Posts in category: Church News

Apostle Derek Kwaning Mireku, the Agona Swedru Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, has dedicated a newly built mission house for the Swedru Wawase District of Agona to the glory of God.

Present at the service were the pastorate of the area and their wives, including Mrs. Elizabeth Mireku, the wife of the Area Head.

Pastor E.K. Appiah (who initiated the project), Pastor Peter Sackey (the current District Pastor), and some officers within the area also graced the occasion.

The mission house project started in April 2021 after the creation of the District from the Swedru Mahodwe District. It took two years and four months to bring the project to completion.

Speaking at the dedication service, Pastor Patrick Bremansu of Mahodwe District admonished the church to be wholly committed to God in all their endeavors.

Referring to 1 Corinthians 6:13, he implored that just as buildings and other properties are dedicated to God, “our very personalities must also be dedicated to the service of God at all times.”

He explained that the body is not meant for sexual immorality or other forms of perverse lifestyles, but for service to God without any restrictions.

He observed that God inhabits the believer’s body as His temple and desires that the body be used to His glory, similar to the mission house.

He encouraged everyone to consider their bodies and lives as spiritual buildings dedicated to God, with a special mission of expanding spheres for the Kingdom.

The mission house comprises four bedrooms, a dining area, a hall, a kitchen, and an attached security post.

The total cost of the project was GH₵ 399,295.50. Out of this amount, the Church’s headquarters supported the project with GH₵ 272,000.00, the District contributed GH₵ 93,000.00, and other individuals provided support amounting to GH₵ 9,600.00.

Report by Swedru Area Media Team

A farewell service has been organised in honour of the outgoing Finance and Administration Director (FAD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, as he leaves for the Twifo Praso Area of the church as Area Head.

A colourful service occurred on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the D. K. Arnan Worship Centre in the Teshie-Nungua Area, where Apostle Otu-Nyarko serves as the Resident Minister. It was attended by ministers of the church, relations, and friends from across the country. 

Among the personalities present were Apostle Samuel Osei Asante (Kaneshie Area Head and Executive Council Member, who stood in for the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (Director of Pentecost Men’s Ministry and Executive Council Member), Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua (Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University), and Apostle James Kwabena Asare (Kasoa Area Head).

Others were Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison – retired (former General Secretary of the church), Elder Prof. Stephen Owusu Kwankye (Finance Board Chairman), Mrs Philomina Mireku (Director of Women’s Ministry), Elder Dr Owusu Sekyere (Board Chairman of PENTSOS), Head Office Management and Staff, among others.

Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko and his family were welcomed to Daniel Kwabena Arnan Worship Centre on November 29, 2020. He was the second resident minister of the Worship Centre, transferred from Kade Area to the Headquarters as Finance and Administration Director of the church.

Testimonies 

Various groups shared their testimonies about the outgoing Finance and Administration Director. 

The Head Office described him as a “great innovator” who brought innovation to the financial management and system of the church, saying, “He was instrumental in the introduction of Office 365 and the PENT-ERP projects.”

According to the Headquarters, the outgoing FAD played an immense role in introducing online and digital banking, coupled with his enforcement of the church’s cashless policy. 

“Apostle Otu-Nyarko also played a critical role in the major review of the church’s financial policies and introduction of the Area Deacons’ manual. He facilitated numerous training programmes organised by leadership for ministers, management, and staff of the church,” it added. 

The Teshie-Nungua Area Pastorate also described Apostle Otu-Nyarko as “a real gentle giant, full of zeal for the work of God and with great teaching and apostolic gifting.” 

The District Presbytery said Apostle Otu-Nyarko is a great man of God who carries God’s presence and power, describing him as “a teacher, a prophet, and an evangelist.”

The Women’s Ministry, on their part, extolled Mrs Doris Otu-Nyarko, his wife, for her guidance and support of the ministry’s activities. 

“Her calls, prayers, motherly concern, and advice to members are usually out of her deep sense of discernment and always timely,” they said, adding, “She always wears a smile that welcomes all who approach her.” 

Sermon 

Preaching the sermon on the topic, “Repositioned for a Big Catch” based on Luke 5:4-6, the Teshie-Nungua Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, said Jesus directed Peter and his friends to reposition their canoe to have a better reach of them. According to him, when the fishermen obeyed Jesus and repositioned their canoe for him to address them, Jesus turned their situation of no catch into a bumper catch.

Apostle Nkrumah Agyeman defined ‘Reposition’ as making godly adjustments in one’s thought life, spiritual life and lifestyle, thus making the necessary changes that will necessitate God’s blessing upon one’s life. 

