The Faith Evangelical Mission Worldwide (FEMW) yesterday launched its 50th anniversary in Accra on the theme “Celebrating God’s Golden Rhythms of Grace.”
The event which also served as a memorial service for the late founder of the FEMW, Bishop Dr Rex Noi, also saw the inauguration of the anniversary committee.
Chief Bishop, FEMW, Bishop Dr Bobby Harley-Neequaye, said the commemoration of the anniversary which would be climaxed on December 3, next year, was to recount the Lord’s goodness towards the mission and position itself for greater works in the coming years.
Bishop Dr Harley-Neequaye revealed that the mission would soon kick-start the establishment of a pastors’ retirement residence and develop a bursary to assist the children of pastors through school because “pastoring is a tough job so we will look at motivating them.”
He emphasised that the FEMW would also empower youthful leaders through its bible college not only to take up leadership roles but to lead the evangelism crusade.
“We will also strengthen already existing churches by paying attention to their needs and challenges,” he added.
As such, he called on all to rally their support behind the FEMW‘s leadership to achieve those visions, adding that “uniting will ensure that our abilities make up for our deficiencies.”
Bishop Dr Harley-Neequaye used the opportunity to express the gratitude of the current leadership of the church to the outgone top management body of the church and the entire congregation and urged the anniversary committee to be loyal to the faith and purpose for which they had been called to serve and keep to their intended purposes to the glorification of God.
The founder and leader, Victory Bible Church, Bishop Nii Apiakai Tackie-Yarboi, in the memorial sermon dubbed “The God of Rex Noi,” also called on the leadership of the church to ensure that opportunities were made available for the youth as they had the exuberance, expertise and knowledge which were in alliance with current trends.
He said the spirit of the late Bishop Dr Noi was still hovering around ashe had left behind an anointing and laid a foundation which required the efforts of all in building upon.
“We all need to help the goals of the mission to be accomplished. Doing so will ensure that the legacy of the founder lives,” he added.
Dr Daniel Raynold Odametey-Abbey, a Bishop of the FEMW, eulogised the late founder as a generous man who looked out for all and was very supportive.
A former chief bishop, Frederick France, reiterated that restructuring some principles of the church by cutting down the age range of its top management body was crucial and excited him as it was paramount to the growth of the church.
The ceremony, which was a joyful one had attendants dressed in white and black, saw lots of merrymaking and was well attended by pastors and their wives, church members, families as well as other invited guests.
BY ABIGAIL ARTHUR