Sefwi District Haris Church gets a new Bishop

…As Speakers Admonish, “Don’T Fight The Man Of God”

Amidst pump and pageantry, the Sefwi District Haris Church of Ghana, last Sunday, November 17, 2019 ordained a new Bishop, Rev. Kwasi Nuako to succeed Bishop Paul Kojo Afful who departed earth some three years ago.

The Colourful ceremony attracted personalities and members of the church from far and near to the church’s premises at Sefwi Krayawkrom in the Bodi District in the Western North Region of Ghana.

They included Bishop Kwasi Annor from Brasokro, Aowin District in La C’ote d’ivoire, who represented the overall pope Agyako Faustine of the church in Abidjan, the headquarters of the church, who came down with a 56-membership.

Others were, Bishop Yaw Asare, National Presiding Bishop, Kumasi; Augustine Ntori, District President Krayawkrom, Snr Pastor Kwaku Mpae (Kama) and Rev. Geoge Manso, District Secretary Yawkrom, Sofo Atta, Kyerekrom; A/R Sofo Kofi & Wofa K, from Denkyera, Sofo Poku (Protocol) from Asikram and Eld Kwame John in charge of the cross.

Others are, Evans Mensah, Eric Mintah, Sule, Kwame Salam, Kofi Gyabeng, Kwasi Nkrumah (choir master) and youth from Kama-others are Agyei Kwaku Haris, Sofo Sobreh, Sofo Addae.

Gracing the occasion was the chief of the town Nana Kwabena Nkuah II who also served as chairman for the occasion, and his elders, who sat throughout the length of the programme.

Also present were representatives of other religious bodies Notable among which were Odifo Kofi Bennieh of the African Faith Terbanacle, Achiakyein, near Asafo and Mallam Seidu Dauda, Chief Imam of Ahibenso.

Don’t Fight the Man-of God

As if by plan or coincidence, speakers at the function charged church members against fighting the newly installed Bishop, whose installation had met some resistance and misunderstanding amongst a section of the church, after the passing away of the former Bishop, Rev. Paul Kojo Afful about three years ago, at the ripe age of 110years, having served the church for over four (4) decays. Citing Joshua 1:5ff Bishop Annor, the officiating pastor pointed out, that, as the very God who moved with Moses also moved with Joshua, so will the God who moved with the late Bishop Afful, also move with the newly ordained Bishop Nuako. As such, who ever fights him, fights against God, and His wrath shall be with him (fighter). Therefore, church members should put the past behind them and forge ahead with the new Bishop to move the church forward.

Also citing Timothy 3:1-7, Bishop Annor spelled out the good, qualities of a Bishop, which include being blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded of good behavior, hospitable and able to teach. He should also walk in the laws and ways of God.

Bishop Annor also charged the new Bishop against his pronouncements since they could bless and curse as well. Also he should be the last to speak on matters arising in the church. He pointed out that God is love and light, who sees everywhere, including darkness. Therefore people should refrain from walking and working in darkness, since God is and can see everywhere, including darkness.

While praying for God’s wisdom as the one be stalled on Solomon for Bishop Nuako, Bishop Annor charged him to be humble and not see himself as the biggest, but rather the least (servant) amongs members, citing the washing of the feet of the disciple by Jesus Christ. Bishop Nuako should also endeavour to visit all, including the decenting ones and minister unto them all.

Bishop Annor was however quick to point out that the new Bishop needed the help, co-operation and assistance of church members. Therefore, they should endeavor to assist him in all aspects of his priesthood. On his part, Odifo Kofi Benieh, head pastor of the African Faith Tabernacle, Achiakyein charged church members against struggling with the new Bishop. He maintained that the rod of leadership, which God had given him, was not a mere rod or stick, but a source of power from God, as that one used by Moses to wreck wonders before pharaoh and during the exodus of the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land.

He indicated that, in the same vein, the rod, handed over to Bishop Nuako could do wonders via healing, salvation and release from bondage of the devil and many more including even the resurrection of the dead.

