Posts in category: Articles

October 11 marked the International Day of the Girl Child, a global observance that celebrates the strength, resilience, and leadership of girls across the world. This year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” highlights the vital role girls play in confronting global challenges and driving meaningful change.

From climate emergencies and conflict to domestic violence, health crises, and displacement, girls often bear the brunt of hardship. Yet, they continue to rise as advocates, innovators, and leaders within their communities.

This year’s theme is a powerful declaration of identity and purpose. “The Girl I Am” affirms every girl’s right to self-definition, to take pride in who she is and the values she upholds. “The Change I Lead” underscores that girls are not merely recipients of protection or aid, but active change makers, visionaries, and agents of transformation.

Empowering girls requires deliberate investment in their education, health, safety, and leadership. Governments, faith-based organisations, and civil society must amplify their voices and create platforms where they can thrive. When girls lead, families, churches, and nations flourish.

Too often, girls’ perspectives are overlooked in decision-making spaces. Yet, their lived experiences offer invaluable insight into building peace, sustainability, and equality. Meaningful inclusion must go beyond token representation; it must empower girls to influence outcomes that shape their futures.

On the International Day of the Girl Child, men and boys – fathers, brothers, husbands, and uncles – are encouraged to celebrate the girls and women in their lives. Support their dreams, nurture their potential, and stand beside them as they rise. Do not break them; build them.

As the world marks this year’s event, let us renew our collective commitment to ensuring every girl is safe, valued, and free to lead. Girls are not just the future, they are the present force of change. When they rise, the world rises with them.

Written by Gina Akua Padi

Ghana is a deeply religious nation, with faith serving as both an anchor and a source of national pride. Yet, the country’s spiritual landscape faces growing threats. Television and radio broadcasts are filled with promises of instant wealth, miracle charms, and “money doubling.” Some fetish priests openly advertise spells to harm work rivals, while others claim they can make wives control their husbands. Even self-styled “prophets” shamelessly prey on the vulnerable. These practices are far from harmless. In April 2021, in Kasoa, two teenagers brutally killed their 10-year-old friend, Ishmael Mensah Abdallah, hoping to gain wealth through a ritual advertised online. Similarly, Madam Agradaa’s money-doubling schemes eventually landed her behind bars. Such tragedies illustrate the dangerous consequences of unchecked religious exploitation.

The urgency for self-regulation cannot be overstated. If genuine religious groups remain silent, government intervention may eventually become unavoidable, often heavy-handed. Rwanda’s churches learned this lesson painfully after the genocide, and Ethiopia now relies on an inter-religious council frequently bogged down by political disputes. Kenya, too, realized after extremist attacks that waiting for a crisis is too costly. Ghana must act proactively, developing a homegrown approach that protects freedom of worship while shielding society from manipulation and abuse.

The solution lies in proactive leadership from religious bodies themselves. The Church of Pentecost, under its Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has outlined a bold vision to transform Ghanaian society. That vision should now extend to the self-regulation of religious practice. A national framework, led by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Office of the National Chief Imam, and traditional faith leaders, could set clear ethical standards. These include financial transparency, proper training and certification for pastors, a code of conduct to prevent exploitation, and internal dispute-resolution mechanisms. This is not about government interference in preaching; it is about religious leaders defending their integrity and safeguarding the people who trust them.

Ghana’s religious freedom is a national treasure, but freedom without responsibility is fragile. If charlatans continue to dominate the airwaves, the cracks in society will widen, potentially leading to a full-blown crisis. Now is the moment for churches, mosques, and traditional leaders to unite under a single agenda: clean up the spiritual space before it collapses under abuse. Voluntary, structured self-regulation is the firewall Ghana needs. The sacred trust between leaders and followers is one of the nation’s greatest assets, and it must be protected not just with prayer, but with decisive, collective action.

Written by Enoch Ofosu, Ph.D.

Fighting involves engaging in combat or one-on-one encounters; it is a struggle to defend oneself against or to overpower, defeat, or destroy an opponent. Essentially, fighting is the physical expression of people’s disagreements or misunderstandings about a specific course of action. Unfortunately, its destructive effects and the toll it takes on individuals, families, communities, institutions, and nations have not stopped others from escalating tensions to the point of fighting. I have also heard the term “Cold War,” which describes a state of hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare. How mild or intense could a war among humans be when malicious actions are concealed behind diplomatic methods? In fact, the negative impact of what the world calls the Cold War and its geopolitics has surprisingly been more intense than traditional combat. Married couples can easily understand the tension and stress caused by the same kind of Cold War happening within their own families.

Fighting typically continues when one side insists on a particular course of action, while the other is determined to oppose it at all costs. Besides the millions displaced, conservative estimates place the death toll in the Sudanese war at hundreds of thousands. According to the British Ministry of Defense, over one million Russian troops have been killed or injured since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Ukraine has also suffered substantial casualties, reaching around 400,000. Wikipedia reports that as of October 1, 2025, more than 69,100 people have been killed in the Israel-Gaza war, including 67,144 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis. Beyond these tragic fatalities, the socio-economic, social-cultural, and spiritual costs to the affected parties are simply incalculable. Sadly, some healthy interpersonal relationships are lost forever. Although human casualties reveal only part of the brutality of these conflicts, the consequences extend well beyond, tearing apart nations, communities, organizations, and families. Why parties involved in conflicts often fail to recognize or fully understand these irreversible losses until fighting ends or a temporary ceasefire begins remains a mystery.

One other thing that puzzles me is the hope of one day finding common ground between conflicting parties so that peace can prevail, but not without its irreparable and far-reaching consequences, which will affect many generations. Thank God that after two years of fighting between two brothers (i.e., Israelis and Palestinians) in Gaza, a deal is almost in sight for a ceasefire. What about the losses accumulated over the past 24 months in both camps? Can they ever be recovered? Aside from the spiritual warfare involving Christians, I have yet to find a single benefit of fighting a brother or sister, whether in a cold or traditional war, due to misunderstanding. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese military strategist, said, “A good commander wins a battle without shooting. Instead of focusing on the Israel-Gaza war used as an example, I would be glad if we reflect on this piece through the lens of some of our persistent intertribal conflicts in our beloved country and even among communities, groups, families, and individuals. The following ten lessons are shared for our prayerful reflection.

