The Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey has been inducted into office as the new Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at a ceremony held at Peniel Congregation, Teshie-Accra.
The induction service was performed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey and was assisted by Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong, Clerk of General Assembly. In attendance was the immediate past Chairperson of the Presbytery, the Rev. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor.
Others were Presbytery Chairpersons on the General Assembly Council of the Church, Lay Representatives, a host of PCG Clergy from far and near; Rev. George Opare Kwapong (Akuapem), Rev. Dr. A. F. Anakwa (Western), Rev. Fred N. Appetey (Dangme Tongu), Rev. George K. Acheampong (Kwahu), Rev, Dr, Solomon Sule Sah (Northern), Rev. Kofi Amofo Akonnor (Asante) and Emmanuel Atami (Upper).
Also present were the old students of Accra Academy Senior High School and the family members of the Revds. Victor Okoe Abbey and (Mrs.) Rose Teteki Abbey.
Performing the ceremony, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey urged Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey to serve his people faithfully and diligently and to help do away with all doctrines that were contrary to God’s word.
Sermon
Preaching the sermon on the theme: ‘Rejoice In The Lord’, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Moderator of the PCG said the elected of the new Chairperson was in line with the mandate of God and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, for people in the Ga Presbytery to be elected into leadership positions.
He urged the new Chairperson not to be tempted to think that he could do the work alone and asked that he should work hand in hand with other people and leaders in the ministry.
“You should be humble and listen to the needs of the church members, your colleague Ministers and the Lay as well. Do not be a dictator or use any ‘soldier’ tactics,” he admonished him.
Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey congratulated Papa Okoe Abbey and his family for his new duty call and asked God to strengthen him so that he would be able to perform the task assigned to him.
The Moderator asked the congregations within the Presbytery, the Presbytery Council and all who matters to support Rev. Abbey with prayers, adding that God was looking for people who would do His work and not those who just yearned for positions.
Rt. Rev. Prof. Martey remained the congregation and all who were gathered at the service of the need to rejoice in the Lord, adding that God looks forward to His people to always give him the glory He deserves which is the mandate of every true believer.
Address By Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey
In his response, Victor Okoe Abbey pledged to faithfully serve the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Ga Presbytery of the Church (Rainbow Presbytery) and all of its members.
He recounted his journey back from childhood, to the time he entered into ministry, adding that it has been the grace of God that has located him and preserve him to this time.
Rev. Victor O. Abbey thanked those who helped put his life to shape as a growing child and stated that God will reward them with His everlasting blessing.
He was presented with a stole as insignia of his office.
Profile Of Rev. Abbey
Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey hails from Teshie. His parents were the late Samuel Shamo Abbey of Teshie Abetse We and Salome Comfort AyorkoObedekah of Kumi We, Teshie Agbawe. Victor was born into a Presbyterian family. He was baptized by the late Rev. S. M. Atika at Abokobi and confirmed by the late Rev. Dr. A. L. Kwansa at Accra Academy.
He had his basic education at Teshie Camp primary and Teshie Ten Middle Mixed schools. He then continued at the Accra Academy. As an active member of the Paulo Mohenu congregation, Teshie Aboma, Victor felt the called to the ordained ministry; he therefore applied to the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and after going through the necessary interviews and assessments, he was admitted to the then Trinity College, now Trinity Theological Seminary.
After three years of training, he was Commissioned on Sunday 22nd June 1986 as a Ministerial Probationer by the late Very Rev. I. H. Frimpong at the Bethel congregation, La, in the Ga Presbytery.
Having successfully served his Probation at Osu in the Ga Presbytery and OdumaseKrobo in the Dangme-Tongu Presbytery, he was Ordained by the late Rev. D. A. Koranteng at OdumaseKrobo on 12th June 1988.
For the past 29 years the Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey has served in the following stations and capacities: 3rd Minister Osu Eben-Ezer Congregation and Minister in Charge of Grace Congregation, Maamobi (September to November 1986), 2nd Minister, Zimmerman Memorial congregation, Odumase-Krobo (December 1986 to August 19880), 2nd Minister, Bethel congregation, and Minister in Charge, Nativity congregation, La (September 1991 to August 1994), Minister in Charge, Ramseyer congregation, Bubiashie (September 1994 to August 1996), Minister in Charge, Max Dodu Memorial congregation and District Minister, Lartebiokorshie (September 1996 to August 1999), Minister in Charge, Eben-Ezer congregation and District Minister, Osu (September 1999 to August 2006), Minister in Charge, Resurrection congregation and District Minister, Accra Central (September 2006 to August 2010) and Minister in Charge, Peniel congregation and District Minister, Teshie (September 2010 to August 2015).
Other Appointments
The Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey has also served as the Ga Presbytery Youth Coordinator from (September 1991 to August 1999), Member, PCG National Youth Education Committee (1991- 2006), General Assembly Council Rep. on the PCG National Youth Council (2000-2004), Ministers’ Representative on Ga Presbytery Council (2001-2007) and President of Ga Presbytery Ministers’ Fellowship (2011-2015)
Academic Qualifications
The new Ga Presbytery Chairperson holds Master of Theology (MTh) form Princeton, New Jersey, USA. 2005, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Legon, Accra Ghana. 1999 and Diploma in Theology (DTh) from Legon, Accra Ghana. 1986.
Family Life
Rev. Victor Okoe Abbey is married to the Rev. Rose Teteki Abbey and they are blessed with two daughters Joy Naa Kooko Abbey and Salome Anorkor Abbey.