Posts in category: Articles

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” — Luke 19:10 (NLT)

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” — Luke 15:4 (NLT)

One of the most compelling pictures Jesus gives us of the heart of God is that of a shepherd who discovers that one sheep is missing. Ninety-nine remain, yet the shepherd does not dismiss the loss as statistically insignificant. One is missing, and that one matters. So he goes in search of it.

For the contemporary Pentecostal church, this parable deserves renewed attention. We rightly devote considerable prayer, energy, finances, and organisation to evangelism. We hold crusades, plant assemblies, conduct community outreaches, preach through digital platforms, and invite people to make decisions for Christ. This passion must continue. The Great Commission remains our mandate until Christ returns (Matthew 28:18–20).

However, alongside the crucial work of reaching those who have never responded to the gospel stands another urgent mission field: those who once responded, joined our fellowships, worshipped in our assemblies, entered the waters of baptism, attended our Bible studies, or even served in ministry, but are no longer among us.

Could it be that while we are searching far and wide for new converts, thousands of previous converts are quietly slipping away? The time has come not only to count those who come through our doors but to actively look for those who have gone missing.

 EVERY MISSING SHEEP HAS A STORY

The shepherd in Luke 15 knew that one sheep was missing because he knew his flock. That simple observation carries profound implications for pastoral ministry. People do not disappear from congregations merely as numbers; every missing person has a name, a family, a history, and a story.

Some leave because they relocate. Others gradually become spiritually cold. Some encounter severe financial difficulties, marital breakdown, bereavement, illness, or other life crises. Some struggle with sin and withdraw because of guilt and shame.

Young people may wrestle with deep questions about faith that they feel unsafe discussing openly. Others may have experienced disappointment, misunderstanding, or spiritual abuse within the church.

Still others made genuine decisions for Christ but were never adequately integrated into the fellowship or intentionally discipled.

Research across Christian literature highlights this ongoing tension. In You Lost Me, David Kinnaman and Aly Hawkins (2011) explore why many young believers disengage from church life.

Thom and Sam Rainer (2008), in Essential Church?, likewise examine church dropout rates among younger generations. While socio-cultural studies cannot replace Scripture, they prompt vital reflective questions for our local assemblies:

We should not only ask, “Why did they leave?”

We must urgently ask, “Did we notice when they left?”

The Good Shepherd always notices the missing sheep.

 FROM CONVERTS TO DISCIPLES

Pentecostals have historically carried a fire for evangelism, and this heritage must be preserved. But our spiritual responsibility does not end when someone steps forward during an altar call.

Jesus did not command us merely to obtain decisions; He commanded us to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

In The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman (1963) highlights a foundational pattern in Jesus’ ministry: while Christ preached to the multitudes, He invested deeply and intentionally in individuals.

Evangelistic proclamation was always coupled with deep relationships, grounding instruction, and preparation for mission. Dallas Willard makes a complementary argument in The Great Omission (2006), challenging the church to recover discipleship as central to the Great Commission.

This raises a crucial question about how we measure evangelistic fruitfulness.

Suppose a local crusade records 500 decisions for Christ. We rejoice—heaven rejoices over every sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). But where are those 500 individuals after six months? Where are they after one year? Have they been baptized in water and filled with the Holy Spirit? Are they receiving systematic biblical instruction? Have they been integrated into a local assembly? Are mature believers walking alongside them?

Conversion opens the door to discipleship; it does not mark the end of our responsibility.

 LET US GO BACK AND VISIT

There is a remarkable statement in Acts 15:36 that serves as a powerful guiding principle for recovering disconnected converts. After extensive missionary journeys, Paul said to Barnabas:

“Let us now go back and visit our brothers and sisters in every city where we preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” (Acts 15:36, NKJV)

Paul was concerned not only with where the seed had been sown but with what had happened to the soil and the plant. Let us go back. There is profound pastoral wisdom in those four words.

