Use your calling to promote unity - Veep tells Clergy
The Vice-President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, has asked the clergy to use their calling to promote national unity and not as an arsenal for division.
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He said religion had played a major role in the advancement of the nation but it could at the same time be used as a tool for destruction for which reason he underscored the need for the leadership of church to preserve the sanctity of their calling.
Mr Amissah-Arthur made the call when he opened the 42nd convention of the general council meeting of the Church of Pentecost at Gomoa-Fetteh in the Central Region yesterday.
The four-day convention, which has the theme: “Hearing and Obeying the Lord’s Voice in my Generation”, has assembled leaders of the church from across the country to deliberate on issues relating to advancing the cause of the church.
Living the Word
Addressing the convention that was well attended by the clergy and members of the Church of Pentecost, the Vice-President made reference to the theme, saying it was not enough to hear the voice of God but also doing what the voice said.
Sounding Biblical, he stated that it was necessary for all to be treated equally since God himself did not discriminate, adding that the quality of a good leader was love and equal treatment for all.
Mr Amissah-Arthur underscored the need for the citizenry to live in peace, adding, “Each of us has a duty to play a part in maintaining the integrity of the nation for Ghana to develop in peace and harmony.”
He quoted Biblical scriptures bothering on living in a peaceful co-existence, underscoring the need for all Ghanaians to keep the peace ahead of the general election this year.
Exploits of the church
Earlier, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah, in his state of the church address, put the membership of the church in Ghana at 2,208,509.
He said the church was operating in 90 countries with a spread in 2,000 districts and 18,934 local assemblies worldwide.
Apostle Onyinah spoke about the excellent exploits by some members of the church, including those who received awards and appointments in 2015.
National development
Turning the spotlight on the church’s contribution to national development, the apostle said the church continued to partner the state in many sectors, including education, health and the promotion of peace.
In the education and health sectors, he said the church as of December 2015 owned and operated 83 schools including basic, senior high, vocational and technical schools, adding that during the same period the church operated seven clinics and one hospital.
Election 2016
Apostle Onyinah called on Ghanaians to facilitate and pursue a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the 2016 elections.
He urged the government to ensure free and fair elections and commended the role opposition parties had played over the years, especially the presidential candidates who graciously accepted the results.
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