The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, has been inducted into office for a second four-year term, pledging to accelerate the church’s transformation agenda and deepen its spiritual, numerical and infrastructural growth.
The colourful induction ceremony, held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), also witnessed the formal induction of the church’s new Executive Presbytery Officers.
The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama, who attended as Special Guest of Honour; Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, Rev. Dominic Yeo; General Superintendents from across the world; Ministers of State; heads of churches; and thousands of clergy and church members.
Addressing the gathering after his induction, Rev. Wenhave expressed profound gratitude to God for His faithfulness, describing his first four-year tenure as a period of “grace galore.”
He said the church recorded significant growth under his leadership, planting 2,077 new churches within four years, increasing the number of local assemblies to 10,077 and expanding its membership from 812,254 to approximately 1.2 million.
Rev. Wengam also highlighted the achievements of the Legacy Temple Project, an initiative aimed at ending worship in open spaces and dilapidated structures by providing decent and befitting places of worship.
According to him, 177 Legacy Temples have been constructed since 2024 through the support of individual members and congregations.
He particularly acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina Mahama, for constructing 10 fully furnished Legacy Temples, each with a two-bedroom pastoral residence.
The General Superintendent disclosed that he and his wife had also constructed 10 temples from their personal salaries at the church’s headquarters, while the Chief Executive Officer of First Sky Group, Deacon Eric Seddy Kutortse, and his wife were undertaking the construction of 50 additional Legacy Temples.
Transformation Agenda to enter higher gear
Looking ahead to his second term, Rev. Wengam said his administration would consolidate the gains made during the first four years and intensify efforts to achieve the church’s long-term vision.
He declared that the second term would not be about reinventing the wheel but rather putting the Transformation Agenda “into the highest spiritual gear.”
The agenda is anchored on six strategic pillars: Reach, Rebuild, Restore, Reposition, Rebrand and Reform.
Among the flagship initiatives is the “Every City, Every Village, a Church” project under the REACH pillar, which seeks to expand the church’s presence across the country.
He also announced plans for the ambitious Centenary City Project, which will feature a 6,000-seat state-of-the-art International Convention Centre on a 137-acre parcel of land donated by Mr Sekyi, who is not a member of the church.
The project forms part of activities marking the centenary anniversary of Assemblies of God, Ghana, in 2031.
Rev. Wengam disclosed that the architectural designs for the project had been completed, expressing confidence that construction would commence and progress at an accelerated pace.
“The architectural designs are ready… It shall be built with supernatural speed,” he assured the congregation.
He further pledged to intensify local and international missionary activities while giving greater attention to the World Assemblies of God Fellowship’s MM33 target of planting one million churches globally by 2033.
On national development, Rev. Wengam commended the government for its efforts towards economic recovery but called for more urgent interventions to address youth unemployment.
He also advocated a national crusade against moral decadence and growing incivility in public discourse, particularly within politics and the media.
Mahama pledges support for Centenary City Project
President John Dramani Mahama congratulated Rev. Wengam and the newly inducted Executive Presbytery Officers, describing the occasion as a deeply personal one because of his family’s longstanding relationship with the Assemblies of God Church.
“For Lordina and I, this occasion has a deeply personal meaning. Assemblies of God is our family,” the President stated.
Describing himself as an “expert on second terms,” President Mahama observed that a second term in leadership presents an important opportunity to consolidate achievements, deepen successful reforms and ensure that development reaches the grassroots.
He urged the newly inducted leadership to embrace servant leadership, drawing inspiration from Mark 10:43, which teaches that greatness is demonstrated through service to others.
The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with the church in its development aspirations and pledged to lead fundraising efforts towards the Centenary City Project.
He, however, stressed that the project would be financed without relying on state funds.
Rev. Wengam’s wife was also inducted alongside him, with Rev. Dominic Yeo charging her to continue serving as a pillar of strength, intercession and wisdom in support of her husband’s leadership and the church.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Induction Service Planning Committee, Rev. Andrews Nelson Awintia, welcomed the congregants, clergy and distinguished guests, expressing gratitude to God for His faithfulness to the Assemblies of God Church.
He particularly acknowledged President Mahama, Rev. Dominic Yeo and the visiting church leaders for honouring the invitation, noting that their presence demonstrated the importance of the historic occasion.
Rev. Awintia described the ceremony as both a celebration of God’s grace and a renewed commitment to advancing the church’s Transformation Agenda.
He also commended members of the planning committee and volunteers for their dedication towards ensuring a successful event.
The induction ceremony was held under the theme: “The Transformation Agenda Continues.”
Source: Felix Nyaaba/ expressnewsghana.com
