Black Star Square in Accra to build the capacity of pastors and church leaders.
These will be followed by evening gospel revival rallies at the Accra Sports Stadium for all denominations.
Renowned artistes, including Joe Mettle, Nigerian acts, Dunsin Oyekan and Sinach, and Angela Donadio from the US, will perform at the evening revival rallies.
Assemblies of God, Ghana, has emphasised that attendance at any of the events is free.
Call on Foreign Affairs Minister
Ahead of the historic hosting of the congress in Ghana, the Assemblies of God World Congress delegation, led by the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at his office in Accra.
He was accompanied by the General Secretary, Rev. Albert Anane; the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Rev. Andrews Awintia, and other members of the committee.
Present with the Minister to receive the delegation were the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson; the Chief Director, Khadija Iddrisu, and other senior officials.
The purpose of the visit was to officially inform the government about the 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, and to seek the support of the Ministry in hosting the event.
Rev. Wengam stated that this was the first time the Congress was being held in Africa, and in Ghana.
It also coincides with the presidency of John Dramani Mahama, who is the first member of the church in the country to ascend to the highest office of the land.
The President will therefore open the congress at the Black Star Square on Monday.
The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, stated that the event would bring significant spiritual and economic benefits to the country, especially as it coincides with a time when the sitting President of Ghana is a member of the church.
Rev. Wengam expressed gratitude to President Mahama and the government for their critical support in organising this major event.
He appealed for assistance for international guests at Ghana's embassies abroad to facilitate visa acquisition where necessary.
Rev. Wengam also informed the Foreign Affairs Minister that the former President of Malawi, Rev. Dr Lazarus Chakwera, who is a former General Superintendent of Malawi Assemblies of God, would be in attendance.
Congrats
The Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the World Assemblies of God Fellowship for choosing Ghana and Africa as the host.
Mr Ablakwa acknowledged that the Assemblies of God, as the largest Protestant denomination in the world, has contributed immensely to global evangelisation and peace.
He pledged the government's full support to ensure the success of the congress, stating that President Mahama had directed the ministry to provide all the necessary assistance.
Mr Ablakwa appointed two senior officials of the ministry to serve on the LOC, in addition to a staff member who is already serving on it.
The General Superintendent presented a Bible as a gift to the minister, encouraging him to be guided by the Word of God as he led such an important sector of the country.
Updating members
Earlier last week, Rev. Wengam, the national leadership and the LOC met with about 2,500 leaders of the church to update them on the 10th Triennial World Congress of the Assemblies of God Fellowship.
The briefing at the Cedar Mountain Chapel at East Legon in Accra brought together deacons, deaconesses, and departmental leaders of Assemblies of God, Ghana.
Rev. Wengam specified the roles the laity must play in the success of the World Congress, which is being hosted in Africa for the first time in the 115-year history of Assemblies of God worldwide.
He called on the rank and file of the church to patronise activities lined up for the World Congress “to justify the choice of Ghana, and for that matter, Africa, and ensure the overwhelming success of the historic event.”
With a population of 89.9 million globally, the General Superintendent said Assemblies of God was currently the largest Protestant denomination in the world.
He added that the World Congress would look at strategies to establish one million more churches under the MM33 Agenda to mark 2,000 years of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Bus arrangements
The Vice-Chairman of the LOC, Fred Darko, indicated that every effort was being made to make the congress a world-class event.
Rev. Andrews Awintia also gave a briefing on plans to provide transport for participants.
He said the two administrative regions of the church had designated pick-up points.
Accra East had 67 pick-up points, and Accra West had 64, he told the leaders in the church.
Rev. Awintia said Metro Mass buses would pick up church and non-church members free of charge at 3 p.m. every day to the Accra Sports Stadium, from next Wednesday to Friday.
The return trip is between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Three hotlines have been given to each region.
The Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Kwadwo Boateng Bempah, raised funds to support the Congress budget, asking pastors and members “to seize the moment to provoke the release of financial blessings.”
Rev. Albert Anane led participants to pray for the success of the World Congress.
