African culture is not bad -Presiding Bishop

Juaben (Ash), April 15, GNA- The Most Reverend Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church has told Christians to stop describing African culture as bad. He reminded them that God was capable of using any culture and that "the power of the gospel is able to transform and make every culture better than it used to be".

The Most Rev Aboagye-Mensah was speaking at a four-day Conference of the church held at Juaben in the Ejisu-Juaben district on Thursday. He spoke on the topic: "Mother Tongue and Evangelism - Its Biblical Impact and Current Necessity".

The Presiding Bishop said it was important to appreciate that language, which is the heart of culture serves as a vehicle through which God communicates.

"All languages therefore have equal great value for evangelism and we should not deceive ourselves into believing that the ability to preach in English language is a sign of more anointing. Languages serve identical needs and purposes and are all sacred to God".

The Most Rev Aboagye-Mensah noted that through the use of the mother tongue, people become more receptive to the word of God, saying, "when people recognise that what is unique to them has been accepted, their response is always amazing".

The Presiding Bishop made reference to the first evangelism on the Pentecost Day where the people heard the gospel message in their own mother tongues.

Nana Otuo Serebour II, Omanhene of Juaben Traditional area and a member of the Council of State, noted that the church could win more souls for Christ if they reached the people in the language they understand.

Earlier, the Right Reverend Samuel Agyeman Kwakye, Methodist Bishop of Effiduase asked Christians to let their lives reflect the message they preach.