President Mills‘s Top Secret Trip To T.B. Joshua in Nigeria
11th January 2009 was a historic day at the T.B. Joshua‘s Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Nigeria, as a special thanksgiving service was held in honour of His Excellency, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the President of the Republic of Ghana.
On the first Sunday of His presidency, the newly elected President, who has been a close friend of T.B. Joshua and The SCOAN for over 10 years, came to glorify God for his election victory.
The crowd erupted in cheers as T.B. Joshua entered the cathedral accompanied by His Excellency, President John Evans Atta Mills and ushered him to his seat.
The President was welcomed with a beautiful song composed and sung by The SCOAN choristers, titled, “This Is Your Day”. The song lyrics: “It’s Your Day Atta Mills. The Day You’ve Always Dreamed Of Remember To Make God’s Word The Standard For Your Life”, touched the heart of the new president who stood with his head bowed, later commenting that, “What I’ve seen today is a rather humbling experience for me”.
T.B. Joshua’s first words to a silent congregation were, “Jesus is the Head of the house”. After welcoming the President, T.B. Joshua gave a congratulatory message. He began by reading the scripture, Hebrews 6:19 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ”
Addressing the President directly, T.B. Joshua said, “The impressive turnout of our great nation, Ghana, for the inauguration of His Excellency indicated that Ghanaians are hopeful of your government and the Bible says here, Jesus is our Hope. Jesus, this hope is the anchor of our souls, that is, expands the scope of forgiveness, mercy, peace.”
He continued, “Hope comes when we have total dependence on God, that is, when God is the only thing for us, Then God gives power to rule the nation”. T.B. Joshua emphasised the importance of encouraging charitable organisations, those who spend more on others and less on themselves. “These people should be encouraged. They will reach the grass roots”, he said.
He commended the nation of Ghana for the fair and free election, saying, “A true government is mirrored through conducting a free and fair election which will live after you”.
Finally, the man of God encouraged the President that, just as in the case of Joseph in the Bible, the hard times that Joseph had gone through were to preserve him. Referring to the president’s exigent journey to the ‘throne’, he said, “The hard times you went through, I mean your dry pit, I mean your Potiphar’s house, I mean your prison condition, were God’s own way of preserving you for the glory ahead”. The man of God then beckoned tue President, welcoming him to the pulpit to stand at his side and address the congregation and viewers.
With a smile of appreciation, President John Evans Atta Mills gave glory to God for the outstanding occasion and made clear his close and longstanding relationship with T.B. Joshua:
“I want to thank the Almighty for making it possible for me to be here this morning to take part in this thanksgiving service. I am no stranger to the Synagogue. Indeed, I have been coming here very regularly and I’ve known the man of God for more than 10 years.
Now, if there is anybody who does not believe in God, I would say that our election should change that persons mind and make them believe in God, We prayed for peace, stability and unity for our dear nation before, during and after the election. We cried to God because He is our Creator and the Provider of all these. God gave us more than we asked for”.
T.B. Joshua then led the congregation and viewers worldwide, in prayer using the following prayer points to pray for tue Ghanaian President: “Ask God to give him the spirit of a finisher. Open your lips and ask Jesus to give him the will and desire to complete what he has started. Open your lips with faith in your heart. Ask God to act in him that he may keep his resolutions. Prayer! Ask God to strengthen him to defend all that he promises”.
Following tue prayer, T.B. Joshua escorted the President out of the cathedral as the congregation excitedly waved Ghanaian flags. It was a momentous occasion that will be forever be etched in the hearts of all who witnessed it.
After seeing the president to the vehicle which was to transport him to the airport, T.B Joshua resumed the second live service at the SCOAN, doing what he was born to do. Truly, nothing could detract him from running tue straight race with Jesus Christ - the Head of the house.
Where are the omens of T.B. Joshua‘s players for President Mills? „Ask God to open your lips with faith in your heart. Ask God to act in him that he may keep his resolutions. Ask God to strengthen him to defend all that he promises”.
Ghanaian people are at least still waiting to see signals of „A Better Ghana“, if even you can‘t put money in their pockets.
FRANCIS TAWIAH (Duisburg - Germany)