THE YOUTH IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST: A SYNOPSIS FOR YOUTH AND STUDENTS’ WEEK CELEBRATION 2022

Dear Rainbow Guilder, March is here! And with joys, shouts and excitement, we are happy to say that the most loved month on the Guild’s calendar is here. It is Youth and Students’ Week.

Before we get carried away with excitement, let us consider the most important aspect of this celebration by defining some keywords in this article.

In the PCG, youth is a person between the ages of 18-30 and typically should be in the Young People’s Guild (YPG). Usually, in almost every local, this is the most vibrant generational group and everybody can’t wait to be part of YPG nor do we also want to leave when it is time to go to YAF.

Light can be defined as a natural or artificial medium that promotes sight and makes things visible. In physics, light is a whole topic on its own (where are my science sharks). We all know that without light, our world would be full of darkness and chaos. Light, depending on the source can be summarized to be the spark of life.

Christ, also known as Messiah is the divine Son of God, Anointed King and Saviour of the world. Jesus Christ being the light of the world, came to show us the way through the darkness of sin into the heavenly Kingdom of His Father. His life is the lamp that guides us in every aspect of our lives with the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to follow the light always and not slip back into darkness.

Therefore, a youth in the light of Christ can be summarised as a person between the ages of 18-30 in the PCG, who has allowed the light of Christ to guide him/her out of darkness, and in turn, reflect the light of Christ to guide others out of the same darkness they came from.

Youth in Christ doesn’t seek to glorify him/herself but the will of God in their lives. Just as our slogan says: “to know His will and to do it”. Doing God’s will means shining in every aspect of our lives and not only on Sundays or when we attend YPG meetings. There is a clear difference between light and darkness and our lives should be that evident to drive away any form of darkness when we encounter it, for darkness has not and will not be able to overcome it (John 1:5, paraphrased).

a youth in the light of Christ can be summarised as a person between the ages of 18-30 in the PCG, who has allowed the light of Christ to guide him/her out of darkness, and in turn, reflect the light of Christ to guide others out of the same darkness they came from.

With this in mind, let us take a look at our Youth and Students’ Week. Over the years, well, since I became a Guilder, there has been this pressure to impress during this Week. ‘Who has the fanciest, entertaining programme?’ ‘Who has the nicest and wowed programme?’ ‘Who has’, ‘who did’…. And the list continues. But Youth and Students’ Week is more than programmes. (And I am in no way saying we should just focus on prayer and Bible study leaving the other aspects, after all, we are youth). But instead of striving to achieve a nice programme outline, striving to meet the pressure demands from other locals, have you ever sat down to wonder, “what impact are we making through our programmes on the church, the youth and the society as a whole?” This is the time we can serve our Creator well (Ecclesiastes 12:1) with everything we have got and this is the time to influence our society as youth in the light of Christ. Impact making, however, shouldn’t be something big that has to be visible and needs a ruler to be measured. It is usually the little things we do as a church that matter.

If truly, we are youth in the light of Christ, let our light shine before Youth and Students’ Week, let our light shine in our programmes during Youth and Students’ Week and let our light shine after Youth and students’ Week. “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:15, NLT). Every Guilder is called to this mandate, and not only Guild executives. How readily do we attend Guild-related functions outside Youth and Students’ Week? How do we make an impact in our daily lives as Guilders? Is our light shining enough? Let us use this week to reflect and make adjustments in the areas of our lives that are lacking.

With Youth and Students’ Week duly launched and as we begin the Week’s celebrations, let us remember who we are in Christ and live our lives accordingly, making an impact everywhere we go and shining our lights so bright that the world would give glory to our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Have a blissful Youth and Students’ Week Celebration.

Go shine forth, Youth in Christ.

iGESIA SUMMIT- A CALL TO EMPOWERMENT FOR SERVICE.

The Ga Presbytery Young People’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana held its maiden empowerment and impartation service captioned “iGESIA Summit”.

Earlier in the first month of the year, the Presbytery Executive Committee of the Young People’s Guild organized a summit for its District Executives to be refreshed in critical areas of service as well as be spiritually empowered for the year and beyond, just as stated by the Superintendent, Bro. Sylvanus Afotey, in his welcome statement that the summit was to create an avenue to equip executives spiritually and seek the face of God in the new year and also to go over the roles of the various portfolios. The summit, therefore, saw participants being taken through three major sessions which included;

A talk on Leadership
Interaction in workshop groups and
An Impartation and anointing service.

The Rainbow Superintendent, Bro. Sylvanus Afotey, giving his welcome address.

It was an awesome time in the presence of God and under the guidance of gracious men of faith in the persons of Rev. Andrew Shardow (Ga Presbytery CLAN Director), Rev. Joseph Yaw Asan- Ntow (Ga Presbytery Youth Coordinator) and Mr Richard Kwesi Offei (Former YPG National President) who led various significant sessions at the summit and shared lots of nuggets with the youth leaders.

