The active ministerial journey of Apostle Ekow Badu Wood, and his wife, Joanna, came to a glorious end on Sunday, August 15, 2021, during a special event held in recognition of their meritorious service in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost for 26 years.
The colourful event, which was attended by scores of people comprising active and retired ministers of the church, relatives and friends, as well as members of the Kasoa Area, where the couple served in the final stages of their ministry, was officiated by the outgoing International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi Addo. He was supported by some members of the Executive Council; namely, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Cape Coast Area Head), Apostle Mike Etrue (Kaneshie Area Head) and Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah (Ho Area Head).
The glorious service lived up to expectation as a befitting send-off for an illustrious minister who served the church in different capacities at different stations in and outside Ghana for over two decades.
Apostle Ekow Badu Wood was called into the full-time ministry of the church in 1995 and served at Kafue District (from 1995 to 1997) and Kitwe District (from 1997 to 1999), both in Zambia. He returned to Ghana in 1999 to serve at the Haatso District for two years. In 2001, Apostle Wood was appointed the General Secretary of the then Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC) – a role he selflessly discharged for eight years.
After his service at GPC, now GPCC, he was recalled to missions to serve as National Head and Resident Missionary for the church in Burkina Faso. After serving for four years in the West-African country, he was reassigned to Ghana to head the Kwadaso Area (from 2013 to 2015), Asokwa Area (from 2015 to 2018) and, finally, the Kasoa Area.
It is also worth acknowledging that even before the call into pastoral ministry, then Elder Ekow Badu Wood was very instrumental in the establishment of the church in Zambia.
Preaching on the topic “Amen and Halleluiah” with Revelation 19:1,3-6, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and Revelation 7:10-11 as scripture references, Apostle Gyesi-Addo explained that “Amen” is a word of Hebraic origin which means “certainty or truth,” and is primarily used as an expression of affirmation during prayer or religious discourse.
“Halleluiah,” on the other hand, he explained is translated in English as “Praise Him the Lord,” which is expressed with deep emotions of thanksgiving and gratitude.
He noted that Salvation was the first thing that elicited the shout of Halleluiah by the angelic hosts in Revelation 19:1 because it is very important to God. He alluded to the statement of Jesus Christ in Luke 15:7 and 10 to buttress this assertion.
He further noted that anytime one endures the hustle and bustle of ministry life to a successful end, it is a great cause for them to shout Halleluiah, asserting that “the end of a matter is better than the beginning.”
He, therefore, urged the retiring couple to be grateful to God for His faithfulness throughout their ministerial service, saying “This is the best time for Apostle and Mrs Badu Wood to shout Halleluiah!”
Apostle Gyesi-Addo ended his sermon by reading Isaiah 46:4 to assure the couple of God’s abiding presence and protection as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
A testimony written by the General Council in honour of the retiring couple and read by the Odorkor Area Head, Apostle Patrick Aseyoro, at the event stated: “Apostle Ekow Badu Wood spent many eventful years in ministry; however, he would be most remembered for his service as an Executive Council member of the church for a two-term period of 10 years (2008-2018) and also as a two-term General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) from 2001 to 2009. He was a team player and someone who would always give his rich contributions by bringing the other side of the argument.”
“Apostle Badu Wood has certainly paid his dues as a hardworking minister of the Gospel and deserves the plaudits he is receiving today. However, as we eulogise him for the great work done, we must not forget to acknowledge the phenomenal role his prayerful wife, Mrs Joanna Wood, plays in his ministry. Her unflagging support for her husband’s ministry is remarkable. Indeed, many would-be and young couples have benefited immensely from her rich counseling experience. She has also helped to restore many strained marital relationships to the glory of God,” the testimony further read.
As part of the service, a Certificate of Service plaque was presented to Apostle Ekow Badu Wood by Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo on behalf of The Church of Pentecost as a testimonial of his service as a minister of the church. The IMD also led ministers and the congregants to pray for the couple.
The Women’s Ministry, Area Presbytery and the Kasoa Area pastorate also took turns to eulogise Apostle and Mrs Wood and present citations to them.
In response, the retired couple, flanked by their children, expressed gratitude to God for seeing them through a successful ministerial journey. They also thanked all who have supported them in diverse ways during their ministerial life.
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