The Church of Pentecost Participates In International Conference In Rwanda

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Four ministers of The Church of Pentecost have arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, for the international conference on orality and theological education in Africa.

The conference, which is taking place at Park Inn in Kigali from July 25 to 29, 2022, is being organised by the International Orality Network Africa (IONA) in partnership with Living Water International Rwanda (LWIR).

The church delegation, made up of Pastors Eric Kwaku Ansah, Alex Kieninger Anum, Ernest Perbi-Asare, and Thomas Ayamboya, have joined other participants from various parts of the African continent for the all-important conference.

Among other objectives, the event seeks to train and equip participants with strategies to decolonise and contextualise theological education in Africa, highlight the role orality can play in this process, explore other areas of orality in theological education in Africa, and find more appropriate ways of discipling “Oral-Bibleless” people groups in Africa.

Again, other action plans for the conference would revolve around faculty, curriculum, accreditation, training, research and partnerships. 

The consultative conference would, therefore, afford participants ample time and opportunity to share and discuss strategies and action plans for their implementation plans in and through their theological institutions and discipleship enterprise.

Commissioned presentations and practical discussion sessions have been lined-up to critically and meaningfully engage the aforementioned issues.

Among the speakers for the event is Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare, one of the Akuapem Twi Translators of The Church of Pentecost and a PhD candidate in Orality Studies at Asian Graduate School of Theology (AGST), Philippines. He has been selected to present a paper on “Oral-Based Assessment in Theological Education.”

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, the team expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the Church for sponsoring them to be part of this great conference.

The International Orality Network Africa is an affiliation of agencies and organisations working together with the common goal of making God’s word available to oral communicators in culturally appropriate ways that enable church planting movements everywhere. 

It is also part of the Lausanne Movement and grew out of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism in 2004. It has since grown to be a global network of over 2,000 organisations.

 PENTECOST NEWS.

Pentecost Hospital-Tarkwa Awards 8 Deserving Staff

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Pentecost Hospital-Tarkwa, one of the three hospitals of The Church of Pentecost, has organised the second edition of its annual award ceremony to reward eight staff for their outstanding services in 2021.

The event, which took place on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Tarkwa auditorium, was graced by Pastor Bright Nyamedor of UMaT District, who represented the Tarkwa Area Head, Apostle Dr Daniel Okyere Walker.

Also in attendance were Mrs Caroline Otoo (Tarkwa Municipal Director of Health and a Board Member of the hospital) and Elder Ebenezer Sey (Board Member of the hospital).

Speaking at the ceremony, Pastor Bright Nyamedor entreated all staff to work hard for the betterment of the hospital. He urged the health personnel to see their profession as a calling and should, therefore, execute their mandate with integrity and Christlikeness.

The General Manager of the hospital, Pastor Dr. Suleman De-Graft Issaka, acknowledged all staff for their tremendous efforts in making the facility a hospital of choice. 

He stressed that “everyone is a winner in their own way. However, this ceremony is organised to reward outstanding staff in order to motivate others to work harder.”

Mrs. Caroline Otoo, in her remarks, commended the hospital for organising such a programme to honour its staff for their hard work and input. 

She also challenged staff to change the negative perception of health workers. 

Mr Emmanuel Ayi-Mantey, a nursing officer at the hospital, was adjudged the “Best Clinical Staff,” Dr. Frank A. Dartey, a Senior Medical Officer, was awarded the “Best Staff in Customer Care” and the “Second-Best Clinical Staff,” Mr. Gideon Bediaku, a Senior Administrative Manager, took home the “Best Non-Clinical Staff,” while Mr. John Bosco Blay (Snr Executive Officer) received the “Second-Best Non-Clinical Staff” award.

Mrs. Esther Issaka (Head of Theatre and Recovery Ward) was adjudged the “Best Unit Head in Administration and Leadership,” Mr. Prince Nkum (Head of Physiotherapy Unit) was adjudged “Best Unit Head in Multitasking,” Mr. Ishmael Winnis (Head of Billing and Claims) received the “Best Unit Head in Punctuality” and “General Manager’s Special Male” awards, while Miss Esther Frempong (Administrative Manager) received the “General Manager’s Special Female” award.