1. Fighting is essentially an expression or statement of disagreement between parties and should not be allowed to descend into chaos. The Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 5:25 that, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.” The Lord expects all His children to take active roles in resolving every conflict they encounter peacefully. It is worth noting the word, “quickly,” used by Jesus in pursuit of peace between people in conflict since time can negatively impact disagreements. My dear brother and sister in the Lord, what are you doing actively and urgently to settle the conflict you find yourself in?
2. In any ongoing conflict, each party involved has a role they have played or are still playing in maintaining the fight. Instead of accusing the other side, can you honestly ask yourself, “What am I still doing that keeps fueling the conflict or disagreement?” It then follows that true peace usually begins with one or both parties in the conflict. Mediators or professional peace brokers can only do so much.
3. There is a well-known Kikuyu proverb from Kenya that says, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” Similarly, if conflicts stem from, say, ideological disagreements, then any venue, community, institution, region, household, or nation chosen for the fight is the one that will bear the consequences. So, the struggle over ideologies fought at any location or event site ultimately ends up destroying that place to an unprecedented degree. For example, if couples do not manage their personal differences well and let tensions escalate at home, they will be damaging the entire fabric of the household, which consists of many interconnected elements. Battle sites in recent memory, such as Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, have suffered greatly, with most of their iconic buildings and monuments destroyed. The cost of rebuilding Gaza alone is estimated to be around fifty billion United States dollars ($50 billion). Let’s not forget that, if the Lord delays His return, the conflict will undoubtedly end someday, but at what expense? You and I know how many lives and how much healthcare this amount of money could have provided to millions of underserved communities worldwide. However, misunderstandings between warring factions tend to consume all these resources, affecting every person alive in this period. The devastating effects of war or conflict, therefore, impact everyone directly or indirectly, with the warmongers themselves not spared either.
4. There has never been a long-term winner in any physical fight, except in spiritual warfare, which involves different rules of engagement. Even the party considered the winner today is still alive to fight another day. It might just be a pause in the battle, with many surprises ahead regarding its reemergence. No fight has ever truly ended in a stalemate or a goalless draw, as the world of football often calls it. What fights, regardless of how long they last, generally cause losses for both sides in the long run. When Cain murdered his brother, he probably thought he had won and would finally find peace. Sadly, his issues and suffering only increased afterward. He asked God, saying, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.“ (Genesis 4:10-12). So, why keep fighting, my dear brothers and sisters?
5. What we lose in conflict is gone forever. Unfortunately, human ego and pride, driven by a desire for revenge, prevent people from properly assessing the harmful effects on themselves, their families, society, the nation, and future generations. It’s also important to note that many fierce fights that last for generations without resolution often occur between brothers or members of the same household or community. It’s well known that Russia and Ukraine are like brothers. Warring factions in Sudan are also brothers, and Israel and the Palestinians are close relatives as well. Let’s all stay alert for members of our own households who allow the devil to stir up strife and division at home. About the unity and cohesion within the Church in Corinth, Apostle Paul said, “I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, so that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
6. Unfortunately, there are always end-beneficiaries of every fight beyond the parties involved. Such individuals lack motivation to help the parties negotiate because that could threaten their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the parties directly involved in the conflict who face the worst consequences rarely recognize the malicious actions of their benefactors. For example, those who manufacture weapons run successful businesses amid ongoing disputes. So, what would motivate a CEO of such an organization to mediate and try to end the conflict? When God listed the seven detestable things to Him in Proverbs 6:18-19, the seventh was, “A person who stirs up conflict and sows discord among brothers.” This should serve as a wake-up call and valuable advice for all conflict sponsors and beneficiaries. 
7. Mathematically, FIGHTING = “I INSIST” versus “I AM DETERMINED TO OBJECT.” Unfortunately, this is what led to the split between Apostle Paul and Barnabas, causing them to go their separate ways. Meanwhile, these two were specifically and intentionally paired by the Holy Spirit in Ministry (Acts 13:1-3). The two, or what I will call the “super duo,” were so powerful and accomplished all their set goals, working wonders to such an extent that the People of Lystra, in their own language, called them “gods who have come in the likeness of Men.” They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes because Paul was the chief speaker. In (Acts 14:19-20), even when Paul was stoned almost to death, Barnabas stayed and cared for him until the next day, when they departed for Derbe. However, in (Acts 15:36-40), Paul and Barnabas surprisingly allowed an undesired, avoidable, and unforeseen issue to harm their relationship. They allowed the conflict over John Mark to divide them. “Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John, called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had left them in Pamphylia and was not part of their work. Then the argument became so intense that they separated from each other. So Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and went on. (Acts 15:37-40).” Although they remained believers, how could they effectively support each other’s ministry with such a strained relationship, knowing that the Holy Spirit did not call Paul to team up with Silas, nor Barnabas with John Mark? Therefore, successful peacemakers are those who can persuade either the party insisting on its stance to back down or the one determined to push forward to de-escalate tensions. 
8. Parties always regret and quickly realize their massive losses after the fighting ends, and see the lasting scars each side takes home. 
9. If God grants long life to parties in a conflict, they would admit to themselves and others that they, in fact, need the cooperation of the other side instead of hostility. Towards the end of his Ministry, Apostle Paul acknowledged the usefulness of John Mark, though it was pretty late. He lamented, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11)
10. Even though fighting fatigue may lead warring factions to decide to stop simultaneously, the end of all conflicts, no matter how complex, almost always begins with one party choosing peace over insisting on their pound of flesh. When a party decides to make every concession in the pursuit of peace, the conflict naturally comes to an end. This doesn’t make the peace-seeking party the loser or weaker, but the child of God among the parties. Jesus wasn’t speaking in parables when He called peacemakers children of God.

