Posts in category: Children’s Ministry

The Patron of the Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, Prophet David Kankam Beditor, has encouraged children workers not to exchange the power invested in them for anything.

Prophet Beditor, who is the Obuasi Area Head of the church, said this during a sermon he preached on Thursday at the 2024 Foundation Builders’ Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC).

He admonished children workers to hold on fast to the authority (Holy Spirit) they have received from God. He also advised them to hold on fast to their righteousness, not allowing anything to stain their righteousness.

‘As a child worker, people should find comfort in you. Don’t leave what has been entrusted to you ajar,’ Prophet Kankam Beditor uttered.

He entreated children workers to watch their actions, tongues, companions, hands and heads.

The patron cautioned children workers to take care of the children entrusted in their care else God will deal with them.

Prophet Kankam Beditor seized the opportunity to eulogise the outgoing Children’s Ministry Director, Pastor Professor William Otoo Ellis, for taking the ministry to a higher height in the past four years.

Prophet Beditor revealed that Professor Ellis has put in place lots of structures in the Children’s Ministry, saying, ‘The Church of Pentecost Children’s Ministry will miss you for the transformation you have brought to the ministry.’

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An Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Reginald Adjetey Annan, is passionate about promoting child health and well-being.

Addressing children workers of The Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, on Wednesday, he urged teachers to play a pivotal role in advocating for children’s health.

Prof. Annan drew inspiration from Proverbs 11:1, which states, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” He interprets this biblical wisdom as a call to maintain balance in all aspects of life, including health. According to him, God desires the well-being of His people, both in spirit and body.

The esteemed lecturer acknowledged that unhealthy lifestyles can significantly affect individuals. He specifically highlighted the role of processed and ultra-processed foods in disrupting metabolism. These dietary choices contribute to lifestyle diseases, affecting both children and adults.

Prof. Annan emphasised the importance of limiting screen time for children. ‘Excessive hours spent watching television or using phones can have adverse effects on children’s health,’ he said.

Instead, he encouraged parents and teachers to engage children in physical activities for at least six hours a day.

Concerned about childhood obesity, Prof. Annan advised parents and teachers to be cautious about the sugary drinks they provide to children, saying, ‘Sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity.’ He recommended opting for water as a healthier alternative.

Prof. Annan pointed out that global causes of death have shifted dramatically as natural causes no longer dominate mortality statistics.

To make informed dietary choices, Prof. Annan encouraged Ghanaians to read food labels diligently, saying, ‘Awareness of ingredients and nutritional content empowers individuals to prioritize health.’

Prof. Annan underscored the importance of both prayer and knowledge. While faith is essential, he urged participants to also seek evidence-based information.

‘A holistic approach to health involves combining spiritual beliefs with practical understanding,’ he concluded.

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A former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has encouraged children workers to act as midwives in their line of work.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Unleashing the Transformative Power of the Child Worker’ at the 2024 Foundation Builders’ Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh on Wednesday, Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong explained that just as midwives help in the delivery of babies, children workers must also endeavour to facilitate the delivery of the ideas, wisdom and gifts of children and nurture them into fruition.

According to him, the Children’s Ministry is not just a ministry but a divine one because God has children at heart.

Taking inspiration from Exodus 16:32-36 and Joshua 4, he indicated that God himself gave instructions on the preservation of manna and used stones in building a memorial for the purpose of teaching the next generation. This, he said, shows that God cares about children. He added that in 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul admonished Timothy to preserve the faith his grandmother Lois transferred to his mother Eunice, which he had received.

‘This process of faith transfer wouldn’t have happened if someone was not consciously making effort to preserve the faith,’ he said, adding, ‘All these show that God cares about the education and nurturing of children, and so to be a child worker, you must nurse, deliver and nurture faith making every child worker a midwife.’

Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong, who is the CEO of Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa, stated that children, just as adults, have needs such as emotional, health and academic needs. These needs, he said, must be well diagnosed by children workers so as to facilitate the necessary treatment to be given them.

He urged all children workers to be conscious of the children in their care so they can meet their individual needs.

He concluded his presentation by saying that every child worker must have sound spiritual and moral foundation. Citing Robert Raikes (father of Sunday school) as an example, he encouraged all children workers to do the ministry work voluntarily with the mindset of bringing forth transformation in children.

