Posts in category: Articles

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Galatians 6:1-7

In the intricate roller of life, our actions and inactions are the seeds we sow—a concept deeply rooted in the biblical principle outlined in Galatians 6:7. God, a multiplier by nature, does not merely add but multiplies the seeds we plant in the fertile soil of our existence. Proverbs 22:8 reinforces the eternal truth that our actions bear fruit, and the nature of these seeds determines the harvest we reap.

Fortunately, God, in His infinite wisdom, has granted us the agency to choose the seeds we sow. Referencing Galatians 5:22-23, these seeds include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—yielding a bountiful and sweet harvest. Conversely, the seeds of the works of the flesh—hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy—lead to a harvest of turmoil and spiritual barrenness.

These seeds manifest in our daily lives through actions and decisions. In families, sowing seeds of love, understanding, investment, proper planning, and faithfulness enrich our relationships. In workplaces, seeds of hard work, honesty, integrity, and fairness contribute to a thriving professional environment. As students, good seeds involve hard work, adherence to school rules, dedication to studies, and worshiping Christ. In the church, seeds can be planted through winning souls and keeping souls, prayer, caring for the needy within and without, and righteousness. Guided by our divine identity as children of God, these seeds fall on fertile grounds, yielding positive results.

The seeds we sow shape our future, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 9:6. Sowing sparingly reaps sparingly, while sowing generously yields a generous harvest. Our actions extend beyond the immediate, leaving a lasting impact on our destiny and fostering communal well-being.

As we embark on the journey of possessing our nations, unleashed as people of God, let us strive to sow good seeds this year. The impact of these seeds will ripple through our lives, communities, churches, and nations. An impacted life becomes a catalyst for possessing other lives, communities, and nations.

In the divine dance of sowing and reaping, let our actions echo the wisdom of planting seeds of love, kindness, and righteousness. As we navigate the path of possessing our nations, may our seeds be the conduits of positive change, transforming the world and fulfilling the vision set forth by our forbearers.

Written by Elder Daniel Kwarteh Mintah (School Outreach Ministry Coordinator, Konongo Area)

Jesus gave an ultimate mandate to Christians: to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything He has commanded, for He is with us to the end of the age (emphasis mine) – Matthew 28:19–20. These were the last but important words of Jesus to His disciples before reuniting with the Father in heaven.

From the above command, it is clear that discipleship is the essence of this great commission, encompassing all spheres of influence – business, family, economy, schools, etc. According to 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord is not willing to lose a soul but desires them to come to a place of repentance. This is supported by Jesus’ statement in Luke 19:10 that He came to seek and save the lost. For this reason, He issued the great commission, which has now become our responsibility and mandate to tell the world about Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

The successful execution of this mandate and commission is anchored on the power released by the Holy Spirit when He comes upon you. As the word of God says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8. It is on the basis of this power from on high that you are being unleashed to witness to the world, transform it, and possess it to the glory of God. The coming of the promised Holy Spirit has made you an unlimited, immeasurable, and surpassing powerhouse, which when unleashed, will positively transform the world.

With the unleashed mandate and the tremendous power locked up in us, we are being admonished in this day, time, and era to willingly embrace the unleashed mandate to save our generation and transform the world.

The Bible gives an account of a Prophet named Jonah, who initially refused to embrace his God-given mandate. The Bible records that Jonah, a prophet of God with the power of God at work in him, was reluctant to embrace his unleashed mandate to save the people of Nineveh. It reads, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me. But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish…” – Jonah 1:1–3.

This is the case for many of us. We pride ourselves as Christians but turn to run from our core mandate of going into the world to proclaim Christ and save the very people we claim to love from condemnation. With a lot of excuses, we run away from the task, leaving the battlefield unattended, with no empathy for the millions of precious lives perishing and heading to eternal damnation. Will we continue to stay unconcerned? Will we be quiet about the truth and see people perish because they do not know Christ? Will the systems of economies get better if you fail to possess them with the values and principles of the kingdom of God?

The answer is NO!

