Methodist Guild Ghana marks 125th anniversary

The Methodist Guild Ghana has marked its 125th anniversary with a call on members to eschew carnality and commit more towards discipleship and holy Christian living.

Opening the 12th biennial holiday/prayer camp, the Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Most Rev. Richardson Andam, charged the guilders to seek a true spiritual relationship with God away from carnality.

About 2000 delegates from the 16 dioceses of the Methodist Church across the country attended the conference on the theme "Guild at 125-Growing into Christian Maturity for effective witnessing".

Build yourselves up

Most Rev. Andam said the many heretical teachings that had sprung up required that true Christians continued to build themselves as true unmovable Christians by studying the word of God and living a life of scriptural holiness.

"We must be mature to witness, show integrity and good character that reflect Christian values of honesty and sincerity," he added.

The Bishop of Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church also stressed the need for Christians to develop an interpersonal relationship with God and with others exhibiting the fruits of the spirit.

"Be filled with the Holy Spirit, Don’t let us be carnal. Exhibit the fruits of the spirit. "Be well vexed in scripture by hearing, reading, studying, memorising and meditating on scripture to be able to live the word as Christians," he added.  

Peaceful elections

Most Rev. Andam, who is also the chairman of the Central Regional Peace Council, led the delegates to take a pledge towards ensuring a peaceful general election, this year.

He made the hall of delegates rise to take a pledge to protect the nation's peace and said it was critical to work towards a peaceful general election, stressing that peace was critical for the development of the nation.

He said it was, therefore, important to put aside all forms of chaos and hostility and promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after this year's general election.

Guild

The Connexional Chairman of the Methodist Guild Ghana, Patience Ameyaa Sam, said the Methodist Guild Ghana was established in 1899 with the mandate to mobilise the Methodist youth and adults for church activities, train them for leadership and make them effective witnesses of the gospel.

She said the guild celebrated its centenary with a membership of 13,474 and had seen membership increasing from 22,669 comprising 5,440 males, 14,569 females and 2,660 young guilders.

Mrs Sam said the Guild had established a scholarship scheme, which was currently supporting 44 young needy people through school and apprenticeship, and had also embarked on the construction of a three-storey Methodist Prayer and retreat centre at Offinso.