15/01/2025
Open Letter to Archbishop Akwasi Asare Bediako
General Overseer, Resurrection Power & Living Bread Ministries (REPLIB)
Subject: Addressing Concerns and Ensuring a Path Towards a Growing and High-Performance Church
Dear Archbishop,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I write on behalf of the concerned members of Resurrection Power & Living Bread Ministries (REPLIB) to address critical issues within the church that we believe hinder the fulfillment of our mandate and the theme you have outlined for 2025: “Stewardship: Building a Growing and High-Performance Church.”
While we acknowledge and appreciate your recent memorandum, it is important to highlight key concerns that require urgent attention. These matters affect the unity, progress, and spiritual growth of our church.
1. Fulfilling the Great Commission
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is our primary mandate as Christians and as a church. However, its fulfillment must remain devoid of personal interests or gains. Your formation of Evangelism for Kingdom Living (EKL), using the resources of REPLIB, raises concerns about the church's priorities. It is evident to all that EKL is a separate entity that you have personally established. However, you are attempting to leverage the resources and platform of REPLIB to operate it for your personal benefit. Furthermore, the proceeds from the 31st of December 2023 service in Ashanti Region were taken away by EKL without transparency. This undermines the trust of church members and detracts from our mission to lead souls to Christ. Such actions contradict the spirit of humility and selflessness required to fulfill the Great Commission.
It is troubling that while prioritizing initiatives like EKL, which seem to align with personal gains, you have accused other church branches of similar practices. As our leader, your actions set the example we follow. It is crucial that your leadership reflects the principles of humility, integrity, and selflessness that Christ exemplified.
Scripture Reference: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
2. Lack of Structures and Leadership Accountability
We agree with your call for stewardship but must emphasize that this begins with leadership. Everything starts and stops with leadership. The dissolution of the Executive Council and the absence of a proper constitution have left the church without the necessary structures to thrive. As stewards of God’s work, we urge you to spearhead the establishment these structures and ensure the church is governed transparently and collaboratively.
Scripture Reference: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
3. Leadership by Example
Spiritual growth and discipleship require exemplary leadership. There have been various examples of misconduct on the part of some of our clergy men, which has been swept under the carpet, while others (who do not seem to tow your line of thoughts and actions) are persecuted and harassed. Acts of persecution, such as involving the police against fellow clergy and members without proof, contradict the essence of Christian leadership. Leaders are called to emulate Christ’s humility, forgiveness, and love. You must, by example, show equal love to all.
Scripture Reference: “Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3)
4. Evangelism and Unity
We commend the emphasis placed on evangelism but find it necessary to question the motives and implementation of initiatives like EKL. Division, tribalism, and favoritism are significant obstacles to unity within the church.
Your memorandum rightly references Proverbs 6:16-20, which warns against sowing discord among brethren. Yet, when truth-tellers are attacked, and favoritism thrives, the foundation of the church is undeniably weakened.
It is crucial that we prioritize unity, humility, and genuine service, putting aside all actions and attitudes that divide us.
I must also personally highlight that I have not been spared from these attacks, particularly from “some of your men.” However, as we reflect, it becomes evident that the Lord is fighting His own battles, and His justice will always prevail.
Scripture Reference: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Scripture Reference: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
5. Administrative and Structural Reforms
We wholeheartedly agree with your assertion that building a vibrant church requires the establishment of proper systems. However, such efforts must be guided by pure hearts and transparent minds. We urge the reform of our administrative structures with integrity, ensuring that they embody the excellence and orderliness that reflect God’s glory.
The National Executive Council and Regional Executive Councils must be properly constituted, free from any malicious intentions or biases. The establishment of the councils must be done transparently, and not in such a way that, persons who can be remote controlled are elected to the executive council. Additionally, the church constitution must be meticulously developed, formalized, and upheld as the foundation for governance and accountability.
Priesthood is not kingship. As the current leader of the church, your role is that of a steward, not a “king” or “lord” over the congregation. This is a sacred responsibility to serve with humility and accountability, as outlined in Scripture. Interestingly, you have even professed this truth on various occasions, including most recently at the so-called ministers' retreat at the Pentecost Retreat Center. It is vital that your actions consistently align with this principle.