The Theatre and Recovery Ward, Emergency Unit, and the General Ward were presented the “Best Unit,” “Second-Best Unit,” and “Third-Best Unit” awards, respectively.

The awardees were each presented a citation and a cash prize.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Fetish Priest Surrenders To Christ

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Mr John Asare Boakye, the fetish priest of Nuba, a community in the Jomoro Municipal District of Ghana, has surrendered his life to Christ. 

The man, who was popularly known as “Nana Boakye,” said he served the gods of his family for several years until he began to practice sorcery and fetishism in 2002.

According to him, he had performed many rituals and assisted many people who sought his help.

Mr Boakye said that one day, his wife advised him to give up fetishism and chart a new course in life. 

“Although I agreed with her, I was afraid of what the gods would do to me if I took such a drastic decision,” he said.

With each passing day, Mr Boakye said, he felt a burning desire to stop the practice but was still gripped with fear. So, he confided in a tenant, who is a member of the Nuba Assembly of The Church of Pentecost, about his dilemma. The tenant, in turn, informed his Presiding Elder about the issue.

On hearing the news, the Presiding Elder, the Tikobo 1 District Evangelism Leader, and three other officers of the Assembly, paid Nana Boakye a visit where he confirmed everything they had been told. 

The team shared the gospel message with him and led him to accept Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour.

They also asked him to surrender his charms, which he did. After a time of intense prayers, they set them on fire till it burnt to ashes. 

John has been completely delivered from sorcery and fetishism and now fellowships with the Nuba Assembly in the Tikobo 1 District of the Church. To God be the glory.

Report by Axim Area Media Team

Elder Donates Items Worth GHC 50,000.00 To 13 Schools

by with No Comment Church NewsPEMEMTop Stories

Elder Kojo Korankye, the Leader of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) in the Ogua-Abura District of The Church of Pentecost, has donated educational items worth GHC 50,000.00 to 13 schools within the Efutu and Lower Denkyira Hemang Municipality. 

The items include mathematical sets, wall maps, and textbooks for the following subjects: Integrated Science, Religious and Moral Education, English Language, Mathematics, Mfantse Language, Social Studies, Supplementary Readers, Student’s Companion, French, and Basic Design and Technology.

The donation was made during a short presentation ceremony at the Efutu Basic Primary School as part of this year’s PEMEM Week celebration held in June.

Speaking at the ceremony, Elder Korankye said that the gesture, which is in line with the five-year strategic vision of the Church, dubbed Vision 2023,” was made to support school children within the municipality. He was, therefore, hopeful that the items would go a long way to aid their studies.

He also encouraged the students to study hard, take their relationship with God seriously, and lead godly lives.

Receiving the items on behalf of the schools, Mrs. Evelyn Efua Panyin, Headmistress of Efutu Basic Primary School, thanked Elder Korankye and The Church of Pentecost for the generous act. She also promised to ensure that the students make good use of the textbooks and other educational materials donated.

The beneficiary institutions include Akokokrom Zion Basic School, Achiase Basic School, Dehia Basic School, Mould Basic School, Watreso D/A Basic School, Krobo Basic School, and Efutu Mampong School. 

The rest are Abrem Essiman School, Abaasa M/A Basic School, St. Peters Anglican School, Mempeasem Zion School, and Social Welfare Girls’ Vocational Training Centre, Cape Coast.

Present to witness the donation were Pastor Enock Nii Akrashie (Oguaa Abura District Minister), Pastor Alhassan Kara (Jukwa District Minister), and the various heads of the beneficiary schools.

Report by Pastor Daniel Appiah

The Church Of Pentecost Inaugurates Dubai City Assembly 

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The Church of Pentecost has inaugurated a new assembly known as the Dubai City Assembly in the Buduburam District of the Church. The assembly, which currently boasts 70 congregants, was created through the ministry of the Home and Urban Missions (HUM).


Speaking at the inauguration service on July 17, 2022, the Buduburam District Minister, Pastor Anane-Adjei, who doubles as the HUM Coordinator for the Kasoa Area, said that although the assembly begin with an adult membership of 27 and 11 children, it has seen appreciable growth, hence its inauguration as a full-fledged assembly.


