In its four decades of existence, the church has had an impact on many people including me.

It has drawn sinners to Christ, planted numerous churches, helped people to grow in grace and established them to be servants of the Most High God.

This article seeks to cascade some milestones of impact that the ministry of Pastor Mensa Otabil and ICGC has had on my life.

As you read this, I will implore you to also consider the many ways God has used your Pastor and your local church to be a blessing to you.

Five (5) remarkable areas of impacts of the ministry of Pastor Mensa Otabil and ICGC on my life are:

#1. Unsaved

I was born into a casual Christian home where there was no strict adherence to attending church and living for God.

I rarely encountered role models who embodied Christ’s teachings while growing up, and I did not go to Sunday School nor had any training in the way of the Lord as other children reminisce about their formative years.

Moving on to Senior High School and University, I casually made time to score ‘religious goals’ on my score sheet by attending church every now and then.

In all of this, I was drawn to the Living Word broadcast by Pastor Mensa Otabil, whose teachings made sense to me.

He drummed home the truth that God rules in the affairs of men but I was still keeping Him out of my endeavours.

I was not saved unto eternal life. Jesus was not the Lord of my life. Jesus said in Mark 16:16 anyone who believes in Him will be saved but he who does not believe in Him will be condemned.

I held the wrong notion that others probably needed salvation – and not me – since they engaged in very ‘bad sins’. Little did I know that mere good deeds does not qualify anyone as saved. Salvation is in Christ alone.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life. My life outside of Christ was still influenced by the teachings and writings of Pastor Mensa Otabil.

#2. Salvation

The year was 2010. I had finished my final paper for my first degree at the University of Ghana when I accompanied a friend to what I would consider my thanksgiving service at International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Christ Temple, Abossey Okai, Accra – for successfully completing school.

I fell in love with every aspect of the church service, especially the final leg of the sermon preached on The Dominion Mandate about ‘Replenishing’ by Pastor Mensa Otabil.

I consider this day as my new birth in Christ because I felt completely at home – as if I had found what I had been searching for. I began a journey in Christ that I have never looked back on.

Like the song writer, I decided to follow Jesus, and there was no turning back. The day I got saved was the day I attended Christ Temple and felt an urge to keep going back.

#3. Growth

As I said earlier, I knew very little about the Bible and Christian living before coming to Christ. When I came to saving faith, the pulpit ministry of Pastor Mensa Otabil stirred my appetite for the Word of God; reading it and exercising spiritual gifts to grow in Christ.

Other catalysts like enrolling in the Adult Bible Class (ABC) of the church, which aimed at orienting new members in ICGC distinctives and teaching them basic Christian doctrines, helped me to be grounded in the faith.

Apostle Peter aptly summarized the process of spiritual growth when he said in I Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV) that, “[1] Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, [2] as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, [3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

To grow in Christ, Peter says, we must overcome the old man and desire and eat the word of God. That is exactly what my new found church helped me to achieve. There was zeal in me to know and live for Christ.

#4. Service

When I became a Christian, I had no clue about what spiritual gifts were all about. All I had known in my life was talents and skills.

But believers have an advantage because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God in us, according to Paul, grants each one of us spiritual gift(s) to enable us to serve in His house.

Attending the Adult Bible Class in my church clarified and helped me discover my own gifts to serve the Lord.

I started off serving in the Missions and Outreach department of the church and then proceeded to serve in the Intercessory Department.

When I moved to another branch of the church, I served as an Adult Bible Class facilitator and later as a Children and Youth Ministry Class six (6) facilitator.

All these equipped me to discover my own ministry the Lord had prepared for me. My church gave me the opportunities to serve my Lord and Saviour in many capacities.

#5. Leadership

The final touch point where I can testify of the impact of Pastor Otabil and ICGC in my spiritual journey pertains to the development of my leadership potential.

I started off as an Assistant Covenant Family leader of a location in Accra. Covenant families are area based cell groups meant for fellowship, breaking of bread, praying and studying God’s word.

The next level of leading was regarding my work with the Children and Youth Ministry where I diligently served the little ones.

I came into full time ministry in 2018 and then served in various levels in the local church, district, and regional administration of the church.

When I look back, I can only testify that God made ways for me to be raised as a leader in the church, despite my initial disadvantages about my spiritual upbringing. By God’s grace, I have grown from being a member to becoming a Pastor and actively serving in the church.

The testimony of God’s work in my life through Pastor Otabil and ICGC is verifiable and clear for all to see. Like Nicodemus said: these things cannot be achieved in a man’s life unless God is with him.

Our church, like any other Bible believing church, is turning many people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ. It is raising leaders, shaping vision and influencing society through the gospel of Christ.

I have been a beneficiary of the power of God at work in the life of Pastor-Teacher, Dr. Mensa Otabil and ICGC. To the glory of God alone, we recount this work of grace in our lives and say: it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalms 100:5 (NKJV) says,

“For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.”

