General News of Sunday, 27 March 2005

Source: GNA

Christians "search" for resurrected Jesus

Takoradi, March 27, GNA - Several Churches within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis at dawn on Sunday went on processions through some principal streets "looking for" the resurrected Jesus. Amidst the playing of brass band music, dancing and shouts of hallelujah! Hallelujah! Jesus is risen the jubilant Christians preached on the resurrection as well.

The Reverend Emmanuel Ansah, Minister in Charge of the Christian Calvary Church at Anaji, said the resurrection of Jesus is of great importance to Christianity and all efforts must be made to maintain ones faith in him.

He said the dancing, shouting and search for Jesus was only meant to demonstrate the role some early Christians played in spreading the Gospel.

Rev. Ansah said it was sad that several people still doubted the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and charged Christians to pray for such people.

He said Easter is the main event of Christianity and should not be underestimated by anybody.

Members of the Christ the King Methodist Church also at Anaji Estates who under took a similar exercise, sung hymns, clapped, danced and waved their handkerchiefs to the risen Lord. Led by Madam Margaret Rose-Tetteh, the Society Steward she said the value of ones Christian principles should be based on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. She said most often, people who have not encountered Jesus use derogatory words to describe his birth, which are factually not true. Madam Rose-Tetteh said believers should speak out against evil in all forms, avoid acts that could expose them to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and engage in fruitful discussions, debates and competitions. She charged Christians to explain Easter to anybody who doubted its significance.

Preaching on the theme "The Lord shall send the rod of your strength out of Zion", Rev. Samuel Owusu-Ansah, Western Regional "A' pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CAC) said ones power for daily living could only be achieved through Christ. He said Christians should stand, pray for the nation, friends, relations and even criminals.

Rev. Owusu-Ansah appealed to Ghanaians to allow the government to implement the Positive Change Chapter two and "correct them if they go wrong".

He said it would be sad for sections of the populace to condemn every action of the government, adding, such an act would mean sabotaging the government.

"If we fight the President, we are fighting the entire nation since he is our leader" he stressed adding that dialogue and negotiations should be used in addressing issues of governance. The use of force, demonstrations and other such tricks could not achieve the needed results for the country.