Posts in category: Church News

The newly created Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), French, and PIWC-English in the Aflao Area have been officially inaugurated.

The inaugural ceremony, which was held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the PIWC-English auditorium, was officiated by the Area Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo.

Inaugurating the worship centres, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo explained that the concept of PIWC is a special ministry of The Church of Pentecost dedicated to meeting the spiritual needs of persons who are exposed to or more comfortable with the ‘Western form of worship,’ as well as persons who are considered “elite” in society.

In a brief sermon on the topic, “Behold, I will do a new thing” Isaiah 43:18-19, Apostle Brefo admonished Christians not to dwell on past experiences but be sensitive to the new moves of God in their generation.

He explained further that people who dwell on the past become slaves to their past.

He recounted how the majority of the Israelites got stuck in the desert and couldn’t get to the Promised Land due to their murmuring and backward mindset.

This, according to him, is because when God, through the leadership of Moses, delivered them from their Egyptian bondage, they were excited on the way through the desert, but they began to complain about their past, claiming that they were better off when they were in Egypt. These, among other forms of grumbling and disobedience to God, were the reasons why they spent 40 years in the wilderness.

Apostle Agyen Brefo advised Christians to take lessons from the failures of the Israelites and do their best to avoid the negative tendencies that cause people to dwell on the past, even though God has prepared new dimensions of blessings for them.

“It is very important that all of us will reposition ourselves very well so that we will be the vehicles that God will use to do new things he is about to bring into his church,” he stated.

“Make yourself available. Do not dwell on past glories. It is normal to complain about the past and forget about the new things that are springing up. If, however, you want to make progress or maximum impact in your life, you have to get up and strategize about the way forward,” he stressed.

Apostle Agyen explained further that even though the Apostle Paul made a lot of inroads in ministry, he still did his best not to dwell on past victories but rather pressed on toward the mark of which Christ Jesus had called him, Philippians 3:13-14.

He emphasised that the forbears of the Aflao Area have set the tone for the present generation. It is imperative that this generation will take hold of the baton, push harder, and possess the people of the land for Christ.

Apostle Agyen encouraged the members of the worship centres to take advantage of the opportunities the establishment of the worship centres will bring to the Church of Pentecost Aflao Area and seize them.

“This is because the Aflao municipality, which shares a boundary with neighboring Togo, a Francophone nation, is a hub for trade and commercial activities, with Ewe, English, and French as the predominant languages spoken by the people. It is imperative, therefore, for the Church to create an environment where the gospel of Jesus Christ would be preached to every people group, no matter their languages. The creation of the PIWC English and French Centres is, therefore, very timely and strategic,” he said.

Giving a brief history about the worship centres, Pastor Jeremie Atakpa, the Resident Minister for PIWC-French, stated that the centres initially began as a PIWC/French District in September 2020 during the leadership of Apostle Peter K. Dzemekey (the then Aflao Area Head) with Pastor Herbert Fiifi Anobil as the first District Minister.

However, in the year 2023, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, in consultation with the Chairman and leadership of the Church, saw the need to split the District into French and English worship centres with respective Resident Ministers manning the oars.

This is due to the immense growth the PIWC/French District had experienced within the past three years and also the necessary impact the church will make on the French and English speaking people within the Aflao municipality.

In attendance were a cross-section of the pastorate and their wives in the Area, officers, and family members, among others.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey (Aflao Area Reporter).

The Aflao Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, dedicated two church buildings and the newly created Weta District Mission House. 

Present to assist the Area Head were the outgoing Afife District Minister, Pastor Seth Kofi Danah, and the Area pastorate and their wives.

The church buildings and the Weta District Mission House, mostly funded through grants from the Headquarters, the Aflao Area and the Afife District, are the Tsiyinu and Afiadenyigba Assemblies. In all, GH¢603,686.00 was spent to complete all the projects.

Tsiyinu Assembly building, which costs GH¢90,120.00 to complete, was opened in 1978 by Pastor K. K. G. Gadzekpo, the then District Minister of Agbozume (now late Apostle) during a rally held at Tsiyinu. However, the building project started in 1999 during the tenure of Pastor John Sampson Manu (the then District Minister of Agbozume). Currently, the assembly’s membership stands at 199, of which 148 are adults and the remaining children.

Afiadenyigba Assembly, on the other hand, started in 1986 with 12 members. It currently has 291 members, comprising 103 children and 188 adults. The church acquired the land for the project during the tenure of Pastor B. K. Adrakpanya. The members raised funds for the project to begin. Through the effort of the former Aflao Area Head, Apostle Peter Kofi Dzemekey and the current Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, the Area released a total grant of GH¢62,000.00 to support the completion of the building. 

The Weta Junction District Mission House project began when the District was created out of the Afife District this year. A parcel of land was purchased for the project in February 2023 at a cost of GH¢9,000. Elder Silas Kwawu Amegah of Afife District supported the Church with GH¢4,000.00 for the land purchase. The sod-cutting ceremony to commence the project was held on Sunday, March 5, 2023, by Apostle Agyen Brefo. The manse, which started in March, cost GH¢376,411.00 to complete.  

In his sermon, Overseer Wisdom K. Ahorsu of Tadzewu District admonished Christians to seek the glory of God in their lives. Speaking on the topic, “That there may be glory in this house” – 2 Chronicles 5:14, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, Overseer Ahorsu challenged Christians to do things that will allow the glory of God to come into their lives. These, he said, include unity, restoration of proper worship, sacrifice, prayer and consecration. 

In his remark, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo encouraged Christians to hold on to the values and the faith handed down to them by their forebears. 

“Our forefathers stood in and fought for the church. Their efforts and hard work should encourage us to sacrifice and leave a good mark for future generations,” he asserted.