Taking some lessons from the scripture, the Area Head said Peter obeyed Jesus despite his initial doubts. He entreated Christians to be willing to do whatever the Lord says, no matter the cost, because, without Jesus, there is nothing they can accomplish, saying, “Our success or our failures rests entirely on where Jesus stands in the picture. It is based on where you put him (Christ) in your situation. We cannot do it with our strength.”

He said after Jesus turned the fishermen’s dejection into triumph and their sorrows into success. 

“God is interested in saving us and helping us in our daily activities. Let us be attached to Jesus because he is interested in every detail of our lives, and he is ever ready to come to our rescue,” he stated.

He added: “If your today is insignificant, a bigger tomorrow awaits you. Bigger things await you as you obey Jesus Christ and have faith in him because God wants us to see, know, and experience his supernatural provisions in our lives.”

Response 

In his response, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko expressed his thanks and appreciation to God for taking him through, as well as to the Chairman and the leadership of the church for locating him and his family and bringing them to the Head Office and in the appropriate time, sending them back to the field to engage in active ministry. 

PENTECOST NEWS

The Ghana Flag Worship Centre in the Downtown-Ofaakor Area of The Church of Pentecost, organised a retirement service for 10 officers in the district.

The retirees—Elders Nicholas Kwesi Dusor, Theophilus Asamoah, Kweku Asare, Isaac Cobbina Akligbe, James Akowuah, Deacons Emmanuel Eshun Oppong, as well as Deaconesses Mary Ocran, Mary Antwi, Elizabeth Kyerewaa, and Joyce Asamoah—served God and The Church of Pentecost meritoriously for 16 to 40 years.

The colourful event, chaired by the Resident Minister, Pastor Prince Odoom, attracted both active and retired ministers, including Apostle Samuel Antwi (Rtd.), Pastor Andrews Owusu (Downtown District Minister and Area Secretary), Pastor Daniel Okyere (Missionary to Mali), Pastor Samuel Nsiah (Rtd.), and many others.

Speaking on the theme: “God Bless You” with scripture references from Numbers 8:6-19 and Numbers 6:22-27 at the event, Pastor Prince Odoom explained humanity’s need for God’s blessing, what elicits the divine blessing, and the components of God’s blessing.

He ended his message by pronouncing the blessings contained in Numbers 6:25-27 upon the retirees.

As part of the service, the retired officers were each presented with a Certificate of Service, a citation, and an undisclosed cash amount as a token of appreciation from the Church and individuals for their commendable service.

They were then prayed for by the officiating ministers. Elder Nicholas Akwesi Dusor, speaking on behalf of the retirees, thanked God and the entire Church for the honor bestowed upon them.

They also pledged to continue offering their support to the Church, especially by sharing their deep knowledge with the young officers to advance God’s Kingdom on earth.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS after the event, the Resident Minister, Pastor Prince Odoom, said the rationale for the retirement service was to appreciate the great contributions made by the gallant officers in the service of God and to officially relieve them from active service due to old age.

Report by Daniel Ampomah (Little Daniel)

A 150-seater church auditorium at Kambuldo in the Gbungbaliga District of the Yendi Area of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated to the glory of God.

An anonymous couple residing in Accra, identified as ‘Friends of the Gbunbaliga District,’ generously provided GHS 77,080.00 to construct the church building.

The building has two 20-seater children’s meeting rooms and is accessible for wheelchair users. It also has an office and three washrooms. 

The couple, handing over the facility to the church, said the gesture fulfilled a promise they made to God to build a house for Him before they started their own. They were, therefore, happy to keep their promise. 

The Yendi Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Kojo Aidoo, thanked the couple for their love for God’s work. 

The District Minister, Pastor Jerry Ohene Acquah, on his part, thanked the good Samaritan and asked for God’s blessings upon their household. 

Pastor Ohene Acquah used the opportunity to thank members who sacrificed their labour for the construction of the building. He appealed to the larger church populace to continue to support God’s work, especially in internal mission areas.

Mr Yunumba Bilalu, a community member, donated the land for the building. The sod was cut for the commencement of the project on 6th March 2020, while work began on the same day, taking three years to complete. 

With the dedication and handing over, church members will no longer worship under trees, and rains will not disrupt church services. 

Aside from church activities, the facility would serve as a community centre for people in the catchment area.

Report by Peggy Ama Donkor 

Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison, a former General Secretary and a retired minister of The Church of Pentecost, has advised ministers and wives on retirement not to let their spiritual gifts lie dormant but to continue exercising their spiritual gifts.

Apostle Addison gave this advice today when he gave a presentation on the topic: “How to Thrive in Retirement” at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) in Millennium City, near Kasoa in the Central Region.

Sharing insights into retirement life, Apostle Addison urged his fellow retired ministers and wives to continue engaging in spiritual disciplines such as morning devotion, reading the Bible, and undertaking special prayer retreats.

