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Religion of Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Source: GNA

Culture Youth Advice

Christian Youth should hold on to the Bible-Pastor

Katakyiekrom (B/A) Sept. 07, GNA - A religious leader at the weekend called on Christian youths to be imbued with the teachings of the Bible and to strive to be gainfully employed to avoid social vices.

The love for honest work and a good Christian heart is surely not a receptacle for armed robbery, drug addiction and the get-rich-quick attitude.

The Reverend Pastor Benjamin Otwey, General Overseer of the Reformed Christ the Answer Church, was addressing the climax of a four-day annual youth camp of the Jaman district branch of the church at Katakyiekrom, near Drobo in the Jaman South District of Brong-Ahafo Region.

Speaking on the theme: 93And about the eleventh hour, He went out and found others standing and said to them: Why do you stand here idle all day" taken from Matthew Chapter 20 verse 6.

Pastor Otwey stressed that the youth of the church were part of a nation's workforce and the devil might lure them to indulge in unscrupulous and negative acts if they did not adhere to the teachings of God.

"The devil finds work for an idle hand", he said and mentioned social vices such as drug addiction, sexual immorality, homosexuality, gambling, bribery and corruption, unruly behaviour as the devil's contractual engagements for people who did not know God.

He emphasized that such devilish engagements have no good results and only attract punishment and severe sanctions".

Pastor Otwey attributed what was happening to the country's political landscape to insolence and insubordination that had become part of the lives of the youth of today.

He called on the leadership of political parties to pursue peace during the 2012 general election.

"The nation risked encountering uncertainties and misfortunes in the forthcoming electioneering campaigns should the current bickering, political heckling and trading of insults or use of abusive language in the media persist".

The religious leader expressed regret about the attitude of some people who rain insults on people in leadership positions, which he said was 93a curse on the citizenry".

He urged Christians to pray fervently for remission of sins, to eschew lies, unfounded and malicious speculations and to discard the hypocritical attitude by some media practitioners, politicians, government officials and the judiciary.

Elder Philip Kyereh, Youth chairman of the church, scolded religious leaders who use dubious means and rituals to extort and exploit their followers and warned the Christian youth to be wary of such treacherous and deceitful 91men of God'.

Elder Eric Agyemang, caretaker of Babianeha branch of the church, advised the youths to respect, revere, admire and obey God's commandments and to hold in high esteem both the national pledge and the national anthem.

Highlights of the meeting included clean-up exercises, sporting activities as well as an appeal for funds in aid of education and youth employment.

Youths from Drobo, Abirikasu, Abuokrom, Asuogya, Babianeha, Fetentaa, Konsia, Kwasibuorkrom, Nyamefie and the host station, Katakyiekrom, attended.