The General Overseer of Harvest Chapel International, Rev Fitzgerald Odonkor, has urged Christians to focus on the gospel and the values that unite the church rather than allow differences to create divisions among believers.

According to him, the church must prioritise preaching the gospel, supporting the needy and vulnerable, and guiding younger generations in the right Christian principles instead of concentrating on issues that separate its members.

Speaking during the 20th anniversary thanksgiving service of Harvest Chapel International, the Adenta branch of Faith Temple, Rev Odonkor stressed that God remains the ultimate judge and that Christians must be careful not to assume that role.

“Let’s focus on the things that bind us. The things that bring us together, not on the things that separate us. Because, as the Bible also makes it clear, there’s only one judge, and that is God. So let’s focus on the gospel. Focus on helping the needy, the vulnerable; focus on teaching the younger ones. When we focus on the things that unite us, I believe that we’ll have a stronger church,” he said.

He also cautioned Christian members against lowering biblical standards to conform to changing societal values, insisting that believers must instead uphold God’s standards.

“Sometimes the temptation is for us to lower the standards in conformity with what the world is doing. But that shouldn’t be the case. What should happen is that we must rise up to God’s standards because God has not changed,” he stated.

Rev Odonkor, however, expressed optimism about the future of Christianity, noting that some young men and women are committed to upholding the gospel and living upright lives.

He said the church must continue to invest in the younger generation by teaching them sound Christian values early in life so they can remain grounded in their faith as they grow.

“The good news is that it’s not all a bad story. God is raising up young men and young women who are holding out not only the gospel but are living pure, upright lives, trusting God.

“And maybe that also puts things in perspective. They want to catch them young, teach them the right principles, so that, as the Bible says, when they grow up, they will not depart from it,” he added.

20 years of Faith Temple

Reflecting on the significance of Faith Temple Adenta branch’s 20th anniversary, Rev Odonkor described the milestone as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the continued relevance of Harvest Chapel International’s vision.

He recalled that the church began as a small seed in a quiet place but has since grown into a thriving congregation, touching lives and expanding the ministry’s reach.

“The 20th anniversary of Faith Temple, which is the Adenta branch of Harvest Chapel International, has deep significance for us as a ministry. It is a reminder to us of God’s faithfulness over the past 20 years.

“A seed was sown in a very quiet place and has become a wonderful tree out of which we have had branches. So, for us, 20 years of Faith Temple is a strong reminder that the vision of this ministry still lives on,” he said.

He explained that the ministry remains committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ while building Christians who demonstrate both spiritual gifts and godly character.

Rev Odonkor further noted that the church’s commitment to strengthening families and reaching more communities reflects its broader mandate of preaching the full gospel, which addresses the spirit, soul, and body.

He said the growth of Faith Temple and the impact of its work on families and individuals were clear expressions of that vision.

The anniversary thanksgiving service also featured the commissioning of a new children’s block, reflecting the church’s commitment to nurturing younger generations and providing an environment for their spiritual development.

Speaking on the significance of the newly commissioned children's block, Yeladim, the Resident Pastor of Harvest Chapel International, Faith Temple, Adenta, Rev Dr Samuel Sekyi-Hyde, said the facility reflects the church's commitment to investing in the younger generation and preparing them for future leadership.

According to him, children represent the future of the church and must be deliberately nurtured through proper guidance and Christian education to become responsible adults.

He explained that the establishment of Yeladim is part of the church's succession plan to raise children who will eventually grow into responsible young people and contribute meaningfully to society.

“As a church, we believe in investing in the children. We believe that the children are our hope. And as a church, we also need to put in place a succession plan where we can nurture and grow the children to become youth and responsible adults. Yeladim is a sign of our commitment that we want to invest in our children so that they can become responsible adults in the future,” Rev Dr Samuel Sekyi-Hyde added.