The book launch, held on Sunday 23 February 2023 at the Evangelical Assemblies of God Church in Kanifing South headed by Reverend Paul Ampofo Williams, unfolded as an occasion marked by inspiration and fellowship, rallying fellow Christian ministers, faith leaders, educationists and literature enthusiasts, among other attendees.
The three books are titled: ‘One Thing’, ‘Eternal Life: Do You Want It?’ and ‘The Family of God: Embracing the Heart of Christianity’. Copies were displayed at the launch in the hundreds.
The first book – One Thing – is a deep exploration of the concepts of prioritisation and focus. The piece draws inspiration from the gospel of Luke 10:42, where Jesus underscores the importance of choosing the good part, a singular focus on what truly matters.
The eminent Christian evangelist and minister underscores the importance of prioritising the Word of God and dedicating oneself to the teachings of the Scriptures, which not only enriches spiritual life but also provides practical guidance for living purposefully and peacefully amid life’s highs and lows.
With a succinct introduction and conclusion, the book is divided into six chapters – the One Thing: the Word of God; the Word of God is God; God’s Word: the Only Reality; Build with the Word; Seven Ways the Word Transforms You; Praying the Word: the Pathway to Powerful Prayer.
“Just as physical food sustains our bodies, the Word of God sustains our souls,” the minister states in chapter one of the books, later adding: “The Scriptures provide direction and wisdom for navigating life’s challenges.”
In the second book – Eternal Life: Do You Want It? – Minister Augustine Erskine shifts the focus from the fleeting existence human beings witness here on earth to the “eternal life God promises to mankind”.
The book carries six chapters: Do You Want to Live Forever?; How Can I Possess Eternal Life?; Eternal Life: You Can be Sure; Eternal Security in God’s Work; Death Could not Hold Him Down. And By His Grace, it Shall not Hold Us Either; The Maturing Seed of Eternal Life.
“In a world fixated on extending earthly life through healthy habits and medical advancements, the pursuit of longevity often overshadows the consideration of eternity,” the author states in the opening of the introduction, detailing, in the subsequent pages, his succinct thoughts over living on earth and eternal life.
The third piece goes by the title ‘The Family of God: Embracing the Heart of Christianity’. It discusses the ‘The Family of God’, ‘Our Home’ and ‘Our Divine Inheritance’ under three distinct chapters.
Moreover, the theological piece discusses the profound spiritual concept of “belonging to God’s family”. The reflections and teachings of the book explain crucial but often ambiguous concepts, such as responsibilities, privileges and relationships that define man’s “place within the divine family”.
Furthermore, it provides a succinct and detailed explanation of the biblical foundation of this family, echoing love, unity and commitment that bind people. It is believed to be a good fit for readers who yearn to enhance their spiritual faith and understanding, as it stands as a valuable resource for personal growth and communal harmony within the Christian community.
The three theological and spiritual self-help books by the minister mark the pinnacle of intense teaching, research and writing that lasted for months and years. While he has proven himself over the years as an ardent Christian minister who is keen to spread the gospel and educate the masses on spiritual concepts, the pieces launched on Sunday come as further proof to that end. They display the massive and perhaps untapped potential of the young but dynamic evangelist.
Pastor Augustine Erskine holds a master’s degree in Theology from the Soteria Theological Seminary, a theological and bible school in Ghana dedicated to equipping individuals of diverse backgrounds with a firm foundation of the doctrine of theology (Christianity).
The Seminary’s mission seeks to empower its scholars to effectively teach, preach and spread the teachings of Christianity with simplicity and clarity while not compromising excellence. Pastor Erskine has proven his worthiness, doing exactly that.
All this wonderfully spiritually-filled work was done under the mentorship and leadership of Reverend Paul Ampofo Williams, the National Head of the Assemblies of God Church in The Gambia.
Pastor Ampofo Williams launched and dedicated the books, as he commended the work and appreciated the effort of Pastor Erskine. He amplified the essence and true cause of the books, saying they are not only good but also relevant as they transform the lives of people who truly and really read them. “It is worth buying and reading them,” he advises all and sundry, saying: “The books are for the body of Christ, for Christendom and for mankind.”
