We raised our tabernacles above control, The moment we thought we can do all things on our own. For we live in a world we never know. We are drunk in super powers of youthful enthusiasm so we never grow. Deceptions darkened our mental faculties, our visions blurred so we cant realise where we go.
Helter-skelter we cycle. The fame, the money, the ego, wrapped in sin, coins the devil’s missiles. We have lost our heavenly kingdom on earth below. We lost all things the moment we thought all that glitters is gold.
For in Genesis, sin power was abused. God cursed the day he created man not because of old age but being in his youth. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life ripped us off our eternal bride. For we were called out of darkness into his marvelous light. So all we need is a reconciliation with our only true saviour, Jesus Christ.
For how long can we hide from His presence? For how long can we neglect the church to satisfy the flesh? For how long can we keep giving excuses for our absence? For how long shall we blame the devil for our crises?
I am the way, the truth and the life. I am the perfect ransom sacrifice. I am the alpha and omega, I am your saviour, mediator, councillor, Your only true father Do not conform to the patterns of this world For I am God So come, come to me all that are heavily laboured and i will give you rest
↕️ The Young People’s Guild (YPG)- One huge platform that promotes THE YOUTH Agenda.
Did you know…that aside from promoting the spiritual well-being of the youth in the PCG, there are other objectives the guild focuses on?
The YPG; ℹ️ seeks to promote the moral and social well-being of its members. ℹ️ serves as a platform for its members to realize their #potentials, #opportunities and #responsibilities within the church and the community. ℹ️ encourages the young people to take full #responsibility in the guild, the church (people), the #community and the nation as a whole. ℹ️ mobilizes and empowers members to undertake useful and viable #economic ventures. ℹ️ Promotes the exchange of #ideas and techniques in youth work among the youth of the PCG and youth organizations abroad.
The above among others are the sole motives of the Young People’s Guild (Youth Platform) in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
Efforts to reap the demographic dividends rest on all and leave none. 👌In this pool of service is the grooming of leaders for different spaces and circles.
📛#RepTheYPGCloth reflecting on the contributions you need to make for the growth of the young people around you and the excellent service you need to offer to God and your Country. It is a training space if we allow it to be and make the right investments👌
🚫LET’S DO IT WELL. IT’S A GARMENT FOR SERVICE AND TRAINING!
We have met genuine people through you We have learned a lot through you Some people always discourage us since our paths crossed but we keep going We have seen a clear view of how some youthful challenges can be resolved amicably You are a good friend We see you and sometimes feel so much Joy 😊 We sometimes make time for you and you don’t turn your back at us You take our time and some important schedules in our daily life😂❤🔥 In correcting us we sometimes feel pressured and mostly in pains We mouvveeee mouvveeee God be our helper🥺❤️
By Aduanaba Richard Okyere, Accra Newtown District
1. The town was filled with excitement The King was riding through the city Humbly on a colt People waved palm branches in respect Others went the extra mile to cover the road with clothes Today, the people praised But a lot can happen within a week.
2. It was the last night of His life He chose to spend it with His close friends A valuable lesson He taught that night Leaders should serve by examples He spent the last minutes praying Strength, grace and courage That He wouldn’t give up when mankind needed Him most
3. It was the last day of His life The day He dreaded False accusations, yet stayed silent throughout Sentenced to die, He carried his cross He carried our sins high up the hill, On the cross, He fulfilled scriptures, He fulfilled purpose
4. It was a quiet, sad day The shock and pain of yesterday was still fresh Others were jubilating, their plans had come off Beneath the earth, the struggle had just begun The Son of God vs the Devil The fate of mankind was to be decided
5. Rejoice, O child of God Today is the day of salvation Risen or body stolen? Hell and sin defeated Heaven is glad Now, mankind is saved
6. On the road to Emmaus Pondering over the events of the weekend. Eyes cleared to see the Saviour News too good to keep to ourselves This is the perfect love story That all and sundry should hear of
Written by Akosua Kumi Nyarko, Accra Newtown District
Happy Easter Rainbow Guilders. May this season bring deep reflection and repentance 🙏🏾
Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? (Amos 3:3, MSG).
How well do you know the YPG? O a scale of 1 to 10? Are you in YPG because it is just constitutional? Have you identified your purpose in the YPG yet?
On Tuesday, 29th March 2022, the Superintendent of the Young People’s Guild (YPG) of the Ga Presbytery, Bro. Sylvanus Meeyeoya Afotey addressed the Vredes YPG, La District on the theme: Knowing My YPG. He talked about the genesis of the YPG and what the Guild entails.
