ANNUAL SESSION 2014 President's Report to the 51st Annual Session of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ANNUAL SESSION 2014

President's Report to the 51st Annual Session of the Ghana Baptist Convention

INTRODUCTION

• President and Vice (Ministries) voted into office

in November 2013

• Mandate: Lead convention from 2014 – 2018
• Started work in January 2014
• Send off service for General Secretary done
• n June 7th 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church,

Shiashie, Accra

7 POINT VISION OF THE PRESIDENT

• Rebranding and visibility of the Convention
• Enhancing ownership of the Convention by member

Churches

• Increasing the financial base of the Convention
• Human Resource Development (staff, Ministers and greater

participation of lay professionals within our Churches)

• Supporting Pastors in rural and deprived areas and

retirement benefits for Ministers

• Deepening the Spiritual base of the Convention
• Evangelism and Mission

REBRANDING AND VISIBILITY

Convention HQ rebranded as Baptist House

REBRANDING AND VISIBILITY

Redesigned and more active Website, average of 300 unique monthly visitors.

REBRANDING AND VISIBILITY

We have also increased our presence and activity on Social Media. For that we want to express our appreciation to

• Rev. Tse Amable and

Bertrand Ofoliquaye Adams

• Bernard and Francis Adu-

Gyamfi and their Matrix Designs team

1934

Facebook Page Likes

164

Twitter Followers

STILL GROWING

Google+ Followers

REBRANDING AND VISIBILITY

Strategic Planning Session

REBRANDING AND VISIBILITY

Advertising and Signage

ENHANCING OWNERSHIP OF THE CONVENTION BY MEMBER CHURCHES

Presidential visits to:

• Ministers' Fellowship/ Associations / Sectors
• Churches
• South East Ghana Sector
• 25 visited
• Mid-Ghana Sector
• 22 visited
• South West Ghana Sector
• 31 visited
• Institutions

ENHANCING OWNERSHIP OF THE CONVENTION BY MEMBER CHURCHES

Institutions visited

• School of Theology and Ministry, Abuakwa.
• Northern Ghana Baptist Theological Seminary, Tamale
• The construction of the Baptist Hospital at Nvellenu in the Nzema area
• Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu
• Living Water Specialist Hospital at Ejusu-Krapa.
• Divine Grace Medical Centre at Effiduase.
• Coast for Christ Baptist Hospital, Sankor, Winneba
• Sandema Baptist Health Centre.
• Nzema Baptist Health Centre.

ENHANCING OWNERSHIP OF THE CONVENTION BY MEMBER CHURCHES

Other Activities of the Presidency

• Attended the All Africa Baptist Fellowship (Western Region), Liberia
• Attended the All Africa Baptist Fellowship in Durban, South Africa
• Christian Council / Catholic Bishops Conference annual meeting

(main speaker)

• Meeting with Auxiliaries and other groups- Sector Heads
• Organization of Calvary Baptist Church, Nungua

ISSUES/NEEDS FROM VISITS

• A possible uniform signage for all Churches
• Resources for Home missionaries
• Uniform conditions of service and salary structure across board for ministers as well as

end of service package

• Training centres at various locations for professionals to access theological training
• Financial support for retired ministers and widows of ministers from local churches
• Desire for transfer of ministers by the Convention
• Christian growth material for the churches
• To deal with hurt feelings from Convention officers among some ministers
• A Business Department to manage Convention resources
• TV and radio Broadcast
• Levy from all Baptist schools to support the Convention

INCREASING THE FINANCIAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

Vehicle Donations

In February 2014 the Convention received a donation of two brand new KIA Cerato vehicles from a brother who prefers to remain anonymous. One Nissan Double Cabin Pick up has been purchased for the Baptist Vocational Training Centre at Frankadua at a cost of $24,000.00

INCREASING THE FINANCIAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

2 Cross Country Vehicles With financial support from First Capital Plus Bank two cross country vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mitsubishi Pajero have been acquired for the use

• f the President and Vice President

(ministries) respectively.

INCREASING THE FINANCIAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

Ejura Generator Appeal

• Funds raised from an appeal to all

Associations to contribute GHS1000.00 each to help purchase a new generator for the camp site was made by the President.

• An initial deposit of $10,000.00 has

been paid for a 72KVA generator to be installed at Ejura.