Perhaps we need to go back to our evangelistic reports, our baptismal registers, our youth ministry attendance sheets, and our movement registers.

We must go back to families we have not seen in months, to the young adult who gradually stopped coming, to the brother who retreated after a difficult season, and to the sister who once served zealously but is now nowhere to be found.

And then, we must ask Paul’s simple pastoral question: “How are they doing?”

 OUR RECORDS COULD BECOME MISSION FIELDS

Every local assembly should periodically undertake an intentional “Search and Restore” initiative. Within our Pentecostal setup, our Home Cell system and specialised ministries (PEMEM, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Children’s Ministry) provide the ideal framework for this work.

A cell leader’s attendance roll should never be treated as a mere administrative chore; it is a spiritual radar. When a member absents himself or herself for three consecutive cell meetings, the radar should ping. Before a name is quietly dropped from a local assembly’s register, there ought to be a documented trail of intentional, loving pursuit.

Take the records from previous years and cross-reference historic conversions and baptisms with current active participation. The objective is not to manipulate statistics or condemn those who have stepped away but to identify precious souls who require a loving touch.

Many of these missing believers live only a few streets from our meeting places. Their phone numbers remain in church directories, a deacon knows their workplace, or a cell leader still connects with them on social media. Yet nobody has intentionally gone looking.

Jesus presents a radical approach: the shepherd does not stand at the fold announcing, “The door is open if you wish to return.” He goes searching. There is a world of difference between being willing to receive people back and actively pursuing them.

 SEARCH WITH LOVE, NOT CONDEMNATION

How we approach those who have drifted is critical. A person who has been absent for months or years often anticipates judgment. Opening a conversation with, “Why haven’t you been coming to church?” immediately erects emotional barriers.

Our primary posture must be one of listening and love. A phone call or home visit should simply communicate: “We missed you. How are you and your family doing? We wanted to see you, listen to you, and pray with you.”

Galatians 6:1 instructs us to restore a brother or sister “gently.” Restoration is a ministry of care, not an interrogation.

 BALANCING PURITY AND PURSUIT

Pentecostal ecclesiology rightly emphasises church discipline, holiness, and moral accountability. However, we must ensure that our commitment to purity does not morph into cold exclusion. When a convert stumbles into sin, the impulse of the Good Shepherd is not immediate ostracisation but gentle restoration (Galatians 6:1). Discipline itself must be redemptive. If our administrative processes are quick to discipline or drop backslidden believers but slow to shepherd them toward repentance, we prioritise institutional reputation over pastoral care.

Some conversations may require deep humility from leadership. A returning member may express genuine hurt caused by a fellow believer or a leader. A healthy church must be humble enough to listen, acknowledge failures where appropriate, seek reconciliation, and grant healing. We must be far more interested in restoring people than in defending our institutional image.

 The R.E.A.C.H. Strategy for Local Assemblies

Recovering disconnected converts cannot rest on the district pastor alone; it must become the shared vision of the entire congregation. To operationalise this vision, local assemblies can implement the “R.E.A.C.H. Framework”.

[R]ecords Audit → [E]mpathetic Contact → [A]ddress Root Causes → [C]ovenant Integration → [H]olistic Discipleship

R — Records Audit: Regularly audit baptismal, convert, and cell group registers to identify individuals who have drifted over the last 1–3 years.

E — Empathetic Contact: Deploy trained cell leaders and mature officers for non-confrontational, caring check-ins focused on active listening rather than attendance tracking.

A — Address Root Causes: Offer tailored restoration pathways—whether through conflict resolution, hardship relief, or discreet counselling for moral and personal struggles.

C — Covenant Integration: Reintroduce returning members into home cells or affinity groups where genuine social, spiritual, and relational bonding occurs.

H — Holistic Discipleship: Pair restored believers with intentional mentors to anchor them in Scripture, prayer, spiritual gifts, and Spirit-led ministry.