He noted that the YPG is a very unique, interesting and educative group among the other generational groups in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, which seeks to train the youth for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
He briefly spoke about the history of the Guild, noting that Andrews McCutheon Atkinson the founder of YPG was a young accountant from Scotland. The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in 1938 approved Mr Atkinson who had sacrificed so much to form the YPG. He later introduced “The Christian way” – a monthly newsletter that served as a means of communication in the church for the fact of growth of the congregations in the presbyteries. The first President of the Guild was Rev. E. A. Bannerman, D. A Puplampu and Andrews McCutheon Atkinson served as the first Secretary-Treasurer and Organizing Secretary respectively.
One important advantage or benefit of the YPG and the PCG as a whole identified by Bro Sylvanus in his presentation stated that, due to the ideology of the PCG and YPG constitution, Guilders are well-groomed to work in most reputable institutions like the Parliament House. He also highlighted the advice of the actor, Fred Amugi, who is also a staunch Presbyterian; that Guilders should not be moved by any denomination prophetically.
YPG is a very unique, interesting and educative group among the other generational groups in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, which seeks to train the youth for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Bro Sylvanus encouraged Guilders to work harder because the youth are the core members who can help the church to grow. In times such as this, Guilders are faced with a lot of challenges that are preventing them from attending meetings, such as school and work. He, therefore, advised members to carefully evaluate and look for the best ways they can bring everyone on board amidst their busy schedules.
He further advised members to be extra careful in their relationships as well because being in a leadership position comes with a lot of challenges and temptations.
Finally, he emphasized a few strategies that both Executives and Members can uphold for the sustainability and progress of the guild and beyond. Notably
The Timothy Project will focus on enhancing the grooming of the JY members to YPG. It would create a kind of atmosphere that will help maintain them.
Sustainability of guild members in school- this entails organizing visitations to their respective schools, praying for them, giving them some provisions and calling them often as well.
Furthermore, we must ensure that we liaise with the NUP-G executives both in the secondary schools and universities to follow up on them so that we are sure they don’t join other religious denominations in school.
The YPG is a beautiful family and it is up to us to know it, how to make it work for our various locals and how to make it attractive to draw and maintain our brothers and sisters.
Assuming you are Mr. Atkinson, what would you do differently to make the Guild work?
Special thanks to Vredes YPG, La District for this compilation.
Logo for the project designed by Bro. Abraham Abeashie Abbey
The Young People’s Guild of the Ga Presbytery has launched a mentoring and monitoring project called The Timothy Project. This is to help in orienting and retaining new members especially those graduated from the Junior Youth (JY).
The Project was launched by the Director of Church Life and Nurture (CLAN), Rev. Andrew Shardow during the Guild’s last General Meeting and Christmas Jamboree which came off on Saturday, 11th December, 2021 at the Shalom Congregation, Osu.
The Director of CLAN applauded the Presbytery Guild for the vision and passion to take this path of discipling young people and helping form Christ in them for effective ministry. He prayed for the Holy Spirit to empower the youth in the Presbytery to implement the project successfully.
Briefing members on the project, the Chairperson of the Committee, Bro. Stanley Toddison, urged guilders to take up the responsibility to be worthy mentors to their junior brothers and sisters in the JY.
The project was necessitated by a decision taken at the 49th Annual Presbytery Delegates’ Conference.
The Decision reads: “That the Timothy Project to mentor soon-to-be YPG members in the JY, and new YPG members and give them necessary training and guidance to help them have a strong foundation in the Guild is accepted.”
Rationale underpinning the decision was added: It is abundantly clear, that, we are missing a fundamental link between the JY and YPG. Some people have argued and blamed this on the fact that the entrance age into the YPG is at a point where these fresh graduates into the YPG are preparing for their tertiary education with many of them spending more time in school than with the Congregation. These people may not get a good start to their YPG journey and because the foundations are weak, their affiliation to the group even after school becomes weak.
…leaders raising leaders!!!
The Policy provides in detail the role of stakeholders and clearly states the responsibility of the YPG leadership and membership.
The YPG will be expected to be actively involved in the JY Ministry with the aim of fostering harmony with JY members especially those preparing for graduation.
Additionally, the YPG is to create an enabling environment for growth for these new members. An orientation outline which cuts through all levels of the Guild life has also been added to serve as a guide.
The policy also focuses on how members who leave for school should be monitored and tracked so they don’t fall away.
The project is tied to stringent monitoring and reporting formats to ensure that the objectives of the project are met at all levels of the Guild.