To end the fighting, please avoid actions that anger the other party or consider ignoring some of their ongoing behaviors. In light of Jesus’ teachings about Peace in the Beatitudes, Peace isn’t a force that imposes itself on unwilling parties in conflict. Instead, Peace is intentionally created and carefully built by Children of God, regardless of the cost. I thank God for the faint sight of peace returning to Israel and the Gaza Strip. May the souls of all the departed rest in peace, and may the Lord comfort everyone who lost loved ones on both sides since October 7th, 2023. Stop the fighting because, when it ends, there will be nothing left to rebuild. Stay blessed.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”— 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

In a time when the body of Christ has too often been scarred by division – where doctrinal differences have fractured our unity more than they have deepened our understanding – the sight of ministers from diverse denominations gathering once again under one roof from the 9-10^th September 2025 (after the first edition in 2022 and the second in 2023) was truly a beauty to behold. This was more than an event; it was a call back to unity, a platform for collaboration, and a statement of faith that what binds us in Christ is far greater than what could ever divide us.

One notable aspect of the conference was the rich diversity of voices that graced the platform. From respected bishops to apostolic and charismatic leaders, the gathering was a mosaic of spiritual heritage and denominational backgrounds – each one contributing to the beauty of the Body of Christ. The messages shared were deeply impactful – marked by biblical depth, prophetic insight, and practical wisdom. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, yet all pointed toward a common vision of unity, revival, and Christ-centred ministry. It was not just a sharing of sermons – it was a sacred convergence of hearts, echoing Jesus’ prayer: “…that they may all be one…” (John 17:21).

God bless the Heads of various denominations for their participation. It reminded us that unity is not uniformity, but harmony in diversity. May this gathering inspire believers alike to pursue unity, serve with humility, and build with long-term vision. And may the All Ministers Conference grow into a movement that strengthens and unites the Church across generations and denominations.

To Apostle Nyamekye (PhD), the vision-bearer, may God richly bless you for your strong conviction and commitment to the greater good of the Body of Christ. Your bold yet humble leadership, has been instrumental in this noble cause of fostering unity among churches. I echo the words of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams who said that “you are a gift to the Body of Christ.” Indeed, you are truly a gift, and your obedience to this call is leaving a lasting imprint not only within The Church of Pentecost, but across the Body of Christ as a whole. May the Lord continue to use you to fulfil Jesus’ prayer, “…that they may all be one…” (John 17:21), and may your labour in the Lord never be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Written by Eld. Dr. Ernest Akuamoah (Eastern Area Youth Leader, The Church of Pentecost Australia)

In a world filled with distractions, comfort, and self-focus, one of the clearest and most urgent commands from Jesus Christ still echoes across generations: “Go and tell.” This is not merely a slogan for a church program – it is the heartbeat of the gospel and the final instruction of our Lord before His ascension (Matthew 28:19–20). It remains His command to every believer today.

A powerful illustration of this call is found in the story of four lepers in 2 Kings 7. During a devastating famine in Samaria, the city was under siege, and hunger had driven people to desperation. These four outcasts, excluded and forgotten, decided to risk everything by entering the enemy’s camp. To their amazement, they found it abandoned – the Lord had caused the Assyrians to flee, leaving behind food, wealth, and supplies. As they ate and rejoiced, a moment of conviction struck them. They said to one another, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.” (2 Kings 7:9, NIV). Moved by compassion, they returned to the city to share the good news that saved countless lives.

This ancient account carries a timeless truth. Like those lepers, we too have discovered something far greater than food – we have found life in Jesus Christ. We have tasted grace, forgiveness, and peace. Once outcasts, we have been brought near, by His blood (Ephesians 2:13). Yet the world around us remains in a state of spiritual famine. People are perishing without Christ – not from hunger for bread, but for truth, love, and salvation. The question is: will we keep this good news to ourselves, or will we go and tell?

Jesus did not save us to sit in comfort but to become His witnesses. The Christian life is not passive – there is no neutral ground. Spiritual growth comes through obedience and action. The four lepers could have stayed in comfort, but they chose compassion. They understood that salvation is not complete until it is shared.

Sadly, many Christians today remain silent. We eagerly discuss sports, politics, and trends, yet shy away from speaking about Jesus. Perhaps, as Deacon Amponsah observes, this silence stems from uncertainty about one’s own salvation. But when a person truly encounters the transforming power of Christ, silence becomes impossible.

This call is particularly pressing for young believers. “Youth have energy, passion, influence, and boldness,” he notes. “The Great Commission is not only for pastors or missionaries – it is for every believer.” You don’t need a pulpit or microphone to start; begin with your friends, classmates, and neighbors. Share your story. Invite someone to church.

We were not saved merely to escape hell but to serve God and be the light of the world. If four rejected lepers could bring hope to a dying city, what excuse do we have today? The time for action is now. The world is waiting, and heaven is counting on us.

Let us go and tell.

Written by Deacon Daniel Amponsah(Immediate Past PENSA Takoradi Technical University Evangelism Secretary, Moree District)

Team Ghana surprised themselves and the entire world when they clocked 37.79 seconds to set a new national record and qualify for the finals of the Men’s 4x100m, arguably the most competitive event in the world of athletic competitions. In our secondary school days, the winner of this race got the bragging rights for the entire competition, irrespective of the accumulated points or the school’s position on the league table. Before proceeding, kindly watch how the Ghana quartet fared and congratulate them. Unfortunately, athletic nations like Great Britain and South Africa couldn’t finish that race although they all started together. The 4x100m relay is basically a team of four (4) working together by running around the field once, with each taking a 100m dash and exchanging batons till the 400m is completed. Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. So, working together to create something greater than either of you could do alone is what synergy is all about.

In athletics, running around the field once is approximately 400m using a standard sporting arena. The current men’s world record and Olympic record is held by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa with a time of 43.03 seconds. This is the fastest time a male has run the 400m or completed a lap around the field competitively. Indeed, Ghana’s all-time best in the 400m race is held by Joseph Taylor, with a time of 44.98 seconds. However, when four Ghanaian men came together with unity and a sense of purpose to achieve the same goal, they achieved a time of 37.79 seconds. Yes, of course, the stamina fresh limbs bring to bear for each of the 100m in a quartet can’t be compared with a single person running around the field.

