The Ashanti Bekwai Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Fred Tiakor, has advised Christians, particularly ministers of the Gospel, to uphold Christian values and principles in all facets of life, emphasising that “the Christian ministry is both sacred and secular”.
Apostle Tiakor said this last Sunday during a word ministration at the retirement service for Pastor Raymond and Mrs. Sarah Hagan at the Berea Assembly church auditorium.
Speaking on the topic, “The Ins and Outs of Ministry,‟ the Ashanti-Bekwai Area Head said that from time to time, God, through the Holy Spirit, calls men from among people to serve His purpose on earth. He, however, stressed that the divine call is not only limited to spiritual things but also involves other aspects of life.
Reading from 2 Timothy 2:1-6, Apostle Tiakor described the minister as a good soldier, a good athlete, and a hardworking farmer.
He further explained that, as a soldier, the Christian is expected to endure hardship, be disciplined and uphold high standards at all times.
“He, therefore, must persevere through the hardships associated with ministerial duties to meet those high standards,” he stated.
He said that demands on ministers in contemporary times are so high and it requires hard work to be able to meet them, saying: “the minister has to work hard as a farmer to get the required harvest.”
Citing the ministry of Apostle Paul in Ephesus, he said that, although the work of ministry is very challenging, the Apostle worked hard among the people and lived by example (Acts 20: 32-35).
Apostle Tiakor, therefore, congratulated Pastor Hagan for actively serving the Lord and His church for 29 years as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
He encouraged the congregants to honour and revere ministers of the Gospel because they are God’s mouthpiece and ambassadors of Heaven.
The colourful ceremony was attended by the Ashanti Bekwai Area pastorate and their wives, as well as active and retired ministers from other areas of the Church.
Report by Overseer Frank Osei Tutu