Religion of Saturday, 29 June 2024

Source: otecfmghana.com

Assemblies of God leadership calls for calm amidst protest by Bohyen-Adumanu branch

Members protesting the induction of new pastor Members protesting the induction of new pastor

The General Council of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, has called for peace at the Abundant Life Assemblies of God Ghana in Bohyen Adumanu, Ashanti region.

The call is to calm tensions that have arisen between the members and the leadership of the Assemblies of God Ashanti West over the appointment of a new Head Pastor.

Reports indicate that the members want the Associate Pastor, Rev. Bismark Opoku, whose mandate expired in 2023 alongside the head pastor, Rev. S. Y. Manu, to become the head pastor.

This came after the Assemblies of God Ashanti West failed to resolve the issue, leading to a subsequent petition by Abundant Life A/G to the General Council.

The Council eventually appointed a new head pastor after deliberations.

In resolving the issue, the leadership of Assemblies of God Ashanti West cited Section 11, 6 of the Constitution and Bye-Laws of A/G, Ghana.

The section states, "The services of an Associate or Assistant shall end when the services of the Pastor-in-charge cease; subject, however, to his re-engagement at the discretion of the incoming Pastor and the District Pastor."

In response, the local church members, as stakeholders, urged the leadership of the Assemblies of God Ashanti West to respect their views and maintain Rev. Bismack Opoku as the head pastor.

During a press conference at the Office of the Assemblies of God Ashanti West in Kwadaso Nsuom on Thursday, the General Council of the church issued a statement assuring urgent actions to address the situation.

The statement, signed by the General Secretary Rev. Dr. Ernest Birikorang, emphasized the Biblical injunction to "make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

The statement was read on behalf of the General Council of Assemblies of God Ghana by its PRO, Ronald Affail Monney.

"The Executive Presbytery emphasizes that nothing should be done at this point in the history of Assemblies of God Ghana to sidetrack or undermine its core agenda to 'Send the Light' to every village, town, and city of the country with the sole intention to win more souls for Christ and to dispel sources of darkness in society," the statement concluded.