Mysteriously, even if you add the all-time 100m best of each of the four in the Ghana squad, the total doesn’t even match the new record all of them have set together. The team consisted of Ibrahim Fuseini, Benjamin Azamati, Paul Amoah, and Abdul Saminu. The last time I checked, each of them’s all-time best 100m dash time was as follows: Ibrahim Fuseini, 9.85s, and Azamati, 9.93s. Paul Amoah’s best 100m is 9.94s, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu’s is 9.86s. Interestingly, if you add their all-time best times together of 100m each to make the 400m lap, you get 39.71s.

Meanwhile, the new national record they set only a few days ago is 37.79 seconds, comprising Ibrahim Fuseini (10.57), Benjamin Azamati (8.74), Joseph Paul Amoah (9.41), and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (9.07). In summary, they have achieved together something greater than each of them could do alone. Team Ghana came first in the semifinals, Heat 2, beating the Netherlands with a time of 37.95 seconds, although the latter also qualified for the grand finale. However, in the grand finale made of the USA, FRANCE, CANADA, GERMANY, GHANA, the NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, AND JAPAN, the Netherlands beat Ghana to take the bronze medal, with Ghana placing fourth. So, Ghana clocked 37.79 seconds at the semifinals but 37.93 seconds at the grand finale, while the Netherlands recorded 37.95 seconds at the semifinals but 37.81 seconds at the finals.

If the Ghanaians had run like they did in the semifinal, they would have beaten the Netherlands to win the bronze medal. It is, however, heartwarming to learn that Ghana beat Germany, France, Japan, and Australia. Unfortunately, Team Australia qualified and was fortunate to be among the top 8 finalists, but they were unable to finish the race in the grand finale. The following lessons are gleaned for our Christian pilgrimage;

1. If organizations and institutions have benefited from Synergy, then there’s nothing that believers who work together with a unity of purpose cannot achieve. Indeed, it took God Himself to break the resolve and the power of synergy in the Tower of Babel Project. (Genesis 11:6).

• Not all the athletes in Ghana’s quartet squad ran their personal 100m best, as Ibrahim, for instance, achieved 10.57s, which is below his personal best of 9.85s. Benjamin Azamati, however, clocked 8.74s, with Amoah and Saminu making up for what Ibrahim lost. In the end, they did what each of them couldn’t do by themselves. God knows why He created all of us the way He did and didn’t pile all the skills into a single person, but distributed them in a way that makes the power of togetherness very crucial and critical. We always cover each other’s weaknesses when we stay united as a group to achieve a common goal. The result is always excellent, as the final product has no regrets about individual faults, but everything to celebrate.

• We may display our individual brilliance, talents, or gifts. Still, it is the power and magic of togetherness that enabled Benjamin Azamati, for example, to run a 100m in under 9 seconds.

• Therefore, our individual God-given potentials reach their optimum heights whenever we find people who can share in our vision and work together with us. One man chasing a thousand and two putting ten thousand to flight, as described in Deuteronomy 32:30, is a good illustration of the power of synergy since the simple proportion doesn’t make mathematical sense. Meaning the two can achieve far more than the best of each of them combined, owing to how the synergy factor can extract much deeper the full potential of people in a group assignment.

• Ghana outrun the Netherlands in the semifinals, but in the grand finale, the latter pushed Ghana to the fourth position by placing third and winning the only medal Ghana got close to winning. Therefore, no two situations or scenarios must be compared. Make the best of every situation and leave the rest to God. If you worked with all your heart and gave your best, posterity would be the best judge. Many reasons could account for why the Ghana team couldn’t repeat the time they clocked in the semifinals. So, give your best today, as tomorrow is unknown.

• Ghana beating developed nations like Germany, France, Japan, and Australia in the grand finale means that hard work pays after all. Are you tired of hard work? Please don’t give up yet, because unimaginable successes and mind-boggling testimonies await all who continue to trust God as they put in their best possible effort.

• In the semifinals, Ghana beat the Netherlands, but the tables turned in the finals, although they couldn’t match the time Ghana had run in the semifinals. Today may be the turn of your friend, so fret not. Your time will come if you stay focused and continue to work hard. You can do better tomorrow than the one who outperformed you yesterday or today. Just stay focused.

• The anchor man for the Australian quartet side received the baton from the third runner but somehow stopped running for reasons that are yet to be known in the coming days. So, not all who qualify for the grand finale necessarily win the prize or even finish the race set for them. It is great to make it to the last eight (8) or be selected amongst the prestigious few. However, let’s be mindful that real success is not only finishing the race, but also running in such a way that you win the prize. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Let us stay humble at all times, learning from the mistakes and lapses of those who began the Christian journey joyfully but struggled to complete the race. May God grant all of us the needed wisdom and strict discipline required of us to complete our individual races to God’s glory.

• I may not be an athlete or look like one, but kindly pick a few lessons from the above write-up and share them with your loved ones, especially the younger generation. Apostle Paul wasn’t an athlete, a boxer, or a sports celebrity, yet the Holy Spirit helped him vividly illustrate the Christian pilgrimage through the disciplines of athletics and boxing. In the end, he said, “I have fought a good fight and have finished the race, I have kept the faith…” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Thank you and stay blessed!

Written by Apostle James Orhin Agyin

Last Sunday, The Church of Pentecost worldwide climaxed the annual Children’s Ministry Week celebration with a unique touch. In every assembly across the world, the spotlight was placed on children, as they confidently took charge of the service — leading worship, preaching, moderating, and displaying diverse God-given talents. Their boldness and excellence were rightly celebrated, and they left the congregations with pride and joy for the future of the church.

The children were rightly celebrated for the good job they did. But while we applaud them, there is another group that equally deserves recognition — the Sunday School teachers.

