Accra, July 11, GNA - The 44th Annual Session of the Ghana Baptist Convention on Wednesday ended with a call on Churches to undertake projects that empowered people to think and learn more to do things for themselves and personal life development instead of being dependent on others.

The Reverend Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusuh, Past President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, made the call when delivering a sermon on the topic: "Deepening Fellowship for Effective Holistic Ministry - The Role of the Church."

He urged pastors to stimulate discussions among their congregations on burning national and local issues that affected the general wellbeing of people.

Rev. Dr Osei-Wusuh noted that it was important for churches to make issues bordering on the plight of the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed subjects of congregational prayers and concern periodically, while mobilizing congregations to speak out against injustices, oppression and corruption. He said it was only by doing these duties in addition engaging in evangelism, prayer and worship that the church would achieve an effective holistic ministry.

"In other words a church can be said to have a total and effective ministry when it is able to mobilize adequately the different resources and gifts of its membership to minister to the total needs of people spiritually, mentally and physically." Emphasizing the need for effective fellowship and ministry in churches, Rev. Dr Osei-Wusuh said a true holistic ministry should be a practical evidence of evangelism, social services and social action. He urged pastors to facilitate consultations with government agencies to discuss government programmes and activities. "Facilitate regular visits to government officials and opinion leaders to share the gospel and pray with them, remind them of their responsibilities to the people they lead."

He Rev. Stephen Asante, President of the Ghana Baptists Convention who ordained 37 Ministers into the church, advised the new pastors not to imitate the "prosperity nonsense".

He said the church of Jesus Christ was not business and cautioned them that there was nothing tragic than a man or women who attempted to preach Christ to others and does not have Christ himself. "Your first priority must be to follow Christ. Be with the Lord and stand by the truth," he advised.