Tema Manhean, Sept. 6, GNA - The Right Reverend Dr Sam Prempeh, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, on Sunday reiterated the call on members of the Church to be dedicated and committed to the task of evangelism.

He said: "Much need to be done in view of the fact that there are members of the community who are still behind the fold and need to be brought into the fold because Jesus needs them".

Rev. Dr Premph's call was contained in his goodwill message to members of the Tema Manhean District branch of the Presby Church, at a thanksgiving service to climax activities marking the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Church at the Emmanuel Presby Church at Tema Manhean. The theme for the yearlong celebration, which started in September last year is: "Behold, I am coming soon."

Rev. Dr Prempeh congratulated the District Church for its noble achievement as a faithful community, in its 25 years of existence. He told the congregation that: "Considering the fact that you are located in a typical fishing community with numerous traditional customary practices that can militate against the smooth spread of the gospel, you have, nevertheless, done a yeoman's work and you deserve a pat on the shoulder".

Rev. Dr Prempeh said he was optimistic that members would not be complacent with the strides made so far, but would rather be inspired to attain greater heights for the glory of God and the expansion of his Kingdom on earth.

Rev. Dr Chrales Gyan-Duah, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presby Church, charged members to strengthen their faith in God through Bible studies so that "this miracle-craze-would will not divert the faith we have in Christ."

Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, called for concerted effort, unity, love and respect on the part of members so that the could transform the Church into a more viable body.

He said: " The District Church should lift high the banner of Christ in the quest for winning more souls for Christ, as well as foster the discipline that the Presby Church is well-noted for".

Mr Narh, who is a member of the Church, observed that in the ever-changing world, assistance to communities and the needy was becoming more significant and commendable and urged the District Church to initiate assistance packages to maintain and retain members.

He expressed the hope that the Silver Jubilee celebration would encourage members to work harder towards the progress and expansion of the Church.

Rev E.A. Amarkwei, District Minister of the Church, noted that the past two-and-half decades had witnessed tremendous progress of the Church and praised the leaders for their devotion to duty, which had contributed to the achievement.

He urged members to gird their loins and be refreshed by the spirit of the celebration to enable them to complete all on-going projects and spread the gospel with greater enthusiasm.

Mr E.O. Adjetey, Pastor Senior Presbyter, paid glowing tribute to members of the early district, ministers and lay pioneers, for their landmark contributions towards the Church.

Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, expressed satisfaction at the cordial relationship between the traditional authorities and the Church and called for the revival of the Presbyterian discipline, and the proper education and upbringing of children

Nii Tetteh Out II, Paramount Chief of Kpone and P resident of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, expressed grave concern about the fallen standards of education, teenage pregnancy and the lack of effective parental control and direction of the youth in the area and appealed to the Church to assist solve these problems.

The Tema Manhean District, which was carved out of Tema Community One District in 1978, consists of Tema Manhean, Kpone-On-Sea, Prampram, Afienya, Dawhenya and Haanaa and the District is perhaps the largest district in the Ga Presbytery in terms of land mass.

The history of the District is inextricably tie with the evolution of Christianity in the Tema area as a whole, which dates back to 1882 when the first missionaries began their evangelistic exploits in Old Tema.

In recognition of the steady growth of the Church, Tema Manhean was elevated to pastoral status in 1974 and subsequently carved out of Community One as a full district in 1978.