Often working behind the scenes, these dedicated men and women spend countless hours preparing children for moments like these. They rehearse with them, encourage them, correct them, and most importantly, help them grow spiritually, often balancing this with their personal responsibilities. The climax of the Week may last only a day, but the investment that produces such confidence in children takes weeks, months, and even years of selfless service.

Like many church roles, their service comes without financial reward. Yet, they carry it out with joy and pride, motivated only by their love for God and for the children they teach.

One of their greatest contributions is the consistent effort to imbue children with sound doctrine and the values of the Church. From memory verses to Bible lessons, from teaching about salvation to training them in the principles of holiness and service, Sunday School teachers ensure that children grow up with a firm foundation of the faith. This doctrinal grounding is what enables many to hold on to their Christian identity as they transition into youth and adulthood.

Personally, I have benefitted from this ministry. Growing up at the Darkuman Central Assembly in the Kaneshie Area, I passed through the hands of several Sunday School teachers who instilled in me the values and doctrines that continue to shape my life today. To my amazement, some of the same teachers who taught me 15 years ago are still faithfully serving in the same role today. Their consistency and devotion are a testimony of true Christian service. Seeing them go up and down after these years, ensuring that the children put up their best, while I sat behind the media desk birthed the idea of this article.

Today, by God’s grace, I serve as a news anchor and reporter at the Pent Media Centre of The Church of Pentecost. I owe much of who I am to the foundation laid by these teachers who shaped my Christian upbringing.

As we reflect on the beauty of this year’s Children’s Ministry Week, let us not forget the unsung heroes — the Sunday School teachers. They are silently raising tomorrow’s leaders, equipping children with sound doctrine, and inspiring them to live out their faith boldly. They are, indeed, the hands that mould generations.

God bless all Sunday School teachers across the globe, especially those who have laboured for years without recognition. Your impact is eternal, and your reward will surely come from the Lord.

Written by Joshua Kwabena Appauh Heizel (News Anchor, Pent TV)

INTRODUCTION

The Church of Pentecost (CoP), one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the world, has long been known for its strong ministry structures. Ministries are not simply functional arms of the church; they are the very wings of the church. Just as a bird cannot take flight without wings, the church cannot advance without its ministries. These ministries give direction, balance, and strength to the life of the church, making them indispensable in fulfilling its mission.

Broadly, the ministries of The CoP can be grouped into two main categories: the traditional ministries, which have served as the backbone of the church for decades, and the new ministries, which were birthed under the Possessing the Nations Agenda to address emerging societal and spiritual needs. The traditional ministries have been pivotal in sustaining growth and nurturing generations of believers, while the new ministries have extended the church’s reach to groups and contexts that were previously overlooked.

However, there exists a significant research gap regarding the acceptance and integration of these new ministries within the wider body of the church. While the leadership has emphasised their importance in complementing the traditional structures, some members perceive them as unnecessary innovations. As a result, many are not joining these ministries, others are withholding support for their activities, and in some cases, those who willingly and genuinely support them are marginalised. This is especially evident in the case of the Home and Urban Missions (HUM), where workers are sometimes unfairly labelled as associating with outcasts because of the groups they minister to. Such attitudes not only undermine the purpose of these ministries but also weaken the collective mission of the church.

It is therefore crucial to examine the historical development, roles, and significance of both the traditional and new ministries, and to highlight how they complement each other in casting a stronger gospel net. By doing so, the misconceptions can be addressed, and the importance of unified support for all ministries can be reinforced, ensuring that no soul is left behind when the church advances to possess the nations.

THE TRADITIONAL MINISTRIES: THE STRONG WINGS OF THE CHURCH

The traditional ministries of The CoP have served as the strong wings of the church for decades. They were not formed by accident, but out of genuine needs that arose at different points in the church’s history. These ministries became the organised expressions of discipleship, fellowship, and evangelism, and they continue to sustain the growth of the church today.

The Evangelism Ministry has always been the spearhead of the church’s mission. Evangelism was the heartbeat of The Church of Pentecost from its earliest days under Pastor James McKeown, and as the church expanded, there was a pressing need to establish a structured body that could coordinate outreach, crusades, and mission work both locally and internationally. This ministry directs its focus to the unsaved population in villages, towns, cities, and even across continents. Its activities have included street evangelism, open-air crusades, dawn broadcasts, house-to-house witnessing, revival meetings, and tract distribution. Evangelism teams are trained and mobilised, ensuring that every local assembly takes an active role in soul winning. Through this ministry, the church continues to keep evangelism at the very centre of its identity.

The Women’s Ministry of The CoP has a rich history that even predates the official formation of the church in 1962. It began as the Women’s Movement in 1945, organised by Rev. Adam McKeown, Mrs. Sophia McKeown, and Mrs. Christiana Obu, and was officially inaugurated in 1952. In 1951, Mrs. Sophia McKeown, the wife of the founder, further strengthened this fellowship by gathering the wives of church officers for prayer and encouragement. Over time, what started as a small movement of women praying and assisting in church and public life developed into a full ministry dedicated to nurturing women both spiritually and socially. The Women’s Ministry has since grown into a vibrant arm of the church, organising weekly prayer meetings, Bible studies, marriage counselling sessions, and discipleship classes tailored to the needs of women. Beyond its spiritual role, it has been instrumental in hospital visitation, charitable works, and orphanage support, while also empowering women through skills training and economic initiatives. With its strong emphasis on prayer, service, and community care, the Women’s Ministry has remained a vital pillar of the CoP, faithfully sustaining its mission for decades.

The Pentecost Men’s Ministry, popularly known as PEMEM, has also played a crucial role in the life of the church. Although men’s fellowships existed informally for many years, PEMEM was formally launched in 1997 with the vision of raising responsible and godly men who would lead with integrity in the family, church, and society. Its activities include monthly fellowship meetings for teaching and discipleship, men’s conventions and retreats for revival, and training sessions focused on marriage, fatherhood, and leadership. PEMEM has also been a driving force behind evangelism, mission support, and church-building projects, with men often contributing financial and logistical resources to sustain the church’s mission. The ministry continues to mentor younger men while encouraging seasoned ones to be exemplary Christian leaders in every sphere of life.

