CHURCHES across the country ushered in the New Year, 2026, with special crossover services marked by prayers, praise and messages of hope, faith and national unity.
From Nsumia in the Nsawam-Addoagyiri Municipality, KINGSLEY ASARE reports that the Church of Christ held a four-hour half-night vigil to welcome the New Year. The service, which began at 9:00 p.m., ended exactly at midnight.
The vigil featured spirited song ministrations as members praised God for His providence and protection throughout 2025. Clad predominantly in white apparel, congregants expressed gratitude for God’s love, guidance and preservation.
Members were also given the opportunity to share testimonies and commit their aspirations for 2026 into God’s hands.
Delivering an exhortation on the theme: ‘If Abraham Had Not Gone to Egypt, What Would Have Happened?,’ the Preacher of the Nsumia Church of Christ, Evangelist Edward Boakye, drew his sermon from Genesis 12:10–16, which recounts Abraham’s journey to Egypt and his decision to present his wife as his sister.
Evangelist Boakye noted that Abraham’s decision, and the favour he received from the Egyptian king, including gifts and servants such as Hagar, altered the course of world religious history.
He urged members not to repeat the mistakes of 2025 in the New Year, encouraging them to turn over a new leaf to improve both their spiritual and secular lives.
In particular, he admonished congregants to attend church regularly and punctually, and to commit their time and financial resources to the work of God, stressing that such devotion attracts divine blessings.
He prayed for God’s favour upon the members, their jobs and businesses, and asked for increased prosperity in 2026. He also commended the congregation for their participation and urged them to remain steadfast.
Some members who spoke to The Ghanaian Times expressed gratitude for life and divine protection.
“I am excited that I have seen 2026. Not everyone has been granted this grace. Some rich and important personalities have died, so I have nothing else to say but to thank God,” said Vida Agyeiwaa.
Another member, Vivian Osei, stated that, “The past years were challenging, but despite all the difficulties, God has delivered me. I am sincerely grateful.”
Meanwhile, the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Ghana has called on Ghanaians to embrace unity, integrity and responsible living as the nation enters 2026.
In a New Year message delivered during the December 31 crossover service and signed by Chaplain Colonel P. N. Duodu (rtd), President of the South East Ghana Union Mission, the church said national peace and progress depend on the collective commitment of citizens, leaders and institutions to moral uprightness and social responsibility.
The message, shared with The Ghanaian Times, acknowledged the economic pressures, social tensions and uncertainties of the past year but noted that Ghana remained resilient by the grace of God.
It commended the President, Vice President, government leadership and Parliament for their service, and praised the Ghana Armed Forces, the Police Service and other security agencies for safeguarding peace and protecting communities.
The church also recognised the judiciary, media, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, traditional authorities and community leaders for promoting dialogue and unity, while paying tribute to ordinary citizens whose sacrifices sustain the nation.
Expressing concern over illegal mining (galamsey), the SDA Church described it as one of the gravest threats to Ghana’s future due to its destruction of rivers, forests and farmlands.
It called for a united national resolve, urging leaders to enforce laws with courage, communities to protect their lands, youth to pursue lawful livelihoods, and faith institutions to speak boldly on environmental stewardship.
VICTOR A. BUXTON reports that Christians have been urged not to lose hope in the face of challenges, but rather to rise up and shine by confronting difficulties until they are resolved.
The Superintendent Minister of the Tema North Circuit of the Bethel Methodist Society, Very Rev. Joshua Boama-Darko, said challenges were inevitable in the Christian journey, stressing that overcoming them largely depended on how individuals responded and persisted until results were achieved.
“As Christians, challenges will come your way, but overcoming them largely depends on how individuals respond to them and remain steadfast until victory is achieved,” he indicated.
Delivering the first sermon on the theme: ‘The Word Reveals Divine Light and Life,’ to mark the Methodist Church’s Epiphany and Covenant Sunday, Very Rev. Boama-Darko urged Christians to persevere through all difficulties with unwavering faith.
“I am urging you, as a congregation and as Christians, to endure and confront difficulties with resilience, faith, determination, and strength, regardless of the circumstances,” the Superintendent Minister stressed.
He noted that while others could offer prayers and spiritual guidance on behalf of believers, each Christian has a personal responsibility to pray, stand firm, and fight his or her own spiritual battles.
The Very Rev. Boama-Darko further emphasised that Christians must take personal ownership of their faith and trust in God’s Word to bring light and life, even in the darkest moments of their circumstances.
STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG reports that the General Overseer of Alabaster International Ministry, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has urged church members, particularly the youth, to desist from indecent lifestyles and adopt responsible living in the New Year.
He gave the advice during the church’s December 31 watch night service in Accra, encouraging young people against negative influences and reckless behaviour.
“Not everything needs to be done, and you do not have to be everywhere,” he said, stressing that discipline and discernment were key to personal and spiritual growth.
Prophet Oduro encouraged the youth to take responsibility for their choices, noting that responsible living would position them for success and meaningful contribution to society.
SAMUEL AGBEWODE reports from Ho that the Assemblies of God Christ Family Church held its crossover service at about 10:00 p.m., led by the Resident Pastor, Reverend James Nanevi.
The congregation thanked God for His protection in the past year and prayed for guidance and mercy in 2026, committing the President, John Dramani Mahama, ministers of state and other national leaders into God’s hands.
Preaching the sermon, Reverend Nanevi urged Ghanaians to harness the power of faith, noting that faith had the capacity to ensure success and transform lives.
“Faith is not just a feeling; it is a choice and a decision to trust in God’s goodness, love and sovereignty,” he emphasised, adding that faith calms fear and anxiety and empowers believers to overcome challenges.
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The post Churches usher in 2026 with calls for faith, unity, responsible living appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
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