Posts in category: Children’s Ministry

Pastor James Oko Barnor, the Uganda National Head of The Church of Pentecost, has advised church leaders to prioritise the children’s ministry in order to secure the future of the church.

He emphasised that the children’s ministry is a crucial aspect of building a long-lasting church, and therefore, should not be taken lightly.

Pastor Barnor shared this during a visit to Assin Foso to promote the work of missions. The visit coincided with the National Executive Committee of the Children’s Ministry’s visit to the area.

In a passionate appeal to Christians, Pastor Barnor stated that one of the early Church’s downfalls, which led to its collapse in Europe, was the lack of attention to evangelistic activities and the children and youth membership of the church.

“The children are the future of the church. If the church is to survive the test of time, then more attention should be given to the activities of the children in all spheres of their training,” he stressed.

Pastor Barnor used the opportunity to share some of the wonderful things God is doing through their mission work.

He also shared some of the challenges they face and expressed the need for support in prayers, emotions, and finances.

Present at the event were Apostle Frederick Kweku Andoh (Assin Foso Area Head), Mrs. Francisca Oko Barnor (Wife of Uganda National Head), the area pastorate ministers and their wives, as well as officers and children’s workers.

Report by CM Media.

The Children’s Ministry of the Darkuman English Assembly in Kaneshie, an area of The Church of Pentecost, organised a food bazaar called “Back to Your Village” Food Bazaar to encourage children to embrace local dishes.

The event, which featured various local cuisines, drinks, snacks, and food produce, took place on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the forecourt of Darkuman English Assembly.

During the opening address, the District Women’s Ministry Secretary, Deaconess Sarfoah Ameyaw Ofori-Yeboah, called on parents to encourage the daily consumption of locally-made dishes at home and school for children.

She also urged children to continue to patronise made-in-Ghana products, which she believed would increase productivity, revenue, and put food on the table of Ghanaian farmers.

Elder Samuel Oware-Darko, the Local Secretary, echoed the calls of Deaconess Ofori-Yeboah, emphasizing that every food available carried lots of protein and other necessary nutrients that aid in growth and nourishment by eating locally-made dishes, children are also supporting local farmers.

The Local Children’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Sheila A Williams, passionately appealed to parents and guardians to stop patronising fast food, pizza, and other saturated food or food from roadside vendors for their children.

Instead, she urged them to schedule a weekly plan and cook healthy local food to nourish their wards and aid their growth and development.

The event coincided with the Jethro Initiative (J I) meeting for the month of March, which was dubbed “Patriotism Day.”

Jethro Initiative is an extracurricular program of the Children’s Ministry aimed at strengthening the activities of the Sunday School, building the foundation of the children in Christ and His Word, and entrenching the need to walk in faith.

Report by Darkuman English Assembly Media Team.

The Buduburam Top District Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost celebrated Ghana’s Heritage month in grand style.

The special event, which was held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, aimed to commemorate Ghana’s independence from colonial rule and instill patriotism in children to defend and uphold the cause of the nation.

As part of the celebration, the children dressed up in colourful Ghanaian kente clothes, scarves, and traditional attire and sang patriotic songs to mark Ghana’s freedom.

During the event, Deaconess Esther Korsah, the District Children’s Ministry Leader, appealed to parents and Ghanaians to instill godly values, principles, and a sense of patriotism in their children.

Drawing a comparison between Ghana’s independence and Christianity, she emphasised that just as the forefathers of the nation struggled and shed blood to obtain Ghana’s independence, Jesus suffered and shed His blood to save humanity from the bondage of sin.

“This is good news for humanity,” she added and further emphasised that true freedom can only be obtained in Jesus Christ (John 8:36).

The event was preceded by clean-up campaigns and placard evangelism within the Buduburam township the previous day.

Report by Francis Kwesi Abban.

Two hundred and seventy children in the Tamale Area of The Church of Pentecost experienced Holy Spirit baptism during a non-residential camp meeting organised by the Area’s Children’s Ministry for children in the area.

The event, which took place on Saturday, April 1, 2023, was organised at both zonal and district levels including the Tamale Zone, which was chaired by the Tamale Area Head and Executive Council Member of the Church, Apostle Sylvester Arhin.

The main aim of the camp meeting, according to the Area Children’s Ministry Leader, Overseer Andrews Owusu, was to reposition the children in the power of the Holy Ghost for maximum impact. 

During his sermon on Matthew 8:1-4, Apostle Arhin said that Jesus is able to make every child whole and to empower them to become successful farmers, artisans, lawyers, medical doctors, teachers, politicians, and ministers of God, in future.