We are being unleashed into the ends of the world. That is our field of operation, but unfortunately, we limit the word WORLD to earth. Earth refers to the physical dirt, animals, trees, soil, stones, and others. With WORLD, we are referring to all SYSTEMS like schools, politics, religion, media, entertainment, business, family, etc., and not necessarily physical planets. The Greek word for the world is kosmos, meaning systems or order. So, Jesus came to save the systems and orders in place and not physical planets. This is the more reason why, after His death and resurrection, He commissioned us to lead the systems (world) as light of life and arrow-heads. Humanity is built around systems that determine the rise and fall of mankind. These systems are supposed to be taken over by kingdom-minded people or people of heavenly light to bring order and champion the agenda of God on earth and not run away from it or limit ourselves to the boundaries of the church.

In Romans 10:14-15, Paul asked a simple but very important question: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

Arise, you sleeping soldier, heed the unleashing agenda, move into your sphere of influence, and ultimately transform your world. Let each one transform his or her world; together we transform the world. The great city of Nineveh, with about a hundred and twenty thousand (120,000) inhabitants, received mercy from the Lord after the Prophet had embraced his mandate and caused the people to repent accordingly.

Jonah 3:6 – “When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust.”

Jonah 3:10 – “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”

In Conclusion, know that the light is to the world, to everyone under the influence of darkness. Now that we are representatives of Jesus and as long as we are here in this world, we are the light of the world, just as Jesus stated in John 9:5, we are to embrace the unleashed mandate willingly and joyfully. For on that strength, we can move in faith, into the world, to save our generation from the darkness of eternal condemnation and, by extension, transform the systems (education, family, politics, business, religion, media, entertainment, etc.), demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5.

God bless you as you avail yourself of this godly agenda of being unleashed. AMEN

Written by Elder Owusu Sampah (Odikoman District)

Psalm 42:1-3 reads, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?'” (RSV)

Beloved, before anything can move in life, there’s a force that pushes it to transcend its environs. We have been commissioned by our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, to go and possess all our spheres of influence and life. Everyone desires to win souls for Christ Jesus. We go to Church and hear revival messages preached everywhere, yet transformation has become the question of the day.

The psalmist says, “As the deer pants for water, so longs my soul for thee.” Before there can be a transformation, the church needs to go back to the place of hunger and thirst for God. The deer pants for water and will go every mile to get the water to quench its thirst. We should be thirsty and hungry enough for the transformation of the world. Without hunger and thirst for transformation, there will be no unleashing.

Moses, who was old enough, could climb Mount Sinai, which is about 2,285 meters (7,497 ft), because he was thirsty and hungry for God and wanted all the Israelites to be transformed. The moment Moses returned to the people of Israel, they all saw the unleashing power of God that transformed their world in the wilderness.

According to the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5, he taught the disciples, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst.” Without hunger and thirst, one cannot be satisfied. The fuel for the unleashing agenda is the thirst and hunger for God. “The best gift God can give a man to survive is hunger and thirst for Him.”

THE FUELS FOR THE UNLEASHING AGENDA

1. FASTING AND PRAYERS: Fasting and prayers are tools for unleashing because they calm down the desires of the flesh and help the innermost man to commune with God. Through that, the people of God are empowered for the task ahead. Therefore, make fasting and prayers your priority.

• READING AND MEDITATING ON THE WORD OF GOD: This is a force that helps the individual to hear from God and through which God speaks to them. One who is unleashed carries a message from the one who unleashes, and in our context, God. This can be achieved through personal devotional life. Like the Bereans, they were noble because they constantly searched the scriptures to see if what the Apostles taught was true. Make your personal devotion count.

• CONSTANT FELLOWSHIP: Many believers find it difficult to fellowship with brethren these days. Let us make every effort to constantly meet with brethren to impart ourselves with the gifts of each other. Be mindful that the Bible admonishes us not to neglect the fellowship of the saints. Make the house of God your home, for it is the equipping centre for the unleashing agenda.

• AGGRESSIVE EVANGELISM: Evangelism is the heartbeat of God, and therefore, God expects every believer to do their utmost to win lost souls, snatch souls, and nurture them for Christ.

Written by Deacon Emmanuel Tanor (Japerkrom District, Berekum Area)

To transform the larger world, we need more people to get involved, including both the young and the old, the literate and the illiterate, and the skilled and the unskilled.

One sector that requires particular attention, as we focus on witnessing the Lord’s work, is Educational Institutions. By concentrating on this area, we can empower more individuals to transform their world, making the Church’s agenda for 2028 a reality

Periodically, many teens and youths spend considerable time away from home and their local church due to the demands of the school system. Some spend five or six days a week at school, while others may stay there for months on various campuses. Consequently, our teens and youths often lack sufficient time in local churches and homes to be nurtured with kingdom values and principles. Thus, nurturing children with these values should be a hallmark of every Christian Teacher.