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The annual Foundation Builders’ Conference organised by the Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost designed to equip children workers with the necessary information and skills needed for the proper execution of their duties has commenced at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

The conference, which was opened on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, by the General Secretary of The Church Of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Oboubi, has about 1,800 participants in attendance.

The outgoing the Children’s Ministry Director, Pastor Professor Williams Otoo Ellis, in his welcome address, expressed his gratitude to leadership of the church and all children workers for their support during his 4-year tenure as director of the ministry.

Pastor Prof. Ellis urged participants not to relent on their efforts as children workers in the Lord’s vineyard and encouraged them to partake in all activities and enjoy the conference.

The General Secretary, Apostle Samuel Gyau Oboubi, in his keynote address, congratulated Pastor Prof. Ellis and his wife, Dr (Mrs) Felicia Ellis, for leading the Children’s Ministry for the past four years, highlighting that even though their leadership has been relatively short, the impact they have made is immeasurable. This, he said, is a prove that leadership is about impact and not just carrying titles and the number of years one serves.

Apostle Obuobi seized the opportunity to assure the incoming director, Pastor Samuel Avornyo, of the support of the Chairman and the Executive Council of the church. He admonished him to know that his greatest support is God.

Present at the conference are Mrs Juliana Korkor Oboubi (Wife of the General Secretary) and Prophet David Kankam Beditor (Patron, Children’s Ministry).

The speakers include Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong (CEO, Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa), Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman (Teshie-Nungua Area Head), Apostle Samuel Nana Yaw Agyei (Kade Area Head), Apostle Dr Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head and Executive Council Member), and Apostle Shadrack Ohene-Asa Otu (Sefwi Juaboso Area Head).

Others are Pastor Dr Felix Dela Klutse (Director, Pent Media Centre), Prof. Reginald Adjetey (Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the KNUST), Elder Lawyer Alfred Aidoo (Deputy Director, Children’s Ministry), Mrs Gifty Dansoah Appiah (Child and Youth Advocate), Mrs Freda Koranteng (National Executive Committee Member of the Children’s Ministry/National Coordinator of Jethro Initiative), Elder Ishmael Edjekumhene (Commissioner at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission), and Mr Emmanuel Arthur (CEO/Co-Founder of Ramsys Infotech Solutions Ltd.)  

The three-day conference which is under the theme, ‘Unleashing the Transformative Power of the Child Worker,’ is expected to end on Friday, July 19, 2024.

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The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Oboubi, has launched two new books for the Children’s Ministry of the church which will help children workers in their ministry.

The books which are, CHILDREN WORKERS MANUAL and CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY POLICY. The books are to be manual and guide for all children workers in the church.

Apostle Obuobi launched the books during the opening session of the 2024 Foundation Builders’ Conference underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Outlining the importance of the Child Protection and Safety Policy, Apostle Obuobi said: ‘The manual seeks to establish a well-structured and coordinated policies which will improve the wellbeing of the children, prevent abuse and protect the image of the child.’

On the Children Workers Manual, he stated that the manual in effect is to ‘create a standard guideline for every child worker and provide solid foundation for everyone.’

He added that the books are to be used by everyone, including pastors.

The General Secretary commended the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the Children’s Ministry for coming out with such helpful books at this time.

He urged all children workers to use the books effectively and not to keep them on their shelves.

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Mrs Mercy Esi Nunoo from the Takoradi Area of The Church of Pentecost has been adjudged as the best Child Worker (Sunday School Teacher) of the church.

She received the coveted award on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, during the opening session of the Foundation Builders’ Conference (FBC’24) organised by the Children’s Ministry of the church at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Emmanuel Lartey from Kade Area emerged as the first runner-up while Joseph Palmond from the Odorkor Area emerged as the second runner-up.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, on behalf of the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, presented the awards to the recipients. 

Each awardee received a brand-new laptop and an unspecified amount of money.

Congratulations to the three exceptional teachers whose efforts have been recognised by the church out of the thousands of children workers all over the country.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23–24.

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Apostle Samuel Gyau Oboubi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has indicated that the training of children is a shared responsibility between parents, schools, the community and the church.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Train a child the way he should go,’ Apostle Oboubi noted that even though it is the primary responsibility of parents to train a child, schools and churches also have a key role to play in that regard.

