Assemblies of God Pastors Suspended

The desire of two pastors of the Assemblies of God Church in the Garu-Tempane district of the Upper East region to join politics have landed them into trouble as they have been shown the exit.

The two men of God were suspended indefinitely after they had filed to contest as Assembly Members in the just ended district Assembly elections.

The two, Reverend John Akolbugri and Emmanuel Asungi until their suspension, served as presiding pastors for Zambala and Kpinkparugu branches of the Assemblies of God church respectively.

The Lead has learnt that Rev. Akolbugri for the past sis (6) years was the pastor for the Zambala branch. Rev. Asungi on the other hand, had been at post for only a year.

Luckily for the men of God, they both emerged victorious in the elections in their respective electoral areas.

Rev. John Akolbugri won the single slot at Zambala electoral area while Rev. Emmanuel Asungi picked the Kpinkparugu slot.

Confirming the suspension of the pastors, the outgoing district pastor for the Garu-Tempane district, Rev. Amos Ayaaba defended the decision of the church stating that their suspension was in line with the church’s constitution.

He said the two pastors’ breached page 40 of the Assemblies of God constitution.

He said the provision forbade Assemblies of God pastors from engaging in active politics.

He described the act of the two pastors as ungodly adding, “They deserved the punishment meted out to them”.

One of the suspended pastors, Rev. Akolbugri told this paper that the district Assembly election is non partisan and wondered why the church took such action against them. He said he and his colleague “have been suspended by men and not by God”.

Meanwhile, The Lead has gathered that the youth in the district are worried over the development. Some of them told this paper that the Assemblies of God church has over the years been sacking its members. They said the dismissals contradict the teaching of Christ, “Let God Judge “, some of them furiously remarked.