While digital platforms and communication tools help us track and coordinate follow-up, technology cannot replace personal relationships. A mass text message will never substitute for a brother or sister noticing your absence and walking into your living room to check on you.

 RECOVERY CAN PRODUCE MULTIPLICATION

Searching for missing sheep is not a distraction from spiritual growth; it is a catalyst for dynamic, sustainable expansion.

1. Restoration Strengthens the Individual: Returning to a healthy Christian community restores access to corporate worship, biblical instruction, mutual accountability, and spiritual protection (Hebrews 10:24–25).

2. Restoration Transforms Families: When a parent, spouse, or young person is revived in faith, the spiritual impact ripples throughout the entire home.

3. Restored Believers Become Powerful Witnesses: A believer who can testify, “I drifted, but God sought me, healed me, and restored me,” possesses a uniquely persuasive witness for reaching others who are lost.

4. Recovery Exposes Systemic Weaknesses: Analysing why converts drift reveals gaps in our assimilation, youth transitions, and newcomer integration, allowing us to build stronger systems for the future.

In this sense, the lost sheep teaches us how to better shepherd the ninety-nine.

BEYOND ATTENDANCE TO BELONGING

Restoration must mean far more than filling empty seats on a Sunday morning. A person can sit in a sanctuary every week and remain profoundly isolated.

Acts 2:42 describes the early church as devoted to “the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Their faith was defined by deep belonging, shared life, and mutual commitment.

Our goal is not merely to return people to church services but to restore them to intimate fellowship with Christ and His body, rooted in the Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and actively engaged in the mission of God.

 EVERY NUMBER HAS A NAME

The Scriptures do not condemn counting; the book of Acts carefully tracks numerical growth (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4). The danger arises when we count people without caring for the people we count.

Behind every evangelistic statistic stands an immortal soul with a name, a story, a family, and daily battles. Therefore, our quarterly reports must expand beyond asking, “How many were saved?” We must ask:

How many are being discipled in home cells?

How many have been baptized and grounded in local assemblies?

How many are actively walking with the Lord today?

And where are the ones who went missing?

When Jesus reinstated Peter in John 21:16, He instructed him: “Take care of my sheep.” Evangelism and pastoral care are not competing mandates; they are two sides of the same Great Commission. We seek those outside the fold, disciple those who enter, and pursue those who wander.

 UNTIL WE FIND THEM

There is a vast harvest waiting within reach of our local assemblies. Their names are in old cell registers. Their photographs are in baptismal albums. They once sang in our choirs, prayed at our altars, attended our youth camps, and shared in our fellowship.

Today, they are missing. What would happen if our assemblies decided that these precious individuals were worth going after?

Let us continue to organise massive crusades. Let us plant vibrant assemblies, send missionaries, and leverage digital spaces to proclaim Christ where He is not yet known. But as we go searching for those who have never heard, let us also go looking for those who came, sat among us, and quietly drifted away.

Let attendance registers become prayer lists.

Let church databases become primary mission fields.

Let leaders become searching shepherds.

Let members become pursuing brothers and sisters.

Jesus concludes His parable by revealing the shepherd’s response when the missing sheep is recovered: “And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders” (Luke 15:5). There is no anger, resentment, or lecture in that picture. There is only boundless joy.

May this become the testimony of our churches: we preached to the lost, we welcomed the convert, we discipled the believer—and when some wandered, we loved them enough to search for them “until we found them.”

 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

1. Bonhoeffer, D. (1954). Life Together. Harper & Row.

2. Coleman, R. E. (1963). The Master Plan of Evangelism. Revell.

3. Hull, B. (2006). The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ. NavPress.

4. Kinnaman, D., & Hawkins, A. (2011). You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church… and Rethinking Faith. Baker Books.

5. Menzies, W. W., & Menzies, R. P. (2000). Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience. Zondervan.

6. Putman, J., Harrington, B., & Coleman, R. E. (2013). DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Zondervan.

7. Rainer, T. S., & Rainer, S. S. III. (2008). Essential Church? Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts. B&H Publishing Group.

