People from all walks of life on Saturday converged at the Forecourt of the State House, for the burial service of late Reverend Dr. Simon Bamalong Asore, former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana.
The state funeral, which attracted Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Dramami Mahama, as well as the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, was followed by a private burial at the Military Cemetery, Burma Camp, Accra.
Members from the Men’s, Women’s, Youth and other Ministries and Departments of the Church, in their customized uniforms, with other mourners, sang in praise of God for the fulfilling life of the 75 years of the late pastor, who played leading roles in the Church.
He was laid in an all-white casket, draped in the Ghana National Flag, and bedecked with flowers with his portrait by the side.
Rev. Dr. Asore was the National President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, President of the Bible Society of Ghana, and Board Member of Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation.
He was also a Member of the Council of State, Board Chairman of the Logos Rhema Foundation, Board Member of the Cripples Home Foundation, the first leader of the Bissa Tribe in Ghana and the Founder of the SB Asore Centre of Excellence; a resource centre for pastoral excellence and conflict resolution.
Tributes were read by the Government, the two former Presidents, the Assemblies of God Church, the Clergy, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the family, wife and children and other pastors he associated with or mentored, among others, for the cleric who was described as a ‘True servant of God.“
Rev Dr. Asore, born on July 28, 1943 at Pusiga Mandago in the Upper East Region, lost his first wife Justina in January 2009, but was survived by his second wife Esther and children.
He was reported to have received angelic visitations as he battled with illness.
He, however, drew his last breath at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on November 14, 2018, as he went for a medical review.
The sermon, preached by the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Burkina Faso, Rev. Micharl Ouedrego, was based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8, which reads: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Rev. Ouedrego described the late Rev. Dr. Asore as a “great man of God, who was not ashamed of the Good News and urged followers of the Christian faith to prioritise evangelism, church planting and youth missions.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved,” he said, adding; “Forget everything, but remember the Lord Jesus; He is the one who can save you and make you fulfill your ministry, so that you can say your mission is accomplished.”
Rev. Ouedrego charged all believers to let everybody know about Jesus Christ and plant churches.
“Misssion must also take the Gospel everywhere we have people to hear about Jesus.”
“Are you ready for God?” the Minister asked, and added; “If you are not, then better be.”
He appealed to Christians to put up a good fight for the faith, fight and live righteous lives and not allow themselves to be reigned by the devil.
The tribute of by the Government which was read by Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, eulogized the late Rev Dr. Asore for serving Ghana in diverse ways.
“He was a Gentleman who recognised the role of the Church and played his part in national development.”
Former President Mahama said the late Rev. Dr. Asore was particularly recognised by both government and the Church as a man who knew just how to calm tensions.
Former President Rawlings, under whose Administration Rev Dr Asore served as a Member of the Council of State, said his life was a “fermented wine, well fermented and matured for quality leadership. Inviting him to advice government in the Council of State was no accident.”
Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong Manso, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, said: “I have personally leant a lot from him. During my tenure as General Superintendent I have personally benefited from his wise counsel and ideas.”
“We will continually build on his legacy. He has done a lot for Assemblies of God, Ghana and deserves commendation.”
The Widow, Esther, recounted a spiritual odyssey of how they got married and the travails of her taking care of her husband as he received medical care.
She, however, added that she had learned to trust in God through it all and had fulfilled their marriage vows till death did they part.
The children, in their tribute, described their father as one of the most gentle, thoughtful and charitable men who ever lived.
The late Rev. Dr David Nabegmado, the slain Head Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Tema, in a tribute published in the funeral brochure, said: “Rev. Asore was a good man. He was everything to me. I did my very best for him.”
The late Rev. Nabegmado was said to be a special friend of the Late Rev. Dr Asore.
