Kumasi, April 20, GNA - Reverend Francis Asante, a lecturer at the Ghana Bible College in Kumasi, has called on pastors to upgrade their knowledge and skills to be able to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their congregation and communities.

He said with the world becoming a global village coupled with diseases, ignorance and poverty, people are bound to face problems and there is therefore the need for pastors to get them out of these difficulties.

Rev. Asante was addressing graduates at the second graduation ceremony of the Kumasi Campus of the Ghana Christian University College on Saturday.

He appealed to the seven graduates who were presented with Certificates in "Pastoral Ministries" to continue to delve into the Scriptures to be able to be effective agents and mentors of change in the society.

Rev. Asante urged them to study hard and pray so that God would equip them with the spirit to preach the truth at all times and be very powerful and efficient tools in the transformation of lives in communities.

"As professionals, you must be abreast with events, responsible and competent counsellors in your field of work and be critical thinkers worthy of emulation by the congregation and community at all levels". Rev. Asante said.

Mr. Emmanuel Adjei, President of the Ghana Christian University College, said the vision of the College, which had existed since 1966 as Ghana Christian College and Seminary, was to transform communities through equipped Christian leaders.

"We believe that transformational leadership skills can be enhanced through education, experience and mentoring. We hold strongly that education is necessary for unlocking latent potential", he stressed. The College presented the best student academic Award to Rev. Peter Asamoah, Associate Pastor in-charge of the Kona branch of the Calvary Divine Church at Kona in the Afigya South District.