Cape Coast, April 6, GNA - More than 1,000 children, most of them needy, were over the weekend feted by the Cape Coast branch of the Victory Bible Church International (VBCI).

The children mainly from Amanful, Amissah-Ekyir, Anaafo and Brofoyedur, all suburbs of Cape Coast, were fed with fried rice and chicken and given some clothing in addition. It formed part of nationwide activities to mark the 25th anniversary celebration of the Church, which comes with the theme: "celebrating God's goodness".

Mrs Christiana Ampadu-Duku, wife of the Resident Pastor and Patron of the Women's Ministry of the Church, led other leaders to share the food and clothing to the children.

"The goodness of the Lord to the Church must not be an experience for the congregation alone," she said, adding that the Church would ensure that it was extended to people in its catchment area for them to also appreciate God and give their lives to Christ.

Mrs Ampadu-Duku urged the children to go to school regularly and stick to their books. She also asked them to attend Church for them to further study at its Sunday school to help shape their lives for a better and brighter future.

Earlier, the Church organised a health walk as part of activities to commemorate the anniversary after which a team from the Cape Coast Metropolitan Health directorate offered free screening services for members. The screening included eye tests, checking of temperature, blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI), after which medical advice and prescriptions were given to those who needed them.

Dr. Joseph Nuertey, Cape Coast Metro Medical Director of Health Services who led the team, urged the public to exercise regularly and ensure that their diet was balanced and healthy to help stem non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes which, he said, was on the rise. People should also avoid waving their used handkerchiefs during church services because it could facilitate the spread of airborne diseases including the H1N1 virus and Tuberculosis. 06-04-10