The Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, commissioning new Ministers for the Church, on Sunday, cautioned that those who use ungodly spiritual powers to promote their work would be ostracised.

The Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana said Christian Ministers today were under scrutiny to test their genuineness, as some believed that the bad nuts utilised the powers of lesser gods and other ungodly beings to perform miracles or promote their churches.

“The Ministry is now under strict scrutiny for people who these ungodly places to look for powers. The Methodist Church will not hesitate to pull your collar or drive you out if you are found seeking help somewhere to promote your ministry because that is not of the Church,” he warned.

Most Rev. Boafo gave the caution, when on behalf of the Church, he commissioned 22 new Ministers in Accra, as part of the total 68 being ordained nationwide. To help observe the social distancing protocols,
the ordination was performed in six centres.

They are: Thomas Clegg Chapel - Kaneshie and Resurrection Chapel - Adentan, Greater Accra Region; Wesley Chapel - Cape Coast, Central Region; Bethel Chapel – Takoradi, Western Region; and in Kumasi, Ashanti Region at the Ebenezer Chapel at Bantama and Calvary Chapel, Amakom.

The Christian Council Chairman advised the Ministers to study the Holy Bible diligently in order to be good stewards to lead the children of God towards a positive future.

They were also to work in humility, while obeying and submitting to the duties of the Church and seeking the approval of God in their interventions.

The Presiding Bishop said the event proved that the Methodist Church was alive amid all the unfortunate incidences, such as COVID-19.

“Since the church is alive, its purpose has not changed. You need to ask yourselves why you have been called. Remember that you did not call yourselves but God did; and your work does not end with this commissioning. You have a current and future role to play as a shepherd,” he told the Ministers.

Most Rev. Dr Boafo entreated the Church to warmly welcome the Ministers and readily support them in their duties towards building the Church.

The Ministers commissioned in Accra are Emmanuel Adzibri Hammond, Albert Akaniliskum Akanferi, Gloria Amarquaye, Raphael Kweku Ampem, Emmanuel Andzie, Barry Kwadwo Boafo, Benjamin Franklin Essel, Alfred Fraiku, Herbert Mensah Hodasi, Thomas Kyeremeh, Ebenezer Noble Nartey and Ekow Nunoo-Mensah.

Others were Obed Kingston Acquah, Isaac Amankwah, Thomas Amoah-Dankwa, Baafi Amoako Amofah, Kwame Darko Asumadu-Yeboa, Paul Appiah, Gloria Asamoah-Awusabo, Esther Maseyo Azu, Kwame Obeng Gyimah, and Roland Percy Essuman Quansah.

They were all given a Holy Bible to preach the good news to humanity.

They individually pledged to dedicate themselves to the gospel, be diligent in prayer, never to be ashamed in rightly handling the word of truth (Holy Bible), and to forever honour Jesus Christ as “the Head of the body, the Church and a preeminent in everything”.

In an interview with Rev Gloria Amarquaye, she gave the assurance that they would heed to the advice of the Presiding Bishop by working in humility and engaging the congregation in the decision making processes.

Another new Minister, Rev Boafo, said he was going to adhere to the doctrine of the Church in all his dealings, making the Holy Spirit his guide.

Rev Essel also said he would not seek spiritual interventions from any other gods to promote his ministry. “I know that the Almighty God I serve has greater might to do all I ask of him and so I need no other spiritual intervention from what is not of the Lord,” he said