The 2023 Retirement Seminar, an annual event for retired ministers and their wives, widows, and widowers within The Church of Pentecost, has commenced at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.
Organised by the Pension Board of The Church of Pentecost, the seminar began on Tuesday. It will end on Thursday, August 10, 2023, focusing on the theme, “Repositioning the Local Church: The Role of the Retired Minister,” based on 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 and Psalm 92:12-14.
The speakers for the seminar include Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle John Appiah Aidoo (Chairman, Pension Board), Apostle Dr Philip Osei Korsah (Director, Counselling Ministry), Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd) – Trustee & Former General Secretary of the church, Apostle Dr Alfred Koduah (Rtd) – former General Secretary, and Apostle Prof. Peter Ohene-Kyei (Rtd) – former Rector of Pentecost University.
Others are Elder Lawyer Kwaku Agyei Gyamfi (Member of the Pension Board & Legal Advisor to the church), Elder Kofi Owusu (Dietician), Elder Paul Kofi Mante (MD, Ecobank EDC), and Elder Dr Kwabena Boamah (MD, Stanbic Investment Management).
The speakers will cover a wide range of topics, including the Ministers’ Welfare Fund Policy, Willing Process and Procedure, Interstate Succession Law, Emotional Health in Retirement (including aspects like Empty Nest Syndrome and Loneliness), Ageing and Associated Health Concerns, Diet and Exercise in Old Age, Staying Socially Connected During Retirement, Continuing Ministry in Retirement, Investment Insights, and Sharing Life Experiences in Retirement/Thriving in Retirement.
In his welcome address, Apostle John Appiah Aidoo, the Chairman of the Pension Board, highlighted the performance of the 2022 Pentecost Ministers’ Welfare Fund.
“As of December 2022, the total number of retirees and spouses in the church stood at 278, with an additional 141 widows,” he said.
He noted that 26 ministers and their wives were added to the list after retiring this year. He stressed that the fund supports 49 ministers’ children under the scheme.
Highlighting the significance of the seminar’s theme, Apostle Aidoo emphasised the crucial role retired ministers and their partners play as pioneers and spiritual guards within the church.
The Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, urged the participants to seek the Lord’s presence for their health and happiness, acknowledging that old age is a blessing that comes with its unique challenges, including loneliness.
“Old age is a blessing, but all things being equal, ageing also means closer to the grave; it means loneliness for most people,” he stated, adding, “The utmost desire and hope is for health and happiness.”
He prayed that their spirits would be strong in the Lord, their souls filled with fortune and their bodies be strong.
The seminar is attended by about 500 participants and virtually for remote participation.
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