He further emphasised the importance of following Jesus and making Him the centre of their lives. He reassured the children that, despite their young age, God can use them to bring glory to His name.

In his exhortation, Overseer Andrews Owusu also convinced the children of the need to receive the Holy Ghost baptism and all other spiritual gifts.

Reading from Daniel 2:1-19 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, he ignited the children’s desire for the power of the Holy Spirit and led them in a time of intensive prayer.

The event recorded a remarkable attendance of close to 1000 participants, including the Area pastorate, their wives, and children’s workers.

Some parents, who participated in the event with their wards, expressed gratitude to the Church leadership for organsing such an impactful programme.

Report by Tamale Area Media Team.

The Children’s Ministry of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC – Ho), a ministry of The Church of Pentecost, on Sunday, March 26, 2023, climaxed the Ghana Month in a grand style.

The children put on traditional Ghanaian clothing representing the various ethnic groups in Ghana.

Elder Isaac Ocran, Children’s Ministry District Leader, explained that as part of the celebration of Ghana Month, the children were asked to wear traditional clothes.

Additionally, he said, the children were given lessons on Citizenship Education. The topics covered included: “Respect for People in Authority and Leadership” and “The Role of the Church in Producing Good Citizens.”

Some of the children explained the significance of the clothes they were wearing, which are typically used by chiefs and royals.

Ghana Month is celebrated every March to recognise the rich cultural heritage of Ghana and the independence struggle by our forebears. The period is also used to teach the younger generation the morals and values upheld in Ghanaian society.

Report by Enyonam Dormevenu, Ho.

A forty-five-member delegation of the Children’s Ministry of the East Airport District (English Assembly) in the Teshie-Nungua Area of The Church of Pentecost today paid a visit to the Church’s Headquarters at La in Accra.

The visit climaxed the ministry’s expedition to the Black Star Square (Independence Square) and the Accra Sports Stadium in commemoration of Ghana’s 66th-anniversary celebration.

The children, who were led by Deaconess Vivian Darko (Children’s Ministry Leader) and two other child workers, Deacon Godwin Boateng and Brother Solomon Konlan, interacted briefly with the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and Executive Council Member, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, and the Director of the Counselling Ministry (COPCOM), Apostle Philip Osei Korsah.

After the interaction, they took a group photograph with the children and prayed for them.

As part of the visit, the children were given a tour around the Headquarters building as well as the studios of Pent TV located on the premises.

They also visited the Sophia McKeown Temple (adjacent to the Headquarters) – touted as the first and oldest church building constructed by The Church of Pentecost in the Greater-Accra region.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Children’s Ministry Director of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Professor William Otoo Ellis, together with his family, have built an ultra-modern Children Resource Centre for the Church at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa.

A short dedication and commissioning service was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, during the Heads’ Session of the Global Ministers’ and Wives’ Conference 2023.

The resource centre was dedicated by the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye. He was supported by the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, and other members of the Executive Council.

Handing over the keys to the church, Pastor Prof. Otoo Ellis, a former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), thanked the leadership of the church for giving the land for the project, saying, “We thank the leadership of the church, especially the Chairman for giving us the opportunity to contribute to God’s work. It is a great honour.”

According to Pastor Prof. Otoo Ellis, the idea of getting a resource centre became pertinent after a national vision tour of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ministry where children workers needed to be focused on and trained and equipped.

“We did a lot of consultation and I met the leadership and my family. Today, we have this edifice to the glory of God,” he disclosed, adding, “This facility represents gratitude to the living God, not forgetting the many people we consulted and motivated us to finish this project.”

Dedicating the edifice, the Chairman, Apostle Nyamekye stated: “We want to thank you, Pastor Prof. Otoo Ellis once again, for this show of love. We pray that others will emulate this so that we will be able to commit back to the church the many that we have received from God and the church.”

A citation was presented to Pastor Prof. Otoo Ellis and his family for the noble gesture in supporting the Children’s Ministry and the church.

The Children Resource Centre has a 200-capacity auditorium for training; six large rooms (with three being demonstrating rooms for ages 0-6, 7-9, and 10-12); a library, two syndication rooms for small group meetings; 10-capacity conference room, two washrooms, an office, and a reception area.

Joining the family were Dr. Mrs. Florence Otoo Ellis (wife of Pastor Prof. Otoo Ellis), his three children, his parents, Apostle and Mrs. Denson (former General Secretary of the Apostolic Church), among others.

