Fruitful Living
Rev. Vivian Balasu Addo now Ho East Presbytery Synod Moderator of EPCG
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The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) on Sunday inducted Reverend Dr Mrs Vivian Balasu Addo into office as the Ho-East Presbytery Synod Moderator.
The induction rites, which took place at the Dela Cathedral at Ho-Kpodzi in strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, were performed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the EPCG, Rt. Rev. Dr Seth Senyo Agidi.
In a sermon which preceded the induction, Rev. Dr Agidi noted that mankind was still seeking peace without success in spite of all the astonishing technological and developmental feats in the world.
He said peace remained scarce because of the widespread and deep-rooted hatred and greed among humans which had deprived society of freedom.
He then cited the example of Jesus Christ who had the power to even raise the dead from the tomb and yet he did not acquire material wealth for himself, saying that was the example a leader should emulate.
Rev. Dr Agidi entreated the new Presbytery Synod Moderator to trust God and do His will always as she pursued her duty call with obedience and diligence.
In response, Rev. Dr Mrs Balasu Addo expressed gratitude the Presbytery Executives, Presbytery Council of Elders, pastors, catechists and presbyters for their immense contribution to the smooth running of the Ho-East Presbytery.
“I want you to know that together our commitments and selflessness will not go in vain,” she stated.
Until her induction, Rev. Dr Mrs Balasu Addo was the acting Synod Moderator of the Ho-East Presbytery.
Prior to that, she was the Pastor in-charge of the E.P. Church, Maryland in the USA between 2008 and 2018, and also served in that capacity at the church’s branches in New York from 2009 to 2017; Chicago (2016-2018) and Virginia (2017-2018).
The bespectacled clergywoman who is a married mother of one, served at different times as District Pastor of E.P. Church, Ashaley-Botwe; Adentan; Gbi-Wegbe, and Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA USA from 2005 to 2006.
From 1998 to 2000, Rev. Dr Mrs Balasu Addo was the Parish Pastor of E.P. Church, Peki Dzake, and Associate Pastor of E.P. Church, Madina from 2000 to 2002.
The former Chaplain Intern of Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in USA, Rev. Dr Mrs Balasu Addo was also a Volunteer Chaplain at the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Maryland, USA.
She is credited for starting the E.P. Church in USA in 2008 and also creating the Online Ministry.
The ever-cheerful reverend minister also started the Widows and Orphans Project in USA in 2017, and also initiated the Batik Project for Ladies’ Hall at the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho-Kpodzi
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provides affordable healthcare. By law (Act 852, 2012), every Ghanaian resident must belong to the NHIS by registering. Once registered, a family gains access to a wide range of medical services. From an Islamic perspective, having health coverage is part of fulfilling one’s social responsibility: the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) taught that
one who provides for a sick or needy person is like one who worships in solitude (in reward). An Imam might cite the hadith “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter” (Muslim).
Encouraging congregants to obtain NHIS cards ensures children can get vaccines and families can afford clinic visits, fulfilling the Quranic ideal of community care. Imams can organise special registration drives after Jumu‘ah, so the poor and elderly receive help signing up, noting that Act 852 even allows community agents to assist citizens.
Introduction
We started last week with a series on “The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Churches” and ended on the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet – “The Alpha and Omega.” Enjoy part two of the article this week and share it with others!
Pentecost
Pentecost is ultimately a story of redemption.
As the tongues of fire rested upon the disciples, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they had never learned.
Since people from many nations were present in Jerusalem, everyone heard the message of God proclaimed in their own language. The barriers that often divide humanity were overcome through the power of the Spirit.
The crowd was astonished. Some were amazed. Others were confused.
A few even accused the disciples of being drunk because the sounds they heard seemed incomprehensible to them.
At that moment, Peter stood up and delivered the first sermon of the New Testament Church.
Peter’s Pentecost sermon
Peter explained that what the people were witnessing was the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken centuries earlier by the prophet Joel:
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Peter declared that Jesus of Nazareth, whom many had rejected and crucified, was indeed the promised Messiah. Though He was put to death, God raised Him from the dead because death could not hold Him.
Peter further proclaimed that the risen Christ had been exalted to the right hand of God and had poured out the promised Holy Spirit upon His followers.
His sermon culminated in this powerful declaration:
“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)
The message pierced the hearts of the listeners.
The call to repentance
Convicted by Peter’s message, the people asked: “What shall we do?”
Peter responded: “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
This invitation was not limited to those standing before Peter that day.
The promise extended to:
- Their children.
- Future generations.
- People far away.
- Everyone whom God would call.
The gift of the Holy Spirit remains available today to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
The birth of the church
The Bible records that about three thousand people responded to Peter’s message and were added to the community of believers that day.
This remarkable harvest marked the birth of the Church.
For the first time, a Spirit-filled community emerged, united around the risen Christ and empowered to continue His mission.
These early believers were not creating a new religion. They understood Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises and the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the prophets.
The Church began as a movement of people transformed by the Holy Spirit and committed to proclaiming the good news of salvation.
