The Church of Pentecost has distanced itself from an errant Youth member who wore a female outfit as part of the celebrations during their Youth Ministry Week.
The Youth Ministry, which aims to honour and celebrate the church’s young members, commended the creative and God-honoring expressions displayed throughout the week.
However, a communique issued by the Youth Ministry Directorate of the Church expressed its opposition to the inappropriate use of their paraphernalia in this particular instance.
The church is doing what they do best: prejudice and discrimination.
It's so shameful that they have now set him up to be vilified publicly. pic.twitter.com/4pASmcEAvP
— Marreka 🧭 (@Ebenezer_Peegah) June 14, 2023
In a statement issued by Apostle Ebenezer Hagan, Youth Ministry Director of the Church of Pentecost, said it “unequivocally condemns such use, as it may connote other meanings, whether intended or unintended.”
While the identity and status of the individual responsible for this action remain uncertain, the church’s condemnation remains unwavering.
“While the legitimate membership of the one who used it in such an unacceptable way is in question, we in no unreserved terms condemn it,” a portion of the statement read.
The controversial incident came to light when a flier featuring a male individual wearing a dress made from the Youth Ministry’s materials surfaced online attracting varied responses from online netizens.
The statement also affirmed the Church of Pentecost’s stance as Christians whose actions should bring glory to God. Regrettably, the wearing of such attire goes against this principle and does not align with the church’s values.
“As Christians, all we do must bring glory to God (Col 3:23). This surely does not bring glory to God and so it meets our outright condemnation,” it added.
Read the full statement below
The Youth Ministry celebrates all youth of the Church of Pentecost for the joyous, creative and God-honoring ways by which you made use of the Ministry’s paraphernalia in the just-ended week celebrations.
We however stand opposed to its unacceptable use such as in this flier where a male seems to have sown a female’s dress out of it and has worn the same.
We unequivocally condemn such use, as it may connote other meanings, whether intended or unintended. While the legitimate membership of the one who used it in such an unacceptable way is in question, we in no unreserved terms condemn it.
As Christians, all we do must bring glory to God (Col 3:23). This surely does not bring glory to God and so it meets our outright condemnation,
Apostle Ebenezer Hagan, Youth Ministry Director