Sports would make church attractive to youth - Reverend

Accra, Sept 17, GNA - Rev. Kweku Hazel, Head Pastor of the Tesano Baptist Church on Sunday encouraged churches to encourage and court the interest of young people by including sporting activities in their programmes.

Rev. Hazel said engaging in sports was also a medium through which members of the various churches could come together and unite as Christians.

Rev Hazel was speaking to the GNA Sports at the El-Wak Sports stadium in Accra where various sporting events were held by the church to mark its 30th anniversary. The games included football, volley, tug of war and racing and were participated by more than ten branches of the Church. Rev Hazel said young people had a lot of energy that needed to be well channelled and groomed. The Head Pastor said the youth would not only benefit from the discipline that goes with sports but also the teachings of the church so as to turn them away from acts of indiscipline such as immorality and crime.

He said the organisation of competitive games such as football on regular and bases between different churches could go a long way to unite the Christian flock. Rev Hazel said this unity could be achieved when they interacted with each other to also make friends adding that, "as Christians we may only be divided by name but we are basically pursuing one course." He urged Christians to exercise regularly because a sound body and mind could also enhance their ability to serve God. The celebration begun last month and is expected to end by early October.

Other activities lined up for the celebration include a float, quiz, medical mission, musical show and church services. 17 Sept 05