Havilah City@10: Church Diversifies Operation
- As MPs, High Profile Personalities Storm Place
True to the saying “Humble beginnings make big ends”, Havilah City of Prayer International Ministry has lived up to this saying.
Starting from worship in class rooms through parks to hired places, the Ministry, which used to be a prayer one, has now developed into a full-fledged church, worshiping on Sundays. This notwithstanding, the ministry maintains its traditional worshiping days of Wednesday and Fridays, while adhering to its prayers, deliverance/miracle, ministration and salvation services, the outstanding service of the spiritual church.
The young ministry, which is now over flowing in membership on daily basis, has acquired a piece of land for a bigger church building, which is seriously under construction.
Accordingly, the ministry having chalked 10 years has included other services to enable it meet both the spiritual and material needs of members. These include education, health, business, counseling and many more.
Apostle Gershion Gbedemah, Leader Founder and General Overseer of the Ministry indicated that he believes in the development of the human resources of his congregation, hence the inclusion of these innovations. In this regard Apostle Gershion, having been nicknamed “Pap Gee” by his members as a result of his exploits, has helped most of his members including his assistant Pastor, Junior Pastor Francis Nti Nyamekye into tertiary institutions, while seeing others into various professions as policing, nursing, teaching and many more. Also some have secured various forms of employment in this regard.
With the ever increasing popularity of the Ministry by the day, it continuous to attract high profiled personalities such as Members of Parliaments (MPs) present and past, Renowned reverenced Ministers, police offers, Journalists and many more.
AKANDOH STORMS HAVILAH
It therefore didn’t come as a surprise, when vociferous Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandor stormed the church on the 31st December, 2021 watch night when the church was in a full flight.
Having been welcomed with a thunderous round of applause, the visiting MP was given the podium to address the congregation sub Headline.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GIVE OF YOUR BEST.
The elected MP called on the congregants to love one another, their church and country. He also charged them to give of their best in all their endeavors, while submitting themselves and praying to God for success in all that they do in life. They should also put to practice all that they hear in church.
Hon. Akandoh also charged his listeners to add value to themselves so as to enable them meet the current hardship in the system. He indicated that though a member of parliament, he was a farmer as well, taking into rice production and processing. The MP commended the high number of youth in the church, pointing out that this shows that the church has a bright future. He later donated 50 bags cement towards the church building. Thanking him for the visit and donation, Apostle Gershion stated that this was the second time of the MP coming to the church. He mentioned that on his first visit, the Honourable donated GH¢2,500.00 toward the church building. Praying profusely for the MP, Apostle Gershion noted that though young the MP has big dreams and with his trust and service to God, he will go places.
EDUCATION
Besides ensuring that most of his members better and upgrade themselves through education, Apostle Gershion has also instituted a yearly Biblical quiz competition for kids in the Church. In this year’s edition a quiz staged on 26/12/2021, the contest was organized for kids from 7-9 years and those from 10-14 years.
In the keenly contested competitions, Master Eugene Nyamekye emerged winner in the 7-9years edition, while Clara Agyemang emerged winner in the 10-14years version.
According to the sponsor, Mr. Micheal Asoah-Adjei, the desire to sponsor the programme had not only been a passion, but also a covenant between him and God, the covenant keeper. Mr. Asoah-Adjei, who had suffered a terrible loss (death of his wife) a few months ago went ahead with the sponsorship, his loss notwithstanding. According to him, this being a pledged covenant between him and God, he had to fulfill his part through rain or shine. He indicated that this was the third year of sponsorship. According to him what informed his decision was to inculcate in the children the word of God, so that when they grow they will not depart from it. This will also enable them lead godly lives in their adulthood.
Apostle Gershion, while thanking and congratulating Mr. Asoah-Adjei for his display of fortitude, mentioned that he intends to carry the competition to a half yearly affair in the areas of Science, Maths and English, and also establish a Bible school
AWARDS NIGHT, EXCHANGE OF GIFTS, PICK AND ACT.
To make the church more attractive and worthy of attending, the head Pastor, Apostle Gershion Gbedemah, in concert with the church Board and Elders organized an awards night to appreciate and acknowledge the efforts and dedication of members towards church activities.
The awards comprising various categories, was staged on 24th December, 2021 at the church auditorium at Ankain in Juaboso. For church cleaner’s category, Joseph Mensah (A.K.A, EK) had the recognition award. That of dedicated chorister went to Constance Asante while committed church members saw, Theresah Asare and Abena Mansah grabbing the awards there.
In the committed instrumentalist category, Emmanuel Agyemang and Stephen Kwakye were awarded, with best MC award going to James Boamah. In the decent dressing category Monica Duku was identified, while Matilda Akurugu was named best active member, with regular tither going to Esther Twumasi.
MabelSoglo was named most committed new member, with Mercy Manu emerging winner in the Partnership category. In the hard working Elders, Rapheal Brown Fianu and Bismark Attah Gyabeng were named with the award of overall Best Church member going to Agnes Bosompim, popularly known as Antie Aggie, with her award also going with a citation. All winners had various awards.
The church also organized exciting programs such as, Exchange of Gifts, Pick and Act, Singing and Dancing, end of year testimonies (Praise Report) and many more, thus making Havillah go agog, exciting and enjoyable last yulitude, the New Year and beyond. It also started the year with a 21-day fasting and prayer session.
…. AND HAVILAH PARTIES
At the end of its 21 days of fasting and prayers 2022, Havilah held a grand feasting for both members and non-members, where members and visitors alike went fronzy, gay with the church programme going agog in attendance to grace the occasion was a Jama group from nearby town Afere.
By S.O Ankamah (Sefwi Juaboso, Western North Region)
