“If True Christianity Hits Ghana, We Would Not Be Selling Olive Oil” – Pastor Mensa Otabil

Accra, Ghana – During the Thirty-first Anniversary and Home-Coming Convention of the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) on March 19, 2025, Pastor Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), delivered a powerful sermon urging Christians to embrace true transformation after accepting Christ. His message highlighted the need for a shift from superficial religiosity to a life marked by genuine character change and ethical values.

In his address, Pastor Otabil expressed concern over the current state of Christianity in Ghana, particularly the commercialization of faith and the lack of moral transformation among believers. He stated, “If true Christianity hits Ghana, we would not be selling olive oil. If what we are preaching is true Christianity, we would not be going about selling things. True Christianity brings a change in character, a change in values.”

Pastor Otabil lamented the character deficiency among modern Christians, contrasting it with the early church, where believers were known for their integrity and trustworthiness. “In the early church, the Romans would trust Christians above their own people. Now, we in the church are so character-deficient that we can’t even form beneficial associations. Something is missing,” he said.

He called for a return to the core tenets of Christianity, where transformation is the hallmark of a genuine believer. “When I was growing up as a Christian in the early 70s, the first mark of a Christian was a transformed life. We used to sing, ‘The things I used to do, I do them no more.’ That was what Christianity was about. The first mark of Christianity is that the Word has entered your life, and there will be transformation,” he explained.

Pastor Otabil also addressed the issue of unrepentant behavior among some church leaders, warning against the dangers of elevating individuals who lack moral integrity. “If you find people who stand on the platform in churches and talk but have no mark of transformation, you can search and search, and you cannot say that they have changed. I’m not saying people should be perfect, but there are some things that must never be named among you,” he cautioned.

He shared an example of the kind of testimonies that should characterize a transformed Christian life. “We used to have testimonies where somebody would say, ‘I used to chase girls, but now I’ve thrown away all the girls and I’m following Jesus.’ But today, somebody is on the platform, he used to chase girls, he’s still chasing girls, and we call him a man of God. Whose grace is upon him? Is it the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ or the grace of something else?”

Pastor Otabil concluded by urging Christians to reflect on their faith and strive for authentic transformation. “True Christianity is not about using the name of Jesus without knowing which Jesus we are talking about. It’s about a life that reflects the character and values of Christ,” he declared.

The sermon resonated deeply with the congregation, sparking conversations about the need for a renewed focus on genuine discipleship and moral integrity within the church. As Ghana’s Christian community continues to grow, Pastor Otabil’s message serves as a timely reminder that true faith must be accompanied by a transformed life.