The Presiding Bishop of Victory Bible Church International (VBCI), Rt. Rev. N. A. Tackie-Yarboi, has called on prophets across the country to use their ministries to edify and inspire hope rather than to instill fear among Ghanaians.
Delivering a sermon on the theme “Thy Will Be Done on Earth” during the church’s 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at the Black Star Square in Accra on Sunday, November 2, 2025, Bishop Tackie-Yarboi warned that the prophetic ministry was losing its credibility because many preachers had turned it into a platform for doom-laden predictions rather than divine direction.
He urged Ghanaian prophets to return to the true essence of prophecy — exhortation, comfort, and edification — saying the Church must be a force for transformation, not terror.
“I am not opposed to the prophetic; I like it, but it should serve as a problem-solving tool,” Bishop Tackie-Yarboi told the thousands gathered.
“The Bible tells us that prophecies come to exalt, edify, and give direction. What we hear every day from some of our prophets is ‘you will die’ or ‘Ghana is burning.”
Then came his emphatic declaration: “Ghana will not burn; God will help us. Even Nineveh repented, and God spared them. Even Sodom and Gomorrah, God said He could not act without telling Abraham, who interceded for them.
“Let us stop condemning ourselves and work to make this earth reflect heaven. There is no problem in heaven — may we bring heaven down to earth.”
The church must solve problems, not add to them
Drawing his anchor text from Matthew 6:10 — “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” — Bishop Tackie-Yarboi said that while heaven is perfect and free of challenges, the earth is plagued by problems that only the Church, through obedience to God’s will, can help resolve.
“The Church of Jesus Christ exists to solve the problems of the earth,” he preached. “We are the salt of the earth — we must change the earth, not hurt it. Anytime the earth faces problems, the Church must rise to solve them.”
The 40th anniversary service, which drew an impressive congregation including senior clergy, government officials, and diplomats, was a jubilant occasion of music, praise, reflection, and thanksgiving.
Govt commends VBCI’s vision and impact
The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mr. Julius Debrah, who was the Special Guest of Honour, commended Victory Bible Church International for its contribution to national development through spiritual, social, and economic empowerment.
He described the church as one with a “unique focus” — a ministry that not only nurtures believers spiritually but also equips them to become business owners, entrepreneurs, and agents of policy innovation.
“If you belong to a church that has a leader who thinks this way, you must count yourself very blessed,” Mr. Debrah told the congregation.
“When the President speaks about ‘resetting,’ he means it is time to take a second look at how we do things. The kind of mindset this church promotes aligns with that vision.”
On behalf of the government, Mr. Debrah pledged support for VBCI’s initiatives aimed at national development.
“I assure you that we are committed to partnering with you to achieve your noble objectives,” he said.
“If you don’t already have it, I encourage you to create a Business Development Desk, headed by one of your pastors, to identify and guide members with entrepreneurial potential. Whenever support is needed, the Jubilee House will be ready to lend a hand.”
‘VBCI has raised generations’ – Afriyie-Ankrah
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, praised Bishop Tackie-Yarboi and his College of Bishops for 40 years of consistent ministry, leadership, and service to both the Church and the nation.
“Under the anointed leadership of Bishop Tackie-Yarboi, Victory Bible Church International has indeed raised the foundations of many generations,” he said.
“You have not only preached the gospel but have built lives, strengthened families, mentored leaders, and empowered communities across Ghana and beyond.”
He noted that in an era where many institutions have struggled to sustain their relevance, VBCI’s resilience and global reach stand as a testament to divine faithfulness and visionary leadership.
Forty years of ministry and global impact
Founded in June 1985 in Kokomlemle, Accra, Victory Bible Church International has grown from a small congregation into a global ministry with a presence in more than ten countries across four continents — Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
In Ghana alone, the church has over 175 branches, with its headquarters employing more than 70 permanent staff and several hundred lay ministers.
Its foundational scripture, Isaiah 58:12 — “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise the foundations of many generations…” — encapsulates the church’s mandate to rebuild lives, restore hope, and equip believers to influence their communities.
Bishop Tackie-Yarboi: A visionary shepherd
Rt. Rev. Nii Apiakai Tackie-Yarboi, an accomplished author, teacher, and preacher, founded the church with a clear mission: to raise believers who live out the gospel in practical, impactful ways.
Over four decades, his ministry has shaped thousands of pastors, professionals, and business leaders who are transforming lives in Ghana and abroad.
Today, the VBCI network comprises over 30 consecrated bishops, presiding over 38 global provinces and more than 250 local branches, known as sanctuaries.
Equipping disciples for transformation
At the heart of the ministry’s mission is discipleship.
The church’s commission emphasizes equipping believers to be “rooted and grounded in the Word of God”, so they can become true disciples who in turn raise others.
VBCI envisions a “transformed Ghana and beyond through strong generations of obedient Christian families”, where faith translates into tangible acts of service, innovation, and leadership.
“Our goal,” Bishop Tackie-Yarboi said, “is to convert people to Christ, mature them to express God in human form, equip them for church ministry, and empower them to fulfill their God-given mission in the world.”
Celebrating a legacy of hope
As Victory Bible Church International marks this 40-year milestone, the celebrations stand as both a thanksgiving and a charge — a moment to reflect on its journey and to look forward with renewed purpose.
For Bishop Tackie-Yarboi, the message remains simple but profound: Ghana’s destiny will not be defined by fear or fatalism, but by faith and action.
“Ghana will not burn,” he reiterated. “God will raise strong leaders who will solve our challenges. It is time for the Church to rise — for the will of God to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
