The 30th Congregational Conference of the Hope Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Sakumono-Estates came off successfully at the church auditorium on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The conference which was on the theme, “Jesus Christ the light of the world” was under the Chairmanship of Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, Sakumono District Minster and Minister In-Charge of the Hope Congregation
In his welcoming address, Rev Nyarko, who assumed duty as Minister In-Charge in September this year said he was impressed with the wonderful structures in place in the congregation. He however said these were structures for the promotion of the church through nurturing of adherents and expansion of the Word to people far and near. It is edifying and may God’s name be praised.
He challenged delegates of the conference and the entire congregation to utilise the structures in place and make them operate with maximum efficiency. These structures include the Music Ministry, Health and Wellness facilities, Financial Institution and Policies, Prayer and Deliverance Ministry, Care for the aged, Multi-media and the Jesus Shop Ministry. Others were the Multiple Divine Services, Outreach Evangelism, Christian nurturing and counselling, promotion of formal education, follow-up on members and visitors, Generational Groups, Environmental, Community and Social contact, planned administration and management. The rest are Security, Welfare System, Transport System, accommodation for personnel and services as well as the Commercial outfit.
He indicated that for relevance, the operation of these structures is to be audited from time to time and amendments and replacement effected where necessary.
Plans
Rev Nyarko tabled his plans as Minister In-Charge for consideration in the coming year. These are Ministry to a Chief’s Palace, Ministry to Slums, stewardship drive, further support for Children’s Ministry, Junior Youth Fellowship, Presbyterian Brigade Association, Anchor of Hope and Ushers.
The rest are soul-winning drive and follow-up on backslidden members, contact with members in the diaspora and former members., further support for Church Choir, Singing Band and Royals of Hope. As well as shepherding of members.
He expressed the hope that members of the congregation will strengthen comradeship within the congregation, support one another, lift high the beautiful flag of Hope congregation and above all promote Christ Centeredness as a Christian Church.
The Clerk of Session, Mr Edward Odai Laryea in his report gave an account of events for all departments of the Congregation including Generational Groups, Service Groups, Committees and Ministries over the period under review spanning the period 1st September, 2020 to 31st August 2021.
The report also included the activities of Kotobabi Preaching Point and the EMEFS Preaching Point. His report detailed the successes chalked and challenges the congregation encountered. It also informed the conference of the interventions made and recommend where necessary some remedies for
Discussion and recommendation of the Conference.
He said despite the challenges encountered with the COVID-19 pandemic, registered members of the Congregation grew from 2,799 in the year 2020 to 3,140 in 2021, representing an increment of 12.18 per cent.
Pastoral Visits
The Clerk disclosed that during the year under review, the Hope Congregation hosted the visit of the Moderator, Very Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri-Yeboah Mante on Sunday 23rd May 2021 when he visited the Sakumono District. He further indicated that the Sakumono District had the opportunity to interact with the Moderator during the church service held on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Mr Laryea said the Hope Congregation also had the privileged to host the Ga Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Dr Nana Opare-Kwakye and Clerk of the Presbytery, Rev Solomon Adjei Mensah who paid on 12th May, 2021 and 15th May 2021 to interact with Church workers and church members and also inspected the Books of Administration of the Church including the Chronicle. According to him, the Officers were impressed with the diligent record-keeping of the Congregation.
He further indicated that the former Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev. Dr. S. Ayete Nyampong also visited the Congregation on 25th April, 2021 to share the word of God with members.
Green Ghana project
The Clerk of Session said as part of the Green Ghana Project initiated by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the former Minister-in-Charge, Rev. Emmanuel Obeng Ntow led the Congregation to plant 180 (One Hundred & Eighty) tree seedlings received from the Forestry Commission in the island from the Sakumono Estate traffic light to the Farm Vivian Junction. He said through the benevolence of a family, a motorized tricycle was donated to facilitate the maintenance of the seedlings to grow. “On behalf of Session I wish to express our gratitude to the family and all who helped to make the program a success. I am glad to inform Conference that a team has been put in place by Session to ensure these trees do not die..” he said
Vaccination against COVID-19
Mr Laryea said the Health Committee of the Congregation secured an opportunity for Ghana Health Service to set up a vaccination centre in the Congregation on 14th March 2021 to vaccinate congregants and members of the community including people of different faith living in the Sakumono community.
Statutory Contributions
He said the Hope Congregation has not reneged on the payment of weekly statutory payments to the higher courts and remains committed to this charge. “By the grace of God all payments have been duly made during the period under review” he added.
Education and Scholarship
The Session Clerk said the Hope Congregation awarded five (5) new scholarships to deserving members of the Congregation entering various tertiary institutions for the 2021/2022 academic year. He added that the continuing student members that were already being taken care of under the scheme are fifteen (15), emphasizing that the scheme supports brilliant but needy students to pursue academic and vocational courses of their choice in tertiary institutions.
