Founder of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Reverend Eastwood Anaba, has recounted how the loss of his two children changed his perspective on life and strengthened his desire to know God and live according to his purpose.

In a video sighted by GhanaWeb on August 31, 2026, he said he no longer sees reputation, wealth, property, cars, houses, churches or positions as important, because following that tragic incident, his focus is now on becoming like Jesus.

“I realise that sometimes the shortest route to that power of God is pain because sometimes the pain makes you not like any other thing because you've lost appetite. ...After all I've suffered, I just want to know him. Be like him (Christ),” he remarked.

Rev Anaba recounted a conversation with his wife in which he expressed his desire to spend the remaining years of his life showing people “the love of Jesus and what Jesus looks like”.

“My mission is not to be the head pastor of a church or the founder of a ministry. I just want to be like the founder, Jesus,” he said.

According to Rev Anaba, he had reached a stage in his life where he was no longer interested in material things.

“I lost everything; nothing matters anymore. Reputation, money, land, car, house, churches, people,” he said.

He added, “I am 66 years old. I am not looking to build another organisation. I am not trying to be in control of founding a chapel. I wish I could just walk out of church.”

The preacher said his greatest concern was now how he would be remembered before God rather than the size or success of the ministry he had built.

“As a 66-year-old man, I am preparing to meet my Maker,” he said.

“My mission in life is so that when I stand in front of you, you will say, 'Thou good and faithful servant.’”

Rev Anaba also reflected on his earlier years in ministry, saying he believed he had become too occupied with things that did not matter.

He recalled how, at the age of 33, people would reportedly react strongly to his presence during meetings because they believed they saw the glory of God in him.

“But the older I became, I don't know where that thing went. Maybe this time I am too busy with a lot of unnecessary and stupid things.”

He further cautioned younger Christians against assuming that growing older would automatically make them more spiritually mature.

According to him, spiritual discipline must be developed while one is young because the things a person accumulates over time can make it increasingly difficult to change.

“The more you grow older, the more difficult it will be to be spiritual,” he said.

He also spoke about the dangers of pursuing influence, wealth and connections at the expense of one's relationship with God.

Rev Anaba said he had come to appreciate the simplicity and innocence of people who had not become consumed by politics, business, influence and material possessions.

“We wish we had your simplicity, your innocence, not mixing politics and business with spirituality. We wish we had your innocence,” he said.

He acknowledged that many people in ministry could become preoccupied with having large churches, impressive buildings, influential connections and material possessions, while losing sight of God.

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“These are the things we followed, and followed, and followed. And today, when you ask us where is God, we don't know where he is,” he said.

In a particularly emotional moment, Rev Anaba repeated his desire to focus solely on God.

“Everything inside me is wired to follow after God. Everything inside me is wired to follow after God. I just want him!” he said.

He also urged younger people to use their present opportunities to develop their spiritual lives instead of assuming they would become more devoted to God with age.

“Don't deceive yourself that as you are growing older, you will suddenly change. You are likely to become worse,” he cautioned.

In April 2009, Rev Anaba lost two daughters and some relatives in a tragic accident on the Tamale-Bolgatanga Highway.

The accident, which occurred on the eve of Easter, claimed the lives of six members of the Fountain Gate Chapel who were on their way to the church’s Easter convention.

JKB/BAI

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