PENTECOST NEWS

The La Area Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has organised a thanksgiving service to appreciate God for His goodness towards the members of the church.

Speaking at the annual event on January 9, 2023, at Dr Thomas Wyatt Temple, the wife of the La Area Head, Mrs Juanita Nuekpe, charged members never to seize thanking God in all circumstances. 

She spoke on the topic, “Ebenezer, thus far the Lord has brought us” – 1 Samuel 7:12.

Mrs Nuekpe hinted that Prophet Samuel raised a memorial stone anytime God granted victory to the Israelites, signifying their heartfelt gratitude to God.

She noted that although not all expectations were met in 2022, yet it is fit to render thanks to God, be it good or bad.

“It is the grace of God that has kept us alive and ushered us into a new year. It is this same grace that will continue to carry us through 2023 and the rest of the years ahead. So we need to raise a memorial of thanksgiving to Him,” she added.

Mrs Nuekpe further cited Noah and Abraham as examples of persons who raised memorial altars to God in Genesis 8:20; 12:7-8 after the flood and angelic visitation, respectively.

Also quoting from Hebrews 13:15, Mrs Nuekpe admonished believers to be intentional in rendering thanks to God.

Referring to Luke 17:12-19, she indicated that as members continually thank God, He expands their territories and preserves them.

According to him, when the ten lepers received healing, only one went back to thank Jesus and was made whole.

Mrs Juanita Nuekpe concluded by urging members of the ministry to make thanksgiving a lifestyle.

In attendance were Mrs Rose Kumi-Larbi (wife of the General Secretary of the church), Deaconess Margaret Osei (former Deputy Director of the Women’s Ministry), and the La Area Women’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Bernice Broni, and her team.

Report by Gina Padi.

Members of the Children’s Ministry Old Students’ Association (ChiMOSA) in Assin Foso Area of The Church of Pentecost, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, donated 1,055 copies of the Bible worth GH₵ 9,000.00 to the Children’s Ministry of the Area.

Leadership of the association, led by Elder Daniel Mends, presented the Bibles to the church during the ministry’s end-of-year meeting at Assin Foso.

According to Elder Mends, the donation was done in response to the ‘Operation 1,000 Bibles’ project launched by the association during its official inauguration in October last year.

Receiving the Bibles on behalf of the ministry, the Area Children’s Ministry Leader, Pastor Samuel Avornyo, expressed his appreciation to the association for all the support towards the ministry in the Area since its inauguration.

He was hopeful that the ministry and the association will continue to collaborate to make the Children’s Ministry the best-performing one in the Area.

The association has more than 300 members across Europe, the United States of America (USA), and Ghana. Its core aims are to connect all members of The Church of Pentecost who have been through the ministry in the Assin Foso Area and beyond, check their progress in the church, and collaborate in propagating various initiatives that will help develop and sustain the ministry.

Also present were Area and District Executives of the Children’s Ministry.

Report by Pastor Samuel Avornyo.

Pastor John Afawuah, the Kumasi Sector Children’s Ministry Pastor of The Church of Pentecost, has launched a maiden children’s music album titled “Mmɔfra Ho Hia” (Translated: Children Are Important).

The 16-track album, which was unveiled on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at the Santasi Bethel Assembly of the Church, contains Sunday School songs like “Abofra Ketewa,” “Mmofra Ho Hia,” “I am a Child.”

Pastors, leaders, teachers and members of the Children’s Ministry from the various Areas and Districts were present to grace the launch.

The album also featured the Echoes of Godly Children, the Kumasi Sector children’s choir.

Speaking at the event, Pastor John Afawuah revealed that the influence of secular music on children recently is outrageous, and its impact on their future is highly pernicious. 

According to the Children’s Pastor, he was inspired by God to invest in the young ones to impact their fellows with godly music, which is another approach to lead people to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.

“Trending songs across the various social media platforms negatively affect the spiritual growth and development of the young. That is why we have been inspired to put these songs together to build them in the fear of the Lord for the future of this country,” he said.

He added that “the voice of the Children’s Ministry behind the lyrics will help engage their fellow children and impact them positively for God and the country.”

He encouraged Christian parents to saturate their homes with Christian music before calling on the masses to embrace songs from the Echoes of Godly Children.

Some of the children who featured in the songs on the album appreciated the efforts put up by their leadership and the opportunity given them. They, therefore, encouraged their fellows not to be shy of their God-given talents but must use them at church to the glory of God.

Report by Dennis Owusu & Emmanuel Nana Nsiah