He was hopeful that the new assembly would become a strong church in some years to come and serve the spiritual needs of the members and people in the community.


“Today will forever remain in the annals of history; we pray that the seed we have sown today would germinate and bear fruit in Jesus’ name,’” he said.


Delivering a sermon on the topic: “All The Believers Shared Everything Together” based on Acts 4:32-33, Pastor Anane-Adjei encouraged believers to make it a habit of supporting each other. 


He urged Christians to emulate the early church, who willingly shared their possessions with others in need.


He also encouraged them to pray, fast and preach the gospel in order to lead many into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.


Among those present at the historic event were Mrs. Vida Anane-Adjei (Wife of the District Pastor), District Executive Committee members, presiding elders, officers, and members of the Buduburam District.


Report by Elder John Nana Mainoo (Kasoa Area HUM Secretary)

Raise Godly Children – Apostle Nyamekye Charges Christian Parents

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has charged Christian parents to make a concerted effort to raise their children in a godly manner for God’s service.

Apostle Nyamekye was speaking during the live broadcast of a Special Evening Service on PENT TV on Sunday, July 17, 2022, as part of his series on “Family – An ‘Endangered’ Institution.”

Dilating on the topic: “Raising A Family Altars,” with Samuel as a case study (1 Samuel Chapter 1), the Chairman narrated the circumstances surrounding the birth of Samuel and the effort his mother, Hannah, made to raise him for God’s service in fulfilment of her promise to God.

He explained that though Samuel was sent to Eli, the priest, to be trained, his mother’s effort cannot be overemphasised as she annually visited the boy and presented him a linen ephod on each visit in Shiloh, stressing that, “Samuel was a mother’s effort and a product of a godly woman.”

He opined that any time the mother visited Samuel, she might have told him that: “you are a priest so be like a priest.” This, Chairman said, stuck into the boy’s mind, and he became so desirous to be a priest to the extent that he slept beside the ark and did not allow himself to be influenced by the bad attitudes of Eli’s sons.

Like Hannah, Apostle Nyamekye urged parents to train their children in the way of the Lord to be used by God.

“This should be our pledge as parents to raise children that God gives us and present them back to Him for His service,” he said. According to the Chairman, through Hannah’s effort, Samuel grew to be a priest, judge and prophet for Israel. 

Examining the life of Samuel as a priest, a judge and a prophet, Apostle Nyamekye noted that Samuel was a busy man (1 Samuel 7:15-17; 16:13; 19:18).

The Chairman indicated that Samuel was endeared to the people of Israel because he brought true worship of God and revelation back to Israel in those days when revelations were so rare in Israel. He also restored order and sanctity in Israel, which hitherto was unruly for lack of a king (Judges 21:25), by giving them two great kings, and as a result, the people of Israel mourned him when he died (1 Samuel 25:1).

On the contrary, Apostle Nyamekye said, Samuel, who, being a great man of God and a faithful judge, could not train his children in the way of the Lord as his sons perverted justice by taking bribes after they had been appointed as leaders in Israel when their father, Samuel, had grown old which resulted in the demand of a king by the elders in Israel (1 Samuel 8:1-5). 

Chairman Nyamekye, therefore, underscored the necessity for Christian parents to prioritise raising godly children and making them live as a delight to the Lord.

“What are you leaving for the children?” he quizzed, adding, “It is not about buildings and cars; these are big toys. You need to leave a Christian legacy – something that has life because when you die, your name will live in your children.”

Apostle Nyamekye advised parents against being too busy and urged them to have time for their families as he attributed Samuel’s failure to train his children to his busy schedules, stressing that, “Your home should be the first church. The issue is not about you serving God, but you and your family serving God.”

Concluding his exhortation, Apostle Eric Nyamekye referenced a quote by Frederick Douglass, the founder of A.M.E Zion Church, who once said: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” and encouraged Christian parents to take a keen interest in training their children in the way of the Lord to be responsible adults (Proverbs 22:6).

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

Breman Asikuma Central Assembly Church Building Dedicated

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The Agona Swedru Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Derek Mireku, has dedicated the Asikuma Central Assembly church building in the Breman Asikuma District of the Church to the glory of God.