The Youth Ministry is one of the most vibrant arms of the church. Its beginnings can be traced back to 1948 when groups of young converts organised themselves for prayer and Bible study. By the 1960s, the church recognised the unique needs of young people and formally instituted the ministry. The Youth Ministry primarily targets those between the ages of 12 and 35, including students, young professionals, and apprentices. Its activities range from youth rallies and crusades to campus evangelism, discipleship camps, leadership training programmes, and mentorship initiatives. It also provides platforms for creative expression through music, drama, and media, giving young people opportunities to use their talents for the glory of God. For decades, the Youth Ministry has been a training ground for leadership, producing many of the pastors, elders, and officers who serve the church today.

The Children’s Ministry of the Church was established in the early years of the church out of a strong conviction that children are not only the future of the church but also an active part of its present. It began informally when Sunday school teachers and committed mothers started gathering children to teach them Bible stories, songs, and memory verses in ways they could easily understand. This informal effort was later formalised into a full ministry that provided structured discipleship and moral training for children. Over the years, the Children’s Ministry has grown into a vital wing of the church, organising Sunday school classes, Bible clubs, and Vacation Bible Schools, while also engaging children through drama, recitations, quizzes, and worship participation. Beyond spiritual formation, it partners with parents to instil discipline, respect, and responsibility, ensuring that children are nurtured holistically. Many of the current pastors, elders, deacons, and leaders of the church trace their Christian foundation back to the Children’s Ministry, making it one of the most strategic arms of the Church for sustaining faith from one generation to the next.

Together, these ministries have shaped the identity and growth of the Church. Each was birthed in response to a felt need: the Evangelism Ministry to organise and intensify the church’s outreach efforts, the Women’s Ministry to provide fellowship and empowerment for women, PEMEM to raise godly men as spiritual and social leaders, the Youth Ministry to disciple and mobilise the younger generation, and the Children’s Ministry to lay strong biblical foundations in the lives of children at their most formative stage. These ministries became the wings on which the Church soared. However, as effective as they were, their broad approaches meant that some specific groups remained unreached. Certain people continued to slip through the holes of the net, making it necessary for new ministries to emerge to complement the existing ones.

THE NEW MINISTRIES AND THEIR INTERVENTIONS

The Birth of the New Ministries: Responding to Emerging Needs

The new ministries of The Church of Pentecost were not created arbitrarily; they were birthed as deliberate responses to emerging societal, cultural, and spiritual needs. Their formation is directly tied to the church’s strategic vision plans, particularly the Possessing the Nations Agenda.

During Vision 2023 (Phase One of the Possessing the Nations Agenda), the church recognised that although the traditional ministries had done remarkably well, there were still gaps in evangelism and discipleship. Entire groups of people were being overlooked, including persons with disabilities, marginalised, urban dwellers, traditional rulers, school children, and professionals in workplaces. To address these gaps, the church birthed a cluster of new ministries, including the Home and Urban Missions (HUM), Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs), Ministry to the Chieftaincy Institution, School Outreach Ministry (SOM), Pentecost Workers’ Guilds, Chaplaincy Ministry, Counselling Ministry, and the Prisons Ministry. These ministries were therefore born out of necessity; to reach those who had slipped through the “wide holes” of the traditional ministries.

Later, under Vision 2028 (Phase Two of the Possessing the Nations Agenda), the church expanded further to address the growing challenges of globalisation and religious diversity. Three key ministries were birthed during this phase: the Ministry in the Digital Space (E-Church), the Other Sheep Ministry (TOSM), and the Ministry to Celebrities. The rise of digital communication and the global shift toward online interaction made it imperative for the church to establish a permanent online presence for evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship, hence the birth of the E-Church. Likewise, the Other Sheep Ministry was conceived to focus specifically on people of other faiths, such as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and adherents of African Traditional Religion. These are groups that had often been hard to reach through conventional approaches. In addition, the Ministry to Celebrities emerged out of the recognition that cultural influencers such as musicians, actors, footballers, and media personalities shape societal values, and therefore reaching them with the gospel was crucial so that they too might become ambassadors of Christ within their spheres of influence.

Thus, while the majority of the new ministries were introduced during Vision 2023, the E-Church, Other Sheep Ministry and Ministry to Celebrities stand out as Vision 2028 initiatives, both of which reflect the church’s responsiveness to contemporary realities and its unyielding commitment to reaching all people, in all places, by all means possible.

STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS OF THE NEW MINISTRIES

The HUM ministry is specifically designed to reach those who often fall through the cracks of society. It organises outreach programmes in urban slums, migrant communities, ghettos, and neglected inner-city neighbourhoods. HUM intervenes in the lives of drug addicts, prostitutes, street children, and unreached ethnic groups by combining evangelism with rehabilitation. Practical support, such as shelter, vocational training, and reintegration programmes is offered alongside gospel preaching. HUM reflects the heartbeat of Christ, who came to seek and save the lost.

The MPWDs embodies Christ’s inclusive love. Beyond simply creating accessibility, this ministry provides sign language interpretation during services, produces Braille and audio Bible materials, and organises specialised fellowship groups for persons with disabilities. It also advocates for their dignity within society, countering stigma and marginalisation. Through empowerment programmes, it helps members discover their spiritual gifts, reminding the church that disability does not disqualify anyone from serving in God’s Kingdom.

The Ministry to the Chieftaincy Institution acknowledges the enormous cultural influence of traditional rulers. This ministry reaches out to chiefs, queens, and royals, recognising their role as custodians of heritage. Interventions include organising seminars for chiefs on servant leadership, building chapels within palaces, and offering pastoral care for traditional rulers who come to faith. By building bridges between the gospel and cultural authority, this ministry ensures that Christ is honoured not only in churches but also in traditional seats of power.

