Easter Convention - A.G Church in Italy at Vicenza

The National Field Director of Assemblies of God Church in Italy (African Community), Rev. Joe Amanfu, has said the direction of Christians faith is what will bring the direction of Jesus Christ unto their lives. He made the statement whilst preaching before a big congregation of the Church at a Easter Convention in Dueville, a suburb of the city Vicenza.

The Church with over 24 branches in Italy enjoyed the day with songs of praise, worship and the Word of God. This was after a two-day retreat of Pastors, Deacons and Departmental Leaders of the Church which involved fasting, prayers and teaching sessions taken on by Rev. Robert Hughes (Lazio Regional Superintendent).

Rev. Joe Amanfu before his Word of Exhortation had his message to the Church read by Rev. Patrick Boakye (National Secretary). He urged the congregation to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith. “There is a price for being identified with Jesus,” his message said, also saying the Apostle Paul mentioned that, along with the great treasures the Christian must face hardships and discouragement. “It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture, however, we are not alone; there’s a helper. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity, it develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet.” The theme for the year celebration is: “Be changed into another Man, for the Spirit of God has come upon you,” – I Samuel 10:6 (paraphrased).

In his sermon the National Field Director, whose topic was:‘Purpose of the Holy Spirit’, brought the Biblical story in I Kings 18 which spoke about Elijah (God’s prophet) and the prophets of the gods of Baal and Asherah saying when Christians fail to notice the purpose of the Holy Spirit it leads to deception. “The ‘fire’ of God is very important in our our life, it shows and proves to us that God’s purpose is real,” he noted. His powerful sermon kept many of the congregation on their feet. What distinguishes or separate the follower of Christ and an unbeliever, he also added, is the Holy Spirit. “If the Holy Spirit is not there, there’s no God. Never be afraid of the enemy and his plans because you have a God that is always on your side,” he told them. Talking much deeper into what the Christian must do, Rev. Amanfu, cautioned they must not confront the enemy with emptyness and that there’s the need to pray intensively to change situations. “What can replace the fire in you (the Holy Spirit) is Fear,” he again emphasised, adding: “the fire of God is what the enemy cannot counterfeit. God has given us the fire to confront situations we face. Fireless prayers will not save anybody, any soul or turn situations around”, he said in the concluding part of his sermon.

At the service were Pastors and Deacons of branches of the Church, among them were: Rev. Daniel Adu Boahene (National Vice Field Director), Rev. Joseph B. Donkor (Emilia Romagna Regional Superintendent), Rev. Stephen Antwi Manu (Veneto/Fruili Regional Superintendent) Rev. Ralph Ekow Yawson (Lombardia Regional Superintendent), Rev. Israel Egede, Pastor Ofori Asante. Pastor William Dapaah, Pastor Abraham Akpor Sowah, Pastor Sampson Opoku Baafi, Pastor (Mrs.)Harriete Amanfu, Pastor (Mrs.)Jean Adu Boahene. A good will message for the Easter from Rev. Paul Frimpong Manso (General Superintendent of A.G Church in Ghana) was read to the congregation. The A.G Church (African Community) is a member of Assemblies of God Church in Italy (‘Assemblea di Dio in Italia’) and the Mission Evangelical in Ghana (ADI-MEG).

- Reggie Tagoe in Vicenza, Italy (rtagoe@live.com)