The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has reaffirmed the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ to the life and identity of the Church, declaring that “without Christ, there is no Church.”
He made the statement during the thanksgiving service that climaxed the 60th Session and Anniversary Celebration of the Brong Ahafo Presbytery at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Preaching from Matthew 16:13–26, the Moderator stressed that the foundation of Christian faith, doctrine, mission, and practice is the person of Jesus Christ. Any attempt to shift focus away from Him, he warned, weakens the very substance of Christianity.
Reflecting on Jesus’ question to His disciples— “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”—the Moderator noted that authentic leadership requires humility, honest self‑examination, and a willingness to hear the perceptions of followers.
If Christ Himself invited such reflection, he said, then leaders in every sphere must cultivate the courage to seek truthful feedback, allowing it to shape responsible and purposeful leadership.
The Moderator also highlighted the long‑standing theological distinction between Catholic and Protestant interpretations of the “rock” in Jesus’ dialogue with Peter. While some traditions view Peter as the foundation of the Church, the Moderator affirmed the Protestant conviction that Christ alone is the true Rock and eternal foundation.
“It is clear that Peter was not the Rock and could never be the Rock,” he said. “Only a few verses later, Jesus rebuked him. Jesus alone is the Rock and the Head of the Church.”
He cautioned against attitudes that suggest ownership of the church by individuals or groups. “The church belongs to Jesus Christ alone, purchased by His blood,” he declared. “I am the Moderator, but my blood did not save the church. Let no one think he or she owns the Church. We are too little to be the foundation of God’s Church.”
By: Rev. Vincent Osei, B/A Presbytery PRO
