The second speaker for Saturday’s (24/10/09) Helpmates’ Summit was Elder Amos Kevin – Annan, a youth coach and an Elder of the Church of Pentecost. Speaking on the topic “The Man, his Mind, his Muscles and his Mandate”, Elder Amos said that man could be properly understood in the context of a woman, and so referred again to the creation story of mankind (Gen. 1:26 – 28), stressing on the joint commission and dominion God gave the first couple.

Elder Annan expressed serious concerns about Gender Advocacy and Domestic Violence bill. As far as he is concerned, the above initiatives (because of wrong motives and intents) have brought more confusion than solution: Domestic Violence has been practically directed against men and the issue of “what men can do women can do better” has resulted in unnecessary competitions instead of mate helping in the various kinds of relationships. Science and Mathematics Clinics held for young ladies in the lower education cycles (to seemingly put them at par with men) also created a system where ladies became brighter and the guys, duller he added, concluding that performance should rather be encouraged instead of gender equality; “your performance is what gives you the advantage and not your gender”.

Elder Amos outlined important differences between males and females, which should guide the way they relate to each other in all kinds of relationships. He said that men love to think while women love to talk, men are self – reliant while women are interdependent. A help for a man is weakness to him, he said, while women see help to be complement. He also added that men focus on the goal while women consider the process to the goal. Again, men look for trust and acceptance, while women consider tender care.

Speaking on the strengths of men, Kevin – Annan said believers should not glory in what natural man considers as ‘strength in manhood’ such as prowess in bed, ability to sleep with many ladies and excellence in drinking many bottles. True strength he said, must be exhibited in our ability to vitally overcome the evil one and his temptations in our Christian walk, because young men are strong and have overcome the evil one (1 Jn.2:13). He also said that young men are supposed to have the word of God richly abiding in them. Therefore, young men should rather boast in the rich indwelling of the God’s word in their lives, so they could share with and admonish the opposite sex (if need be) with words that could transform them (1 Jn. 2:14). 

Elder Annan made four important statements which implied that men have a greater responsibility in making relationships work:

Eve was made for Adam
Eve was made from Adam
Eve was presented to Adam &
Eve was named by Adam.

He cautioned men to act in a responsible fashion in their relationships with the opposite sex because consequences from careless decisions cannot be avoided.

Eld. Kevin – Annan further pointed out important lessons from John Eldredge’s “Wild at Heart”, which everyman should learn from. He mentioned that the heart of everyman is like that of a king, meaning that men should exhibit instructive leadership in their relationships with other people. Moreso, men should learn to have protective hearts and the heart of a mentor. Men are also supposed to cultivate a loving heart and sacrifice everything for the godly welfare of women, he added.

Elder Amos Kevin – Annan concluded his talk with this verse of scripture: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it unto Himself a glorious church, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 4:25 -27), emphasizing that men should do everything possible to keep women without spot or wrinkle, because they would in the end present the ladies to themselves!

Dating and courtship were well differentiated and explained during the question and answer time. One important comment concerning dating was that it should never ever be romantic or sexual. Dating is a casual and should not easily harvest commitments as if it were a serious relationship. It was also said that dating and even courtship could be easily terminated when there is the need to.

Another question which came on board was about the confidence of women. The ladies were advised to be respectfully gentle in expressing their confidence and especially, learn the art of persuasive communication rather than the demanding type.

Guys were also advised to carry into marriage all the nice things they do to their friends on campus and the helps they willingly give to ladies while in school (or before marriage). The guys were also advised not to be excessive in their compliment of ladies, because ladies could read meanings into them which the guys may not have in mind.

The closing remarks of the programme (by Mrs. Georgina Croffet, Chairperson for the summit) emphasized on the need for ladies and gentlemen to submit to one another just as the scripture have said. Ministrations from the CVC and the Literary Club of UCF crowned this wonderful programme.

Yes, Helpmates Summit 09 was faced with enormous physical challenges, yet the programme saw a successful completion and many useful spiritual lessons were learnt.