The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Anglican Church in charge of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, has called on church leaders to pursue the full knowledge of God through Christ as the sure foundation for building the Church and transforming society.
Speaking on the theme, “Building The Church For Impact” at the 2025 All Ministers Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Anglican Archbishop observed that the world, including Ghana, is plagued with corruption, injustice, greed, and moral decay, yet the Church cannot escape responsibility.
“We have been called individually and collectively, so you take the blame if the faith is being dragged in the mud,” he said, adding, “Where have we gone wrong? But the time is rife now to make an impact.”
Stressing the seriousness of the Church’s mission, he reminded participants of the blood of martyrs shed throughout history, saying, “It is now our time. How can I make an impact, and what kind of impact? Are we being impacted from without, or are we impacting from within?”
He warned against systems of the world crafted by “the calculated craftsmanship of evil minds” that infiltrate the very areas where God intends to reveal His glory, which has become a canker that is so difficult to remove, stressing that God expects the church to impact the world, not the reverse.
According to Archbishop Ben-Smith, the Church must grow numerically, spiritually, and qualitatively. Citing the example of Jesus who began with three, then twelve, then 120 before reaching the multitudes, he called for discipleship and church planting.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 3:9-10, he reminded ministers to be mindful of the foundations they are laying on.
“What are you teaching your people? Jesus declared, ‘I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ Build on the legacy of Christ.”
Highlighting Philippians 3:10-11, he underscored the dynamic nature of knowing God. “The things that seem certain to us are so infinitesimal compared to all that God is and has created. He urged the Church to impart a deeper knowledge of God that persuades people to reject the fleeting materials of this world and embrace Christ, citing 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Referencing 1 Corinthians 13:12, he called on ministers to press forward in love and anchor their knowledge of God in Christ, declaring, “Knowledge without Christ is useless.” He concluded with a heartfelt plea: “Pray that you may know God, that He may reveal Himself to you. He will.”
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