LEADERSHIP IN PERSPECTIVE.

As leadership skills play a large role in a person’s development and serve as a vital management function that helps to improve an institution’s efficiency, it was prudent and in the right direction that participants of this summit were imparted and revitalized to enhance their skills in their respective positions. Another most important reason was to ignite a level of passion for the work entrusted into the hands of these leaders in a bid to perform amidst the high level of challenges they encounter in their line of service. Like the response of our greeting has always reminded …” service all the way” and in agreement with the fact that everyone wants to see results and not hear reasons why one could not achieve the results.

Mr Richard Kwesi Offei in his presentation had indeed put the leadership in perspective and shared his experience as a leader with all, so to appreciate the challenges and opportunities that lie with going all out in the service participants found themselves in. This reiterates the words of Martin Luther King Jr. that reads “everyone can be great because everyone can serve”; which is to say there is certainly greatness in service.

The Former National YPG President, Mr. Richard Offei addressing the Guilders

The Former National President, therefore, shared what leadership must look like and why the positions the Guild leaders find themselves in must not be toyed with.

If one can lead anywhere as a Presbyterian, they can only start from YPG. This he said is because the Guild provides that platform for real experience and can only open a person up for the rest of the world of leadership.
Self-leadership can be learnt in the YPG and that is why it must be taken seriously.
Leadership is not about control but service.
A person who is not able to handle smaller things is not qualified for bigger ones.
Leadership is not about power but empowerment.
Leadership is not about manipulation but inspiration.
Leadership should be with purpose and not people. The purpose could help drive the people.

After sharing these insights on leadership, there was the need to enlighten the Guilders on what they should consider as individuals in their leadership service. Thus, what a leader must know and do.

Know what you have been called for as a leader.
Know who has called you.
Know yourself, your assignment and your mission, because personal leadership is important in management.
Know the people you’re leading; manage the difficult ones with love and identify beaming potentials to pull along.
Be an example to the Guilders you are leading.
Be accountable in your work.
Take responsibility and
Be a servant leader.

The speaker summed it all up and Guilders could only grasp these and run with, like a lamp to their leading feet and light to their leading skills.

THE WORKSHOP GROUPS.

As the summit sought to equip the participants wholly for the tasks ahead, the organizers created the platform for the various portfolios to interact with able facilitators that will provide guidance as well as answers to questions and clarify slip-ups to aid in producing good results.

In this vein, the Presbytery Youth Coordinator had some time with the District Presidents and the Branch Presidents’ Representatives, The Presbytery Secretary with the District Secretaries, Presbytery Financial Secretary with District Financial Secretaries and Treasurers as the Former Superintendent, Mr. Stanley Toddison, interacted with Protocol Officers and Evangelism secretaries.

TIME FOR IMPART.

Like Paul, the impartation of spiritual gifts for strength was not neglected so that like Timothy, there was a reminder to fan into flame the gift of God possessed through the laying of hands of the council of elders.

It was the best way to seal the impacts and insights the Guild leaders had been armed with as the laying of hands and prayer session was carried out by the courteous CLAN Director of the Presbytery, Rev. Andrew Shardow.

A good thing it was to gather in His presence as a light for direction like the theme rightly captured for the summit “Jesus Christ, the light of the world: His presence as light for direction”.

Rev. Andrew Shardow, CLAN Director, Ga Presbytery

Let us leave you here with the eleventh to thirteenth verses of Paul’s letter in Romans Twelve which cautions; “Never let the fire in you go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. Share with God’s people who are in need and welcome others into your homes.

The Lord who has called you is faithful, and He will do it!

YPG…

Service All The Way!!!!!!!!!!

Written by:

Mavis Naa Korley Aryee, Teshie District.

GA PRESBYTERY YPG LAUNCHES TIMOTHY PROJECT TO MENTOR NEW MEMBERS

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.

…intentional discipleship, exceptional disciples!!!

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.

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.

God bless us all.
YPG…

AKOSUA KUMI WRITES: THE GUILD IS A GREAT FAMILY

The Guild is a great family!

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.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH DELIVERED BY BRO. SYLVANUS MEEYEOYA AFOTEY ON THE OCCASION OF THE INDUCTION SERVICE OF THE GA PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

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

Sunday August, 2021

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY SUCCESSOR!

Dear Superintendent Sylvanus Meeyeoya Afotey,

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.

Cheers to impact!

Your predecessor,
Stanley Toddison.

SUPT MESSAGE ON 2021 YSW

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.

YOU… PRACTICE GODLINESS!!!

#ServiceAllTheWay

#YearOfNurturing

SERIES: IN THE LAST DAYS (PART 2)

Text: This know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3:1)

Last week, we looked at the prophecy and promise of Joel and Jesus respectively concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days and how the Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Christ.