An important reality is that students will not only complete their academic levels but will also carry the kingdom values and principles instilled by Christian Teachers into their future endeavors. This underscores the need for Christian Teachers to be equipped to go beyond the curriculum and infuse these values when dealing with their students.

Many students possess potentials beyond the school curriculum, requiring Christian Teachers filled with the Holy Spirit to identify and assist them. Given that students spend more time with teachers than any other stakeholders, Christian Teachers must position themselves to transform these students, enabling them to impact their world. This is a crucial responsibility for every Christian Teacher in your school or class, as stated in Proverbs 22:6, emphasizing the training of every child without partiality.

HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE & IMPACT YOUR STUDENTS TO TRANSFORM THEIR WORLD;

1. BE THE EXAMPLE:

Charles Reade, a British novelist and dramatist, said, “Example is contagious behaviour.” Christian Teachers must recognise that students learn through imitation, observing how teachers dress, talk, and conduct themselves. As a teacher, your actions and inactions shape the personality of your students, making it essential to maintain credibility, trustworthiness, and honesty.

2. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE:

To be effective and impact students, Christian Teachers must continually educate themselves. Students have different temperaments, and teachers must know how to handle each one, presenting a glorious church in the form of their students. Understanding their skills advancement and coaching them appropriately is crucial, as is addressing their curiosity with accurate knowledge to guide them through life’s challenges.

3. BE THEIR PASTOR:

In the role of a Christian Teacher, your classroom is your church premise. Beyond the school curriculum, instill kingdom values and principles documented in the Bible. Use them to instruct, reform, inspire, and direct as needed. Ensure orderliness, enhance Christlike character, and allow the functionality of the Spirit of God to work in the classroom. Love, respect, inspire, and instruct your students, acting as a shepherd guiding a flock under your authority.

In conclusion, consider the wisdom of John 15:16 [MSG], “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.” Christian Teachers, unleash your students by being exemplary, acquiring knowledge to coach and nurture them, and fulfilling the role of their pastor.

Written by Elder Tonnie Baffoe (Schools Outreach Ministry Coordinator, Agona Swedru Area)

Within the context of biblical teachings, the notion that sex is synonymous with love is a misconception deserving careful examination. While Scripture acknowledges the sacred union of marriage as a suitable context for sexual intimacy, it also underscores that love goes beyond mere physical expression.

The Bible delineates love as patient, kind, not self-seeking, and enduring (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), attributes that extend beyond the physical act of sex. Thus, reducing love to solely sexual intimacy not only diminishes the profound nature of biblical love but also distorts the divine design for human relationships.

Moreover, the Scriptures caution against the perils of lust and impurity, urging believers to honour God with their bodies and flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). By equating sex with love, individuals risk succumbing to the trap of prioritising physical pleasure over the spiritual and emotional aspects of love outlined in the Bible. Instead, the biblical narrative invites followers to pursue love rooted in God’s unconditional and sacrificial love, surpassing earthly desires and enduring through trials.

Embracing this biblical perspective empowers individuals to navigate relationships with wisdom, discernment, and reverence for the profound depths of love as ordained by God.

“Anyone whose actions or inactions negatively affect the love between you and God doesn’t love you and does not want the best for you.”

Written by Elder Owusu Bibini (Dumasua District)

In a world undergoing profound transformations across all facets of life, marriage faces its share of challenges and changes. In this dynamic landscape, the institution of marriage, ordained by a divine covenant, has come under scrutiny. Divergent humanistic ideologies, such as LGBTQI+, challenge its traditional concept. These secular humanistic ideologies clash with the original divine design of marriage and have become strong waves wrestling against the truth. They toss infants in the body of Christ back and forth, sometimes blowing some people away from the kingdom of the beloved Son, Jesus. Thus, the body of Christ must refocus on the fundamental intentions of God regarding marriage in this evolving world.

Marriage can be succinctly defined as a sacred covenant established by God between a man and a woman, determined by their biological birth and culminating in the union of husband and wife. Unfortunately, contemporary society has witnessed the rise of alternative views and relationships that challenge this conventional understanding. These shifts have led the body of Christ to contend with important questions about the sanctity of marriage and family life.

