The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has advised church leaders to seek the peace and prosperity of the nation, especially during an election year.
“When the economy in our nation grows, the churches will also grow. So, seek the peace and prosperity of the land because if it has peace, you too will have peace. We should not excuse ourselves from working for the good of our country because God has linked our peace with its peace, our prosperity with its prosperity,” he said.
The GPCC President made this appeal on Tuesday, February 14, 2024, during the 2024 Heads of Churches and Organisations Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, when he delivered a sermon on the topic “The Church: God’s Instrument for Peace and Transformation.”
Drawing from Ephesians 3:1-10, Apostle Nyamekye stressed that “God’s intent is that His wisdom will be made known to rulers and forces that govern nations. We are God’s strategic community to bring transformation to societies. We do that so we can salvage our nations to God. The church isn’t an end in itself; it is a means to an end.”
He further quoted John Baker, saying, “Religion is an escape mechanism to suffering.” He reminded the congregation that “When you are born again, it doesn’t insulate you against suffering. But we came to Jesus because he takes away the sins of the world. Jesus has plans for us. All the plans are wrapped up in his Word.”
The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost urged Christians to focus on God’s plans for them rather than being preoccupied with what the devil has against them. He said, “Our future is better than our now because the scripture is true. Go back to the simplicity of the gospel. Christianity is a relationship with Christ.”
Referencing Jeremiah 28:2-4, 10, 15, 17, he encouraged Christians to increase in number, even in foreign lands, and not to be deceived by false prophets. He said, “Life is real, there are no easy roads. As long as the earth remains, there will be planting time and harvest time.”
He also urged Christians to seek the peace and prosperity of their land, saying, “When the economy in our nation grows, the churches will also grow. So, seek the peace and prosperity of the land because if it has peace, you too will have peace. We should not excuse ourselves from working for the good of our country because God has linked our peace with its peace, our prosperity with its prosperity. Churches are strategic partners to bring transformation to the nations.”
Apostle Nyamekye concluded his sermon by reminding the congregation of their role in society.
“We are persons in community. We are shaped in many ways by the environment we find ourselves. Corrupt social structures will make life difficult for all of us. Ministry should be part of society, if we do not care about our society, the devil will have a ‘field day’. Mere independence from colonial rule does not solve our problems. Whether we will enjoy God’s providence depends on how we manage what He has freely given. When we do not manage what He has entrusted to us, we corrupt it and eventually lose it”, he bemoaned.
Apostle Nyamekye further addressed the issue of corruption, stating, “Corruption is a human activity. We all need to help in creating environments in our spheres of operation that will be hostile to corruption.”
He identified incompetence and greed as the two key problems leading to mismanagement and corruption.
He outlined the devastating effects of corruption, saying, “Corruption results in poverty, lack of development, diseases, premature deaths, hopelessness, unemployment. Corruption is a social danger; it facilitates environmental degradation. It destroys nations, future, it undermines honesty and hard work. It also favours the privileged few.”
In his call to action, Apostle Nyamekye urged Christians to move away from corrupt practices and to pray for those who seek the peace of the nation.
He concluded by saying, “The key to the nation’s development lies in the character of its people.”
He emphasised the importance of personal integrity and character in nation-building and societal transformation.
