By Jones Anlimah
The Moderator-elect of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Rev. Dr. Frederick Mawusi Amevenku, says discipleship, youth development and evangelism will be central to his vision when he assumes office in January 2027.
Rev. Amevenku, who was elected to lead the church after the tenure of the current Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko (Rtd), said his vision would be anchored firmly in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
He said Christian leadership was not about creating a new vision for the church but responding faithfully to the mandate already given by Christ.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ died to redeem the church and because he’s the head of the church, he is the vision bearer. He is the one who gave us the Great Commission. That is his marching orders for all believers,” he said.
Rev. Amevenku said discipleship would therefore be at the heart of his administration, with particular attention to equipping young people to navigate the competing influences of contemporary society.
“Discipleship is about teaching everyone to model Christ, to live like Christ, to imitate the example of Christ and then the second part of discipleship is for people to be able to obey Christ,” he said.
He noted that young people were increasingly exposed to conflicting messages through social media and other platforms, making it necessary for the Church to provide them with strong Christian foundations.
“Our youth constitute a very strong priority for us,” he said, adding that the Church’s strategic plan for “revival, transformation and growth” places evangelism at the centre, with the youth expected to play a major role.
Rev. Amevenku, who is currently President of Trinity Theological Seminary (TTS), Legon, and President of the EP Church Ghana Ministers’ Conference, urged ministers of the Church to support his administration with prayer and demonstrate faithfulness in their stewardship.
“I call upon all ministers of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to support me especially with prayer but to also remain completely loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
He also called on members of the Church, both in Ghana and abroad, to continue supporting the leadership and to serve as “the feet and hands and voices and eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ” wherever they found themselves.
Development partnership
Rev. Amevenku said the EPCG would continue and intensify its contribution to national development, particularly in deprived communities.
The Church, he noted, had for nearly 180 years partnered government in areas including education, health, social services, skills training, water provision and disaster interventions.
“We are not called only to preach to people but also to help heal them and to teach them as well,” he said.
“So anytime the people are in difficulty we need to journey with them. So I can assure everyone that the church is determined and resolved to continue to partner government in the development of our nation.”
Protecting Church property
On the management of Church property, Rev. Amevenku clarified that the EPCG did not have an across-the-board problem with registration of its properties, but said some properties in different parts of the country had been found to lack proper registration and could therefore be vulnerable to litigation.
He said the Church’s five-member Board of Trustees, including two non-clergy members, had been tasked with leading efforts to secure the Church’s properties.
Committees have also been established in the various presbyteries to support the process, while presbyteries and districts are expected to strengthen record-keeping and complete the necessary registrations.
Profile of the Moderator-elect
Rev. Dr. Frederick Mawusi Amevenku is an ordained minister of the EPCG who was commissioned in 2005. He has served as a district pastor in three different districts and as an assistant to other district pastors.
He joined the faculty of Trinity Theological Seminary in 2011 and is currently its President. He is an Associate Professor of New Testament and African Biblical Hermeneutics, with research interests spanning the New Testament, African Biblical Hermeneutics and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
His academic background includes a PhD from Stellenbosch University, a Master of Philosophy in African Studies and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ghana, a Master of Theology and Bachelor of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics from the University of Cape Coast.
He has authored and co-authored several academic books and scholarly articles and has supervised more than 100 student theses, dissertations, projects and long essays.
Rev. Amevenku is married with three children.
He is expected to assume office as Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, in January 2027, succeeding Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko (Rtd), whose tenure ends on December 31, 2026.
