Tema, Dec. 18, GNA – Members of the Conference of Baptist International Churches (CBIC) have been urged to emulate the selfless leadership of the late Bishop Francis Conong Oteng, the Founder and former Presiding Bishop of the Church.
The Reverend Dr Ellen Nelly Oteng, a Minister at the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary of America, and daughter of the late Bishop, said the good works of Bishop Conong Oteng for the Church and mankind should guide the present generation to give of their best to advance God’s work.
Rev. Dr Oteng was speaking at the burial service in Tema for Bishop Conong Oteng, who passed on in April, this year.
Describing him as the architect behind the expansion of the church in Ghana and the USA, she said paving the way and leading disciples to a reformed life was certainly not the call for all mankind.
“It is not for the lazy or the faint-hearted but for the strong-willed, the committed and the longsuffering,” she said.
“He was a man of vision. In his lifetime, he travelled and took the Church to greater heights thus giving it international connections and impactful visibility through ecumenical connections.’’
The late Bishop Conong Oteng pioneered the establishment of branches of the church in many towns and communities in the country.
He pioneering work began in Kumasi, where the mission received tremendous support from people from all walks of life.
Rev. Dr Oteng said the missionary exploits of her father were outstanding and unequalled adding that the popularity of the Church grew even stronger with the opening of more branches in the USA.
“Indeed the church’s expansion in Ghana was rapid surpassing its growth in other countries.”
“He was selfless and committed to the spiritual training and guidance of all the ministers who worked with him”.
An autobiography of the Bishop, titled: “The Bishop from Aboabo Sonkor,” was launched during the service.
The 90-page book talks about a historical background of his parents and childhood challenges, obstacles and how he overcame them, and his call to ministry while pursuing his teaching career.