By Michael Foli Jackidy
Peki-Dzake (V/R), July 27, GNA – Presbyter Samuel Dagadu, President of the West Volta Presbytery Presbyters Union, says the Union’s annual retreat strengthens presbyters’ leadership capacity to effectively support the growth and governance of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana.
He said the 18th Retreat and Leadership Training, held at Peki-Dzake, brought together presbyters from across the country, including Accra and its surrounding areas, to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to enhance their leadership roles in the Church.
“Presbyters form the third arm of leadership in the Church, alongside pastors and catechists, and we play a critical role in governing and guiding the Church. Without continuous capacity building, we cannot discharge our responsibilities effectively,”
Presbyter Dagadu said at the closing ceremony on Sunday. He expressed satisfaction with the training, saying participants had been inspired and re-energised by the resource persons who facilitated the various sessions.
“When we return home, things will be different. Those who came here have acquired knowledge that they will share with others. Through them, those who could not attend will also benefit, and we believe there will be positive change in our lives and service to the Church,” he said.
Presbyter Dagadu said the Union had adopted the practice of leaving a lasting impact wherever it organised its programmes.
As part of that commitment, it undertook a donation project at the Peki Seminary and presented a large polytank to the host church to support its water supply.
He appealed to church leaders and members to pay greater attention to retaining young people in the Church, stressing that they were vital to the future growth and sustainability of the denomination.
Although efforts were being made to nurture children through catechism and other church programmes, he said more needed to be done to ensure they remained committed to members of the Church.
“As Presbyterians, we cannot raise our children only to lose them to other churches when we need them most. We must train and nurture them in a way that will encourage them to remain in the Church and contribute to its continued growth,” he said.
Rev. Michael Kungu, Synod Moderator of the Western Presbytery, in a sermon, urged presbyters to remain committed to their calling and work together to strengthen the Church.
He reminded them that their calling as presbyters began with their baptism and encouraged them to grow spiritually like the mustard seed, which starts small but grows into something great. “Our children need to grow step by step like the mustard seed.
The Church, which began in 1847, continues to grow, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that it becomes a strong force in the world,” Rev. Kungu said.
Using the biblical parable of the net, he reminded members that their commitment and service to the Church would determine their place in God’s kingdom. He encouraged presbyters, pastors and members to remain prayerful, do the right things and faithfully discharge their responsibilities to promote the continued growth of the Church.
Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Peter Yao Nkrumah, who chaired the closing ceremony, congratulated participants on successfully completing the training and urged them to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen the Church.
He said the sermon served as a reminder that every member had a responsibility to develop themselves and contribute to the growth of the Church. “We have a duty to hold the Church together and help it grow. We must continue to support the Church and contribute to its progress,” he said.:”
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu