More than 20 branches of Assemblies of God Church in Italy (African Community) converged in the main bowl of ‘Centro Sport Palladio’ (a Sport Complex) in the city Vicenza to celebrate this year’s Easter.
A 3-day retreat of the Church began on Easter Friday when Pastors, Deacons and Departmental Leaders came together for prayer sessions and lectures on the year’s theme: ’Seeking a Double Portion of the Spirit for the Kingdom Service’ (2 Kings 2:9-10).
Guest speaker on the topic was Terry Peretti – an International Missionary based in Rome.
The third day on Easter Sunday welcomed all members of the church from various cities at which an outpouring of praise and worship marked the day’s event. Among the large congregation were Sri Lanka nationals and Italians – invited by members of the church. It was the fourth consecutive meeting for the Easter Convention on the annual calendar of the church hosted at ‘Centro Sport Palladio’ and the joy, overwhelming spirit and power of
God was enormous as the church choir provided a congenial atmosphere for such an event with soul-touching gospel songs. Many hearts were touched, the sick and people who want to have Christ in their life were prayed for, they danced, shouted to glorify God and got a message home.
Addressing the congregation, Rev. Joe Amanfu, (Head Pastor and Field Director of the
Church) said in the church’s 16 years existence, the Lord of the Church and Saviour of the body has been gracious and faithful. “We have waited upon Him, He has renewed our strength as we ran with the gospel across the length and breadth of this country. We did not faint nor did we become weary and throw in the towel, it’s just by His Grace,” he mentioned.
The Field Director also thanked God for bringing the church thus far in its works with the influence and impact made in Italy. He noted that the theme selected for the year’s Easter is a challenge to members of the church to redouble their efforts at fulfilling God-given commission, to win souls and disciples for the church. “Our emphasis therefore is to seek, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to manifest the supernatural,” he told the congregation and enjoining them to use the occasion to reflect on the theme to seek God’s face for the outpour of the Spirit for revival which is the panacea for the challenges confronting the church and nations today.
The sermon for the day was given by Rev. Adu Boahene (Vice Field Director of the Church) in which he asked those called by God for His Ministry to take steps to learn about the work they have been commissioned to do. He focused his Word of Exhortation taking the story of
Elisha and Elijah and called on Christians to have knowledge of the work they want to get into. “God impacts knowledge and gives you opportunity to look into yourself, for you know you must learn through steps,” he said, adding: “it’s not the office that matters but the work in
Present at the service were Regional Head Pastors and National Leaders of the church, among them Rev. Patrick Boakye (National Gen. Secretary), Rev. Roland Aggrey Jnr.
(National Treasurer), Rev. Ralph Ekow Yawson (Lombardia Regional Superintendent), Rev.
Antwi Manu Stephen (Veneto/Friuli Regional Superintendent, Rev. Joseph B. Donkor (Emilia
Romagna Regional Superintendent) and a host of Pastors, Deacons and Departmental
Leaders in the various branches of the church.
The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church in Ghana, Rev. (Dr.) Paul
Frimpong Manso, goodwill message to the church was read at the end of the service.