The edifice was dedicated at a well-patronized ceremony held at the church premises on Sunday, July 17, 2022. The event was attended by past and present ministers of the district, namely; Pastor Emmanuel Assah Awuku (Breman Asikuma District Minister) and Pastor Reuben Mensah Adrakpanya (Rtd.), as well as Odeefuo Amoakwa (President, Central Regional House of Chiefs) and the pastorate in the Asikuma zone.

Speaking on the topic, “Dwelling In The Secret Place Of The Most High” with Psalm 91 as scripture reference, Apostle Mireku stressed the need for everyone to serve the Most High God.

According to him, God continues to assert His lordship by protecting and providing for the needs of His children in every calamity and difficult situations.

“Jehovah provides us with shelter and food and has power to confront every enemy. Indeed, Jehovah is the Lord our God,” he said.

He, therefore, called on believers to always desire to spend quality time in the Lord’s presence at all times.

In a brief remark at the event, Pastor Adrakpanya, who initiated the building project in 1996 during his tenure as District Minister, was full of praise and thanked God for granting him the opportunity to witness the glorious state of the building.

He also paid glowing tributes posthumously to Odeefuo Amoakwa Boadu VII, the then Omanhene of Breman Asikuma Traditional Area, and the late Deaconess Sarah Afenyi, a former Swedru Area Assistant Women Ministry Leader for donating the land on which the building is situated to the church in 1988.

According to him, the late Chief helped to secure the land when it became apparent that the community wanted to forcefully take it from the Church.

He also commended subsequent ministers who took over from him, especially Pastor Emmanuel Assah Awuku and his wife, for their maximum effort in ensuring the completion of the project.

The beautiful edifice, which is valued at GHC 462,757.00, was funded through grants from The Church of Pentecost Headquarters as well as support from the International Missions directorate, Agona Swedru Area, Breman Asikuma District, local offering and contributions from other areas (Suhum, Tarkwa and Teshie Nungua) and benevolent individuals.

Pastor Assah Awuku, Deaconess Prof. Alice Mensah and Mrs. Elizabeth Ofori were also acknowledged for their massive financial contributions towards the project.

PENTECOST NEWS

2nd Children’s Ministry 50th Anniversary Lecture Held In Kumasi

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The second edition of the 50th Anniversary lecture of the Children’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has taken place at the James McKeown Temple, Asokwa, in Kumasi.

The event, which was held under the theme, “The Children’s Ministry: Successes, Challenges and the Way Forward”, took place on Sunday, July 17, 2022. It attracted members of the clergy, Children’s Ministry workers (teachers), and children from various parts of Greater Kumasi.

In an address, the Director of the Children’s Ministry, Pastor Prof. William Otoo Ellis, said that the event was divinely historic, saying that “it is with much delight to note that the Children’s Ministry from the perspective of history began in McKeown Temple, Asokwa, where we stand today.”

He further said that in 1972, the General Council of the church met in Kumasi, to decide upon the creation of the Children’s Ministry. He thanked all those who have been very instrumental to the successes of the ministry for the past fifty years.

In a remark, the chairperson of the event, Mrs. Bridgette Adjei-Kwarteng, wife of the Bompata Area Head, noted that a lot of people have passed through the ministry to be great personalities in the country and beyond.

The guest speaker, Mrs. Georgina Birago Amaniampong, wife of the Asokwa Area Head, presented a paper on the successes, challenges, and the way forward of the Children’s Ministry. According to her, the ministry is one of the most vibrant ministries in the church.

“Generally, children are the most important element of the family, church, and society. They form an integral part of our everyday life, and are considered in the future of the family and the church,” she noted.

Mrs. Amaniampong said that the rationale for creating the ministry was to lead children to Jesus Christ; teach them the unadulterated Word of God; prepare them to take up their position in the body of Christ, and encourage good citizenship in them.

“The message of salvation must reach succeeding generations where children can be saved,” she mentioned.

She admonished parents to be mindful of children, as they remain the target of the devil. She, therefore, urged parents to pay critical attention when children leave for church.

“As an army of God, if we equip our children with the whole armour of God, they can stand the test of time,” she stressed.

