The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Stephen Wengam, together with his wife, Monica Wengam, have sponsored a free medical screening and treatment programme for retired pastors, their spouses, and widows of deceased pastors in the Ashanti Region.

The outreach, which benefited about 135 people, was held at the Light House Assembly of God and brought together retirees from the Ashanti East, Ashanti West, and Ashanti North areas of the church.

The initiative forms part of efforts by the Wengams to support ministers who have devoted decades of their lives to pastoral work and the growth of the church but may face health and financial challenges after retirement.

Medical services during the programme were provided by the Cedar Medical Outreach Team from Cedar Mountain Chapel, Assemblies of God in East Legon, Accra.

The team, made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, conducted general health screenings, consultations, and treatment for participants.

The screenings covered a range of health checks including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar tests, and general medical consultations, with medications dispensed to those who required treatment.

Beyond the medical services, Rev Wengam and his wife also provided lunch for all the beneficiaries and presented each participant with a cash gift to support their personal needs.

Although the exact amount was not disclosed, the gesture was widely appreciated by the retired ministers and widows.

Rev Wengam personally visited the venue during the outreach to interact with the beneficiaries, many of whom shared their experiences in ministry and expressed gratitude for the support.

This is the second time the couple has organised such an initiative for retired pastors and widows in the Ashanti Region.

The first programme took place in February 2022 at the Emmanuel Temple Assembly of God.

The initiative reflects a broader concern within the church for the welfare of ministers who have spent many years serving congregations across the country.

Over the decades, many pastors in the Assemblies of God have worked in rural and underserved communities, often under difficult conditions, helping to build congregations and support community development efforts.

However, after retirement, some face health challenges and limited financial resources.

Programmes such as the medical outreach seek to address these concerns by providing healthcare, fellowship and practical support to those who have dedicated their lives to ministry.

Participants at the event expressed appreciation to Rev and his wife for remembering them and providing assistance that they say will go a long way to improve their wellbeing.

Many of the retired pastors and widows described the outreach as both a health intervention and a gesture of love and recognition for their years of service to the church and the Christian community.

The organisers say similar initiatives may be extended to other regions as part of efforts to ensure that retired ministers and their families continue to receive care and support from the church they served.



AE