Buttressing his sermon with Psalm 110, Odifo Benieh pointed out that after the batton had been handed over to Bishop Nuako, anyone who rises up against him shall be made his footstool. He stated that if anyone with bad intension or juju tempted him, God would fight that person. Therefore, all should change their mind and old ways for the better, since the rod given Bishop Nuako veilded the power of God and was as strong as that of Moses. He indicated that all the 12 disciples wanted leaders from their master. However, when He asked them who the people thought he was, it was Peter’s answer that gained him the leadership; but after that there were no division amongst them. This was what he was praying for the Haris Church and healing powers and wonders for Bishop Nuako.

When he took his turn to preach, Mallam Seidu Dauda, Chief Imam of Ahibenso prayed for peace, love, God’s glory, and unity, amongst all and a comforter from God for the New Bishop.

He stated that once the rod of power had been given Bishop Nuako, anybody that stood up against him was bound to be crashed by God’s own powers. Therefore, all should unite behind him, as the mantle had now fallen on the Rev. Bishop Nuako.

According to Mallam Dauda, there is nothing that is hidden from God-not even those deed done in darkness, since God sees through darkness. He revealed that God has two angels for every person – one on the right, and one on the left. These angels, he maintained, record everything that one does, be they good or bad.

Mallam Dauda maintained that all believers are one, despite their religious background. Also, all languages have their way of calling God, but they all referred to the one God they all serve and worship.

While charging them not to speak evil of their neighbours, but should love one another, Mallam Dauda stated that even in the olden days when our forefathers were said to be worship gods, there was love among them and unity was high.

He was sad that in present day of the purported worship of the true God, these attributes should be conspicuously missing. He commended the Haris church for being the first to preach in Sefwi and urged them to continue, stressing that God who created all tongues and languages understands them all.

Adding his voice to the may admonishments given already by previous speakers, Nana Kwabena Nkuah II, Chief of Krayawkrom, who also was the chairman for the occasion noted that when a seat falls vacant, it is struggled over by qualified contestants. But at the end of the day, only one person is chosen to fill the vacant position.

It was in this very regard that this seat was struggled for, but at the end of it all, it was only one person – Bishop Nuako, who was chosen to fill it. Subsequently, all those contestants, who could not qualify, should rally behind the chosen Bishop for the forward march of the church, its catchment areas and Ghana. He urged them to throw away their bitterness, bad ways of get the seat at all cost and support the new Bishop. Nana also changed the disenchanted members to go back and give their support to the New Bishop, since, even the dead believe in numbers, how much are the living? He urged the new Bishop to work harder than before to sustain the success story of his predecessor, who had held high the banner of the church for over 36years, wrecking wonders and salvation for the people.

While thinking all for attending and making the programme successful, Nana Aduhene prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, understanding and love for the new Bishop, as He did for Solomon, so that the Haris church at Krayawkrom, which had held its flag all these years could travail.

I stand for Race Bishop Nuako.

Later in an interview, Bishop Nuako maintained that he stood for peace, and that he would visit all the perceived descenting stations to bring them back on board. He declared that he bore no gudge with anyone and that his main goal was to unite the church under his reign for more success stories.

He admitted that there had been that misunderstanding in the church for the past 17years, worsening after the death of Bishop Afful about three years ago, his fervent prayer was that understanding Patience, Forbearance and love reigned during his reign so that the church could forge ahead once more, growing stronger than before.

Bishop Nuako had been in priesthood under the tutolage of the late Bishop Afful for over 36years, serving the church in faithfulness, dedication, hard work and humility, such that according to testimonies, he had little time for his own work. It therefore came as no surprise when the mantle fell on him to step in the shoes of the late Bishop Afful, the opposing views notwithstanding, “after all, doesn’t the one who pays the pipper call the tune queried one adherent of the new Bishop.

Source: S.O. Ankamah – Sefwi Juaboso