The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, and Namibia's Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Maureen Magreth Hinda-Mbuende, on Sunday, December 29,2024 joined the Cedar Mountain Chapel of Assemblies of God in East Legon to fellowship with the congregation.
The Israeli Ambassador and his family were at the Cedar Mountain Chapel for the first service to commemorate the Hanukkah Candle Jewish festival observed by the State of Israel.
The festival also known as festival of lights falls in late November or December and lasts for eight days and nights. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd Century Before Common Era(BCE).
The Namibian Deputy Finance Minister accompanied by some of her siblings from Togo also worshipped with the congregation at the Cedar Mountain Chapel.
Sermon
The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God and Head Pastor of the Cedar Mountain Chapel, Reverend Stephen Yenusom Wengam, delivered powerful sermon titled “the unequalled power of Thanksgiving” rooted in Genesis 8:1-24.
He pointed out that Thanksgiving can make God to overlook man's evil deeds, wickedness and transgressions.
He mentioned three thematic areas that emphasises the significance of Thanksgiving. They are the purpose, plan and power of Thanksgiving.
Reverend Wengam explained that in the Bible, Noah offered a quality sacrifice to God for granting him and his family favour after destroying the World with rain.
“The most important asset you have is your life not your cars, positions, or money; you lost your pregnancy,job, but you are still alive” the General Superintendent stressed.
He made references to Genesis 6:5-8; Isaiah 54:6 and Luke 17:26-27 stressing that without Grace, meaning unlimited favour, no one can receive blessings from God.
Reverend Wengam further advised the congregation to be careful in giving out quality tithes and Thanksgiving offerings to God for Him to extend His mercies to them.
“God secured Noah's future when he raised a quality altar of sacrifice unto Him" he added.
Namibian deputy minister
After the sermon, the General Superintendent invited Miss Hinda-Mbuende to the dais to share a few words with the congregation after which he prayed for her.
The Namibian deputy minister, a passionate Pan Africanist and a founding Board Member of the Pan African Centre in Windhoek said although she was speechless, she will begin by introducing herself as a survivor of the 1905 and 1908 genocide in Namibia.
Miss Hinda-Mbuende, said Christians must be guided by three basic principles in the Bible-Forgiveness, thankfulness and Grace or the power of the Word.
“If you were hurt, angered or tested, you must know that as much as blessings comes through people so also temptations come through people; the message today is let us forgive because the spirit of forgiveness opens the door of blessings as much as the spirit of Thanksgiving also opens the door of blessings” she stated.
She made references to Isaiah 45:1-3 among other scriptures to back her remarks.
Condolence
Later, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana and his family commiserated with Reverend Wengam and signed the Book of Condolence in memory of his late biological mother, Madam Deborah Wengam.
The funeral of Reverend Wengam's mother is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Forecourt of the State House at Parliament House in Accra.
