President John Dramani Mahama instantly earned the title “Pastor” from the Presiding Bishop of the United Denominations of Lighthouse Group of Churches (UDLGC), after he delivered an inspiring Easter message at the church’s Good Friday Service.
The service was held at the Independence Square in Accra, where practically hundreds of thousands of church members filled the parade grounds and all the stands to capacity, as they do every year.
The President was, for the second time, the guest of honour at the service. The first time he attended that service was about ten years ago, during his first term as president.
He lauded Bishop Dag Heward-Mills for being one of the very few men of God who is able to fill the Independence Square to capacity for an event.
But what got the attention of and applauds from the bishops and the ecstatic throng of congregants most, was not the nice words he said about the Presiding Bishop, but his consistent quotation of biblical scriptures to back his message of forgiveness, sacrifice and bold statement that under his leadership, “Ghana will rise again” and recover all that was lost in the past few years.
By the time he was done, President John Mahama had quoted as least five biblical verses, all of which attracted thunderous applauds and shouts from the congregation from the start to finish of his message.
President Mahama, said his first shot at preaching was during the Assemblies of God Men’s Ministry Anniversary, and it was a “disaster”, but this time round “I feel the divine unction upon me to preach,” and he did preach.
In his message, “Pastor” John Mahama used six specific biblical verses as anchors of several windows and illustration to drive home the point that, like Jesus rose again from the dead, Ghana will rise again, and it will take a sense of sacrifice and commitment from all Ghanaians for the country to recover its past glory.
Pastor John’s Six Biblical Verses
The first biblical President Mahama quoted, which attracted shouts of “preach on preacher” from the crowd was Isaiah 53:3-5 which spelt out the suffering, pain, rejection and shameful death Jesus endured for the salvation of mankind.
The President noted that, in the midst of his agony, the prayer of Jesus, as recorded in Luke 23:34 was “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
He said the that prayer from Jesus is call to action on all Christians, not just to share the message of the cross to the world, but also to live a life that reflects the love of Christ.
‘Pastor’ John then zoomed in to the John 15:12-13, to drum home the message of love per the directive of Jesus Christ himself, saying that a commandment means there is no room for choice but just to obey.
As the verse 13 said, that Christ laid down his life for us, President Mahama said it is behoves Christians live a Christlike life to lay down pride, resentment and hatred for one another and forgive each other of their sins.
But Pastor John was not finished yet; he said Jesus’ directive also means “we have to carry one another’s burden and as per the teachings of Paul in Galatians 6:2, the way to fulfil the law of Christ is to sacrifice for the benefit of others who need help.”
The President noted that there are many people around us who are struggling, not just spiritually but also physically, emotionally, and materially. Some do not even have money for one meal in a day, and it is duty of those who have enough for even more than three square meals a day to assist those in need.
In what stood out as the crux of his message to Ghanaians in general, President John Mahama noted that when Jesus died on Good Friday, darkness filled the earth and hope seemed lost. But that was not the end of the story, because resurrection Sunday came when Jesus rose again from the dead, and the empty tomb was there to confirm his resurrection.
He then quoted Romans 8:11 to make the point that the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead, “lives in us and with that spirit we can rise above discouragement, hardship and fear.”
“So as I speak today not only as a Christian but as a Ghanaian, I believe with all my heart that our dear nation Ghana shall rise again – our economy shall recover – our youth will find opportunities and our families will flourish and thrive,” he stated amidst thunderous cheers of approval.
The President however stated that the expected restoration will require the commitment of all Ghanaians including government, churches, businesses and communities to work together in unity and in truth.
He commended the UDGLC for being a pillar of hope in Ghana, as reflected in their missions, schools, hospitals and dedication to soul winning, which are a testament to what the church of Jesus Christ can do when it alive and led by the spirit.
But Pastor John was not done yet – he went for one more biblical verse – Matthew 5:14, to drum home his final point that UDGLC is the light of the world and so the church should continue to let its light shine to the world.
At the end of Pastor John’s preaching, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills said “I think we can calling him Pastor John” adding that “I am seeking clearance from the church board to make him a Pastor.”
Bishop Dag also led the church to pray for the President to be blessed with “four gifts for four year”, namely the gifts of Moses, Solomon, The Messiah and of David.
The prayer was meant for God to bless the President with grace to lead Ghana out of poverty into prosperity; wisdom to be memorable and outstanding; resolve to take good decision and ensure peace and fairness for all; and for his personal long life, riches and honor.