The institution of marriage originated in the Garden of Eden. The first-ever union between Adam and Eve officiated and witnessed by the Almighty God, marked the inception of marriage. This foundational event, recorded in Genesis 2:23, happened in the presence of God. This underscores the divine intention that every marriage should be established in the presence of God, making Him the primary witness. As Malachi 2:14b emphasises, “The Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth.” This transcends mere physical spaces like church buildings and underscores the spiritual foundation upon which marriages should be built. Thus, marriages should be officiated and established in an environment saturated with the Spirit of God.

God’s creation, including marriage, serves a specific purpose. The intention behind the institution of marriage is clear in Scripture. Christ likened Himself to the bridegroom and Christians to the bride, illustrating that marriage should mirror God’s intended relationship with humanity. Therefore, God designed marriage to be a tangible representation of His love and devotion to humanity.

In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, showcasing the nature of God’s love for humanity. This love transcends circumstances and situations, requiring husbands to love their wives unconditionally. Likewise, wives are urged to submit to their husbands, mirroring the Church’s submission to Christ. Marriage serves as a platform to explicitly convey the image of the unconditional love He (Christ) has for us and the submission Christ expects from humanity. It is, therefore, essential for believers to uphold their marriages with dignity and the mind of Christ to glorify Him.

Unfortunately, in contemporary society, many marriages seem to defy the biblical principle that the husband is the head of the household, just as Christ is the head of the Church. While empowerment and equality are vital in various aspects of life, marriage represents an exception. The intention of God is for wives to respect the headship of their husbands in the same way the Church respects the headship of Christ. Empowerment should not lead to competition for headship. Christ empowers the Church in numerous ways, yet the Church never seeks to unseat Christ’s position as its head. Similarly, empowered wives should not vie for leadership within the marriage. It is God’s intention that marriage showcases the unwavering submission of humanity to Christ and places Him in His rightful position as the head of all their endeavours.

In conclusion, it is essential to recognise that these intentions of God regarding marriage reflect His glory. They hold a special place in His heart, as marriage serves as a conduit through which His glory will be revealed. It is the duty of every Christian in marriage to uphold these divine intentions and honour the institution of marriage as a means to enlighten the world about its significance.

Written by: Elder Michael Boakye (Macedonia Assembly, Kronom District, Suame Area)

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Numbers 13:30 – 33, Act 1:8, Heb. 13:6, Philippians 1:6

Self-confidence, an inner belief in one’s abilities and worth is a pivotal force that has the potential to transform not only individual lives but also the world around us. Unleashing self-confidence in an unleashed people of God suggests the idea of empowering God’s people who are already connected to a higher power (God) with self-confidence to bring about transformation in their surroundings. It implies that when such people have a strong belief in themselves and their abilities, they can make a significant impact on their world. The people of God, when unleashed, are connected to God and have the potential to bring about transformation. Being unleashed means they are set free from limitations and barriers, and when equipped with self-confidence, they can transform their world with ease.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical passage, Caleb displayed great self-confidence in Numbers 13:30-33. Despite facing opposition and having to confront giants in the land of Canaan, he remained steadfast and resolute in his belief that they could conquer the land. His unwavering faith in himself and in God’s promise gave him the courage to stand tall and face their challenges head-on. He had in focus the task and the promise of God for them, regardless of the bad report spread across the Israelites by the men who had gone up with him. The transformation of the world comes with its own opposition and push-backs, but the unleashed people ought to stand head-on to push back the push-backs. God might have promised us the power and will to transform our world, but He demands our self-confidence for actualization. There are some people possessing the power and the grace of God on their lives but lack self-confidence. “The coming of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is accompanied by God’s power for works, but the moves depend on self-confidence (Act 1:8). We found this from Peter’s actions on the day of Pentecost. We can as well say with Confidence: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Heb. 13:6). The transformation of the world can be made possible when the unleashed people of God realize their inner strengths and abilities.

THE NEED TO UNLEASH SELF-CONFIDENCE IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Do you think self-confidence can impact the abilities of the unleashed people of God to bring about transformation in their world? Yes, it plays a crucial role in their ability to bring about the transformation we are aiming at, for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Philippians 4:13).

In Numbers 13:30-33, we see the mention of two groups of people that God through Moses unleashed them to explore the land of Canaan: The Caleb group and the Caleb escorts group of unleashed people.

THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

The Caleb group consisted of Caleb and Joshua, who were among the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. They were known for their self-confidence and faith in God’s promises. Despite the majority of the spies giving a negative report about the land, Caleb and Joshua remained confident in God’s ability to give them victory. This group of people is what we look forward to seeing in the current generation of the unleashed people of God. A people who are ready and energetic to make a positive difference, filled with power in action, and always move with the avowal “We can certainly do it” as in the case of Caleb and Joshua. They are bold and fearless.

THE CALEB ESCORT GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

The Caleb escorts group, on the other hand, refers to the rest of the spies who gave a discouraging report. They lacked the same self-confidence as Caleb and Joshua and allowed fear and doubt to cloud their judgment. This lack of self-confidence led to a negative outlook on the situation and caused the Israelites to lose faith in God’s promises.

Despite being spiritual or unleashed with God’s direction, it is another thing to have belief in oneself and one’s abilities. Caleb and Joshua’s self-confidence allowed them to see the potential for success, even in the face of challenges. On the other hand, the lack of self-confidence among the other spies hindered their ability to see beyond their fears and limitations.

THE IMPACTS OF SELF-CONFIDENCE ON THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

• Taking Initiative
• Overcoming Challenges
• Inspiring Others
• Effective Communication
• Building Relationships

WHEN SELF-CONFIDENCE MEETS SPIRITUALITY; THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE OF GOD

Self-confidence can have a significant impact on spirituality, as it involves having faith in oneself and in a higher power. In the story of Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 13:30-33, their self-confidence played a crucial role in their spiritual journey.

Caleb and Joshua teach us that self-confidence, when grounded in faith and a higher purpose, can strengthen our spirituality. It enables us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and have the courage to face challenges and pursue our spiritual journey. It reminds us that with belief in ourselves and in a higher power, we can overcome obstacles and fulfill our spiritual potential.

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of individuals who transformed their world through their self-confidence. One such character is David, who, despite being a young shepherd, defeated the giant Goliath with nothing but a sling and a stone. His unwavering belief in his abilities and trust in God’s guidance enabled him to achieve the impossible.

Another example is Esther, who displayed immense self-confidence by risking her life to approach the king and save her people from destruction. Despite the potential consequences, she believed that she had a purpose and that her actions would make a difference. Through her courage and self-assuredness, she transformed the fate of an entire nation.

Possessing self-confidence cannot be overstated. It allows individuals to overcome self-doubt, take risks, and pursue their dreams. Self-confidence breeds resilience and perseverance, enabling individuals to bounce back from failures and setbacks. It empowers people to step outside their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unleash their full potential.

In addition to its impact on individuals, self-confidence plays a significant role in societal and global transformations. When individuals believe in themselves, they are more likely to take initiative, lead, and inspire others. Self-confidence fosters innovation and creativity, as individuals are willing to explore new ideas and take calculated risks. This, in turn, leads to progress and positive change in various aspects of society.

Self-confidence is a pivotal force that has the potential to transform our world. By understanding its meaning and strength, and by drawing inspiration from biblical characters who displayed remarkable self-confidence, we can realize the importance of possessing this attribute in our own lives. Let us strive to embrace self-confidence, overcome our fears and insecurities, and become catalysts for positive change in our world. Let’s position ourselves among the Caleb group of unleashed people of God, for we can certainly do it.

Written by Elder Confidence Assan (Nyamenle Kwagyina District, Axim Area)

The unveiling of the Vision 2028 document of The Church of Pentecost came with nine new special initiatives. One of the special initiatives introduced in the five-year working document is the Ministry to Celebrities. A celebrity is a person who has achieved a high level of fame, recognition, and popularity in a particular field, such as entertainment, sports, politics, or other areas of public interest. Celebrities often attract attention and admiration from the public due to their accomplishments, talents, or contributions to society. The word “celebrity” is a broad term and can encompass individuals known for their positive achievements as well as those who gain fame through controversy or scandal. A ‘Slaybrity’, on the other hand, refers to individuals known for their stylish appearance and influence on social media. In this article, I will walk you through the rationale behind the vision, scan through some celebrities in the Bible, celebrity by choice or chance, and how the church should prepare to receive these people in the church.

RATIONALE OF THE VISION

The Church aims to reach out to celebrities with the gospel and disciple and mentor them for societal transformation. Most celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ have thousands and millions of followers whose lives are being influenced by the content posted on social media handles. Reaching out to celebrities with the power of the gospel to transform their lives, and they, in turn, can also reach out and transform the lives of their followers through social media handles.

