Abetifi (E/R), Aug. 21, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has called on the church to support government in its efforts to solve the numerous challenges confronting the state. He said government needs support in areas such as unemployment, sanitation, environmental degradation and armed robbery . President Mills made the call at an induction service of Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey, as the sixteenth Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Abetifi, in the Kwahu East District, on Sunday.

He said despite all the security forces such as the military, the police and others, who protect the nation day and night, politicians labour in vain without the prayers of the church for spiritual protection of the nation by God.

"We have the police, the military and all other security forces, but without God's protection we are nothing," he emphasized. The President assured that, the government would continue to cooperate with the church to initiate programmes to move the nation forward in all areas of development.

He commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for its contribution towards socio-economic development of the country since its establishment.

Preaching the sermon, the former Moderator of the Church, Very Reverend Dr Sam Prempeh said the Christian Church today is faced with many challenges, including false teachings, power struggle, immoral life styles, and a search for material gains and false professes. He called on Christians not to allow the debate on lesbianism and homosexuality to take preference over more important issues on the agenda of the church.

"That is why I will be surprised to see this subject becoming a political debate in any future electioneering campaign" he said He appealed to political leaders to seek for the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit in all their dealings, adding that, when Jesus was in a boat with his disciples and were threatened by the storm , he calmed the stormy and so would he help them to overcome their challenges.

Very Reverend Prempeh cautioned Ghanaians to be circumspect in their utterances between now and 2012 and beyond, in order not to create confusion in the country.

In an address, the newly inducted Moderator, Right Reverend Professor Martey, said his vision for Ghana is for the church, under his leadership, to help the nation in promoting leaders of integrity, who are committed to transforming the country into a nation shaped by God-centered values.

He promised to do his best through the direction of the Holy Spirit to move the church into a new direction, where evangelism would take the centre stage of the church activities. The induction service was performed by the immediate past moderator of the Church, Very Reverend Dr Yaw Frempong Manso and assisted by the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Herbert Anim Oppong.

The colourful ceremony was witnessed by the Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Kwasi Akyem Appea-Kubi and his deputy, Mr Ebenzer Oklertey Teyelarbi. 21 Aug. 11