He commended Deaconess Agnes Fianoo, a pioneer member of Tsiyinu Assembly, for her sacrifices. Through her diligence, one of her daughters is a deaconess of the Church, while her grandson, Elder Bright Fianoo, is the current Presiding Elder of Tsiyinu Assembly in Afife District.  

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey.

Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi has officially been inducted as the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost today [September 2, 2023], succeeding Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, who meritoriously served in the role for ten years.

The immediate-past Asamankese Area Head was elected to the high office during the 46th General Council meetings of the Church, which took place in May this year, attaining an overwhelming endorsement from the Councillors present.

His assumption of office makes him the seventh General Secretary in the history of The Church of Pentecost, following in the gallant footsteps of Apostles Joseph Egyir Painstil (of blessed memory), Apostle Daniel K. Arnan (of blessed memory), Apostle Rigwel Ato Addison (Rtd.), Apostle Albert Amoah (Rtd.), Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah (Rtd.) and Apostle A.N.Y. Kumi-Larbi.

Notable among them were Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (Rtd.), Former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost; Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, International Missions Director; Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh, President of the Apostolic Church of Ghana; and Elder Dr. Yaw Adutwum, Education Minister, and his deputy, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.

The event also saw the induction of the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, to commence his second term, as well as the induction of the four recently-elected Executive Council Members, namely Apostle A.N.Y. Kumi-Larbi, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe, and Apostle Banimpo Lare.

Apostle Ebenezer Hagan and Elder Ebenezer Acheampong were introduced as Youth Ministry Director and Deputy Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), respectively, at the event.

BRIEF PROFILE OF APOSTLE SAMUEL GYAU OBUOBI

Apostle Samuel Obuobi is a Chartered Accountant with a Master’s degree in Administration, a Master’s in Organisational Leadership and Governance, and a Bachelor’s in Commerce.

Apostle Obuobi was called into full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 2004, starting as a Resident Minister at Emmanuel Worship Centre in Dansoman Area while simultaneously serving as a lecturer at Pentecost University.

He was later transferred to Prophet M. K. Yeboah Worship Centre in the Odorkor Area and subsequently assigned as Resident Minister at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Asokwa, and later at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Atomic, Accra. 

Before he was elected General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, he served as the Area Head of the Church in Asamankese.

He is married to Mrs. Juliana Korkor Obuobi, and they are blessed with three children.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Kasoa Area of The Church of Pentecost has inaugurated the Prophet M. K. Yeboah (PMKY) Worship Centre to the glory of God.

The colourful inaugural ceremony, held recently, was officiated by the Area Head, Apostle James Kwabena Asare.

The event also coincided with the welcome service for the resident minister, Pastor Fred Amoakohene Sarpong, who also serves as a lecturer at Pentecost University, and his family.

The worship centre was established during the 46th General Council meetings this year after it was carved out from the Opeikuma District.

In a brief sermon on the topic, “Supporting your Pastor to Succeed,” Apostle James Asare urged church members to go the extra mile to support their leaders, especially their pastors, in achieving God’s agenda for His church.

Reading from Exodus 17:8-14 and Hebrews 5:1-5, Apostle Asare said, just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses to win the battle, supporting one’s pastor to succeed is a win for all.

Apostle Asare also urged the leadership and members of the Worship Centre to assist their pastor, bearing in mind that he is also a human being and not an “angel.”

After the sermon, Apostle Asare proceeded to inaugurate the Worship Centre and prayed for its leadership.

In attendance were the Kasoa Area Pastorate and their wives, Apostle M. O. Andoh (Rtd.), Pastor Samuel Nsiah (Rtd.), officers, and many others.

Report by Pastor Daniel K. Bentum (Kasoa Area Media Pastor)

The Mission House for the newly-created Kushea District of The Church of Pentecost was dedicated by the Assin Foso Area Head, Apostle Frederick Kweku Andoh, on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

The dedication ceremony which also coincided with the inaugural service of the New District held at the Kushea Assembly church auditorium, brought together members of the district who could not hide their joy at the successful completion of the building and the inauguration of the District.

Speaking on the theme, “The Growth Pattern of the Church: The Church of Pentecost in Perspective,” with scriptural references from Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:4 – 8 and Titus 1:5, Apostle Andoh encouraged all to be worthy stewards who will take care of and build upon the gains of the fathers and the church.

He noted that it is in God’s plan to win the whole world unto Himself. After the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, the responsibility of reconciling the world back to Himself was entrusted into the hands of the church.

“God has made us stewards of the heavens and the earth and expects us to carry on from where Jesus left off. One unfortunate thing that could happen is for an individual to entrust their legacies and estates into the hands of bad and lazy people,” he noted.

He asserted that for the Church to effectively carry on their mandate, the Holy Spirit was given to the church by the Lord. This, he said together with the obedience of the fathers to make a move for the Lord by carrying the gospel to various territories and cultures notwithstanding the threats they faced, was the secret to the growth of the early church.

In a brief history of the District, it was noted that the idea of creating the Kushea District from Assin Praso District had been on the drawing board since October 2019. He noted that the creation of the new District which started as an Assembly in 1968 was necessitated by the expansion of the Assin Praso District and the sparse nature of the area.

The Mission House, which was constructed at a total cost of GH¢308,240.00, has three bedrooms, hall, prayer room, kitchen, store room, dining area, and an office.

Eleven officers made up of two Elders, four Deacons and five Deaconesses were ordained to serve in various offices in the church.

Present at the event were the area pastorate and their wives and members of the church as well as chiefs and elders of the Kushea community.

Report by Pastor Samuel Avornyo (Area Reporter)