The SOM targets children and young adolescents, who form the future of both church and society. It conducts evangelistic programmes in primary and junior high schools, runs Bible clubs, and distributes Christian literature to pupils. It also trains teachers and volunteers to disciple students in Christ-like values. Through mentorship, leadership training, and character development, it sows seeds of faith early, shaping the next generation to grow into mature believers who influence society for Christ.

The Ministry to Celebrities focuses on engaging influential personalities such as musicians, actors, footballers, business moguls, social media influencers, and media personalities. Its interventions include private discipleship programmes, networking events, and mentorship sessions. The aim is not merely conversion but transformation, so that those celebrities, once won to Christ, will use their platforms to shape culture positively and spread kingdom values across media and entertainment spaces.

TOSM, inspired by John 10:16, engages people of other faiths, such as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Traditionalists. Its interventions include interfaith dialogue, contextualised evangelism, apologetics training, and building trust in religiously diverse communities. This ministry promotes respectful witness, seeking to invite others into the one-fold of Christ while preserving peace and understanding.

The E-Church addresses the growing reality of the digital mission field. It organises online worship services, discipleship classes, and prayer meetings across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom. It also creates mobile apps, podcasts, and digital devotional resources. This ministry allows people who cannot attend physical gatherings, because of location, disability, or circumstance, to encounter Christ and grow in Christian community.

The Pentecost Workers’ Guilds organise members into professional and vocational groups, creating networks of influence. Lawyers, doctors, teachers, artisans, traders, and civil servants are grouped and trained on how to live out their faith in the workplace. Collectively, the guilds impact institutions with kingdom values, transforming ethics, governance, and service delivery in alignment with Vision 2028.

The Counselling Ministry responds to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of people in today’s world. It provides Christ-centred guidance for those dealing with marital challenges, trauma, depression, grief, and addiction. It also organises workshops on family life, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. By offering holistic care, this ministry ensures that individuals not only cope with life’s challenges but also thrive through godly wisdom.

The Chaplaincy Ministry extends pastoral presence beyond church walls into workplaces, schools, palaces, hospitals, and security services. Chaplains provide spiritual direction, moral counsel, and prayer support, embedding Christian values in decision-making processes at multiple levels of society. In this way, the ministry helps shape leadership and governance with kingdom principles.

Finally, the Prisons Ministry carries the gospel behind bars, bringing hope to inmates, ex-convicts, and prison officers. It organises Bible studies, literacy classes, and skills training programmes while also providing reintegration support for ex-convicts. The ministry testifies to the redeeming power of God’s grace, as many hardened criminals have become transformed, with prisons turning into worship centres.

CONCLUSION: STRENGTHENING THE WINGS, CASTING THE NET WIDER

The ministries of The CoP, both traditional and new, remain indispensable to the life and mission of the church. The traditional ministries, including Evangelism, Women’s, Men’s (PEMEM), Youth, and Children, have laid the foundation of discipleship, fellowship, and outreach for decades, serving as the strong wings on which the church has soared. They were birthed out of genuine needs at specific times and have been instrumental in shaping generations of believers and sustaining the global growth of the church.

Yet, as effective as they have been, the evolving dynamics of society revealed gaps in evangelism and discipleship. Certain groups continued to slip through the “wide holes” of the traditional nets, prompting the need for new ministries under the Possessing the Nations Agenda. The HUM, MPWDs, Chaplaincy, Counselling, Prisons, and other newly established ministries were created to reach those previously unreached, while the E-Church, the Other Sheep Ministry, and the Ministry to Celebrities have extended the church’s witness into new cultural, religious, and digital frontiers. These ministries are not competitors but complements, ensuring that no soul is left behind when the gospel net is cast.

However, the challenge remains that some members perceive these new ministries as unnecessary, withholding their support or even marginalising those who actively serve in them, particularly HUM workers. Such attitudes weaken the collective mission of the church and undermine its vision of transformation. For the ministries to thrive and for the gospel net to gather all kinds of fish, leaders and members alike must give their maximum support through prayer, participation, and resources. They must avoid labelling or discouraging those who willingly engage in these ministries, recognising that their efforts are directed toward fulfilling the great commission of Christ.

In the end, the health of The CoP lies in the unity and synergy of both its old and new ministries. The wings must continue to give the church flight, and the nets must be strengthened to catch broadly. When these ministries are embraced and supported as one, the church will continue to advance its vision of possessing the nations: transforming every sphere of society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.

Written by Pastor Emmanuel Foster Asamoah (HUM Pastor, Achimota Sector / Coordinator, PCUPGs, Africa)

INTRODUCTION

The growth of a child into adulthood tells a beautiful story of progress, thrive, resilience, focus, and purpose. A sound mind and body are critical to the thriving of children. This has important implications for their future. How they get acquainted with their environment, learn new skills, acquire social acumen and norms, and aspire high in life are intimately intertwined with a healthy mind and body. Anyone who claims to love children must give them a good start in health, as the lingering effects of their health status today can be overwhelming. In adult life, a good health echo from the past must be created now in childhood.

In today’s fast-evolving world, an issue of great concern is obesity. Obesity is a medical condition defined by the accumulation of excessive fat in the body. Its accompanying health outcomes are enormous. Obesity is a driver of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), that is, diseases that cannot be transmitted from one person to another, as we see with contagious diseases such as tuberculosis. Obesity predisposes one to heart diseases, certain cancers, and diabetes (type II). Obesity is an important health threat among children today. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recently reported that 9.2% of children worldwide are obese; one in every ten children is obese. This figure is disturbing. The health and economic implications of this for the future are scary.

Dietary behaviour and sedentary lifestyles are major modifiable causes of this condition. Its growing burden calls for intentional effort towards addressing it in time. It is a public health imperative. Parents, faith communities, schools, traditional communities, health centres, and health directorates at all levels have important roles to play in warring against childhood obesity.

COMING TO MEAN

The term “come to mean,” on the one hand, carries the sense of demonstrating love and warmth towards children as depicted in the biblical anecdote in which Jesus insisted that the children be allowed to come to him when his disciples attempted to prevent that. On the other hand, it indicates the statistical method by which the “weight” of a child is classified as “overweight” or “obese.” Obesity is fairly determined by measuring body mass index (BMI), which is a ratio of the mass of an individual to the square of his or her height.