The Superintendent of the Presbytery who is also a member of the Committee, stressed on the commitment of the Executive Committee to ensure that the project works but has called on the Branches to kick start the project right away.
“I advice the Branches to start running the project right away, starting with the crest graduates into the Guild,” he said.
…ensuring continuity in nurturing young people for effective ministry.
The slogan for the project is, “Intentional Discipleship, Exceptional Disciples.”
The name, The Timothy Project was derived from Paul’s successful mentoring of young Timothy.
However, you don’t need to be a missionary to mentor a JY member. All you need as a YPG member is a willing heart.
The future of our Church lies in the our hands now. Let not make The Timothy Project just a dream, but a reality.
I don’t know how many times you have heard this statement. I don’t know how you perceive it, but yes, the Guild is a great family.
Before I started my tertiary education, YPG was my dream. They were my Youth goals. Whilst in JY, we used to envy the Guilders and wished we were like them. There was so much freedom, fun and good times in YPG. The few months of being a YPG member felt like falling in love for the first time. I was at every programme, made great friends and enjoyed myself a great deal.
Just when I started enjoying this amazing relationship, I had admission into a tertiary institution and I had to leave home. Being a staunch Presbyterian, I joined the NUPS-G and truth be told, it was more fun than the YPG. I fell in love over again – the services, the people, the subgroups/departmental groups and how it felt like being in a youthful Presbyterian Church (pun intended).
I quickly forgot about my old love, YPG and immersed myself fully into this new relationship, devoting my all and showering it with my time and attention. But alas! It was vacation and I had to return home to my ex-group, YPG and leave my new found love behind. The first few days at YPG meetings looked boring and gloomy to me and I started counting down to when school would resume. Eventually, I stopped attending YPG meetings altogether. I stopped picking up my Branch or District President’s call, stopped replying to messages and stopped associating with my YPG friends.
I was wrong and it took me time to realise it. YPG and NUPS-G were not rivals. They were not two different Youth Groups but the same with two different names. YPG and NUPS-G are a Sunday born called Akosua on an Akuapem land and upon entering the Central region, discovered that Akosua is called Esi here.
Over the years I’ve spent in NUPS-G, I keep on hearing Rev. Ministers urging students to join their Branch YPG when they go home. One UG NUPS-G Chaplain sums it up beautifully, “NUPS-G is not a congregation. You belonged to a congregation before you came here, so go back there and be of help to your Church.”
We often hear University students say YPG is not as fun as NUPS-G, yet who is going to make it better if you decide not to attend meetings again? Just like how the Samaritan woman found the good news and shared it with her town; you have experienced something that makes you use your talents more, shouldn’t your Branch YPG also benefit?
The Guild is a great family! Sometimes even way better than NUPS-G is, trust me when I say this. You can experience this if you are consistent with your walk with the Guild. If after school or during vacation, you come back to help. If you make time and discuss ideas with your executives. YPG executives should also make time to listen to and appreciate ideas from members who return from school after joining the NUPS-G. We are not in competition with anybody. This is part of our service all the way.
NUPS-G and YPG are the same. One head cannot rule it all – this is why it is a Guild.
The Guild is a great family! Have you found yours?
Written by Akosua Kumi Nyarko, Accra New Town District.
The Ga Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, The Clerk of Ga Presbytery, Rev. Solomon Nii Mensah Adjei, The Nungua District Minister, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ayitey Mensah, The Campus and Youth Coordinator of the Ga Presbytery, Rev. Joseph Yaw Asan-Ntow, Distinguish members of the Clergy Present, National YPG Executives, Executives of Sister Presbyteries Present, Immediate Past and Former Executives of the Ga Presbytery YPG, Council Members, Fellow Guilders, Family Members, Friends and Loved Ones gathered here for this august occasion, Peace Be Unto You.
Valiant Men of faith and Courage. Strong in heart the Lord to Serve!. Bold and Brave with Fearless Spirit. They faced all the frightening foes, Nothing could their Love destroy, Sword and frightening beasts they faced. For the Lord was with them through, Therefore, Satan feared them much.
Faced with danger and temptation, Lust of flesh and pleasures here. Hearts and mind they turned to Jesus. Nothing pleased them in this world, They desired the Heavenly joy. They gave up all treasures here, Nothing here could satisfy, Only Christ they chose to have. PH 287 Stanzas 1&2
The primary desire of God as indicated in Ephesians 4:12-14 tasks us as Christians to build up the body of Christ until we all attain the unity of the faith of the knowledge of the son of God to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. However, as the hymn above indicates, this leadership task would not come without tribulations and foes; yet, if the Lord is with us, yet, if we choose only Christ, then we would instead be feared by Satan.