CELEBRITIES IN THE BIBLE

The Bible contains accounts of many prominent people who could be termed as celebrities due to the number of times their names were mentioned in the Bible and the continuous lessons drawn from their lives in our contemporary times. A few of these people include Adam, Eve, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Esther, Daniel, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, and many more. However, the greatest celebrity the world has ever seen is Jesus Christ. From over two thousand years ago till now, all generations have known about Jesus Christ; millions of books have been written about Him, and countless songs have been composed and sung about Him. His name is always mentioned in sermons; we pray in His name, talk about Him, cast out devils and heal the sick through His name. His name and fame never die and fade from generation to generation. For all other celebrities and slaybrities, you are only relevant and acknowledged while still alive, and you keep on influencing society to keep you as a celebrity, but the celebrity status of Jesus Christ is everlasting.

BECOMING A CELEBRITY – BY CHOICE VS CHANCE

In our world driven by social media and the power of the internet, anyone at all at any moment in time could become a celebrity. While some people make deliberate and conscious efforts to become celebrities and ‘slaybrities’, others meet fame by chance and become popular through the unsolicited efforts of individuals that made them trend for something worthy of public attention. Until the body of Christ arises to the task of making efforts to reach out to celebrities, a lot may need spiritual nourishment and growth in Christ but may not be attended to because they have been cut off from religious gatherings.

HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH PREPARE?

• Avoid discriminatory and unguarded comments: Sometimes, a lot of efforts are made to win souls, but we lose them through the backdoor of discriminatory and unguarded comments. The very things we say about people, the ‘holier than thou’ attitudes we put up, and the comments made about people and celebrities can signal a friendly and welcoming spiritual atmosphere or a hostile one. Let your tongue draw all men to Christ but not drive them away.

• Teach to prepare the minds of the church: As pastors and church leaders, we have a lot of work to do. It takes time for people to understand and fully embrace new directives and offer maximum support. A lot of teaching and orientations need to be done to ensure that the ministry to celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ will serve its purpose.

• Who handles the new members and new converts classes? As we aim for excellence in ministry, it is important to have a critical look at those assigned to handle new converts and new members’ classes. The caliber of people that handle these classes, as well as the level of their knowledge and expertise, is very critical. First impressions and the quality of knowledge given to people to ground them in Christ are very important. New and better ways of receiving new converts and first-time visitors should be explored and improved.

• All-Inclusive Gospel Agenda:Over the years, The Church of Pentecost has earnestly pursued an All-Inclusive Gospel Agenda to reach out to all people without discrimination, regardless of their background, race, social status, and past experiences. The Church of Pentecost operates with the belief that the message of the cross that brings salvation, love, and redemption is meant for all people. This concept promotes inclusivity and the understanding that the transformative power of the Gospel is available to all people. In Christ, everyone’s soul counts and matters in the Kingdom of God.

• Embrace the City Church Concept: Celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ may not feel comfortable worshiping with churches that meet in the classroom and churches without standard modern facilities and technological advancements. They will not be able to ‘slay’ and take quality pictures in beautiful environments for their social media handles. The City Church concept, when embraced, will not only pursue an aggressive evangelism agenda but can also sieve and cut off the excesses witnessed in local church settings, which could put off celebrities and expatriates. Most expatriates and celebrities have traveled widely and expect a certain standard of infrastructure and quality service to meet their needs and expectations. In the city churches, time management, standard church services, and ‘quality sermons’ from the pulpit will be the icing on the cake.

• Avoid and Manage Embarrassing Situations: It is important to note that the name and fame of some celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ are not commensurate with their wealth and financial status as projected on social media. Living a fake life got many people into the limelight, but one cannot fake when reality stares you in the face. Some of these people may not be as rich as they present themselves. The leadership of the church should be careful and led by the Holy Spirit to not put celebrities in embarrassing situations during fundraising. This could prevent them from coming to church so that they will not be exposed and become an object of mockery.

• Formation of Celebrity and Professionals Guild: In life, people love to flow and mingle with people of their kind. Forming celebrity and professional guilds will enhance a sense of belonging, foster proper networking, offer support to one another, deploy the skills of professionals when needed, plan for celebrity outreach programs and enhance spiritual growth and development among like-minded people. It may be an awkward feeling to visit any church, and you may not be able to find anyone of your status and level of education. ‘Big Boys’ love to be in the company of ‘Big Boys’ and Celebrities, and ‘Slaybrities’ also love to fellowship with their very own, for they easily understand themselves.

