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A call to prayer for Ghana
When you hear of a call to prayer, the people you will least expect to find on the list will be pastors. Surprisingly, these are the group which currently need prayers the most due to recent actions and behaviours associated with them.
I keep saying that when a cart pusher or a carpenter or the ordinary guy on the street, goes to ‘Ashawo’ line at say Circle and is noticed, coming out of that ghetto, it is no news. In fact no reporter worth his sort, will write about it.
However, if one of these known men of God was to be noticed coming out of such ghettos, it is certainly news worthy because he is not supposed to be associated with such behaviour.
In similar manner, the lens through which the actions of a carpenter’s son and I am not demeaning the profession, will be viewed, will not be the same as the lens through which a son of a member parliament, or a son of a public figure will be viewed.
There is a saying that, to whom much is given, much is required and so people in leadership positions must understand this and therefore should take steps to protect their hard won reputation.
Recently, an incident involving the crashing of an over speeding car resulting in the death of two people has become the topic for discussion across the media landscape.
People have expressed diverse opinions, some harsh criticisms, some condemnations and some sympathetic ones. Those who have condemned the pastor for the wrongs of his son has to do with a certain video showing him make certain declarations.
It is alleged that he declared that He drives without any policeman stopping him in Ghana due to his fame or the influence he has.
When such declarations are attributed to you then you can be sure that heavy criticism will come your way, when your son acts in a manner that seems to reflect this re-emphasise this reckless living perception that people have of you.
Then to add salt into injury, church members of the pastor attacks some journalists and the criticisms flies through the roof. The manner, videos apparently showing a pattern of reckless driving by his son started surfacing also infuriated people.
Parenting has become a serious business and people should really consider it as such and seek all the assistance they need to make it a success. The children of this dispensation are exposed to a lot of crazy ideas through television and easy access to the internet.
What they watch is difficult to regulate and that is the danger confronting parents now. There is an urgent need for prayers for the youth of Ghana, so their behaviour will reflect the culture and values of this dear country.
When pastors who should be examples of good parents are woefully failing, then it is time indeed for a call to prayer.
Lessons learnt for all of us has to do with being a bit more curious about the activities of our children when we are not around. We should maintain a certain cordial relations with our neighbours such that they can report to us certain actions or behaviours of our children they feel must be brought to our attention.
A lady shared a story on social media as to why she was being sympathetic to wards the pastor whose son has created this whole buzz. She said she was at her shop, when she had from one of her tenants that her son has taken her vehicle out of the house.
She informed her to quickly organise a taxi and chase after them to stop them. When they were stopped and she asked her son as to why he took the vehicle, he confessed that his friend was going to teach him how to drive.
She said something quite remarkable that, if something terrible had happened, guess what people would have said, given her pedigree in society.
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The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
