THE Ghana Baptist Convention has appointed a full time President and a Vice-President to manage the affairs of the convention.

Rev Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, the Senior Pastor of the Charismatic Baptist Church, Taifa, and Rev Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, the Senior Pastor of the Messiah Baptist Church were given the nod to steer the affairs of the convention for the next four years.

They were elected to serve the convention at the 50th Annual Session of the church at the Baptist Women’s Retreat Centre at Ejura by the delegates, including pastors, deacons, deaconesses and lay members.

The theme for the session was: “Harvest Time Today: Returning the Church to Intentional Disciple Making”, and it was addressed by Rev Justifier Nii Noi Ocquaye, the Senior Pastor of the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono, and President of the Baptist Ministers Conference.

The two are to be assisted by a nine-member denominational board, made up of Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, the Senior Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, Accra; Rev Ocquaye; Prof Kwame Wiredu, the Chairman of the Ghana Baptist University Council; Dr Mrs Linda Forde, Mrs Beatrice Dodoo, Deacon Chris Sottie, Rev Kofi Annan, Rev Frank Ohene Kankam, Rev Kojo Amo and Rev Isaac Wuni.

Rev Adu-Gyamfi thanked the delegates and promised to unite and strengthen the convention, including providing for the welfare of pastors, especially those in the rural and deprived areas.

He said he would strive to enhance evangelism, missions, church growth and a retirement plan for pastors.

Rev Adu-Gyamfi also gave an assurance to expand the Ghana Baptist University to include a course in Nursing and establish an Agricultural College at Ejura to help train local farmers to improve upon their practices and increase their output and incomes.

Rev Thompson, for his part, promised to cooperate with the president to achieve the objectives of the convention.

The outgoing President of the convention, Rev Dr Steve K. Asante, was optimistic that the new arrangement would enable the Baptist Church to make a greater impact on national development.

At the session, 100 branches were honoured for their commitment and contribution to the convention, with the Calvary Baptist Church, Adabraka, emerging as the best contributing branch  this year.

Thirty-seven ministers were ordained and charged by Rev Dr Asante to be good ambassadors of the church and to their calling.

The session expressed appreciation to Rev Dr Asante and Rev David N. Ocansey, the outgoing General-Secretary of the convention, who is to remain in office to help the new executive appreciate the nature of their responsibilities before he would leave under a transitional arrangement.

The session licensed 27 candidates, recognised 17 and affirmed the ordination of one pastor.

Rev Adu-Gyamfi is a professional accountant and product of the University of Professional Studies, the Maranatha University College and the Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, USA, and holds a Masters degree in Divinity, with specialisation in Christian Education.

He served in various organisations as accountant for 12 years, Managing Director of Multi-Media Technology Ltd for 17 years and has 40 years’ experience in ministry, with 25 of them as Senior Pastor of the Charismatic Baptist Church at Taifa.

He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Ministry, with specialisation in Justice and Peace Building, at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia.

Rev Adu-Gyamfi has served the Ghana Baptist Convention variously as Vice-President and President of the Ministers Conference; Chairman, International Missions Committee; member, Finance and Administration Committee, and member of the Executive Committee of the Christian Council of Ghana.

He is married to Mrs Juliana Adu-Gyamfi and they have three children.