With the words of the song, “Come unto me!  ye that labour and are heavy laden...,”, the choir set the atmosphere into that of mix feelings of joy and sorrow.  It also sounded like a roll call of the departed members of the congregation as Lead Apostle Samuel Oppong-Brenya mentioned names of members including the wife of the Apostle Amos Osei-Du and Apostle Arthur (retired) of Bolgatanga who recently passed-on into the realm of the departed. He encouraged members to remain faithful and commit their lives to Christ who is our future.

The Lead Apostle visited the Kumasi Central Congregation for this year’s first Service for the Departed on Sunday 7th March 2021. He was assisted by District Elder Nantwi Boadu and Shepherd Owusu Agyabeng. Also, present were Apostle Amos Osei-Du and other District leaders.

The bible text for the service was read from Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price”

The call is to everyone…
Beginning the sermon, the Lead Apostle explained the bible text as a clarion call by God through the prophet to the lost, those in darkness and to everyone who is thirsty to come to the waters that is the Lord.  He went on to add that it was a call to everyone but only those who are willing will heed the call and obtain grace.

Come to the waters…
Lead Apostle Samuel Oppong-Brenya cited sources of earthly waters that one could drink and become thirsty again after some time. He referred to the heavenly water whose source is and which is the Lord Jesus Christ. That source was where the children of Israel drank and became satisfied when they became thirsty in the wilderness and grumbled at Moses. Though Moses did not do as the Lord instructed him, God’s mercy gave the children of Israel access to the water to quench their thirst.
He explained, that stream of water is flowing today too from the Lord Jesus through His Apostles, and that all must endeavor to come and buy.  

Come and buy even without money…
“How could one buy without money?” The Lead Apostle asked. “Someone must have paid for it”, he answered. He explained the gift of God to mankind – which is the Lord Jesus Christ – and through His Sacrifice, He has paid the price in full, with His blood. The Northern Ghana Leader however added that there are prerequisites that one requires to ‘buy’ this water. He who desires to come to Christ must believe that Jesus Christ was born, He died and resurrected, ascended to Heaven and also commissioned His Apostles to be in His stead till He comes.
One must believe in baptism with water, Holy Spirit Baptism and Holy Communion which is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. One must love the Lord and love the neighbour as Himself just as Christ gave himself for all.
Our time and sacrifices in the Lord’s work are also required of us to be able to ‘buy’. “Let your conduct be worthy to buy from the Lord”, he admonished.

Come and buy wine and milk …
The Lead Apostle explained that wine symbolizes joy and milk represents food, both of which we require for earthly existence. Just as the foods we eat are for the body, so are the words of God the food for the soul. Whoever does not receive the word will not have life.

Concluding, Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya mentioned that both the living and dead need to heed to the call to be able to obtain grace. He asked the congregation to remain faithful and wished them the blessings of the Lord.

In attendance were congregations of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Sepe Tinpom and Anwomaso.