Reverend Ransford Obeng, General Overseer of Calvary Charismatic Center (CCC), a charismatic church in Kumasi is assuring government of his readiness to shepherd his congregation to comply with all the necessary precautions aimed at dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic when the ban on public gathering is lifted.
According to him, the precautions are necessary to keep people safe as well prevent them from being infected with the viral disease.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer newspaper last week, Reverend Obeng said it is an undeniable fact that the church has been hit hard by the pandemic.
Most churches including CCC, the famous preacher admitted has been depending on the offerings and tithes of its members to carry out most activities such as the payment of salaries of workers and Pastors involved in missions work.
“None of us was prepared for this pandemic and even though most churches just like CCC save the money that come to the church for future use the prolonged nature of the viral disease is taking a toll on us”, Rev Obeng noted.
DETAILS:
With CCC employing a total of 120 people to take charge of various activities including security and maintenance of the church’s facility, the General Overseer said the church is in difficult times.
Paying a whopping 120, 000 cedis as salary to workers employed by the church monthly, the CCC founder said the church cannot guarantee the employment of the numbers if the ban on public gatherings go beyond the month of May.
He, howeever, sympathized with churches that had smaller numbers, adding that CCC which has about 4, 000 members has had the privilege of relying on its reserves to cushion it up to this time.
Rev Obeng said CCC has been in support of the measures put up by government to curb the spread of the viral disease and urged all to support the maintenance of same even if government feels public gatherings were still unsafe.
“I as the leader of CCC backs the President 100% in the efforts he is putting up for the combating of COVID-19 and I know all Christian leaders are still ready to stand with him as we address the situation together”, the CCC founder posited.
APPEAL:
Reverend Obeng however appealed to the President to consider the ban on church gatherings and lift same with a strict instruction for the adherence of all the safety measures.
The churches, the CCC leader noted would be willing to administer as many services in a day just to pay heed to the social distancing measures.
CCC, for instance could hold about four or five services in a day just to make room for the observance of the social distancing protocol as well as mount up stands for the washing of hands at its premises, Rev Obeng noted.
He said while the church does its part, the security agencies could also go on patrols to ensure the adherence of the safety measures in the churches.
“CCC is ready to abide by any directive aimed at the safety of people because souls matter than anything in this life and while ask for the lifting of the ban we will do all we can to protect our congregation” , Rev Obeng assured.