He emphasised that retirement does not signify an end to one’s relationship with God; thus, it’s important to maintain an active spiritual life even in retirement.

“In retirement, we are more in the presence of God than in active service,” he stated, adding: “When we do that, the presence of God will always be with you, His spirit will be with you, and all the spiritual benefits are with you. This way, the Lord attends to your prayers.”

Apostle Addison also advised them to be actively involved in the Church’s affairs and to take a keen interest in its growth.

He further noted that being engaged in the Church not only yields spiritual benefits but also physical ones.

He also encouraged them to join retired ministers’ associations within the Church and actively participate in their meetings.

“Remaining idle in retirement will accelerate the ageing process,” he cautioned.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Elder Ebenezer Anim-Yirenkyi, Principal Finance Officer at the Pension Office of The Church of Pentecost, received a standing ovation from participants of this year’s Retirement Seminar in recognition of his dedicated service to the Church for over three decades. Elder Anim-Yirenkyi retires from his role this year, having served God and the Church in this capacity for 31 years.

Apostle David Amankwaa, a member of the Pension Board of the Church, eulogised the retiring officer on Day 2 of the Retirement Seminar currently underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Millennium City, near Kasoa in the Central Region.

He commended Elder Anim-Yirenkyi for playing a pioneering role in the establishment of the office and led the retired ministers, wives, and widows present to applaud him for his service.

Speaking with PENTECOST NEWS on the sidelines of the event, Elder Anim Yirenkyi said, “I feel very honoured by the gesture. But more importantly, looking back on how far the Pension Office has come, I feel very fulfilled. When I look at the fund we were managing at the time and how far we have come, I give glory to God. But all I can say is, I feel very fulfilled.”

The Pension Office was set up 31 years ago by the Church to see to the welfare of retired ministers, ministers’ wives, widows, and children of ministers who pass on in active ministry.

The office is overseen by the Pension Board, which is constitutionally mandated, among others, to manage the Pentecost Ministers’ Welfare Fund and also organise programmes for retired ministers and wives with approval from the Executive Council.

The Board is chaired by Apostle John Appiah Aidoo (Abuakwa Area Head), and has Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, Apostle David Amankwaa, Pastor Issa-Gustav Abubakar (Secretary), Elder Emmanuel Anane Boate, Elder Lawyer Kweku Agyei Gyamfi, Elder Nathan Kwaffo, Elder Benjamin Enoch Donkor, and Elder Lawrence Adu Kusi, as members.

The Pension Office, which began with less than 10 retired ministers of the Church, now takes care of over 500 retired ministers, wives, and widows. Presently, the office is sponsoring 49 children of ministers who passed on in active service through their education.

Over 500 ministers and widows are currently participating in this year’s retirement seminar. Speakers of the event include Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman of The Church of Pentecost), Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd.), Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah (Rtd.), Apostle Prof. Peter Ohene Kyei (Rtd.), Apostle Dr. Philip Osei-Korsah, Elder Dr. Ken Aboah, Elder Lawyer Adu Gyamfi, and Elder Kofi Owusu.

Some of the special side attractions introduced in this year’s conference include indoor games, cardiovascular exercises, and old Pentecostal tunes.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Mrs. Grace Amoah Baffour, a retired minister’s wife of The Church of Pentecost, has called on the Church’s retired ministers and wives to continue to serve God and the Church even in retirement.

Mrs. Baffour said this on Thursday, August 10, 2023, when she exhorted participants of the ongoing Retirement Seminar at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Millenium City, near Kasoa.

Preaching on the topic: “Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact Role of a Retired Minister,” with 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, Mrs. Baffour emphasised the instrumental role that ministers and their spouses play in the growth of the Church. She said that, like Apostle Paul, the crown of their labor in the Lord’s vineyard is to see succeeding generations holding fast to the faith that they entrusted to them.

According to her, ministerial service does not necessarily end in retirement, as there is still the opportunity for them to serve God beyond active service.

She cited Anna, who, even at the ripe age of 80, continued to serve in God’s house through prayer and fasting. “Likewise, we can also continue to intercede for the Church while in retirement,” she said.

Reading Psalm 27:4, she explained that although David was not the one to build the Lord’s temple, he contributed his part by providing the materials needed for its completion.

“As retired ministers, we can also encourage those in active service with the word of God, pray for the Church, and take an active part in the church activities,” she said, stressing that: “Our retirement is only physical because we our spirit is not retired.”

She also advised them not to fold their arms unconcerned but to be interested in everything that goes on in the Church. “We should not look down on ourselves and say we are now ‘backbenchers’ because even sometimes, substitutes come on and score goals,” she said.

PENTECOST NEWS.