Meanwhile, in children, this BMI markedly changes with growth as they age, and this varies between the sexes (boys and girls). Consequently, a child’s BMI is measured relative to that of his or her peers using age-for-sex growth charts. That is, a single mean (and standard deviation) cannot accurately tell the BMI of a child.

A more accurate way to do this is to determine the extent to which a child’s BMI departs from the mean of a population of their mates (with respect to age and sex), a standardised method called “Standard Deviation Scores,” determined using percentiles and standard deviation. This method has been recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The fight against the problem of childhood obesity is also about bringing a child’s BMI closer to the mean value of the reference population.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY ECHOES

Nipping overweight and obesity in the bud rests on the fact, which has been scientifically tested, that children who are overweight and obese will likely be obese in adulthood and thus suffer the associated NCDs. It has been shown by Elizabeth A. Lundeen and her colleagues in a prospective cohort study (one in which a group of people exposed to a given risk factor is followed up to see whether they will develop a medical condition) carried out for 20 years that overweight or obesity tends to persist into adult life with its attendant cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes.

Already, there is an alarming increase in the prevalence of NCDs around the world. The WHO, in a 2014 report, takes note that globally, NCDs are responsible for 68% of all deaths. In middle- and low-income countries, where Ghana falls, 75% of this mortality emanates from NCDs, as a 2013 report by WHO indicated. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases are the four main contributors to this increasing prevalence. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are particularly important in this regard. Diabetes, particularly type-2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease are directly linked to diet choices. Dietary behaviours such as consuming saturated fat, low intake of fruits and vegetables, and high consumption of salt are more specific nutritional factors that have been associated with NCDs.

If things are to remain the way they are at the moment, then we have no option as a world but to expect the worst. Children who are presently overweight and obese face a challenge to their body and mind, which will negatively impact their physical and cognitive development.

SHOWING LOVE, PLAYING OUR ROLE

Our love for children must be demonstrated in how we safeguard their health now. Why won’t society pay particular attention to protecting them from the menace of NCDs?

Children are exposed to energy-dense foods like noodles and sugary drinks. On TV and in shopping centres, they are confronted with such food products through advertisements. Such foods are marketed at vantage places in schools and the larger community. Parents are also often seen feeding their children with such foods as a way of making the children happy, in many instances. Some of them do it because the children demand it. Such an attitude is like a response to this statement I saw on social media: “Forcing your child to eat what you have and not what they like is the highest form of child abuse.”

Children often prefer sugar-sweetened beverages and noodles. Protecting them from consuming these obesogenic foods and encouraging them to eat healthy meals is the highest form of love to show them in this critical period of their life. This is far from being child abuse. This is to say that parents and other family members have an integral role to play in combating childhood obesity. Apart from dietary habits, parents can also ensure that their children do not stay glued to their TV set and electronic gadgets, which will make them sedentary or inactive. Rather, plan a family jogging session and go for walks.

Children’s ministry of churches and other religious bodies must also see themselves as key stakeholders in this public health fight. The practice of sharing sugar-sweetened beverages at children’s meetings must be discouraged. Physical education sessions must be included in the curriculum of these children’s ministries. This “physical exercise intervention” can also be done at the community level through boys’ and girls’ clubs, fully endorsed by community leaders.

Schools must create an environment that will encourage the consumption of healthier foods. Local regulations should be established to prevent the marketing and sale of sugary drinks to schoolchildren. School athletics and sports should be open to all students, not limited to those who are talented in sports. The curriculum of schools must include lessons on food environment, including but not limited to lessons on the health risk of consuming energy-dense foods, sugary drinks, saturated fats, and foods high in salt; and lessons on how to read food labels. Child health departments of health facilities must adopt a system that tracks the BMI of children and follows up on them to assess how they are progressing in controlling the risk factors.

At the national level, policies that control the marketing of unhealthy foods for children must be enacted and enforced. Furthermore, there must be an increase in taxation of unhealthy food products. Meanwhile, manufacturers of such foods must see it as their ethical duty to safeguard the health of the public by producing healthy products.

CONCLUSION

Children must necessarily come to mean. It can be done when we put our minds to it. All stakeholders have a duty to help them thrive now, whilst safeguarding their health for the future. It is a way to hold them dear to ourselves. Whilst darkness looms due to the prevalence of childhood obesity and NCDs with their accompanying morbidity (ill health) and mortality (death), a people who are determined to fight this public health threat can become the light to dispel the darkness.

Written by Dr. Stephen Ofotsu Ofoe

On Sunday, during our Children’s Ministry service, I witnessed something that was both remarkable and a little thought-provoking.

A group of little ones had taken it upon themselves to capture the proceedings—snapping photos and recording videos like seasoned professionals. It was a delightful sight! Imagine children, some barely four years old, crouching and angling their shots so they wouldn’t block the view of others. That’s pure media instinct at work! Clearly, the church has some budding cameramen and women in the making.

But here’s the part that caught my attention: children copy what they see. Every move. Every action. They had clearly observed our media team in action—the squatting, the precision, the focus—and they mimicked it perfectly. It’s both beautiful and a little sobering because it reminds us how closely they are watching us adults.

Now, here’s the gentle concern. We live in a time where everyone wants to be a photographer or videographer simply because we all carry gadgets that can do the job. It’s one thing at a press conference, but during a church service, it can easily become distracting. Let’s leave the capturing of moments to those designated for it. After all, not every prayer, dance, or worship moment needs to be on our personal camera roll.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not frowning at the children. In fact, I admire their passion and creativity! What we need, though, is for us adults to set better examples. If we do, these young ones will grow up knowing when and how to use their gifts properly.

For now, I celebrate them. What I saw today was more than play; it was raw talent. And if we nurture it well, the church will have an amazing crop of media professionals in the future.

Written by Prince Kojo Asare (News Editor, Pent Media Centre)