Pastors should help unite society and calm tension

Kumasi, Feb 16, GNA - The President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Rev Kinsley Appiagyei, appealed to his colleagues in the Gospel Ministry to provide leadership to unite society and calm social tension. They should help the people to be at peace not only with themselves and God but also with their neighbours. To do this, they should be trusted, honest and accountable - real embodiment of cherished Christian values.

He was speaking at a special service held by the Amakom Grace Baptist Church to mark 25 years that its head pastor, the Rev Dr Kojo Osei-Wusu, has served in the Church's Ministry. The Rev Appiagyei, who also heads the Trinity Baptist Church, London, urged pastors to remain focused on the job of turning people away from evil.

He criticized what he said had become the message of "materialism" from the Church and that this needed to change. "You have a pattern and an example to live, set a path for others to follow as well as not to be moved by circumstances in the course of performing your duties."

He praised the Rev Dr Osei-Wusu for his courage and fortitude that helped in the establishment of the Baptist University and other educational institutions by the church. The Church in a citation applauded Rev Dr Osei-Wusu for selflessness, initiative and drive. Under his watch, 22 branches of the church had been established, a credit union, library and a non-governmental organization known as CEFORCE set up to provide counselling services and financial support for the needy in society. The Rev Dr Osei-Wusu thanked the church for its support without which he could not have carried through with these projects.