Scripture Reference: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
Scripture Reference: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
6. Support for All Members
Recent plans, such as the exceptional send-off to be held for Bishop Kwame Nti, stand in stark contrast to the struggles of other faithful servants like Pastor George and Pastor Gershon, and many others, who continue to face challenges without adequate support. What efforts did you put in to support our late Bishop, Daniel Acheampong before his demise. These disparities raise serious questions about fairness and impartiality in leadership.
Why would you spearhead fund raising to support one medically and leave others unattended. As leaders called to serve in Christ’s example, we must uphold justice and equality, ensuring that the welfare of all members—regardless of status or personal affiliation—is prioritized. The church must reflect God’s impartial love and care for all His people.
Scripture Reference: “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:9)
Scripture Reference: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27)
7. Church History
Just as McKeon's name is inseparable from the history of the Church of Pentecost, so too will Rev. Akwasi Amoako be forever remembered as a cornerstone in the history of REPLIB. We urge you to openly acknowledge the role of the late Rev. Akwasi Amoako as the founder of this ministry. History must not be rewritten or distorted.
Furthermore, his immediate family—his wife and children—deserve recognition and care from the ministry he dedicated his life to building. As the current leader, your legacy will one day be measured by how you honor and preserve the legacy of those who came before you. If you wish to be celebrated when your time comes, it is essential to do what is right today.
There are numerous churches thriving and growing on the foundation laid by our late founder. This is a testament to his enduring influence and the need to honor his memory and contributions. Let us ensure that REPLIB reflects gratitude and respect for its roots as we look forward to building a united and thriving future.
Scripture References: “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” (Proverbs 22:28)
8. Santasi Church
For close to forty (40) years, and after numerous fundraising efforts both locally and internationally, we still do not have a befitting headquarters for the church. This longstanding issue raises serious concerns about financial accountability and stewardship within our leadership.
Given this history, it would be difficult for the leadership to have the moral right to request further fundraising efforts to complete the Santasi church. Transparency and accountability must first be demonstrated, showing exactly how previous funds were utilized and addressing why this project has remained incomplete for so long. Only then can the leadership regain the trust and support of the congregation for any future initiatives.
Scripture Reference:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10)
9. Church Buses
After raising concerns and calling for accountability regarding the church bus, it came as an utmost surprise to hear a whole Bishop claim that the buses were flooded and rendered useless. This explanation, after several years of operation and no prior transparency on their status, reflects poorly on the principles of stewardship that we, as a church, are called to uphold. All branches were levied and members contributed generously to the purchase of these buses.
Stewardship requires accountability, diligence, and care in managing resources entrusted to us by God. Such an explanation not only raises questions about how these resources were managed but also undermines the trust of the congregation. True stewardship demands that leaders demonstrate responsibility and ensure that resources are used effectively for the growth and benefit of the ministry.
Scripture Reference:
“It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)
10. Sale of Church Lands
It has been reported that some church lands have been sold, and requests for accountability regarding these transactions made in the past. These critical questions remain unanswered: Who authorized the sale of the lands? How much was realized from the sales? What was the intended purpose of these sales, and has that purpose been achieved? The sale of church lands without providing accountability to the congregation you lead is not only unethical but also deeply disrespectful to the sacred trust placed in leadership.
As part of our collective commitment to stewardship and the goal of building a vibrant church, it is imperative that transparency is upheld in all dealings. As stewards of God’s resources, we must be above reproach and ensure that every decision reflects integrity and aligns with the principles of accountability. Without clear and truthful answers, the trust of the congregation will remain eroded, and the mission of the church will be hindered.
Scripture Reference:
“Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17b)
Call to Action
We request that you:
1. Rebuild the National and Regional Executive Council and adopt a proper constitution.
2. Promote unity and discourage favoritism.
3. Prioritize the welfare of all clergy and workers.
4. Ensure financial transparency and accountability for all church funds.
Your saying, “No matter lasts over 40 days,” inspires us to document these concerns. We trust that posterity will judge our intentions and actions. There remains much to be said, but these issues will be addressed in due course through subsequent correspondences.
May the Lord guide you to align with His purpose and lead REPLIB towards His glory.
Yours faithfully,
Stephen Obeng
On behalf of Concerned Members of REPLIB
For copies of this letter and other letters, please click on the link below to download them:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15JQEUGuaHHZxGCFuFwXc-elAadnKzctC?usp=sharing
Evangelism For Kingdom Living
