Kumasi, March 21, GNA - The Assemblies of God Church has held a day's sensitisation workshop in Kumasi to discuss and map out effective strategies to grow the church in the Ashanti Region. "Church growth through strategic planning, the challenges and the way forward," was the theme.

It brought together more than 200 pastors and their spouses from the various district branches of the church to deliberate on how to help in the fight to reduce poverty and expand the mission's contribution towards the provision of social services. Setting up of an education endowment fund, counselling centres and the promotion of healthy lifestyles were also on the table. Mr Kofi Lucas, National President of the Network of Association of Registered non-government organisations, who was the facilitator, said it was time the church came out with a five-year action plan to guide its activities.

He said the church should not only concentrate on helping people to be reconciled with God but must take keen interest in meeting their physical needs as well.

Mr Lucas said to aid the spiritual growth of its members it was pertinent it establish a prayer warriors group and organise at least three church services on Sundays. Mr Lucas praised Reverend Paul Frimpong-Manso, Regional Superintendent of the church, for his foresight in putting together the programme. Rev. Frimpong-Manso commended the participants for their contributions and said this had helped to lay the foundation on which they were going to build the church to touch and influence the lives of many.