On the growth of the ministry, she said that the total membership of children in the church was 385,700 in 2004. It moved to 621,768 in 2012, 994,437 in 2020, and 1,050,153 as of the end of 2021.

Present at the event were Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Bompata Area Head, who doubles as the Co-ordinator of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Committee of the church), Prophet James Osei Amaniampong (Asokwa Area Head), Apostle John Obeng Kesse (Suame Area Head), Mrs. Florence Otoo Ellis (wife of Children’s Ministry Director), and Pastor John Afawuah (Children’s Ministry Pastor).

Others were Prophet Benjamin Augustus Adobah Rtd. (Former Children’s Ministry Director), National Executive Committee Members of the Children’s Ministry, and many more.

About three weeks ago, the first Children’s Ministry 50th Anniversary lecture took place in Accra.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Registration For All-Ministers’ Conference 2022 Opens.

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All is set for the maiden edition of All-Ministers’ Conference 2022, which is being hosted by The Church of Pentecost.

Over the years, The Church of Pentecost has sponsored worldwide conferences for its clergy. This year, however, the church will organise the maiden All-Ministers’ Conference, at which Ministers from other Christian denominations in Ghana will participate.

During the conference, all mysteries and heavenly methods for practising effective and sustainable ministry in a new way, expanding membership growth, and other mind-blowing tactics would be revealed.

The event, which is slated for September 13-16, 2022, would be held at the Pentecost Conventions Centre at Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana under the theme:  “Rediscovering and Fulfilling the Purpose of the Church.”

“The objective of the conference is to share fellowship with other pastors across the nation,” a statement issued by the Planning Committee has stated.

According to the Planning Committee, the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic on the church have presented church leaders with insurmountable hurdles to handle. Nonetheless, the Planning Committee emphasised that fresh possibilities and ways exist for the church to explore in order to advance God’s kingdom.

How to Register

Registration fee goes for GHS 400.00.  All ministers in The Church of Pentecost and other denominations, who wish to participate in this historic event are encouraged to register online through an approved registration link below.

Registration link: https://www.allministersconference.com

Payment Methods

  1. Pay at any of The Church of Pentecost (COP) Area Offices and upload the receipt when filling out the form.
  2. Use the shortcode *887*2074# and upload a screenshot of the receipt.
  3. Pay online through https://www.allministersconference.com/

Delivered From A Spiritual Attack

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On the way home from a dawn broadcast exercise within the Mamobi township, members of the Pentecost University (PU) branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) found a man lying haplessly on the floor.

His condition, at first sight, smacked a person who was either drunk, epileptic or perhaps mentally challenged.

All efforts by the team to revive him proved futile. Reluctant to leave him behind in that sorry state, they carried him to the Salem Assembly auditorium in the Mamobi District of The Church of Pentecost to pray for him.

After an intense prayer session, Samuel came to himself and became more responsive. He was, however, unable to talk and only responded to questions with gestures. So, the team continued to pray for him until he was completely restored. 

After taking a bath and changing into some clean clothes, the gentleman, who revealed his name as Samuel Kabutey, inquired from the team how he had ended up at the auditorium. He later narrated his ordeal, recounting the events that led to his unfortunate situation.

According to him, the last memory he had of events was some men (wearing dreadlocks), whom he presumed to be cultists, chasing him throughout the night. So, he hid in a pile of charcoal and spent the rest of the night there. 

He said that the night before the attack, he dreamt of a similar attack by some men in dreadlocks, but, in this instance, he could identify them because knew them in person. 

In the dream, he further narrated, his assailants injected an unknown liquid substance into his leg as he struggled with them. He then woke up from his sleep.

Mr Kabutey was, therefore, grateful to the team for the assistance offered to him. He believes that he has been delivered from a spiritual attack which had now manifested physically.

Samuel, who used to be a devout Christian, but turned from the faith some 15 years ago, rededicated his life to Christ. He is now a member of the Church.

The story of Mr. Kabutey is one of the many miraculous accounts recorded during a five-day evangelism outreach organised by PENSA-PU at the Mamobi township and its environs. The event recorded a total of 117 souls amidst instant healing of various ailments to the glory of God.

Report by PENSA-PU Editorial Board