Christians welcome 2019 with watchnight services in regions

Christians in the regions ushered in the New Year with watchnight services. Mostly clad in white apparel, the Christian community sang praises and worshipped God for preserving them and their families throughout the year 2018.

The Methodist Church in Wa in the Upper West Region prayed for the church, the nation, individuals and families reports Michael Quaye.

In his sermon, the Very Rev. Amos H. Kyere, Bishop's Deputy in charge of the Wa-Bolga Diocese of the church encouraged Ghanaians to show a positive mindset to change the story of the oft-mentioned difficulties in the local economy.

Very Rev. Kyere said negative thoughts and pronouncements were contagious and should, therefore, not be countenanced by the society.

He pointed out that a positive attitude and approach always yielded good results and urged the congregation and Ghanaians not to yield to negative talks of impossibilities but rather be encouraged by thoughts of possibilities.

Kumasi

Daniel Kenu reports from Kumasi that the head of the northern sector of Royalhouse Chapel International, Rev. Robert Agyemang Webura, encouraged Ghanaians to be steadfast in the face of apparent challenges in the past year because 2019 'will be a year of progress.'

He urged them to take risks and venture into new areas, including businesses because Ghana would experience God's special grace to excel in this year.

Rev. Webura, who also presides over the Latter Glory Temple at Tafo Pankrono, a suburb of Kumasi, said the era of despair was over and it was time Ghanaians looked ahead with hope and excitement.

Speaking on the theme: "Let them have dominion" he told the congregation, especially the youth, to be ambitious and forward looking and 'venture into uncharted waters' and use their knowledge to solve the country's problems.

From Ayigya, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor, reports that the head pastor of the Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC), Reverend Ransford Obeng, prayed for the leadership of the country and asked for God’s blessings for them to enable them to find solutions to the problems facing Ghanaians.

" I pray that God will give the President and his cabinet the wisdom and the insight they need in tackling most of the problems that Ghanaians have", he stated.

In his new year message, Reverend Obeng reiterated his confidence in the Nana Addo government.

According to him, the government has had enough time to study the problems facing the country in the last two years and must use the third year to start implementing its strategies.

He said in spite of the challenges Ghanaians were going through, Ghana was a blessed nation and called on the citizens to be grateful to God for the peace being enjoyed as that was more important than riches.

John K. Essel also reports that at the Atonsu Agogo Emmanuel Methodist Church, the Very Rev. Solomon Bruce, Superintendent Minister in-charge of the Atonsu Agogo Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, called on Ghanaians, especially Christians, to enter the New Year with faith, compassion, hard work, punctuality, commitment and self determination to move the country forward for progress and development.

He said Christians must avoid social vices which undermined national development and make good use of their time.

Very Rev. Bruce expressed his appreciation to the government for instituting the free SHS educational policy which he added had brought a big relief to parents in the country.

Tamale

From Tamale, Samuel Duodu reports that at the Church of Christ Tamale-East, the Head Pastor, George Dassah, urged the members to deepen their relationship with God and mankind.

He said Christians every year made resolutions but only few adhered to them adding that "Coming out with resolution is not hard but the commitment to implement them is the problem".

The preacher further urged the members to improve on their spiritual growth, show commitment to helping others, study the Bible and put it into practice in order to grow spiritually.

The Associate Pastor for Perez Chapel, Rev. Joshua Mogre, also urged Christians to reflect on their set goals at the end of every year and improve upon them.

At the stroke of midnight, the congregation who were excited to cross over to 2019 danced and praised God for ushering them into the New Year.

They hugged and shook hands with each other and wished themselves God’s blessings and protection for the year.

Bolgatanga

Vincent Amenuveve reports from Bolgatanga that the Head Pastor of Rehoboth Temple of the International Central Gospel Church(ICGC), Reverend Rudolph Kouevi Kangnissoukpe led a pre-cross over prayer night, a cross over declaration and a communion service.

He entreated Christians to enter into 2019 with good moral values.

Making references to Deuteronomy 9:1-3, the head pastor stressed that no Christian should leave behind the good values that they exhibited in 2018.

Agona Swedru

Many churches in Agona Swedru also held church services to thank God for his protection, love and care throughout the year 2018 and to welcome the New Year, reports Gilbert Mawuli Agbey.

The churches are the Christian Praise International Church, Emmanuel Methodist Church, Unique Fire Life Chapel International, St. James Anglican Church and the Christ Apostolic Church International.

Delivering the sermon at the St. James Anglican Church, Rev. Fr Aaron Moses Ato Kwamena Eduah, the Parish Priest, urged the members not to despair but rather be hopeful since God would do supernatural things in their lives in 2019.

He said the God who ushered them into 2019 would do great things in their lives that would go beyond human understanding so as to glorify His name.