Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - The Assemblies of God Church on Sunday crowned its 75th anniversary celebrations at a mammoth thanksgiving service in Accra with the leadership calling on Ghanaians, especially politicians to shed the canker of mistrust which seemed to have engulfed the country.

Giving his anniversary message, the Reverend William Dontoh, the General Superintendent of the Church in Ghana said, "There is too much suspicion of one another, especially on political lines," which, he said, was engendering the polarization of the system.

He said: "Let the opposition trust that government has the interest of the nation at heart in whatever it does and let government also equally trust that whatever criticism the opposition offers, it is doing so in the interest of the nation.

"If we see each other this way, we will be building a healthy society and creating a congenial atmosphere for growth and development," Rev Dontoh explained.

He said we are living in challenging times, and therefore if one was not careful, he would focus on the problems and the difficult times, complaining and murmuring as the Israelites did and never enter the Promised Land.

"Instead, let us remember the magnanimity of God towards the Church and our dear nation, Ghana".

On Ghana's selection to access the US Millennium Challenge Account, Rev Dontoh said the country needed to remember that her development demands more than just accessing such windfalls but how to channel such aids with the right attitude towards work and politics.

"At age 49, Ghana is of age. This must reflect in our attitude and commitment to work, the way we talk and do things especially politics," he said.

Touching on the Middle East crisis, the General Superintendent said, in as much as it serves as a reminder of the second coming of Christ, it also meant that people could no longer trust the political and economic systems in their countries.

Rev Dontoh called on all Churches to embark on a crusade and campaign to effect attitudinal change in the citizenry and said if that was done, poverty, diseases, and corruption which were hampering the drive to becoming a middle income nation would be surmounted. He said there is hope for the future and that times of revival and refreshing were ahead for God's people.

Representing government, Papa Owusu Ankoma, Minister of Education, Science and Sports congratulated the Church for chalking several successes, describing it as one of the dominant Pentecostal Churches in the country.

He said the Assemblies of God has remained faithful and committed to its societal responsibilities and urged all Christians not to compromise the tenets of their faith in times of difficulty and challenges. Papa Owusu-Ankoma reiterated government's recognition of the Church as partner in national development and urged it to continue to play its spiritual and material responsibilities for the common good of the country.

He said Churches should be seen as pushing forward programmes of national nature such as the NHIS and the school feeding programme by using the podium to address them when the opportunity offered itself. Delivering the sermon on the anniversary theme: "Declare His Goodness", Rev. Paul Weaver, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, UK said a nation did not attain greatness by its abundance resources, but by the recognition and exhortation of God's greatness. He said, "If a nation wants to prosper, it must seek the face of God and that is attained through righteous leadership." Rev. Weaver said it was only God's goodness that held the key for prosperity and life, which embraces kindness, good deeds and pure thoughts.

He gave a biblical meaning to the colours of Ghana's Flag saying, "The red signifies the blood of Jesus, the yellow, the deity of God, the green, His prosperity and goodness and the black Star, the star of the celebration of Jesus.

With a current total membership of over 800,000, the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, which started from Yendi in Northern Region is said to be the first among the Pentecostal Churches to propagate the gospel of Christ with the Pentecostal experience and practice in Ghana. Today, it is present in every urban centre and many rural communities in Ghana.

The worldwide family of the Church now numbers nearly 53 million, worshiping in over 236,022 Churches and in about 212 countries.