Adenta: Dr Samuel Tengey, an Elder of the Agape Assembly of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI), has called on pastors and church leaders to prioritise winning and keeping new converts for Christ. He emphasized the importance of integrating new believers into a church community, which serves as more than just a place of worship but also as a home and family for effective spiritual growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, Elder Dr Tengey made this appeal during his presentation at the 34th Annual National Pre-Missions Meeting of Ministers of the GCCI held at Adenta near Accra. The weeklong event, themed 'Structuring the Culture of GCCI for Effective Soul Winning,' was attended by all of the Church's Ministers of the Gospel. Elder Dr Tengey highlighted that not all church visitors are primarily seeking God, as many have diverse needs including spiritual, material, social, and psychological.
He cited research by Tony Morgan from 2011, which revealed that only 10 percent of first-time visitors become regular attendees. However, the likelihood of returning increases to 90 percent if follow-up is conducted on the same day of their visit, dropping to 60 percent if delayed by just 24 hours. The effectiveness of creating a welcoming church environment and conducting timely follow-ups is crucial for encouraging first-time visitors to return.
Elder Dr Tengey stressed the importance of treating first-time visitors as the most important people on their initial visit. He recommended creating a congenial environment characterized by friendliness, the presence of God, and a loving congregation. This includes having warm-hearted members and a congregation focused on helping individuals meet their needs rather than simply increasing membership.
To enhance soul retention in the Church, Elder Dr Tengey proposed establishing an award system to recognize and celebrate members committed to follow-up efforts. He also advocated for regular training in Customer Service, Follow Up, and Member Care to ensure that personnel are equipped with modern methods that are effective in nurturing new converts.