INCREASING THE FINANCIAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

• Sale of Old Head Office Building at Tesano
• Land Donation at Opuniase
• Donation of Chairs
• Rental of Properties
• Hospital Construction

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

a) Staff Reshuffle

A few changes have been made at the Secretariat by re-assigning some staff to various positions in line with the new structural arrangements. Staff New Role Assigned

• 1. Deacon Eric Ocloo

Acting Director of Finance

• 2. Rev. Alex Kyei

Senior Accountant

• 3. Rev. Isaac Asante Agyei

Director of Christian Education and Auxiliaries

• 4. Miss Mercy Tawiah

Secretary to the Vice President (Ministries)

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

b) Staff Meeting & Training

• Secretariat Tuesday morning's staff devotion has been converted to general staff

meeting and briefing session for both Convention and Association staff

• Thursday mornings are used for staff training

c) Sectoral and Associational Training Programmes

• Sekondi-Takoradi, Winneba and Hope Associations – Leadership training conference

and Zonal Bible Quiz

• Northern Sector – Leadership retreat
• Sefwi Mission - 47 students receiving theological training by extension

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

d) Auxiliaries Training

• Accra South Association WMU – Leadership training (15th February 2014)
• Children’s teacher executives – Refresher course organized by Association and Child

Evangelism Fellowship

• WMU - Workshops/seminars/talks on HIV/AIDS, legal rights, health and other related

issues

• Association projects
• Tema- Dangbe Association (WMU) - The Adonai Primary School
• Baptist Young Ladies (BYL) 2014 House Party – 320 ladies in attendance
• AABF Western Regional WMU Conference
• The WMU 2014 Annual Conference

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The new National Executive Committee for 2014/2015 NUBS year

Chairman Albert Aidoo Vice Chairperson Prince K. Manu-Atuahene Secretary Juliet Lois Amenu Financial Controller Berril Bosu Organizing Secretary Charles Dapuliga Assistant Organizing Secretary Amoanimaa Agyenim-Boateng

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

f) Strategic Students Ministerial Training

• 50% of our current Ministers to go on retirement in the next 5 – 10 years
• Need to raise new breed of Ministers to come on board as soon as

practicable

• Christian Education And Church Development Department to
• rganize ministerial training for these students to prepare them for

ministry

• Funds needed to drive the project in conjunction with ABBEX.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

g) Meeting Places For NUBS Locals

• NUBS local fellowships on the various campuses do not own

the places they meet in for fellowship

• Need to work towards acquisition of lands to develop into

worship centres for our NUBS local groups

• NUBS-UCC has been able to fully acquire two-plots land for

future development

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

h) Provision of Buses for NUBS I will like to appeal to all our local churches and auxiliaries to assist in the provision of buses for NUBS local fellowships. All support should be sent to the Secretariat and labelled NUBS Bus so that they can be earmarked for the purpose. Cheques should be written in the name of the Ghana Baptist Convention.

Congratulations to NUBS KNUST on the purchase of their new bus

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

i) Appointment of Full Time Sector Heads

• The first meeting of the presidency and the

Sector Heads agreed that the appointment

• f full-time Sector Heads be deferred till next

year (2015) to enable us make up for the financial shortfalls for supporting that move.

• As already exists, all Associations are to

continue to pay 5% of their total receipts to the Sectors. Sector Heads are to use 2% for their current operations while 3% of that amount should be set aside as savings towards the employment of full time Sector Heads in the coming year.

Vice President Addressing The Northern Sector Pastors

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

a) School of Theology and Ministry

• All lecture rooms and

corridors have been tiled.

• A new refurbished office has

been created for the Dean.

• The frontage of the school

has a new design with Rev. and Mrs. Varner’s busts fitted to it.

11% 5% 52% 7% 25%

Students Population

Diploma In Theology Diploma In Music Bachelor of Theology Master of Arts in Ministry Advanced Certificate In Theology

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

b) Bungalows & Hostels

• There are four bungalows on the Abuakwa Campus. One has been

renovated and is currently occupied by the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry. The Second bungalow is occupied by the Missionary attached to the School.

• 3rd Bungalow expansion project stalled. 4th in need of serious

rehabilitation

• One of the 4 Hostel blocks is undergoing renovation to serve as hostel

for the Nursing School. The other three blocks need major rehabilitation

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

d) City Campus

• The three storey lecture block with offices for lecturers, Conference Room

and Academic chamber is complete. All rooms are equipped and fitted except for the Conference room. e) ICT Centre

• A new ICT Centre with 35 seating capacity has been commissioned with

internet connectivity to support the proposed School of ICT. f) E-Learning Centre

• A forty-two (42)-seater, air-conditioned, E-leaning Centre is almost complete.

Forty-two computers with internet connectivity have been acquired. There are tables in place but chairs are yet to be acquired.

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

j) Debts Currently the University College’s indebtedness stands as follows:

• Zenith Bank Ltd.

GH¢150,000.00

• First Capital Plus

GH¢312,500.00

• University of Cape Coast

GH¢55,500.00

k) Donations

• This year’s Annual University Day yielded a little over GH¢ 50,000.00 as

against last year’s contribution of about GH¢ 200,000.00. We would like to employ all Churches who raised any monies for the University College to repatriate the monies collected to the University.

GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

l) Needs The following needs of the University require urgent attention:

• At least two additional Schools by December 2014.
• A bus for the nursing school (a 45-seater)
• Professors and senior lecturers for various schools
• Funds to supplement the University College’s (deficit) budget.
• Books for new programmes: French, ICT, Basic Education, English, Early Childhood.
• Three (3) vehicles for Deans
• Linkage to other Baptist institutions overseas.
• Partners to develop hostels, guest house, restaurant and music studio at Abuakwa

Campus.

BAPTIST VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE (BVTC)

a) Enrolment

• 64 students enrolled
• 9 Sponsored Ex-trokosi
• 55 Less Privileged

b) NVTI Accreditation Renewal / Examination

• Accreditation renewed for 4 years.
• Students being prepared to take the NVTI

certificate I & II exams

• The sponsored girls will write the proficiency exams

in September 2014 c) Staff

• Staff strength at 15, with 7 non staff members

BAPTIST VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE (BVTC)

d) Donations

• Collaboration Santé International (CSI), Quebec, Canada: shoes and other

items.

• The Fiadjoe Family (Redeemed Baptist Church, Madina): Food Grinding

Machine

• Mrs. Owusu Koranteng (former WMU President of First Baptist Church, Tema)

donated some food items.

• Church of Pentecost, Frankadua: a male goat, for the Centre’s goat rearing

project, as well as a bag of rice.

• International Ministries donated $20,000.00 towards the purchase of a

vehicle for the Centre. Total donations so far: $26,850.00.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRES (ECDC)

EDUCATION UNIT

• The presidency would like to propose that with immediate effect an Education

Unit for all Ghana Baptist Convention schools be set up.

GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION SUPPORT

• Twenty- five (25) girls are being supported to pay their fees for the 2013/14

academic year.

ADVOCACY AGAINST TROKOSI PRACTICE

• This project which was started in May 2011 came to an end in April 2014.

BAPTIST RELIEF DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (BREDA)

a) BURULI ULCER AWARENESS PROJECT BREDA is implementing a 7-month awareness project on Buruli Ulcer at Obom. The objectives of the project are to: 1. Provide an immediate response to the suffering Edmund Tetteh (an eight year old boy) is experiencing as a result of Buruli ulcer 2. Provide a healthy living facility for children affected by Buruli ulcer by constructing a feeding centre with embedded good hygiene practices 3. Build up and enhance the capacity at the grass-root community level in Buruli ulcer prevention to ensure project sustainability by delivering public health education sessions and training activities to local community members and health professionals

BAPTIST RELIEF DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (BREDA)

b) CHALLENGES The main challenges facing the department are: 1. High running cost of BVTC due to the current economic situation in the country. 2. Limited classroom space for the BVTC. 3. Provision of permanent classroom blocks for the early childhood

• development. None of the nine centres has a decent place for teaching

and learning. Make-shift structures are currently being used by the centres. 4. Sustaining the Girl-Child Educational support. There is great need in this area.

SUPPORTING PASTORS IN RURAL AND DEPRIVED AREAS / RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR MINISTERS

a) Church Support b) Pastors Remuneration Package c) Pastors Retirement Benefits

President with ministers in Yendi

DEEPENING THE SPIRITUAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

a) National Prayer Conferences / Rallies

DEEPENING THE SPIRITUAL BASE OF THE CONVENTION

b) Christian Education

• The Department has produced Christian Education materials on Intentional

Discipleship for Sunday school and is working on its sequel.

• The Baptist Book Store has been revamped and stocked with Christian

literature as well as Academic books that serve the Ghana Baptist University College and the other educational institutions in the education ridge of Kumasi.

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

a) Students Holiday Outreach Programme (SHOP) 2014

• Anyinam and Nsutam churches branded “Jubilee Churches”

306

Students

6

Churches to Plant

5

Churches Planted

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

b) Cine-Van Ministry

• Mr. Stephen Owusu Boateng – now Convention Evangelist
• Additional staff employed
• Churches encouraged to make use of Cine-Van Ministry

977 Souls Won from Jan - June

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS MISSION FIELDS: NZEMA

• New churches planted at Enzemetienu and New Nzulazu
• Bore-Hole drinking water provided for 5 communities

Appreciation

• WMU adopted mission field and is supporting 3 pastors there
• Mr. and Mrs. Peter Korda of Calvary Baptist Church, Adenta
• Deacon and Mrs. Stephen Ndede of St Joseph Baptist Church,

Takoradi Needs

• Plastic chairs, local drums sets and Bibles for the newly planted

churches

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS MISSION FIELDS: YENDI & NAVRONGO

• The work in the mission field has extended to Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso and

Benin More Than Nets Project

• 30,000 Mosquito nets distributed
• 200 volunteers participated so far
• 103 churches planted

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS MISSION FIELDS: YENDI & NAVRONGO

