'Christian youth must despise homosexuality'

The General Overseer of the Evangelical Church of Ghana  (ECG), Rev. Daniel Gbende, has described homosexuality as unchristian, and admonished Christian youth to despise the act if they want to serve God righteously.

He explained that if the Christian youth involve themselves in homosexuality, they will be destroying God's purpose for marriage, which is a union between a man and woman, and not a union between two men.

Speaking at the 6th National Youth Camp of the ECG Youth Ministry at Tuna in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Northern Region, Rev. Gbande said the church was a key stakeholder in the development of the nation, and should therefore, make a conscious effort to equip the youth morally through the word of God, for them to be become productive in society.

According to the man of God, if the youth of Ghana can grow to support in the development of the country, then the Christian youth should play the lead role.

But, for them to achieve this, they must be spiritually upright, emotionally disciplined, and morally decent.

Rev. Gbande emphasised that for the youth of the church to be spiritually upright, emotionally disciplined and morally decent, immoral acts such as homosexuality and viewing or reading of pornographic materials should not be mentioned among them, because these acts weaken their spiritual growth and development.

He was disheartened at the recent activities of some self-acclaimed men of God, which had brought about condemnation of the church, and urged the youth not to emulate the lifestyles of such men of God.

He said the greatest miracle for every Christian is the salvation given unto them by God, through his son, Jesus Christ.

Touching on brief history of the church, Rev Gbande said the first branch was opened at Tuna in 1940 by the first missionaries.

They later expanded more branches to areas like Kpandai, Tamale, Bolgatanga, Tatale, Saboba, Accra, Kpassa, Kintampo and Kumasi.

The immediate past National Youth Coordinator of the Church, Rev. Peter Kumah Nsakyure, inducted into office a five-member National Youth Executive, with Rev. James Amoah Aluruba as the new National Youth Coordinator. Other executive members are, Deacon William N. Jalulah, National Youth Secretary, Ms. Irene Nabil, National Youth Treasurer, Brother Joshua Ayambire, National Youth Organiser and Elder Moses Nambu, National Youth Prayer Coordinator.

The new executives were elected at Kintampo on December 18, 2010, during the District Coordinators Special Conference.

All the10 districts of the Church – Tuna, Tatale, Kumasi, Kintampo, Bolgatanga, Accra, Tamale, Kpandai, Krachi, and Kpassa – took part in the camp.

The programme, which was from 16 to 20 August 2011, witnessed the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, as several members received healings and deliverance from the shackles of the evil spirit.

It was on the themeL: 'Equipping the Youth for a committed Christian Service – II Timothy 3:16-17.'

Rev. James Aluruba Amoah, National Youth Coordinator of the Youth Ministry of the ECG, gave a talk on Christian marriage, touching on critical considerations the youth must take into account before picking their partners. Key among them was prayer.

He explained that the purpose of the camp was to bring the youth of the church from all the districts and branches together to learn the scripture, share the word of God, renew their relationship with God, and also socialise with one another.

There were games and a Bible quiz. The Northern Sector won most of the games, including football and sack race. The Kpandai District won in the Bible quiz.

The first-ever youth camp of the church was held in Kumasi in 1999, followed by Techiman in 2001, Tamale, 2003, Accra, 2005, and Kpandai, 2008. The next camp is expected to be held in 2013.

Pix: (top) The five-member National Executive: From right: Rev. James Amoah Aluruba, Coordinator, William N. Jalulah, National Secretary, Ms. Irene Nabil, Treasurer, Eld. Moses Nambu, Prayer Coordinator, Bro. Joshua Ayambire, Organiser