The Ridge Church School has donated some items to three organisations in Accra, as part of its annual Harvest and Outreach programme.

The items, which were mobilised by students with the support of their parents, included groceries, toiletries, beverages, bottled water, fruits, bread, foodstuffs, canned foods and cooking oil.

The beneficiary institutions were the Teshie Orphanage, the Children’s Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

The programme is an annual event established in the school’s early years to instil in learners the value of helping the needy and vulnerable in society in alignment with the Christian principle of the school.

It provides learners with the opportunity to express their gratitude to God in a practical way.

The event traditionally begins a few weeks prior, with each student contributing an offering of money, culminating in the gathering of the items, which are then presented on the altar of the Ridge Church.

The theme for this year’s event was: “Giving willingly will glorify God” as inspired by the Biblical verse in 2 Samuel 24:24.

Sermon

In a sermon, the school’s Chaplain, Rev. Laud Gyampoh, referenced a verse in the Bible in which David stated that he would not offer sacrifices to God that cost him nothing.

Basing his sermon on 2 Samuel 24:24, he explained that “while our voices may reach God in prayer, our sacrificial actions can speak even louder”.

He emphasised that true sacrifices come from the heart, which was more powerful to God than the mouth could do, and that God listened to the heart more than mere words.

“Therefore, parents and all who have donated in times like this when the economy is challenging, your sacrifice will speak for you,” Rev. Gyampoh said.
 

Gratitude

The Headmistress of the school, Nana Ama Acheampomaa Badasu, said the annual event was a way for the school community to express gratitude and share blessings with others.

She added that the event reflected the school’s belief in the importance of giving back to society.

“The Bible says that he who gives to the poor and the needy lends to God and God will reward that person diligently, and we believe in giving. Let us also make sure that society benefits from the education and resources they have given us, and we also give back to the needy and I believe that God will bless us,” she stated.

Act of giving

The school’s Board Chairperson, Vivian Campbell, said true worship required action towards one’s neighbours, and not only personal devotion.

She explained that love and care must be expressed through acts of generosity and compassion, rather than solely through prayer.

Mrs Campbell said loving God involved caring for and serving others as taught in the Bible’s examples of compassion and generosity.