Pastor Chris K. Lambert, Director of Evangelism of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA), says it is about time members of the church extended material support to the communities.

“We need to go out there into homes, the streets and the society to assist people who are in need.

“They need the word of God, yes, but first they need food, clothing, shelter, healing whilst they need spiritual, psychological counsel and care, and then we can ask them to follow us,” he said.

Pastor Lambert who is also the Director of Personal Ministries, (Men’s Ministries, Community Services, VOP) Sabbath School, Stewardship, Strategic Planning and Trust Service – SGC, made the remarks in a sermon at the launch of the 2015 Community Service by the South Ghana Conference of the SDA in Accra.

He said this was Jesus’ ministry when he was here on earth and it is His method that would give Christians true success in reaching the people.

“Our expectation of is to see our members becoming men of influence in the communities, and our churches becoming centres of influence.”

Pastor Lambert said this could be achieved if all people in the church accept the challenge of becoming good stewards in the society they fellowship.

He said there are people in the communities who first are into drugs, armed robbery, raping and other vices and need deliverance.

He said: “Our regularly attendance at church is not enough. We need to go beyond that by visiting, praying and giving hope to community members in the spirit of the Lord. This is what the Lord Jesus thought us to do.”

Pastor Lambert called on the congregation to show love and make sacrifices by spending their time, money and strength for the salvation of others while advising them to eschew hatred, envy and gossip.

He said as Christians they should perceive everyone as unique human and accord the person the necessary support.

He said they could do these things by emulating the Good Samaritan in the Bible.

“Let us always follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ to preach peace to influence the community positively,” he said.

Pastor S.O.T. Hammond, Chairman of the occasion announced that the South Ghana Conference of the SDA is mobilising funds to support the Kaneshie Polyclinic with equipment.