A grand thanksgiving service was held at the Bukom Boxing Arena to climax the 180th Anniversary of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church. Over 12,000 Methodists in the Diocese gathered to celebrate the Anniversary.
Dressed in their beautiful Diocesan cloth and organizational attires there was a glorious blend of beauty, devotion, dedication and love, with a firm conviction to continue the Birch Freeman’s legacy, on the theme, “180 years of Methodism in Accra Diocese, intensifying our teaching Ministry towards disciple making”.
The Service was graced with the presence of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana as the Special Guest. The Methodist Executive including The Presiding Bishop, Most. Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo as the guest speaker, The Lay President, Bro. Bernard Clement Kwesi Botwe, The Administrative Bishop; Rt. Rev. Michael Agyakwa Bossman, Past Presiding Bishops, Past Lay Presidents, Past and present Lay Chairmen, The Bishop of Accra; Rt. Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey and his team including the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese.
The Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana; Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo preached the Sermon and touched on the theme ““180 years of Methodism in Accra Diocese, intensifying our teaching Ministry towards disciple making”.
He underscored that, Holiness is a key part of Christianity. He said we should know who we are, where we started from, where we are going and what we can make of the time ahead of us as a Diocese and Methodists. He challenged the Diocese to make good and resolve to do better in the next 20 years when the Diocese is 200 years.
Citing the John Wesley mandate of preaching the Gospel throughout the world as his parish. He urged the People called Methodists to go and do same in love. He again reminded the members of the Methodist Tradition of not only preaching the word, but transforming society through education, healthcare, capacity building, leadership and discipline.
Methodism has not deviated from the purpose of spreading Scriptural Holiness and transforming lives. That identity must be cherished and maintained.
In his address, The President; H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, was first grateful for the invitation and the opportunity given to address the Methodist family. He emphasized that he was very familiar with the Methodist Church and could trace a lot of contacts from infancy with the Church even as an Anglican.
He charged the Church to sustain their gains of effective stewardship to do whatever they could with enthusiasm to receive their rewards in Christ. He added that, Service to God and mankind is the sole mandate of stewardship.
He encouraged all memberships to rise to their religious responsibility to stimulate their responsibility towards dedicated services to the Church and Society.
The President also called on Ghanaians to support his Government to support the many initiatives for holistic growth, development at all levels. The hierarchy of the Church presented a Citation of Honour to the President for his support and oversight responsibility of Ghanaians.
The Citation encouraged him to continue with his Strides to develop Ghana.