Church services herald 2016 in regions
Watch-night services were held in the various churches across the regions last Thursday to usher in 2016.
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The central theme of the new year messages from the men of God was the need for Ghanaians to maintain the prevailing peace ahead of the general election, during and beyond the polls.
From Sunyani, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah writes that the Abesim District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Reverend Wilberforce Takyi, called on politicians to be tolerant of the views of their opponents as the country inched towards Election 2016.
He said Ghana could not take the peaceful atmosphere it had enjoyed for some time now for granted, adding that “the 2016 general election is a litmus political test for the country”.
Abesim
Speaking at the New Year Service at the Calvary Congregation of the PCG, Abesim near Sunyani, Rev. Takyi said it was necessary for Ghanaians to guard against the country’s enviable political stability, cautioning that any slip would not augur well for the success of the 2016 elections.
At the watch-night service to usher in the new year, the tens of people in attendance sang praises to God for taking them through 2015 and prayed for His blessing and a prosperous 2016.
Bolgatanga
The Bolgatanga District Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend James Awuni, called on residents of the Upper East Region and the country as a whole to conduct this year's electioneering with "love devoid of insults and intimidation”, reports Vincent Amenuveve.
"We need to tolerate one another because we are the same people with one destiny. This year is a remarkable year and so we need to conduct ourselves well to receive the blessings of God," he said.
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Delivering his New Year Message, Rev. Awuni urged the youth to be innovative and channel their energies into productive ventures. He further urged them not to use the unemployment challenges they faced to foment trouble.
Meanwhile, many other residents of the Bolgatanga Municipality kept vigil to usher in the New Year at other church services and social events.
Abrankese
At Abrankese in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, Emmanuel Baah reports that scores of believers congregated at the Kessben FC Stadium to worship with the Moment of Glory Prayer Army (MOGPA) Ministry.
The General Overseer of MOGPA, Rev. Isaac Osei-Bonsu, who spoke on the theme, “Divine Unlimited”, said though 2015 came with its own challenges, 2016 was a season of unlimited breakthroughs and that no obstacle could impede the progress of God's anointed.
"You will overcome all boundaries. No weapon fashioned against God's children shall prosper," the man of God said, urging believers to see God as the only solid foundation in all their endeavours.
Nsumfa-Sowutuom
From Nsumfa-Sowutuom, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports that members of the Mount Sinai Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who wore mostly white apparels, glorified God with singing and dancing for His providence in 2015.
In her message, the Rev. Mrs Rosemond Gardner-Korley, implored Christians to lead lives worthy of emulation and eschew acts that would not make them worthy ambassadors of Christ. She also prayed for peace as the country goes to the polls this year.
Tamale
It was a joyous period of praise, worship, thanksgiving to God and dance at the auditorium of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) of the church of Pentecost in
Tamale to say goodbye to 2015 and usher in 2016, report Samuel Duodo & Zadok Kwame Gyesi from Tamale.
Some members shared testimonies of what the Lord did for them in 2015 with the rest of the congregation.
The Head Pastor of the Church, Pastor Fred S. Afful, in a sermon titled "The hand of God", said God would perform miracles in those who would trust in Him in 2016.
He said the hand of God would locate every believer who called upon Him and pointed out that it was the hand of God that made David to defeat Goliath.