“Let Christ be the centre of the church,” – Dr. Mensah Otabil

The Founder and General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Rev. Dr. Mensah Otabil has admonished Christians; especially Africans, to make Christ the centre of the church.

The renowned preacher and global speaker, made this call in a televised address to all ICGC churches globally, as part of the church’s 38th Anniversary Celebrations. The International Central Gospel Church was founded on 26th February, 1984; hence a Thanksgiving and Communion Service were held in all ICGC churches worldwide to commemorate the occasion.

“And so, for us to continue to be a church that is relevant, we judge our relevance not by how many churches we have or how much money we have but how well we are with Jesus,” he emphasized.

Dr. Otabil noted that his call came at a time like this because the focus of the African church is seemingly drifting away from Christ to the so-called Men/Women of God. He explained that the name of the church he founded contained “Central Gospel” because Christ is the centre and the pillar of the church; hence, he urged his Pastors to make Christ the only signpost.

And so, for us to continue to be a church that is relevant, we judge our relevance not by how many churches we have or how much money we have but how well we are with Jesus.

Dr. Mensa Otabil

He also intimated that “when we keep Christ as the centre of our church, then our church would have a meaning and purpose that goes from age to age and from generation to generation.”

Undoubtedly, for the past 38 years, ICGC has been one of the strong forces to reckon with, in the charismatic movement and the same is evident by sticking to its mission of raising leaders, shaping vision and influencing society through Christ.

In a quest to raise credible and Godly leaders in all facets of life, under the abled leadership of Dr. Mensa Otabil, ICGC has established Ghana’s premier private-owned University known as the Central University; of which he is the Chancellor.

The church, since its birth, has also demonstrated a strong desire and commitment to helping the vulnerable in society. This led to the establishment of the Central Aid – a scholarship scheme that has assisted over four thousand (4,000) brilliant but needy students in pre-tertiary schools in Ghana. ICGC also organizes an annual health walk known as Life Walk, aimed at raising funds to support the provision of healthcare in Ghana, especially mental health.

In his address, Dr. Otabil expressed his profound gratitude to the members and spouses of the Presbytery, Regional Overseers, District and Area Supervising Ministers and all church workers for the selfless and enormous work they have been doing to help ICGC achieve this milestone.

Also, preaching at the ICGC Faith & Miracle Temple, Teshie – Camp 2, to mark the anniversary, the Guest Speaker and the Founder of Shiloh Prayer Fellowship, Prophet Samuel Paddison urged the congregants to make Christ the centre of their lives. He spoke under the theme “Kingdom Builders”, anchored on Matthew 6:33, where he mentioned that “God sees us as jokers because we have relegated him to the background in everything we do”. In line with the anniversary, there was a week-long payer and fast and a revival service, hosted by the Resident Pastor, Rev. Samuel Yaw Nyarko who also doubles as the District Supervising Minister for the ICGC Sakumono District of the Accra South Region of the church.