ICGC @ 36 - THE JOURNEY

The International Central Gospel Church  ( ICGC ) founded by the renowned and influential Theologian,  Pastor Dr. Mensa Otabil, is thirty-six years. Hurray! Pex News takes you through the journey so far.

History

The International Central Gospel Church popularly known as ICGC due to  its abbreviation, or Central or Gospel as those from the rural areas preferably  call it was formed by Dr. Mensa Otabil and officially inaugurated in a small classroom with about twenty people in attendance on the 26th of February,  1984 - exactly 36 years ago today -  in Accra, Ghana. The ICGC became the second charismatic church in the country  after the formation of Action Chapel by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams in 1978.

Dr. Mensa Otabil, founder of ICGC

Within a period of two years after its formation in 1984, the membership of ICGC increased from twenty to about one hundred and eighty (180) adults in attendance. 

The church settled in a rented scout hall, the Baden Powell Memorial Hall, which also became the church's place of worship for the next ten years after the church had had several other meetings in a science laboratory, a private classroom, a cinema theater among others.  The first congregation were  therefore,  designated ' Christ Temple Assembly. '

ICGC has since grown to become one of the largest religious organisations in Ghana and now has branches in nearly every continent of the world with membership numbering millions .

ICGC Logo

Probably you might have seen the ICGC logo but didn't know it had a meaning to each of its symbols.  Well, it does.

The logo comprising the globe with  special highlights on the African Continent has four pillars and an oval ring around it which holds them together.

• The Globe stands for the world and the focus of the church to reach out internationally. 
• The Four Pillars represent the main focus and devotion that the early church ( as found in Acts 2:42) was committed to which are Doctrine, Fellowship,  Prayer and Breaking of Bread.

So the next time you see the ICGC logo know that the above are what it stands for.

ICGC logo

Vision Of ICGC 

According to the church's website, the vision of the ICGC is " To establish the house of God through the development of Model New Testament Christians and churches.  The ICGC commits to train and equip God's people who come to our church and grow into maturity in Christmas. " The Vision  is in relation to Acts 2:42 which reads: ' And they continued steadfastly in in the apostles' doctrines and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers ."

Mission of ICGC

ICGC strives to:

• Raising leaders
• Shaping Vision and 
• Influencing society through Christ

ICGC is committed to enriching lives of people by making them better and redirecting their perceptions and behaviour in conformity with God's word, thereby,  transforming the community,  workplace  and schools.

Philosophy

As far as the ICGC is concerned, Christianity is and never would be a myth, believing that the word of God when applied produces the right results in people and that there is the need for people to produce excellent results in all  they do. The church, also, believes that everyone is a child of God irrespective of their educational or financial  background, color,  age or race and therefore, the need to be treated equally and fairly without discrimination. ICGC,  therefore, has Practical Christianity, Human Dignity and Excellence as their main philosophy.

Greater Works 

One cannot speak about the ICGC without making mention of arguably the most outstanding and patronised religious event of the nation dubbed ' Greater  Works'.
Over the past years,  ICGC has been organising  this event at their head quarters, Christ Temple  situated at Abossey Okai and the Black Star Square  - both located in Accra, Ghana.  The Speakers of the event include Dr. Mike  Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission ( TREM), Bishop Tudor Bismark of New Life Covenant Church,  Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Community  Chapel (KICC) and Dr. Mensa Otabil being the host.

Greater works 2019

This year,  the event would still take place at the regular venues and it is scheduled for 3rd - 7th August, 2020. Morning sessions start at 9 am - 12 pm followed by evening sessions at 5 pm - 9 pm daily at the Christ Temple and the Black Star Square respectively.  Endeavour to attend the event this year and your life would never  be the same again as you listen to the unadulterated word of God from the speakers. You can,also, download the greater works app unto your smartphone to be updated on this event.

Social Responsibilities (SRs)

As part of its SRs, the ICGC has a tertiary institution called Central  University  College- the biggest private university in Ghana- which enrolls students in the graduate and the undergraduate programmes.

The church also has an educational scholarship aid known as Central Aid geared towards financing the education of selected needy students in pre-tertiary institutions. Central Aid is currently one of the largest non-governmental educational scholarships in Ghana.

Celebration of 36th Anniversary
To mark the 36th anniversary,all ICGC Assemblies worldwide would join the Christ Temple to celebrate this august occasion.  The event is scheduled for Sunday, 1st March, 2020 and the various assemblies or preferably Temples would mark the day in their  various places of worship.  All the church members would be claded in the ICGC cloth amidst singing, choreography displays,  word ministrations just to mention but a few.
If you would love to be a part of the ICGC, this would be a good opportunity because you can't afford to miss this anniversary.

Fellowship with ICGC

Everywhere you may find yourself, there is an ICGC  Assembly within your reach. Perhaps you would love to visit or join them for service. Don't hesitate to do so. You may want to follow on social media at ICGC Worldwide  or visit their website on www.centralgospel.com

Written by
Joshua Abakah
abakahjoshua@yahoo.com
+233552223724


PEX NEWS|2020