Today, we want to look at Paul’s warning to his son Timothy about we having perilous times in the last days. At least, looking at the strange and almost unexplainable events happening around us should send a signal we are in the last days. Many people believe that, Jesus’ description of end time and His apocalyptic message to John the Beloved as recorded in the Book of Revelation are almost fully fulfilled. Meaning, we are nearer to the end than when we first believed.

In Apostle Paul’s warning, he mentioned things that will cause the perilous times to come and interestingly, we have all sat aloof and have been taken unaware. I personally believe that, the occurrence of the first thing Paul mentioned triggers the other factors to manifest. He said, “…for men shall be lovers of their own selves – selfishness”. Then he went on to mention the fruits of the flesh as the other causes of the perilous times [2 Timothy 3:2-5, Galatians 5:19-21].

My brethren, being self-centered is this cause of all the problems we are facing in the world today. When Jesus is in the centre, everything will be fine. His love will be shared abroad in our hearts and we will learn of His meekness and compassion. We will love and help each other and not only seek for our own interest, but that of others.

Paul admonished Timothy to stick to the sound teachings he received from his grandmother Lois. He added, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee WISE unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”.

This world will only become better when such wisdom that comes from the Holy Scriptures is used. I urge you to stand up and make a change in the world with the Word of God.

RUTH SOMUAH WRITES: MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH YPG

Finally! I get to serve all the way.

I had heard a lot about the Young People’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church. I admired the way they looked angelic in their uniform whenever they wore it, so free and bonded in love they appeared to be. Their meetings, I heard, was always fun and long awaited. This youth group really made me eager to reach 18, then I could be a part of them. Not that I didn’t enjoy where I was, Junior Youth was amazing. There were always welcoming leaders to counsel you and the school visits was the icing on the cake but the YPGs I’d seen had a way of wetting your appetite with their enticing programs.

In 2017, I prepared together with a group of Junior Youth members for graduation and honestly, I didn’t know exactly what to expect but I was looking forward to awesome moments with this new group.

I attended my first YPG meeting at the Epiphany Congregation, Kaajaano, where I worshipped at the time. I later understood why this youth group received so much hype; our activities ranged from talks to outdoor and indoor games. We had worship sessions, learnt hymns and even had dinners, among many other interesting activities.

Of course, like every organization, there would always be challenges and this group was no different. On several occasions we had members showing up late for meetings and other programs. Poor participation and lack of interest in some outlined program, on the part of members were also some issues we had to deal with but prayers were offered and the necessary strategies were put in place so that we could call these challenges a thing of the past.

It has been 3 years since I joined the YPG and I must say I’ve learnt beaucoup – on faith, health, finance, the Christian walk, and relationships, just to mention a few. I made it a mental note and a commitment to myself when I joined YPG that I won’t just respond ‘Service all the way’ but I would also serve all the way (1 John 3:18 NIV) and God is faithfully helping me to live it.

I humbly suggest that the youth groups in the Presbyterian Church should be enlightened on why and how their presence is an advantage to the church and how it is tied to church growth.

I hold the belief that if the youth groups in PCG, individuals first, would purpose in their hearts to know His will and to do it, we would make the church unbelievably fortified against division and stagnancy. The Holy Spirit is still very much present and wants to be active in our lives, will we be available?

YPG!!
SERVICE ALL THE WAY!!!

Written by Sis. Ruth Somuah (YPG Member, Victory Congregation, Ashaiman)

SERIES: IN THE LAST DAYS… PART 1

Text: Then afterwards [in the last days], I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh
(Joel 2:28)

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!!!

We begin this series by looking at one of the most important prophecies about the last days concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is the life giver and sustainer of the believer (Job 33:4).

Jesus confirmed Joel’s prophecy by promising us (His followers) that He will not leave us as orphans but will send us The Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also our Helper, Teacher and Counsellor (John 16).

Jesus Christ explicitly mentioned in verse 7 of John 16 that, it is to the advantage of the believers that He goes to the Father because if He doesn’t, the Comforter will not come.

This prophecy and promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension. The last words of Christ to the disciples stated clearly what the Holy Spirit will help us to do; “But you will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses… (Acts 1:8). The empowerment of the Holy Spirit, thus, is primarily for soul winning and discipleship.

In Acts 2, Bible records the actual outpouring of the Holy Spirit; “… and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit – v. 4”.

The Holy Spirit plays an important role to lead us to Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3). He first convicts us of sin, then of God’s righteousness and then of the coming judgment (John 16:8-9).

My purpose today is to remind you of your incapacity without the Holy Spirit. Just as a child below 18 years cannot inherit her/his estates, without the Holy Spirit, you cannot inherit the good things in the Lord. So I will urge you to pray the Spirit’s empowerment.

If you are a Christian, you just need to recognize Him as your Helper. He is always there to help you become more like Christ.

If you are not born again and you are reading this message, there is still hope. The first step is to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit and walk in His awesome guidance and power.

Have a Spirit-filled day!