8. Stetzer, E., & Rainer, T. S. (2010). Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations. B&H Publishing Group.

9. Willard, D. (2006). The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship. HarperSanFrancisco.

Written By Apostle Samuel Berko (AREA HEAD, AMRAHIA)

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…” — Acts 20:24

God’s work in every generation requires men and women who are willing to answer His call. When God wanted Israel delivered, He raised Moses. When Israel needed prophetic direction, He raised Samuel.

When a generation needed courage, He raised David. When the Gentile world needed the Gospel, God raised Paul and Barnabas.

The emphasis is never that these people were indispensable. Rather, God graciously chooses human vessels through whom He accomplishes His purposes.

Today, as we reflect on the ministry and missionary leadership of Apostle Raymond Odei and Mrs Martha Odei, National Head, Dubai, and RMC, MENA Region, the purpose of this piece is not to exalt a man above Christ. It is to recognise what God can accomplish through a servant who makes himself available.

I personally want to thank God for the life and ministry of Apostle Raymond and Mama Martha Odei. Since their arrival in the UAE as National Head and RMC in the MENA Region, they have been a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement to us.

Aps. Ray’s fatherly guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support have been invaluable throughout his leadership in the Region.

Our RMC’s knowledge, intelligence, professionalism, patience, and remarkable ability to handle even the most complex issues with grace and wisdom are truly worthy of emulation.

One quality that stands out is his genuine appreciation for every effort, no matter how small. His words of encouragement have always motivated us to keep pressing on in the work of the Lord.

Although their time in the region was relatively short, the impact of their leadership and ministry has been profound and enduring. He has left behind a legacy of excellence, humility, and servant leadership that will continue to inspire many for years to come.

As they continue their ministry in Germany, it is our heartfelt prayer that the Lord will continually order their steps, enlarge their territory, and grant them even greater success in every assignment entrusted to them. Apostle Ray, I am confident that the Lord is not done with them yet; the best is still ahead.

Written By: Peter Darlinting Kwaku Abdullah (Resident Missionary, Lebanon)

There are sermons one hears and soon forget. Then there are those rare messages whose illustrations linger long after the service has ended, becoming a lens through which one sees both Scripture and life. One such moment came during the PENSA Ghana Gospel and Power Conference earlier this year.

Teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Gabriel Nti, affectionately known as “Prof. Nti” for his passion for Scripture and theology, used a simple yet profound illustration: dynamite and dynamo.

Dynamite, he explained, speaks of explosive power that breaks barriers and overcomes resistance. A dynamo, by contrast, generates sustained power, providing the strength to keep the work going long after the initial spark. The Holy Spirit, therefore, not only empowers believers for breakthrough but also enables them to build, establish, and faithfully sustain the purposes of God.

Months later, that illustration still resonates with me, not only because it beautifully captures the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but also because it captures the ministry of Pastor Gabriel and Mrs. Grace Odoom Nti.

For five remarkable years, the Madina Sector experienced both dimensions of that power. There was the dynamite that broke barriers, revived dormant fellowships, planted new ones, mobilised students for missions, and brought thousands to Christ. And there was the dynamo that quietly built what would endure—discipling believers, raising leaders, mentoring students, fostering academic excellence, strengthening institutions, and laying foundations that will continue to bear fruit.

The Birth Of A Sector

In 2021, as the influence of PENSA continued to spread across Greater Accra, it became increasingly evident that the existing structure could no longer adequately cater to the growing number of tertiary and pre-tertiary institutions in Madina and its surrounding communities.

Thus, the Madina Sector was carved out to cater to seven distinct geographical areas: Madina, Teshie-Nungua, Haatso, Amrahia, Tema, Ashaiman, and Sakumono.

