“The end of a matter is better than the beginning. If you do not complete what you begin, you become an object of ridicule for those who saw your beginning. A bright beginning does not guarantee a bright end, likewise, a dim beginning would not necessarily result in a dim end. This is because the end of a matter is dependent on the occurrences that sandwich the beginning and the end.”
These words were resounded in the message of the Chairman-Elect and Koforidua Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, during the retirement service held in honour of Pastor William and Margaret Twumasi Ankrah of Odumasi Krobo District.
The colourful service, which was held at the Agormanya Central Church, commemorated the 37-year ministerial service of Pastor and Mrs. Twumasi Ankrah. Together, they served at 8 Districts of the Church, namely Wassa Saa, Jacobu, Enchi, Ashaiman, Assin Manso, Nkoranza, Yawmetwa and finally Odumasi Krobo in the Agormanya Area, where he has retired from active service.
Reading from Ecclesiastes 7:1-8 and Hebrew 6:12, Apostle Nyamekye revealed that faith and patience are indispensable virtues that must be held firmly by every Christian in order to attain the promises of God. He added that when faith and patience are joined to together it produces perseverance.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye emphasized that God is unwaveringly committed to bringing to pass every blessing He has promised His children, if only they would also depend on Him.
According to the Koforidua Area Head, many people depend on money as their solid source of security. “Money cannot be a formidable security but God can and He is. The writer of Hebrews highlighted this in Hebrew 13:5 that Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said He will never leave you and never will He forsake you,” he said.
The Chairman-Elect drew lessons from his initial experience in pastoral ministry as an Overseer of the Church when he was stationed at Daboase. He said that at the initial stages he was gripped with fear, but as the days elapsed, the fear he felt was like a shadow which soon passed away. This was because he was focused on Christ and Him alone, adding that “Life is all about Christ, without Christ it would be full of crises.”
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, therefore, cautioned Christians to shun sin, for sin begets shame, reproach and ultimately death. He urged Christians to focus on eternal life, which, according to him, is the most paramount thing that accompanies salvation. Apart from eternal life, there are other benefits like healing and protection. He, however, cautioned that the latter are not rights but benefits which God may choose whether or not to lavish them on the Christian, hence suffering or challenges should not cause a Christian to lose faith and patience in God.
He defined patience as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems of suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
“A patient Christian is temperate, does not envy anyone. He is constantly the same for he has faith that He who has promised would bring into fruition His promises. Such a person always desires to do the will of God,” he said.
Concluding his sermon, Apostle Nyamekye eulogized the retiring minister and wife for their dedicated and meritorious service to God and the Church for 37 years. He also commended them for finishing well to the glory of God.
Among those present to celebrate the ministry of Pastor and Mrs. Twumasi Ankrah, were the Agormanya Area Head, Apostle James Quardson, and his wife Felicia, as well as Mrs. Mary Nyamekye (Wife of the Chairman-Elect). Also present were some active and retired ministers of the Church within and outside the Agormanya Area.
Report by: Overseer Robert Asamoah, Sekesua District
