Institute policies for the needy - Pastors urged

Professor Seth A Laryea, former President of the Valley View University has urged newly ordained Pastors of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, South Ghana Conference, to institute proactive policies to help the unemployed and the needy in their respective churches.

Prof. Laryea expressed concern about the sources of funds of most churches in the country, which comes from the pockets of the poor in society, adding that, when the youth are empowered and assisted to gain employment, they will not relent in supporting the activities of the church.

Speaking at a sermon on Saturday in Accra, at the ordination service of 10 newly-ordained Pastors, Prof. Laryea said the essence of Christianity is to have a complete ministry of social, physical, spiritual and mental fortitude.

He said most Churches emphasize on the spiritual life of members without looking at the other sides, especially the wellbeing of members and the youth who are the future of the nation.

Prof. Laryea said there is the need for Churches to be united and empower its members to help in skills development and job creation, and that, the issue of unemployment should not always be left in the hands of government.

He urged the newly-ordained Pastors to be strong and committed to the service of the ministry, adding that, it behooves on them to live a life that will bring more souls to God’s kingdom in preparation of the second coming of Christ.

Prof. Laryea said their ordination is an “invitation to sound a trumpet of announcing their presence to the world that they are chosen vessels of God to spread the good news and encourage Christians to live a life pleasing to God.”

He said the calling of the pastors is an invitation to feed the flock with the word of God and not allow them go astray, especially in these challenging moments, urging them to learn to feed the people with the truth.

Prof. Laryea urged the Pastors to live a life of Christ and always seek the grace of God for strength to walk their talk because they are the spokespersons of Christ.

Pastor Gabriel Nsiah, one of the the newly ordained pastors thanked all who helped in diverse ways to make the ordination a success, adding that, work comes with sacrifice and urged all to pray for them to stand the test of any temptation on their path.

The leadership of the Church prayed for the new-ordained pastors and presented them with certificates of ordination for their ministry.

The newly –ordained pastors include Pastor Ransford Osafo Gyasi, from Bawjiase District, Pastor Samuel Kyei Baffour from Breman Asikuma District, Pastor Theodore Gyamfi of Accra East District, Pastor Greg Davis of Legon-Madina District and Pastor Ebenezer Appiah of Afienya/Asahiman District.

The rest are Pastor Edward Okyere of Kasoa East District, Pastor Daniel Sarpong of Awutu District, Pastor Gabriel Nsiah from Valley View University, Pastor George Geli from Kpando District and Pastor Jonas Darko from Assin Bereku District.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, with emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ. Currently, Adventists hold 28 fundamental beliefs that can be organized into six categories—the doctrines of God, man, salvation, the church, the Christian life and last day events. In each teaching, God is the architect, who in wisdom, grace and infinite love, is restoring a relationship with humanity that will last for eternity.