1 of 3 Easter Convention Sites Baptism of 93 New Converts

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS MISSION FIELDS: SEFWI MISSION FIELD

• Home missionary goal: 10 churches within the year
• Three Churches have so far been planted at Mmuano, Subriso and Debiso-

Breman. Challenges

• Breakdown of mission bus affecting work
• Aspiring ministers have low level of education, impacting official recognition

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS MISSION FIELDS: NORTH VOLTA

• Home missionary goal plant more churches in the north Volta area.
• 3½ plot of land purchased for construction of church building for Restoration Baptist

Church

• Kpassa Restoration Baptist Church has started a new church plant at Solenkura.
• 12 students enrolled in the Baptist School of Ministry

Needs

• Plastic chairs, drums, tambourines and pulpits

Appreciation

• Mr. and Mrs. Owusu Koranteng of Tema First Baptist Church for their support towards

the building project of Restoration Baptist Church

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS BAPTIST HEALTH SERVICES

Facilities working under the Baptist Health services currently are:

• Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu
• Living Water Specialist Hospital at Ejusu-Krapa. 150 bed capacity, ultra

modern specialist hospital

• Divine Grace Medical Centre at Effiduase. 39 bed facility that began in 2010
• Coast for Christ Baptist Hospital, Sankor, Winneba
• Sandema Baptist Health Centre. This facility is a donation to the Convention.

It is still under development by the Convention

• Nzema Baptist Health Centre. This project is being funded by International

Ministries, USA.

MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

COMMITTEES FOR 2014 LICENSING, RECOGNITION &ORDINATION For the purpose of planning and certification, the successful candidates are summarized below:

Total Candidates who applied Total Candidates who were successful Licensing 36 32 Recognition 30 28 Ordination 32 28 TOTAL CANDIDATES 98 88

MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

To ensure that we are more effective and efficient in our selection process, the following recommendations are worthy of note:

• That all ministers seeking licensing, recognition and ordination must be

voted on and recommended by Ghana Baptist Convention churches in good standing with the Convention.

• That candidates from Adonai Theological Institute in Cape Coast be

interviewed alongside others and that the Convention should take steps to streamline the activities of Adonai with a view to making it an extension campus of the School of Theology and Ministry of the Baptist University College.

MINISTERS' CONFERENCE CONT’D

• That all students from the Yendi Mission Field should be encouraged to

undertake theological training at the Northern Ghana Baptist Theological Seminary (NGBTS) prior to licensing and/or recognition

• That Ministers’ Fellowships should arrange to organize orientation for all

would-be ministers at sector levels to afford candidates the

• pportunity to understand our structure, polity and practice as well as

affiliate bodies of the Convention, prior to interviews.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

• Annual Ministers’ Conference to take place

after Annual Session

• Convention President is main speaker for

Conference, Retreat and Refresher Course

• The Ministers’ Conference will focus on the

following issues related to the Convention President’s Vision:

• Proposal for Retirement of Ministers
• Salary Structure for ministers
• Rebranding and Visibility of our Convention
• Succession Plan
• Rural Ministry Support
• Dress Code of ministers.

BEREAVEMENTS FOR 2014

The following ministers were called to glory during the year under review:

• 1. Rev. David Kingsley Asamoah, formerly of Kasoa Baptist Church
• 2. Rev. Moses Befega, Liberty Baptist Church, Lingbinsi
• 3. Rev. George Mensah, Simpa Baptist Church, Winneba
• 4. Pastor Joseph Addae-Mensah, Living Seed Baptist Church, North

Taifa The following Ministers also lost their wives during the period:

• 1. Rev. Dr. Boapeah
• funeral held on July 12 2014
• 2. Rev. Enoch Nketiah
• funeral to be held on August 9, 2014

DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

The following ministers have been summarily dismissed for gross moral misconduct:

• Rev. Dan Seidu
• Rev. Israel Ahmed

Their names are expunged from the Register of Ministers of the Ghana Baptist Convention.

LANDS AND BUILDINGS

• Proposal to set up special account to raise funds for land

purchase.

• Local churches are advised to do proper search on the

lands they intend to purchase and to register them immediately after payments

• The original documents of all landed property should be

deposited with the Convention Secretariat.

• The Estate office is currently saddled with a lot of land

litigation issues

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

North American Baptist Association (NABA) – USA & Canada

• 14 Churches, 9 ordained ministers
• Association Chairman - Rev. Patrick Amo Amoah
• Ministers’ Conference President - Rev. Dr. Robert Owusu
• Total contribution of $11,000 to the Ghana Baptist Convention this year
• $6000 out of contribution used to pay subscription to BWA for 2013 and 2014.
• NABA representative, Rev. Samuel Nana Opoku, to attend Annual Session

and 50th anniversary celebrations.

CONCLUSION

Presented by

• Rev. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Executive President.