GHANA BAPTIST CONVENTION@60
The Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC) has launched its 60th anniversary, calling on Ghanaians to guard against the depletion of the environment and natural resources. The Executive President of the GBC, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, who made the call on Sunday, February 5, 2023, said issues of the environment should be of great concern to everyone in the country because the high rates of degradation could affect all.
He noted that creation is a gift from God and that mankind has a duty to use resources judiciously by consciously preserving and conserving natural resources not only in one’s country but the world at large for future generations.
The 60th anniversary was launched at the First Baptist Church in Tema on the theme: “Fulfilling God’s Purpose, Growing God’s Church – 60 Years On.” Activities lined up for the year-long anniversary celebration include lectures and tree-planting exercises, among other events. The celebration will be climaxed with a national thanksgiving service at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi, on November 26, 2023.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the anniversary launch, Rev. Thompson expressed concern about the rapid rate of environmental degradation and mentioned with regret that illegal mining activities could have grievous effects on the environment.
“If we Christians, as most of the people of this nation claim to be, should have the consciousness of God’s concern for the environment, then we should keep our environment tidy and avoid degradation,” he said. He urged Christians involved in galamsey to rethink the effect of their mining activities and guard against the depletion of resources.
Rev. Thompson said that as bearers of God’s image, all Christians have the responsibility not only to be reconciled with God but also to care for God’s creation.
The GBC, which started as a mustard seed, has grown into one of the largest denominations in Ghana, with over 1,300 local churches in Ghana. Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson thanked God for guiding the GBC throughout its existence in the country. The anniversary, he said, was significant because it highlighted the numerous contributions the GBC had made to the country in all spheres of life.
He noted that the church has played a crucial role in the areas of education, quality healthcare delivery, and improving the physical and spiritual lives of people in the country. He highlighted the GBC’s efforts in establishing medical facilities across the country, such as their flagship Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu and other health facilities across the country, the provision of boreholes in a number of communities to improve the lives of the people, and their contribution to the development of Ghana’s human capital through the Ghana Baptist University College, early childhood development centres, and the Baptist Vocational Training Centre focusing on the training of girls who have been rescued from the Trokosi system.
Rev. Thompson said for the rest of the period that the GBC will exist, they commit to preaching the unadulterated word of God. “As we stand on this pinnacle of 60 years, we look further afield and see that there remain many mountains to be climbed, valleys to be passed, and some rivers to be crossed. In the future, we seek progress in evangelism, financial solvency, human resource development, and the provision of conducive places of worship for our congregations.