On this August occasion, our Induction Service marks the beginning of a three-year journey for us as the Lord’s faithful servants to serve in His Vineyard. Out of over Fifteen thousand guilders within the Presbytery, the Almighty God and guilders of the Presbytery find us worthy to serve this course. Thus, my fellow executives and this administration for that matter, are forever grateful to God and all guilders of the Ga Presbytery for the privilege done us.
Brethren in the Lord, as we have taken these vows today, we entreat you all to diligently support us with your prayers as this journey can only be successful if we have the grace of God. Even as we have implored the renewal and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to help us throughout our tenure, we know that, with Christ in our boat, unity, hard work and commitment we shall attain the mark of the higher calling and successfully drive the guild to a higher pedestal than our predecessors.
To our predecessors, we appreciate your labor in the Lord’s Vineyard for the guild through your sacrifice, hard work, dedication and commitments throughout your tenure of office and after handing over till date. We promise that, this administration will strengthen the bridge of continuity and will instead build on the foundations you have already layed in order to catapult the guild to a higher level in Christ. We thus entreat you to continue to labor on with us and we pray to God to decorate your Crown of Glory with Precious Stones of the Kingdom.
Fellow guilders and council members, I salute you all for your support now and in advance. It is evident that, the unified front and togetherness being demonstrated will help carry the guild to the next level and thus I entreat you to keep it up. It cannot be over-emphasized that the absence of branches and districts means, no Presbytery. It is your mandate you have given to us to lead the guild. It is our heartfelt prayer to guilders, families, friends and agents of our church that you rally behind us especially with prayers, advise and resources for our tenure and beyond.
For maximum output and input in increasing the membership of the PCG, it is empirical to note that this administration will capitalize on evangelistic and discipleship activities to help achieve the Vision 1.5 Agenda of the PCG whole heatedly. In a similar spec, leadership and capacity building projects and programs would be duly embraced by this administration to help project the policy of mentorship to aid in grooming leaders for the growth of the church.
Again, the introduction of the Timothy Project ear marked to foster a cordial relationship and to enhance the leadership development of the Junior Youth (JY) would be relentlessly carried out with strict diligence to the policy guideline that is being drafted by the Presbytery YPG.
Finally, the spiritual growth of guilders cannot be left out in strategizing for the next 3 years in office. In terms of building the spiritual empowerment of guilders, activities like the Monthly Payers by Council Members, Prayerfest, P-YICE and the likes would be revitalized to achieve a positive spiritual course for the guilders.
In conclusion beloveds, this administration pledges to serve the guild at all times in a spirit of fidelity and commitment to the common good of the guild always in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Holy Bible-Our Main Tool. May we all take delight in the words of Christian Heinrich Zeller in PH number 502 stanza 3 and be encouraged to work towards the good of the guild and to the Glory of God.
We shall soon reap much, rejoicing. What we sowed in tears on earth. He that goes forth sowing, weeping, With loud shouts he shall come home. God who sits enthroned on high. He shall recompense us all, All His good and faithful servants They will have great joy in God’s reward……….. Amen.
YPG…… Service All The Way!!!
YOU…… Practice Godliness!!!
Bro. Sylvanus Meeyeoya Afotey Superintendent, Ga Presbytery YPG
This morning I looked at my rack that has been holding my neckties and sashes and I realized my blue sash that usually reflects the sun into my eyes on a Sunday was not part of the collection. I was going to ask my grandmother who is the custodian of all my valuables before I realized that I handed over yesterday.
It’s 1:07pm on Mother’s Day and I’m in my office trying to redeem the time I lost over the past week preparing for the handover yesterday. I just took time off to pen these words to you. I hope you find them as honey to your lips.
Before I speak of the weightier matters of your new position, permit me to say, “Congratulations” to you and the team once again. I saw the smiles on your faces yesterday and I blew air on them; that they will be portraits of joy and assurance to you when the tasks overwhelm you, because truthfully, there will be such moments.
To begin with, I want to say what I’ve already said to you on countless occasions. That this is God’s work which He has called you to come and take charge of. In strictly legal terms, you are an agent of God posted to the Ga Presbytery YPG with rights and responsibilities which include representation of the principal (God). So please understand that you are representing God in this position, not any man. This is to those who say you are coming in to fill a big shoe. God is the filler of all big shoes and He is the one who is commissioning you for this work.