On 22 August 2021, Pastor Gabriel Nti and his family were officially welcomed at Mount Zion Assembly in a service officiated by Apostle Martin Seth Appiah. That occasion marked the beginning of what would become one of the most impactful chapters in the history of the young Sector.

The Dynamite: Breaking New Ground

If the opening years of the Madina Sector were about laying foundations, the years that followed were marked by an unmistakable sense of movement. There was an urgency that permeated the Sector—a conviction that the Gospel must travel farther, discipleship must run deeper, and no campus, community, or soul should remain beyond the reach of Christ. This was the dynamite at work.

Pastor Gabriel Nti consistently taught that the Church exists not merely to survive but to advance the Kingdom of God. Under his leadership, evangelism and missions became central to the life of the Madina Sector.

Students embraced the Great Commission as a personal calling, leaving the comfort of campus to share the Gospel in rural and urban communities. Pastor Gabriel led by example, serving alongside them in preaching, prayer, counselling, and the baptism of new believers.

The impact of this vision was remarkable. Over five years, about 5,933 people gave their lives to Christ, 1,851 were baptised in water, and 3,217 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Beyond these numbers were thousands of lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.

His leadership also strengthened and expanded the ministry’s reach. New PENSA fellowships were established at Entrance University, KLINTAPS, Dodowa Technical Institute, and Frafraha Senior High School, while dormant fellowships such as Ghanata Senior High School and Sege Technical Institute were revived.

At the same time, he encouraged PENSA groups to become a blessing to their schools through practical acts of service and community volunteerism, ensuring that the Gospel was not only preached but also demonstrated through compassion and generosity.

The Dynamo: Building That Which Will Endure

If the dynamite of the Holy Spirit breaks barriers, the dynamo ensures that what has been won is not lost. While revival may begin with extraordinary moments, it is sustained through quiet, consistent discipleship. Pastor Gabriel Nti understood this well.

Beyond evangelistic campaigns and church growth, he devoted himself to building people.

Prof. Nti inspired students to become serious students of Scripture, teaching that spiritual maturity is nurtured through the inseparable disciplines of God’s Word and prayer. Under his leadership, the Madina Sector became known not only for missionary zeal but also for discipleship, holiness, and spiritual formation.

He also believed strongly that one could excel both spiritually and academically. To him, faith and scholarship were never in competition; rather, they complemented each other. This conviction shaped the culture of the Sector, inspiring students to pursue academic excellence and contributing to the emergence of three valedictorians during his tenure.

I was one of the many students who benefited from this mindset. He took a genuine interest in my academic journey, constantly encouraging me to aim higher and helping me see that academic excellence is a powerful way to influence the world for God’s Kingdom.

Pastor Gabriel also understood that enduring ministries are built by raising leaders, not personalities. Over five years, the Sector ordained 85 officers—20 Elders, 35 Deacons, and 30 Deaconesses—a privilege I was honoured to be part of. It was a clear reflection of his intentional commitment to mentorship and leadership development.

Beyond building structures, he nurtured a culture where love was genuine, unity was treasured, excellence was expected, and fellowship flourished. This was beautifully expressed through the establishment of the PENSA Madina Sector Dinner and Awards Night, which remains one of the most anticipated events on the Sector’s calendar. The event has created lasting opportunities for students to connect, appreciate one another, and celebrate together.

That is the quiet work of the dynamo. It rarely commands attention, yet it provides the steady power that keeps God’s work moving long after the excitement of revival has faded.

Looking back, Pastor Gabriel’s greatest legacy in the Sector is not only the 5,933 souls won, 1,851 water baptisms, 3,217 Holy Spirit baptisms, or even the leaders he raised. It is a generation of believers equipped to pray fervently, study Scripture faithfully, lead humbly, serve sacrificially, and love Christ wholeheartedly.

The Woman Beside The Vision

Every enduring ministry has both visible and unseen strengths. While Pastor Gabriel Nti led through preaching and vision, Mrs. Grace Odoom Nti quietly ministered through compassion, prayer, counsel, and hospitality.

