WE LEAVE BEHIND NOT BRICKS AND MORTAR BUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DISCIPLED – BISHOP OSABUTEY

Story: Emmanuel Ashong, Accra 

"We leave behind not bricks and mortar but people who have been discipled to disciple others for Christ". Those were the words of the Rt Rev Samuel Kofi Osabutey as he delivered his last major address to the people called Methodists in the Accra Diocese.

The Rt Rev Osabutey was speaking at a Thanksgiving Service held on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the Wesley Cathedral, Palladium - Accra to mark the end of his 6year tenure of office as the Methodist Bishop of Accra Diocese. In a brief exhortation, he disclosed that his period of office as a bishop has been shaped by his understanding of the Church and its mandate as being a covenant, catechetical, charismatic and a caring community, adding, “The church in its totality must be a welfare community”.

He explained that “We were guided by our mission mandate” as expressed in Matthew 28:18-20 in which we have the mandate, method and motivation to disciple people for Christ. He expressed hope that the incoming Bishop will continue the teaching and mission work of the Church and even do better than he did. “Our succeeding generations must be better than we left them”, he noted. Bishop Osabutey encouraged the congregation to support his successor in that effort.

The Rt Rev Osabutey took office as the 4^th Methodist Bishop of Accra Diocese in October 2015 and brings his tenure to an end on September 30, 2021. He has been credited with making significant contributions to the Diocese’s growth by intensifying mission work and deepening the teaching ministry; championing the creation of the Northern Accra Diocese out of the Accra Diocese; co-chairing a committee that saw to the establishment of Wesleyan Television; establishing and tooling a Multimedia Ministry in the Diocese; undertaking various infrastructural development projects among others. He will be succeeded by the Very Rev Emmanuel Borlabi Bortey as the next Methodist Bishop of Accra Diocese from October 01, 2021.

The solemn Service was attended by the Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, the Most Rev Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, who prayed for the Bishop and his family. He observed that the Rt Rev Osabutey dedicated himself to teaching, which he noted, is the core duty of a bishop, earning him the accolade ‘The Catechetical Bishop’. Also present were past and serving leaders at all levels of the Church, and representatives of various State, religious and educational institutions.

Speaking on behalf of Bishop Osabutey and his family, his spouse, Evang Mrs Glady Osabutey thanked the entire leadership and membership of the Church for their support throughout his period of service in the Diocese. The out-going Bishop and his family presented certificates of appreciation to various members of the Church for diverse support accorded him over the period.

The event which was chaired by the Executive Director of the Salt and Light Ministries, the Rev Dr Joyce Aryee also saw the congregation show their appreciation to Bishop Osabutey and his family for their dedicated service in the Diocese.