The General Secretary said this when speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day conference organised by the Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost for proprietors of Christian private schools at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Referencing Proverbs 22:6, Apostle Obuobi intimated that the foundation of every child is very important. He said just as the foundation of buildings determines what structure to build on it, the kind of foundation a child is given determines the kind of lifestyle he or she will put on. 

Explaining what the Bible means by ‘training up a child,’ he mentioned that it is about starting the training from the very first day the child is born in terms of prayers, learning the scripture and everything godly. It is also to direct children on the right path they should go.

With regards to the way to go, he explained that it has to do with teaching children the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom needed to help them contribute greatly to succussed in this world.

According to him, it is very important to instill the fear of God in children because they live in a generation where people do not fear God and can easily corrupt children.

The second way the chief scribe of the Church mentioned that God expects children to be taught is moral and ethical values, which involves teaching the child that which is right and wrong.

He called on school proprietors to ensure that making money should not be their only motivation for setting up schools, but instilling ethical and moral values in their students, should be their number one priority.

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A Child and Youth Advocate, Mrs Gifty Dansoa Appiah, has drawn the attention of school proprietors and managers to the need to ensure proper child protection as it a necessity for the growth of children.

Making a presentation at the Pentecost convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Mrs Appiah made references to some research findings to paint a picture of how endemic the issue of child abuse has become in Ghana to patrons of the Conference for Proprietors of Christian Private Schools.

The seasoned Strategy, Development Planning and Management expert explained child safety as the ‘measures and practices in place to protect children from harm, injury, abuse, or danger.’

According to her, Child safety encompasses various aspects of a child’s well-being, including physical, emotional, psychological and social safety.

Mrs Gifty Appiah indicated that child protection is foundational and essential to a child’s proper development because if a child is not protected, every aspect of his life is affected, saying, ‘No child can progress well in areas of education, health, safety, or having good relationships if he or she is afraid all the time of being abused.’

She, therefore, called on proprietors and teachers to recognise that they have a general duty of care to ensure that arrangements are in place to protect children and young people from harm. 

The child and youth advocate revealed that they are called to uphold the biblical mandate of protecting children to prevent harm whenever possible and respond appropriately if faced with the possibility of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

This, she said, is evident in Mark 10:14 which reads, “He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” 

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The Director of the Pentecost Hospital-Madina, Apostle Dr Edward Arkoh Koranteng, has sensitised proprietors of Christian private schools on the need to ensure child health and well-being in their schools.

According to Dr Korangteng, proprietors and school managers are part of God’s plan in nurturing great destinies (children) for God’s glory. He disclosed that since every child’s glorious future and destiny revolves around sound health and well-being, there is the need for proprietors to place premium on it, saying, ‘Proprietors need to ensure that every child in their schools is fit holistically in terms of their social, mental and physical well-being.’

Apostle Dr Koranteng was speaking at the maiden Conference for Proprietors of Christian Private Schools organised by the Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with the church’s Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

In promoting quality health care in schools, he advised participants to request the medical records of the children they admit into their schools to contextualise the children’s individual needs. Such reports, he said, would help teachers to carefully observe children to track their developmental growth.

He also suggested that for proprietors to have a fair idea of the child’s social growth, they need to interact with the parents or guardians of the children occasionally.

‘Constant observation of the children is also needed so the school workers and proprietors must develop eagle eyes towards the children,’ he advised.

Another aspect of child health and well-being that Apostle Dr Koranteng touched on is laying a good foundation of good nutrition in schools. With regard to this, he urged proprietors to make sure that they go above just profit-making and provide nutritious meals to the children. He also asked them to make it a policy to screen the cooks and food handlers periodically to avoid disease outbreaks. He also advised them to put in place a committee to ensure the nutritional needs of the kids are met.

Apostle Dr Koranteng further admonished proprietors to ensure that physical activities take place in the schools to cater for the physical well-being of the children in their care. This, he cautioned, should be under strict supervision to prevent injury.

Touching on mental health, he asked proprietors to make sure that children have a sound mind to learn, are not bullied or threatened in any way.

Apostle Dr. Koranteng urged school owners to make it a point that adequate handwashing facilities are supplied in their schools whilst taking the children through health education.

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