Tema Bethel Methodist Church marks golden jubilee
The Methodist Church Ghana, Bethel Society, has celebrated its golden jubilee with a call on its members to continue its quest of raising disciples for the Lord.
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The Bishop of the Tema Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt Rev. Samuel Ofori-Akyea, who made the call at the 50th anniversary thanksgiving service yesterday, said as part of the strategic growth plan, the church intended to increase its membership not just in numbers but also in substance and urged congregants in the Tema Diocese to play a critical role in the evangelism drive.
Members of the church, adorned in their anniversary cloth, sang songs of praise to God and made merry for all He had done for them in the past 50 years.
The theme for the anniversary was: "Bethel at 50, moving forward for Divine transformation and growth".
History
From a humble beginning under a shed at Community 8, Tema, Bethel Society nurtured by the St Paul Methodist Church, Community One, has over the years contributed immensely to the spiritual growth, social and economic empowerment of the people in its catchment area and beyond.
Rt Rev. Ofori-Akyea in an interview called on Parliament to speed up the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill into law.
The Bishop said irrespective of the subtle influence coming from some foreign partners and threats to withhold funding, among other things, the practice of LGBTQI+ was something that was frowned on by the cultural practices, as well as religious beliefs in Ghana; hence, it must not be allowed to fester.
He, therefore, encouraged Parliament to fast-track the process of passing the bill into law.
Youth
Rt Rev. Ofori-Akyea also bemoaned the gambling and betting addiction among the youth which he said had severe consequences for younger individuals.
He urged parents to instil in their children a sense of discipline worthy of emulation and also advise their children on the risks of gambling, betting and cyber fraud, among others.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo, in a goodwill message read on his behalf by the General Director for Ministries, Very Rev. Dr William Mpere-Gyekye, urged the youth and children of the society to learn of the faith and commitment of the elderly in the activities and history of the church.
He also called on the leadership of the church at all levels to take time to teach the young to uphold the cherished traditions of the church.
Social, spiritual impact
The Superintendent Minister of the Tema North Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, Very Rev. Emmanuel Ohene-Gyimah, said the church had used its evangelical drive to transform lives and elevated human standards among its members and the communities, leading to the establishment of other Methodist societies at other places.
The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Jonathan E. Inkoom, said having chalked up successes over the years, the church deemed it expedient to celebrate its golden jubilee with a year-long programme, which started in February this year, with many activities.
Mr Inkoom said the legacy project for the celebration was the acquisition of a new bus to aid the spiritual, economic and social work of the church.
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