General News of Monday, 16 March 2020
Source: www.ghanaweb.live
2020-03-16Coronavirus: ICGC resorts to online church services after ban on public gatherings
General Overseer of ICGC, Mensa Otabil
The International Central Gospel Church has resorted to the use of technology and from henceforth hold church services online following government’s decision to ban public gatherings in a bid to curb the spread of the global pandemic virus.
Although the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo has banned any public gathering of more than 25 persons, ICGC will continue
Read full articletheir regular church services by gathering in the presence of the Lord through the power of technology.
In a statement released on Monday by the General Overseer of ICGC, Mensa Otabil said;
“Beginning from today, we will conduct our worship as a congregation through our online platforms. We will use the ICGC App as our primary source of communication and place of fellowship. We, therefore, urge every member to download the My ICGC App.”
Otabil further advised congregants to be careful of the hoaxes circulating on social media and rather practice hygienic living.
The man of God noted that the current dispensation was no different from what the early disciples suffered and as such the need to worship privately.
“This is not the first time the Church of Jesus Christ has had to respond to situations like this. The early church found ways of worshipping privately when they could not do so publicly.”
Read the full statement below
MESSAGE FROM OUR GENERAL OVERSEER ON COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord,
1. On 17th November 2019, the first viral case of COVID 19 was reported in Wuhan, China. In a short space of about 112 days, the World Health Organization declared the disease a global pandemic.
2. Being part of the global world, COVID-19 reached the shores of our nation, Ghana, on the 12 of March, 2020. In response to that, on the 15th of March, 2020, the President of our Republic announced proactive emergency measures aimed at arresting the spread of the virus.
3. These measures profoundly alter our normal way of life as Ghanaians, including how we assemble in various public places. It places limitations on assemblies of people of faith, including churches.
4. The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) is fully supportive of these measures and would comply with them.
We pray that they yield the intended purpose of securing the lives and health of our people.
5. Beginning from today, we will conduct our worship as a congregation through our online platforms. We will use the ICGC App as our primary source of communication and place of fellowship. We therefore urge every member to download the My ICGC App as follows:
A Visit the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, search for the My ICGC App and Download it.
B. Sign up with your phone number or email address
6. In addition, all our pastors are encouraged to activate their live streaming platforms to minister to their local congregations I urge each pastor to allow the Holy Spirit to make them a voice of faith and not of fear.
7. We will continue to use our various social media platforms to reach out to our members and the larger public who need encouragement and support as we face this global danger together.
8. I urge all church members to look out for one another. This is a good opportunity for us to show Christ to the world. He said, the world would know we are His disciples by our love one for another (John 13:35). Pray for one another. Connect with one another. Encourage one another. Help one another. Share with one another.
9. Since, this is a new development, I would kindly ask that we all keep connected to the church through our App for further guidance.
10. Though, our world is going through a difficult time, our confidence in the Lord remains firm. The Lord is our Rock The Lord is our Strength. The Lord is our Deliverer. The Lord is our Healer. He is with us. He will protect us. He will deliver us. He will heal us.
11. This is not the first time the Church of Jesus Christ has had to respond to situations like this. The early church found ways of worshipping privately when they could not do so publicly.
In our times, churches must find innovative ways of continuing their communities of faith when public worship is not possible.
Our Lord, the owner of the Church, knows how to keep His flock. He is with us.
12. Please pay attention to all Public Health practices such as voluntary self-quarantining, social distancing and the recommended sanitary practices-deaning hands and sanitizing various surfaces we use or come into contact with.
13. While looking for information on how to be safe, be aware that there are a lot of hoaxes circulating on social media. For the avoidance of doubt, rely on verified information from the World Health Organization and Ghana's Ministry of Health. Ignorance is dangerous but deception can be more deadly.
14. Let us pray for all the inhabitants of the earth. May the Lord, the King of the Universe watch over each one of us. May He protect the health workers and care providers managing this crisis. May He grant wisdom to all the researchers looking for a cure. May He guide all government leaders as they lead their nations in these perilous times.
5. We are fully, confident that the Lord will use this opportunity for the furtherance of the gospel. For we know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28).
May the Peace of Christ keep your hearts and minds.
SHALOM!
Signed,
PASTOR MENSA OTABIL
