Lead Apostle Samuel Oppong-Brenya, the leader of Northern Ghana, paid a one-day working visit to the Takoradi Apostle Area on 14th of March 20201 where he conducted two services in the Tarkwa and Bogoso districts. He also inspected the proposed construction site for the new church building for the Oppon Valley congregation.

Starting from the Tarkwa Central congregation, the Lead Apostle shared his message from Isaiah 53:4-5, ‘Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.’

The secret
In his opening remarks, Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya highlighted the inherent difference between “attending divine services and staying at home”. He explained that things that we do not see with our naked eyes are those that we perceive at divine services. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law”. Thus, the things that we cannot see is beyond us.

Our faith
The Lead Apostle also spoke about our preparation towards the celebration of Easters. “The faith of New Apostolic church depends only on Christ. We believe that He is the Son of God, He came to earth, died, rose and ascended to heaven. However, prior to that, He established His fellowship and thereto sent His Apostles to continue until His return. And we believe He surely will return, because He has promised us.” The Lead Apostle encouraged all not to be afraid of the things happening in the world today because Christ has already told us about the last days.

Our sins
The sins committed by Adam and Eve led to the regret of God creating mankind and this led to the separation of humans from God. In all these the merciful God sent His Only Begotten Son to suffer and die for our sins. God is holy, and there are consequences for disobeying Him. Through the disobedience (sin) of Adam and Eve, we suffer many afflictions such as sickness. But for our sakes, Jesus Christ has borne and carried away our eternal damnation and remoteness from God.

Christ died in pain
The Lead Apostle also urged the congregation to handle challenges in the same way and manner as Jesus Christ; He was oppressed, tortured and crucified to death, “‘Yet He opened not His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.’ We must learn from Christ when we find ourselves in times of difficulties because He has already paid the price.”

The Leader concluded his sermon by adding that our faith as a New Apostolic is on a solid foundation. The mercy of Christ, through the belief in the sacrifice of Jesus, is bigger than His judgement.
Lead Apostle was assisted by Apostle Sam and District Rector Agyapong (Tarkwa district).

Jesus visits Zacchaeus
Prior to the divine service, the Lead Apostle enjoyed a Sunday School class together with Apostle Sam and Bishop Ampofo, joined the Sunday school, led by Brother Timothy. The lessons were based on Luke 19:1-10.

The teacher treated the topic about Jesus visiting Zacchaeus in a role play. After that the Sunday School children recited various Bible quotations in front of the congregation to the excitement all.