Together, they demonstrated that God’s Kingdom is advanced not only through powerful preaching but also through faithful acts of love.

Affectionately known as “Mummy Grace,” she became far more than the wife of the Sector pastor. Through her warmth and availability, the Mission House became a home where students found a listening ear, wise counsel, heartfelt prayer, and often a warm meal.

She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, valued, and deeply loved.

Her ministry was rooted in a sincere walk with God. Whether leading in worship, interceding for students, mentoring young women, or encouraging those carrying heavy burdens, she consistently pointed people to Christ.

Much of her impact was never recorded in reports or measured by numbers, yet it was evident in the many lives she quietly strengthened and restored.

Mrs. Grace also modelled Christian womanhood with humility, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to God, becoming an example to many young women in the Sector. She was not merely a supportive partner standing behind the ministry; she was an active labourer within it.

Alongside Pastor Gabriel, she helped cultivate a loving, Christ-centred family whose influence will continue long after their tenure. Together, they embodied the quiet strength that sustained the work of God.

A Legacy That Endures

Every pastoral assignment has an appointed beginning and an appointed end, but faithful ministry never truly ends. It lives on in the lives it has transformed.

As Pastor Gabriel and Mrs. Grace Nti conclude their season in the Madina Sector, they leave behind far more than programmes, positions, or impressive statistics. They leave behind a generation shaped by a love for God’s Word, a commitment to prayer, a passion for missions, servant leadership, academic excellence, and the joy of belonging to a family of faith.

Under their stewardship, new fellowships were planted, dormant ones revived, leaders were raised, and thousands came to faith in Christ.

These are the monuments that matter. Buildings may age, leadership may change, and records may one day be surpassed, but transformed lives will continue to bear fruit for generations.

Somewhere, a missionary will remember where the burden for souls first began. A leader will recall the mentorship that gave them courage to serve. A graduate will remember that excellence is an act of worship. And many will remember a Mission House where they encountered not only warm hospitality but also the love of Christ.

Perhaps this best captures their years of ministry: the Madina Sector experienced both the dynamite and the dynamo—the dynamite that broke barriers, expanded the Kingdom, and ignited hearts for Christ; and the dynamo that quietly sustained the work through discipleship, leadership development, prayer, and a Christ-centred culture that will outlive any one pastoral assignment.

By the grace of God, the holy current that flowed through the lives of Pastor Gabriel and Mrs. Grace Nti will continue to illuminate the path of the Madina Sector for generations to come.

Written by Ernest Ofori Baah

Introduction

Lifestyle is the interests, opinions, behaviors and behavioral orientations of an individual, group or culture. The term was introduced by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in his 1929 book, ‘The Case of Miss R.’, with the meaning of ”a person’s basic character as established early in childhood”.

The lifestyle of a particular person or group of people is the living conditions, behavior, and habits that are typical of them or are chosen by them. They enjoyed an income and lifestyle that many people would envy.

A Christian’s lifestyle is characterized by spiritual growth, moral integrity, and service to others. It also involves sharing their faith, leading by example, and building resilience.

A Christian grows spiritually by reading the Bible daily, learning to pray, relying on the Holy Spirit, and attending church regularly. Moral integrity is developed by living a life of sacrifice, following God’s will, and developing Christian character traits like courage, honesty, and humility. Service to others includes community service, evangelism, and being a beacon of hope and agent of change in their community.

Christians are urged to reflect Christ’s teachings in their daily lives and demonstrate virtues such as honesty, kindness, and integrity. By doing so, we become living testaments of our faith, influencing our peers and communities through our actions and choices.

A Christian lifestyle means living a life of sacrifice, constantly growing and offering your life back to God, trusting in His plan for your life and following His will. A good Christian is trying to live a lifestyle that will ultimately allow them entry to heaven.