Secondly, you may not have realized it but you swore an affidavit yesterday to add “Supt” to your name. Your name, Sylvanus, will be more prominent on paper in the YPG circle than audibly. This change of name, as evident in the Bible, usually comes with a divine responsibility (see the Case of Eve, Abraham, Jacob, etc). And so I want to remind you that, anytime you hear someone call you “Supt”, remember that it is a name which presents a new game for you. This game is the game of leadership. How well you play it will be seen in the trophy you win.
Talking of leadership, I’ve observed you within the last month and I’m convinced you’re a leader. Your CV is impeccable. Indeed, I’ve said somewhere that you are the answer to my heartfelt prayer for a worthy successor and I know God only gives good gifts to His sons. Aside this spiritual belief, I have a tangible receipt to show that you’ve paid your dues in Christian Youth Leadership. So my fears are not about your competence. Not at all. My fears are about your confidence and consistency.
Dear Superintendent, I hope by now you know that this Superintendency is not by height nor by might? At least look at my height and relax. Forget about everything you have heard and build confidence for this position because you will need it. Don’t let anything or anyone intimidate. Always back your competence with a very high octane confidence that will cast out fear in you and in your team. Tell yourself, “If God has called me, He will see me through. ” And say it with boldness. Come on, say it!
Consistency!
With just one day into your administration, a lecture on consistency will be too much because there won’t be much personal examples to cite so permit me to be generic in this admonishment. Consistency simply means, “your good works must have a lasting effect.” As the Bible says, “it is the end of a matter that matters!” This quote carries double weight (pun intended). Again, everything about you must be consistent with God’s word and assignment. Know what God has called you into and remember that prayer we prayed, “Lord, what will you have me do?”
Dear Supt, let me announce to you that you will be leading the best Presbytery Guild and I’m not mincing word on that. This is the Rainbow Presbytery. But let me be quick to mention that this privilege comes with a great expectation for performance and I want to encourage you to keep your head up so you can look up to Jesus and remember Him as the initiator for good works. Nothing is impossible with God, my brother. Nothing!
As I conclude, let me take this opportunity to repeat the lesson from the story told by the 12th Superintendent of our Presbytery on how perennial positions are. Minutes after I handed over to you, I was standing by the staircase reflecting. Someone took a picture and it tells a story. From my position as Chairman of the day to a staircase-standing member. I know you’ll get the picture. Know therefore that in three years, you will be handing over. The Chair will be taken from you to another person. What they can’t take from your is the joy in your heart; the joy of service and accomplishment.
So don’t allow the position to intoxicate you. Live, learn, lead and above all, LOVE.
I’ll be right here waiting for your next call… And the next… and the next.
GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM THE GA PRESBYTERY YPG SUPERINTENDENT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 2021 YOUTH AND STUDENTS’ WEEK
“Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his earth rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.”
Fellow Guilders in the Ga Presbytery, may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all…
YPG…
Indeed our God deserves all the thanks and praise for seeing us through another year of service. Amen!
This week is a special week on the Presbyterian almanac. It is a week set aside to project the indispensable work of young people in the Church. It is also an opportunity for young people to assess their work and mobilize both human and financial resources for continuous impact.
The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Nurturing the youth for effective ministry in Christ” with the anchor text from 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12.
During the the 83rd Annual National Delegates’ Conference, the National President, Bro. Ezekiel Teye Nartey Adjorlolo, declared the year 2020/2021 as the “Year of Nurturing”. I want to urge all Branches especially those in the Rainbow Presbytery to make it a year long objective to avail themselves for nurturing. There are responsible people who have gone ahead of us in this ministry and we must be humble enough to go and sit under their tutelage.
Secondly, I admonish all leaders to also consciously nurture their members for leadership. This I believe is a sure way to resolve the leadership challenges we are currently facing.
As we prepare to roll out our planned activities for the week, here are a few things I will want all of us to take note of:
The #YSW21ImpactChallenge: This is to help us all focus our celebration on things of topmost priority to us as a church. We encourage all branches to file their reports and engage us on social media.
COVID-19: We appeal to you all to celebrate with strict adherence to the safety protocols. Let us be responsible celebrants.
Keeping track of the proceeds: One of the major challenges we face when it comes to Youth and Students’ week is the remittance of proceeds. This year, I encourage branches to use the proceeds form to help higher courts track proceeds and ensure the right amounts are remitted.
Let me add that, I am very much aware that this will be my last goodwill message as Superintendent on such an occasion. Permit me to use this opportunity to thank you all for the support to my colleague executive members and I. May God reward you abundantly.
Finally, my brethren, on behalf of the Presbytery Council, the Presbytery Guild Executive Committee and Council, I wish you all a fruitful celebration. May our Lord Jesus be exalted.
Ga Presbytery YPG 