Induction of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
Induction of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. (RTD) Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko has been inducted into office as the 15th Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG). Rt. Rev. Agbeko was elected at the last General Assembly meeting of the Church in Ho. He replaced the late Very Rev. Seth Senyo Agidi who died a few months after ending his tenure.
The Act of Induction was jointly performed by Very Rev. Japheth Yao Ledo, a past Moderator of EPCG and Rt. Rev. Prof. J. O. Y. Mante, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) assisted by Rev. Dr. E. A. K. Amey, the Clerk of General Assembly, EPCG and General Assembly Council Member of the EPCG. After the act of induction he was presented with the regulatory books of the Church. Very Rev. Ledo gave him words of counsel after which given his charge of office and presented to the Congregation by Rt. Rev. J. O. Y. Mante. He was given a right hand of fellowship by a selected few in line with the COVID-19 established protocol.
In his opening remarks before the sermon, Rev. Emmanuel Elisha Attu, the Ag. Moderator of EPCG said he was very glad to have been part of a very historic event. He said he was present when in 1981, the Very. Rev. Daniel A. Koranteng, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana inducted Very Rev. Prof Noah K. Dzobo into office as the 9th Moderator of the EPCG. He said forty years after, history was repeating itself with the Moderator of PCG inducting the Moderator of EPCG.
In a sermon, Rev. Attu, the Ag. Moderator of EPCG read from Jeremiah 1:1-10. He called on Rt. Rev. Agbeko and members of the Congregation to help bring the needed change for Church. Recounting his experiences as a Minister of the EPCG, he said the current state of the Church was a pale shadow of its former self. There was the need for a major paradigm shift, something he termed “revolution and a revival in the EPCG”. He challenged the Rt. Rev. Agbeko to ensure that was done during his tenure. He said “such a revolutionary ministry was what Jeremiah was called to do. As you do this, Rev Moderator, you will need to go along with people but it is not everyone who should accompany you. What you need are likeminded people”, he said. He also charged Rt. Rev. Agbeko not to be afraid of the enormity of the task because the Lord was with him. Rev. Attu called on Church members and Agents of the EPCG to support the new Moderator.
In attendance were Clerk of GA of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, Rev. Frank Oguase Adu, Chairperson of the Volta Presbytery, PCG, Rev. Ebenezer Ashittey, Director of Ecumenical and Social Relations, PCG. SR, Very Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayorsey, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Presbyter Executive of the EPCG, Presbyter Charles Sitsofe Sakyi, Past Presbyter Executives of EPCG, Very Rev. Wing Commander F. H. Gbewornyo, a former Moderator of the Global Evangelic Church. The Clergy of
EPCG and other Churches and Lay Ministers as well as General Assembly Council of EPCG and members were present.
The Military, where Rt. Rev. Agbeko served was heavily represented led by Naval Capt. Adjei Djan, Chaplain General of the Ghana Armed Forces with serving and retired military Officers including Naval Commodore Jeffrey Biekro and Mr. John Kudalor, a former Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service.
The Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Y. Letsa led the political fraternity. The Presidents of the University Health and Allied Sciences and Evangelical Presbyterian University were present. Also present were the widows of the late Very Rev. N. Dzobo and S. Agidi
Responding to his change of office, Rt. Rev. Agbeko said he felt humbled for his election during such a time. He expressed appreciation to the previous and current leadership for their role and his parents as well as many people who helped him in his ministerial journey.
He said he prays for wisdom to serve the church in accordance with the perfect will of God and to lead it in God’s perfect way. “The task ahead looks daunting but it us doable. I am aware that success will not come easily”, he said. Rt. Rev. Agbeko called on all Christains to become faithful stewards. He said at the end of his tenure, he will like to hand over a restored, unified and discipline church that glorifies God. He said promotion of Christian love, evangelism, financial resourcefulness and reforming the church were some of the things he was he was looking forward it. he added that spiritual and physical development aimed at developing human capital will also be pursued under his tenure. He also requested for prayer, support and partnership of all to make positive history. He called for unity in the Church. To the nation, he requested all political partial to speak, think and act in a peaceful manner as we have only one nation called Ghana.
Addressing the Congregation Dr. Archibald Letsa, Regional Minister expressed appreciation for the invitation. He expressed condolences to the EPCG on the home all of Very Rev. S. S. Agidi and promised the support of Government during the funeral celebration. He praised the EPCG for the provision of social services and continuous partnership in addressing the issues that affect of the country. He extended congratulatory goodwill to the newly inducted Moderator of EPCG. He called on members of the Church to support him as “his success is our success” he concluded.
Profile of the New Moderator
Rt. Rev. Dr. Col. (RTD) Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko was born in 1962 and was commissioned a Minister in 1992. He earned a Diploma from the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon and a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from the University of Ghana. He was enlisted in the Ghana army after serving as a civilian Chaplain. He earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Fort Jackson, University, South Carolina and Erskine Theological Seminary, respectively. He also earned a Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Public Administration and other career related qualifications.
Rt. Rev. Agbeko has served in pastoral stations such as Mafi Adidome, Abeka, and Accra New Town. His military pastoral work took him to duty posts in Tamale, Teshie, Burma Camp, Neghili Barracks and the 37 Military Hospital, Accra. It also took him to international duty posts in Congo, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, and the United States. He is the author of three books and an evening devotional. He is married with four adult children.