A Christian lifestyle is a way of life that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It involves living in accordance with God’s word, and striving to be more like Jesus.

Guidelines for a Christian Lifestyle

1. Prayer: pray to God for guidance and rely on the Holy Spirit

2. Bible study: Read the Bible daily

3. Church attendance: attend church regularly

4. Love: let love be the guiding principle of your life

5. Obedience: Be obedient to God

6. Witnessing: Share your faith with others

7. Sacrifice: Live a life of sacrifice and offer your life back to God

8. Trust: Trust in God’s plan for your life

9. Growth: Constantly grow and develop your character

How Christian Lifestyle Differs From a Non-Christian Lifestyle

1. Christians view and react to life experiences through the lens of Christ

2. Christians use their resources to help those in need

3. Christians resolve conflicts through prayer and forgiveness

4. Christians use trials and obstacles as opportunities to grow in patience and hope

What Does The Bible Say About Christian Lifestyle?

Paul explains it this way in Romans 12: Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

Conclusion

A Christian lifestyle means living a life of sacrifice, constantly growing and offering your life back to God, trusting in His plan for your life and following His will. A good Christian is trying to live a lifestyle that will ultimately allow them entry to heaven.

A Christian lifestyle is a way of life that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It involves living in accordance with God’s word, and striving to be more like Jesus.

 To live a good life as a Christian among other faiths, you must Seek God, not sin, Fear God, not men, Love God, not the world, Believe God, not the deceiver, Obey God, not your appetites, Serve God, not self, and Worship God, not comfort.

Scripture references: Exodus 18:20; Matthew 6:33; Exodus 18:21; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:15; Isaiah 43:10; John 6:69; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 10:20; Deuteronomy 11:13-14; Joshua 24:14; Deuteronomy 29:18.

Written by Elder Fredrick Chaba (Fielmoa District-Tumu Area)

The June rains and floods were truly a heart-wrenching sight. People watched helplessly as floodwaters surged into their homes, roads vanished beneath the deluge, possessions were destroyed, and lives were lost. It was a painful reminder of how indiscipline can have severe consequences. As people reflected on the disaster, one question emerged: What allows a house to remain standing when the rains refuse to stop?

The June 2026 floods did not create weak foundations; rather, they revealed them. Similarly, the challenges and storms of life expose the character that has been built over time. Many houses today are designed for aesthetics rather than protection. With elegant tiles, modern furniture, and pop ceilings, some neglect what truly matters: proper drainage, soil condition, and elevation. Spiritually, we often make the same mistake, focusing on our portfolios, charisma, titles, and reputations while neglecting the essentials of prayer, obedience, character, and holiness.

A valuable lesson the June rains taught us is that a house can be visually appealing yet vulnerable. In the same way, a Christian may appear spiritual while lacking a solid foundation to withstand life’s storms. Jesus Himself illustrated this in Matthew 7:24–27, where two builders faced the same rain, floods, and winds, but one remained unscathed. The distinction lay not in the intensity of the storm but in the strength of the foundation. The wise builder constructed his house on the rock, while the foolish builder built on sand. This brings to mind the familiar hymn: “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” — Edward Mote, RH 378.

Some spiritual foundations that can help us stand firm during life’s storms include:

OBEDIENCE: In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus teaches that the wise person is not just the one who hears His words but also the one who puts them into practice. Knowing God’s Word is important, but living by it is what truly provides a solid foundation.

CHRIST HIMSELF: As stated in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Every lasting Christian life must be built on Him.

CHARACTER: Qualities such as integrity, humility, faithfulness, and holiness help us remain steadfast under pressure. Character is built over time and is revealed during life’s challenges.

Just as neglected drainage systems, poor construction practices, and ignored regulations can exacerbate flooding, so too can neglected spiritual disciplines weaken our lives. Small compromises may seem harmless today, but over time, they can undermine the strength of our foundation. As Galatians 6:7 states, “For whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Similarly, society faces the consequences of overlooked foundations and every small issue that is ignored.