CONCLUSION

Vision 2028 is an all-inclusive vision and cuts across all spheres of life. As a church, let us extend our arms open to all people and keep our doors open to welcome and receive all who seek spiritual nourishment, guidance, and a sense of belonging within the body of Christ. It is our core mandate to reach out to everyone with the power of the gospel, disciple and mentor, and then unleash them to transform their world.

Written by Overseer Ernest K. Akorli (Kpasenkpe District)

It goes without an iota of equivocation that the 2024 Global All Ministers and Wives Conference, which was held from Monday, January 22 to Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Pentecost Convention Center, has been one of a kind, unapparelled and unconventional. The conference was historic because it was a “servant to two masters”. It was to unravel the mysteries within the church’s Vision 2023 document and prepare it for Vision 2028, the church’s five–year working document. These two assignments were discharged with dexterity and finesse.

One cannot easily forget the ministrations that dripped stupendously from the throne room down the throat of the evergreen Voice of Pentecost and through to the itching ears of all and sundry. To say that the presentations from the various speakers were cutting-edge is to understate what went on throughout the sessions. All our fathers and speakers executed their assigned roles to the admiration of all.

As it was to be, our dear Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, took his turn to present to the Lord’s flock all that the Lord had laid on his heart for the church in the coming year. Participants agreed session after session that our chairman’s is a gift to global Christianity. One of his presentations on the “City Church Concept” cannot easily go unnoticed. Reminiscing all the slides from the presentation, one thing struck my heart, which is the focal point of this article. I realised that if the church really would stay relevant in the cities, especially in Ghana, then we cannot keep doing things the old way, something which our dearest chairman addressed throughout his presentation.

Akin to the New Wine and the Old Wineskin metaphor, as found in Luke 5:27 – 39, Matthew 9:14 – 17 and Mark 2: 18 – 22, we cannot keep applying what works in less endowed towns to ministry in the city. Jesus’ parable of the new wine and the old wineskin reveals an age-old challenge of how each generation attempts to preserve old traditions for posterity. One of the challenges Jesus dealt with during his earthly ministry was confronting archaic traditions and old Jewish ceremonial forms and practices, which were incompatible with His message about the Kingdom of God (Shenk 2005). Consequently, Jesus’ parable meant that new generations must have fresh reflections on their theological formulations and traditions. I think our dear chairman is making an equal appeal as far as the city ministry is concerned.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, 2022 represents a peak in Ghana’s share of Urbanization with a significant percentage increase to 58.62%. A population may be defined as urban, depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the town or city coupled with available social amenities and other infrastructural developments. Looking at the rate of increase, it is expected that Ghana will have not less than 85% of its population in the cities in the next ten years, barring any change in rural life.

THE WAY FORWARD

Coupled with the thoughts above and the fact that much of the church’s strength in all indicators is urban–driven, ministry in the urban centres must be given a second look. Among many things the revered man of God postulated, the under-listed could guide urban ministry to achieve its intended purposes:

• To improve quality pastoral care, we must downsize the number of Assemblies under a minister’s care. The bigger the district, the less the supervision
• City churches must be time–conscious. Many things could be done in a succinct yet Spirit–filled way. For example, we must control the number of announcements which flood every Sunday service. Hitherto, announcements alone could take a whooping one hour. One way to achieve this is to write the announcements in the announcements’ book and not give them extempore
• The citing of churches is also very necessary. Churches should not be situated too far from accessible roads and pedestrian visibility
• We must pay attention to the quality of our services and ensure that we put much training and rehearsals into each session. We must also give contextual relevance to whatever we do during church services
• The Music department must be well-resourced. They must also have time to pray so that they do not only come to the stage to “perform” but to “minister’ to specific needs as well
• The Media Ministry of the churches must be well–empowered to improve the visibility of our churches. As much as possible, messages should be projected on screens as well, and all digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and others should be explored for the church
• The district minister must, as a matter of urgency, visit these churches regularly and impact them positively
• Sermons preached on Sundays must be apt, sharp and straight from the throne room in order to have a lasting impact on the members, some of whom come to church only on Sundays for obvious reasons
• Leaders must pay attention to the protocol and hospitality department in our bid to keep old members as well as “Church – shoppers”. The age-old practice where New Comers are made to stand up to tell their mission of attending services is gradually becoming obsolete
• We must endeavour to livestream most of our services to enhance visibility
• Bible study and Home Cell leaders, as well as preachers for Sundays, must appear prepared for each session in order not to spark mistrust from the members, especially those visiting as first–timers
• Owing to the vast area of the city, we must keep proper records of members and newcomers in order to enhance pastoral care. In the city, the principle for owning a member is that “He who has the member on Sunday owns the member”. Many nominal members have only their names or ‘shadows’ in churches but owe allegiance to other churches
• The appointment of leaders to these churches must be well thought through, especially officers who will oversee the day-to-day administration of the church
• The principle of “The Discipleship” mantra should be relooked. Members could be divided into groups and given shepherds to supervise their movements in the pen. This would ensure that the “backdoor” is tightly shut
• The pastor and the laity must be all things to all people. The city is cosmopolitan in nature. Hence, leaders must, like Apostle Paul, become “all things to all people”. When necessary, they must be dynamic in nature and ministry. They should operate in all the five–fold ministry as the case may call for. They must become disciplinarians when needed and shepherds when duty calls. The needs of the members vary vastly, and a slight negligence would be catastrophic

