Kumasi, Sept 29, GNA - An end-of-term thanksgiving service in honour of the Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, was held at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Kumasi on Sunday. The Bishop, who was appointed to the position in October 2002, worked hard to strengthen the internal structures of the church for its accelerated development during his six-year tenure of office.

He would be replaced by the Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, who was recently elected as the Presiding Bishop of the church. Addressing the congregation which included some Ministers of State, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as representatives of the various churches, Bishop Abubekr said it behoved Christians to perceive the Christian religion as a call to duty and service to mankind.

He said this required greater responsibility and commitment on the part of Christians.

"We should uphold Biblical principles and tenets in our undertakings", he said.

Rt Rev Abubekr commended the synod of the church for the confidence reposed in him and their support during his term of office, saying that as a result of this immense support, some pertinent issues like the encroachment of Methodist lands has ceased. Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, praised the Methodist Church for collaborating with government since independence in undertaking development projects relevant to health, education and infrastructure development. He said the outgoing Bishop did well by contributing his quota to the development of the church and appealed the incoming Bishop to continue the good works.