This June, the rain reminds us that foundations matter even before the rains or floods arrive. The strongest houses are not the ones that shine and attract attention during sunny days, but those that remain standing after the floods have come and the storms have passed. God calls us to build our Christian or spiritual lives in the same way, not merely for attraction, but for endurance.

Written by Phoebe Yaa Agyeiwaa Darkwah (Osu District English Assembly)

The air in 2026 feels different. There is a spiritual frequency hummed across our communities, a prophetic beckoning that refuses to be ignored. It is captured in a singular, transformative vision: The Church Unleashed. But as we look at the landscape of our modern world – one often scarred by moral compromise, systemic corruption, and a growing shadow of spiritual opposition – we must ask: Who will be the catalysts for this transformation?

The answer is found in the rising of God’s daughters. In Twi, we declare: “Asafo a apue nam Nyame so de Asɛmpa no ne Honhom Kronkron tumi ahoɔden resakra wiase,” meaning “The Church Unleashed to Transform Society Through the Gospel and the Power of the Holy Spirit.” This is not mere expression but spiritual reality: the Church, released by God, carries “ahoɔden” – divine power—to transform a broken world.

Yet for a woman to impact society, there must first be a personal exodus from inner bondage. The call of transformation seen in Nineveh, where obedience turned a corrupt city toward repentance, reflects the same divine pattern today. Women are being summoned to rise, but before possessing new territories, they must break internal chains that keep them from divine purpose.

At the heart of this awakening is identity in Christ. “Your past does not define you—Christ does. The Gospel doesn’t just edit your story; it gives you a new identity.” Many women, though outwardly strong and successful, remain inwardly burdened by trauma, fear of inadequacy, and restrictive cultural expectations that diminish their expression and confidence.

Scripture affirms a higher truth. Genesis 1:26–27 reveals that woman was created in the image of God for dominion, meaning bondage is not original to her identity. Through the gospel, these limitations are not managed but broken. Romans 8:1 declares there is no condemnation—“afobu”—for those in Christ Jesus, marking a complete release from guilt and spiritual restriction.

Psalm 147:3 assures healing for the brokenhearted, while Galatians 5:1 calls believers to stand firm in freedom and reject bondage. In this truth, the gospel becomes liberation, restoring identity and purpose.

The woman in Christ is therefore not defined by past limitations but by divine identity, freedom, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to transform her world.

Not by might nor by human effort, but by the Spirit, the secret of divine “ahoɔden” is revealed. The gospel opens the door, but the Holy Spirit is the power that brings the believer into spiritual authority. Zechariah 4:6 affirms this unchanging truth: “Ɛnyɛ tumi so, na ɛnyɛ ahoɔden so, na me Honhom so”—not by human strength, influence, or ambition, but by the Spirit of God. Kingdom authority is never achieved through self-effort; it is received through surrender.

The Holy Spirit is the believer’s Helper, turning human weakness into divine strength. When reliance on status, resources, and personal ability is laid down, believers step into grace that confronts and overcomes spiritual resistance. A Spirit-led woman is not ruled by what she sees, but by what God has revealed, and therefore walks in quiet, unshaken confidence.

Scripture affirms this pattern through enduring examples. Mary surrendered reputation for divine purpose. The Samaritan woman turned shame into a testimony that transformed her city. Deborah and Esther chose courage over comfort, becoming instruments of national deliverance. They were not defined by natural advantage, but by yielded lives.

This life of being “unleashed” is not a moment but a continuous posture, sustained through the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2) and intimacy with God in the secret place, where strength is renewed beyond emotion or circumstance.

In this truth, identity is secured not by failure or human labels, but by sonship in Christ. The woman who walks by the Spirit rises in authority, lives in purpose, and becomes a vessel through which God transforms nations.

Written By Deaconess Philomina Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director, CoP)