Eric Otchere is committed to declaring the whole counsel of God through systematic preaching and writing of the word of God. He is an Associate Pastor at ICGC The Royal Temple and also the Regional Administrator of ICGC Central Region.

This article is excerpts from his newly released book titled INFLUENCED FOR CHRIST. Download the eBook for free at https://erikotchere.wordpress.com/ebooks/.

He can be contacted via otchereeric@gmail.com.

Founded on February 26, 1984, by the indomitable spirit and unwavering faith of Pastor Mensa Otabil, ICGC has blossomed from humble beginnings into a global powerhouse, spreading the message of Christ’s love and redemption with fervour and conviction. Through Pastor Otabil’s guidance, the church has transcended geographical boundaries, touching the hearts and souls of believers across continents.

At the heart of Pastor Otabil’s ministry lies an unwavering commitment to the transformative power of the gospel. Drawing inspiration from the words of Jesus in Luke 4:17-19, he has tirelessly championed the cause of the marginalised, offering a message of hope, healing, and liberation to millions around the world.

Central to Pastor Otabil’s teachings is the resounding truth of Christ crucified, as echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. In a world ensnared by doubt and scepticism, he boldly proclaims the simplicity and power of the gospel message, inviting all who would listen to embrace Christ as the source of true wisdom and salvation.

Throughout the decades, Pastor Otabil has articulated seven foundational pillars that have guided the mission of ICGC and fueled its exponential growth:

1. Salvation Through Christ: At the core of Pastor Otabil’s ministry lies the invitation to embrace salvation and experience transformation through faith in Christ.
2. Exaltation of Christ: With unwavering devotion, he exalts Christ as the supreme authority, guiding believers towards victory and freedom from all spiritual darkness.
3. Sufficiency of Scriptures: Emphasizing the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures, Pastor Otabil encourages believers to anchor their faith firmly in God’s Word.
4. Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit: Through his teachings, believers are empowered to live purposefully and victoriously, guided by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
5. Breaking Cultural Chains: Fearlessly challenging cultural norms that perpetuate fear and inequality, Pastor Otabil advocates for social justice and liberation for all.
6. Christian Work Ethic: He inspires believers to embrace a Christian work ethic rooted in diligence, excellence, and integrity, honouring God in every aspect of their vocations.
7. Leadership and Impact: Pastor Otabil empowers believers to assume leadership roles, encouraging them to be catalysts of positive change and transformation in their communities and beyond.

In addition to his profound impact within the church, Pastor Mensa Otabil has extended his ministry through various media platforms, amplifying the reach of his teachings and inspiring hearts across the globe:

• Living Word: Serving as a beacon of spiritual nourishment, “Living Word” delivers Pastor Otabil’s insightful teachings to a global audience, offering a reservoir of biblical wisdom and practical guidance for navigating life’s challenges with unwavering faith.
• Time with Pastor Otabil: This dedicated platform provides an oasis for deeper exploration of biblical truths and theological insights, enriching the spiritual lives of listeners with profound understanding and revelation.
• Word to Go: Catering to the dynamic needs of a mobile audience, “Word to Go” offers bite-sized doses of inspiration and encouragement, ensuring that the transformative power of God’s Word is accessible anytime, anywhere.

As the curtains rise on ICGC’s 40th-anniversary celebration, Pastor Mensa Otabil’s enduring legacy shines brightly, a radiant testament to the timeless power of faith, love, and service.

Amid jubilant festivities and introspective reflections, one truth resounds with clarity – the impact of Pastor Otabil’s ministry transcends generations, shaping destinies and igniting flames of hope and transformation.

The five-day conference is held to climax the church’s 40 days of Power, a time of fasting and praying, and will run from today, Monday 31st July, through the week to Friday, 4th August 2023.

There will be both morning and evening sessions at the church’s campus at Christ Temple East, Teshie.

Since its inception in 1987 at the Baiden Powell Hall, the conference has not only grown tremendously in number but has greatly impacted the lives of people all over the world with tens of thousands of participants gathering daily for each year’s edition.

The conference features a blend of music, prayer and word ministrations.

This year’s Greater Works Conference will receive the ministry of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Center (KICC), London; Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life Covenant Church, Harare-Zimbabwe; Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Lagos-Nigeria; and Conference Host and General Overseer of ICGC, Pastor Mensa Otabil.

Each speaker will bring a message of encouragement, direction and empowerment to attendees in person as well as those joining online across the nations of the world.

Music at this year’s Greater Works will be provided by CT Praise, Lumina and various ICGC Genre Choirs.

The conference will open tonight with a thematic message and Communion Service by Pastor Mensa Otabil.

The final day of Greater Works 2023 on Friday 4th August 2023 will be an anointing service where participants will be charged to go out there and do greater works, as the conference’s name connotes.

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