The outgoing Lay President of the Methodist Church Ghana, Kwasi Attah-Antwi, has urged the leadership of the church to intentionally and holistically empower the youth to sustain the growth and development of the church.
“The church is just always one generation away from decline if it fails to properly invest both physically and spiritually in its young people”, he stressed.
He said the future generation was currently in Sunday schools, some of whom may grow to become future Bishops, Lay Presidents, and Evangelists, saying, “undoubtedly, today’s youth are the future of the church and we must therefore support them to grow”.
Valedictory service
Mr Attah-Antwi made the remarks while delivering the sermon on the theme: “Keep the fire of good works burning” at his valedictory service at the Wesley Cathedral in Kumasi last Sunday, to mark the end of his tenure as the ninth Lay President of the church.
Making references from the Bible, he said Apostle Paul invested in Timothy while Jesus Christ also invested in His disciples and said: “We must necessarily invest in our children and the youth towards the growth of God’s ministry”.
“We must not merely admire our youth but rather empower, mentor and trust them.
It is important to release them into ministry,” he said, adding, “if we fail to pass on the flame to them, the fire in the next generation will definitely grow dim”.
He said, “If we intentionally disciple the next generation, the flame will continue to burn long after we are gone”.
Love, forgiveness
He said no congregation could fulfil its mission while carrying wounds that had never been healed, stressing “no Christian can fully serve God while refusing to forgive.
When forgiveness flows, unity grows and when unity grows, the ministry flourishes”.
Message to new President
He admonished the incoming lay president to lead courageously, prayerfully, humbly and with love. Exemplary leadership
The Presiding Bishop, Methodist By Daniel Akwasi Nuako. Bibiani y Daniel Akwasi Nuako. Bibiani Church Ghana, Most Rev. Professor Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, thanked the outgoing Lay President for his exemplary leadership and contributions towards the growth of the church during his tenure.
“We will continue to work together and pray that God himself will build His own church as we seek to serve Him”, he stressed.
Speaking through the Nkwantakesehene, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, who represented him at the event, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, commended Mr Attah-Antwi for his outstanding contributions towards the church’s forward march of the church.
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