CONCLUSION

Our dear chairman, through the instrumentation of the Holy Spirit, has intimated for the umpteenth time that the city holds a chunk of our strength. In view of this, the Pareto principle comes in very handy. This principle opines that, for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. In other words, a small percentage of causes have an outsized effect. Such is the case of the City Churches and, hence, a clarion call to give these churches a second look.

Written by Pastor Bright Amankwah (Dawhenya District, Tema Area)

In a world increasingly woven with digital threads, The Church of Pentecost, under the visionary leadership of Chairman Apostle Nyamekye, is boldly stepping into the realm of the E-Church. In a recent message, the chairman laid out a ground-breaking vision for transforming the church’s online presence—not just into a passive platform but into a vibrant, interactive, and faith-igniting extension of the physical church.

Chairman Nyamekye, recognizing the exponential growth of digital engagement, painted a picture of an E-Church that transcends geographical boundaries and time zones. He envisioned online sermons radiating beyond church walls, reaching those physically distant or yearning for deeper connection. Imagine the potential to touch lives in remote villages, hospital beds, and bustling city apartments, all at the touch of a screen.

But the E-Church is not merely about replicating traditional services online. It’s about harnessing the unique potential of the digital world to create a dynamic tapestry of faith experiences. Let us be encouraged to explore interactive Bible studies, engage in live Q&A sessions with pastors, and foster virtual prayer groups that bridge continents and cultures.

The E-Church, as emphasized, should also be a platform for nurturing community and spiritual growth. With this in mind, we can champion the creation of online mentorship programs, vibrant youth forums, and support groups for specific needs. Imagine a church where members find solace and fellowship not just on Sundays but throughout the week, woven together by the invisible threads of the digital church.

Furthermore, we can use the E-Church as a powerful tool for evangelism. We can leverage online platforms with pulsating engaging testimonies, thought-provoking discussions, and captivating multimedia content. This digital outreach, I believe, could ignite the spark of faith in hearts far beyond the traditional reach of the church.

Of course, embracing the E-Church concept comes with challenges. Ensuring inclusivity for those with limited digital access, safeguarding online security and privacy, and fostering meaningful connections in a virtual space are all concerns requiring careful consideration. Yet, these challenges shouldn’t deter us but rather motivate us to find innovative solutions.

The message from the Chairman is clear: the E-Church is not a fad but a necessary evolution for The Church of Pentecost in the digital age. It’s a bold invitation to step out of the comfort zone of traditional brick-and-mortar structures and embrace the boundless possibilities of the digital realm. It’s an opportunity to reimagine what it means to be a church—a vibrant, inclusive, and ever-present community of faith, connected not just by physical walls but by the invisible threads of shared belief and digital connection.

The E-Church is not the distant future; it’s the present calling. As Chairman Nyamekye has challenged us, let us open our hearts and minds to this exciting chapter in the journey of The Church of Pentecost and, together, build an E-Church that shines the light of faith onto the world, pixel by pixel and soul by soul, to possess the nations.

Possessing the nations, I am an agent of transformation.

Possessing the nations, transforming my world.

Written by Elder Joseph Otsibah (New Town District, Kasoa Area)