Features
The insanity is creeping into the church
Strange doctrine bordering on insanity is gradually creeping into the church. If the Spirit of God and therefore Jesus, who lives within you cannot give you protection, what can a plant do for you?
Some years back, I was on a bus travelling out of Accra and there was this woman preacher who was given permission by the driver to preach to the passengers.
This woman started well by admonishing people about the need to fear God so one can escape hell and all that. Then she veered into how the world is evil and demonic forces abound so people have to protect themselves.
She went on to talk about how some plants have spiritual powers to give protection against witches etc. Then I said to myself, this is insane. It is definitely a false doctrine.
The problem is that our cultural norms and beliefs have wired us up to ascribe to certain spiritual practices. We have been made to believe that trees and rivers possess certain spiritual powers and so if we reverence them, they can assist us.
Some beliefs are so ridiculous that you begin to wonder how they came about. Some people believe that when crossing a bridge in the night, you have to blow your car’s horn because the river god may be crossing the road on the bridge with her children. I wonder where their husbands are during the crossing, such that it is only the wives who always cross with the children.
If they are so powerful, why can’t they vanish with the children but rather have to be alerted to enable them take their children to safety.
The sad thing is that you have highly educated, intelligent people who are also Christians, believing these ridiculous myths. I am a Christian so I believe created things can be possessed by demonic entities but the level to which some people take these things, makes it appear like the devil, is now powerful than God.
If you call yourself a Christian and you fear the plots of the devil against your life to such an extent that you believe in some anointing oil as a protective power, instead of the Jesus who lives in you, then this is not a law court but I put it to you that you are backslidden.
This idea of spiritual father and loyalty to your pastor has to be seriously addressed otherwise a lot of Christians will be led astray and will die before their time.
You hear of Christians making statements like I tap into the grace of Bishop so and so. Where is it written in the Bible that the grace of that Bishop does anything to save any human being? Even he the Bishop is saved by the grace of God through his son Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in Colossians 1:14 that “In him we have redemption through his blood…” and the same Colossians 2:14 adds that “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross. The verse 15 talks about how Christ triumphed over the devil and his demonic entourage.
Despite all these some believers and it is not just a few, still believe that some sins their great-grandparents committed is having a negative impact on them and that some special deliverance is required before some curse on their family can be nullified.
No plant, no special olive oil or whatever oil, no potion or any thing created, can give you spiritual protection except God through the power of his Holy Spirit, available in Jesus Christ.
Any person projecting himself to be anything equal to these hallowed spiritual entities are fake and should be rejected by the people. Those so called men of God who claim to be the chosen vessels of our time are proclaiming falsehood and they should be treated with the contempt they deserve to stop the insanity.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Features
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