More than 300 members partook in a divine service that Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya celebrated in Dunkwa-Offin on April 2, 2023, in the Dunkwa Apostle Area. The service was the biggest since the creation of the Apostle area; about 8 districts were present at the service. The Lead Apostle introduced the new Apostle for the area to members while announcing the retirement of Apostle Benjamin Darko.
The Lead Apostle began his sermon by focusing on the core of the Bible text from John 12:15 – 16:
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt. His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him”.
A second Bible reading was taken from Luke 19: 28 – 40
“Jesus Christ was born in a manger which did not belong to him; The canoe from which He preached to the multitude did not belong to Him as well; even the apartment in which He celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples was not His; The donkey’s colt on which He sat enroute to Jerusalem belonged to another; Christ was barely naked on the cross and was buried in a tomb which, also did not belong to Him.”
Why did Jesus sit on the donkey? The Lead Apostle explained that the donkey symbolised:
1. Humility and calmness: “Our Lord Jesus is an embodiment of humility and calmness that despite His authority, He remained humble.”
2. Endurance and perseverance: “The donkey is known as a beast of burden, carrying lots of load for humans. Likewise, Jesus was to carry the heavy burden and sins of the mankind.”
3. Focus, purity and integrity: “The donkey does not mingle with other animals. Christ only set out to focus and carry out God’s plan for man.”
He continued: “What do these series of events tell us about the man on whom God bestowed all power and authority? Why are you not content but worried about things which do not lead to salvation? My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, ponder over these things and strive towards attaining salvation for your souls”, the Lead Apostle admonished.
In conclusion, Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya urged members to be humble, obedient and set themselves to pursue the will of God.
The service was assisted by Apostle Isaac Kofi Annan Mensah and District Rector.