The National Head of The Church of Pentecost in Israel, Pastor Raymond Odei, has entreated Christians to endeavour to have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, since He is a life changer.

“When you encounter Jesus Christ, He has the power to turn your situation around,” he said.

Pastor Odei said this in a sermon on Sunday, November 4, 2018, at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Sakumono.

The service was also attended by Probationary Overseer Gabriel Owusu of Dambai Lakeside District and Elder Emmanuel Boate, a Finance Board Member of the Church.

Reading from Luke 19: 1-10 and John 3: 16-17, Pastor Raymond Odei explained that although Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, he still enriched himself by imposing more taxes on the people. He however said that when Zacchaeus had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, his life changed for the better and he made effort to compensate those he had cheated.

He explained that Zacchaeus in Hebrew means the ‘Righteous one,” saying, “Zacchaeus was everything except righteous.”

According to Pastor Odei, in those days there were three types of taxes: Product, Property and Custom taxes. He said that most people did not like tax collectors even though the work of a tax collector was a voluntary service.

“In spite of what the rabbi said to Zacchaeus to deter him from meeting with the Lord, he still purposed in his heart to have a glimpse of Jesus, and that encounter changed his life and status,” he said.

He therefore urged Christians to strive to have an encounter with the Lord just as Zacchaeus did, and also dine with Him and enjoy its benefits thereof.

The Resident Minister of PIWC – Sakumono, Pastor Anthony Owusu Sekyere Kwarteng, led the congregation in the prayer session.

Report by Yaa Asantewaa Adu Boahene