Missions Exist Everywhere In Contemporary Times – Apostle Anane Denteh Observes

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The Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, has asserted that the scope of contemporary missions now covers the ‘six continents’ of the world, not on a particular destination as was in the past.

“The Mission to Six Continents concept was developed by the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) under the auspices of the World Christian Council (WCC) conference held in Mexico City in 1963,” the PEMEM Director stated.

The PEMEM Director made this assertion on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, during a presentation at the Orientation for Missionaries at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

Apostle Anane Denteh, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the church, spoke on the topic, “Contemporary Issues In Missions.”

Quoting from Matthew 24:14, Apostle Anane Denteh said that the gospel of the kingdom of God is supposed to be proclaimed throughout the whole world, as a testimony to the nations.

“All those who matter in the kingdom are missionaries of Christ,” he said.

He explained that a missionary practitioner refers to all people involved in the activities of mission work. These, he noted, include the mission agencies, missionaries, donors, among others.

“Taking time to study the contemporary issues in mission is a critical exercise that every mission practitioner should take very seriously,” he stressed.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, who is also the Chieftaincy Ministry National Co-ordinator of The Church of Pentecost, further stated that there are six basic qualities of a good practitioner of missions. He stated that a good missionary should be a student of the Bible, a student of mission, a pastor or a teacher in the mission field, a Holy Spirit-filled or matured person, an epitome of sacrifice, and a missiological researcher.

“As a student of missions, research is needed into the culture and traditions of the people,” he mentioned, adding, “In missions, every missionary is a messenger, and the people must accept the messenger to accept his message.”

He, however, pointed out that the mission field is filled with several challenges, notably among them are religious fanaticism leading to persecutions and terrorism; ungodly ideologies, worldviews, and national policies; nationalism, xenophobia, ethnocentrism, and racism, among others.

He also charged the clergy to indulge in digital evangelism, where technology is implored in the proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh cautioned that while planting ethnolinguistic churches is a good missional strategy, care must be taken to manage those churches very well so that they would not turn into ethnocentric pressure groups in the church.

He further charged missionaries to allow the Holy Spirit to empower them, saying, “A mission practitioner may have the strategy or approach on the field but the one above all is the miracle of the Holy Spirit.”

PENTECOST NEWS.

Make The Grace Of God Profitable – Apostle Kumi-Larbi To Christians

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The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has advised Christians, particularly church leaders, to work hard to ensure the grace (gifts) they have received in the Lord produces the intended effect.

Apostle Kumi made this passionate appeal to Christians yesterday during his ministration at the ongoing National Prayer Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Speaking on the topic: “Making the Grace of God Profitable,” based on 1 Corinthians 15:10 and 2 Corinthians 6:1, the General Secretary of the Church asserted that the grace of God is received in vain when the recipients live or conduct themselves in an unworthy manner so that it nullifies its effect.

“When Christians are influenced by the evil of the world around them, it nullifies the grace of God they have been given. Christians are, therefore, to come out from the evils of society and be separate” he said.

He explained that the opportunity to become children of God is a calling received through grace in Christ, hence, Christians must endeavour to make profitable use of it.

He further noted that, unlike a career, job or profession that involves prolonged training and formal qualification, a calling is a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action, especially when accompanied by a conviction of divine influence.

“So, to excel in our calling, we have received grace, which is the unmerited favour of God, so that we can better serve and glorify God,” he said.

Elaborating on the grace of God, the General Secretary said that Grace, which he described as an essential part of God’s character, is variously defined as “God’s favour toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving.” 

He further indicated that Grace is closely related to God’s benevolence, love, and mercy. 

According to him, one of the greatest ways that God shows grace to humanity is through the forgiveness of sins after their heartfelt repentance and submission to His laws. 

He added: “In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us abundantly, even though we don’t deserve to be treated so well or dealt with so generously.”

Juxtaposing the grace and mercy of God, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated that “Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve, and mercy is when God doesn’t give us what we do deserve.” 

He explained that Grace is repeatedly referred to as a gift in the Bible because it is given out freely to the recipients (Christians) at no expense. Hence, Christians should show gratitude and value for the Grace of God by not allowing it to be unproductive.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that the effective use of the grace of God results in a life of servitude (humility and selflessness), sacrifice and Christlikeness (godliness).

“As the recipients of God’s grace, Christians are to be gracious to others. This is because Grace is given to us to serve others and to exercise our spiritual gifts for the building up of the church,” he advised.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Great Names Are Earned – Apostle Eric Nyamekye

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Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has urged Christians to lead righteous lives in order to earn a good or great name.

The Chairman said this today when he exhorted participants of the ongoing National Prayer Conference on the topic, “The Authority In The Name of Jesus.”

According to Apostle Nyamekye, the things that are more valuable or desirable than great riches, include good health, wisdom, long life and peace, but the greatest among them is a good or great name.

“When your name is great, it opens doors of opportunities for you. So, a great name is a blessing. It opens doors and purchases for the bearer of the name (and even others associated with them) things that even money cannot buy,” he stated.

Reading from Philippians 2:6-11, Apostle Nyamekye explained that the authority in the name of Jesus was not only conferred on Him, but He earned it through His obedience, humility and death on the cross.

“Therefore, God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name. Note that God did not give Jesus money or a crown; He gave Him a great name. This is because a name is not just for identification, rather, all a person is is vested in their name,” he said.

The Chairman further noted that the name of Jesus carries authority and is a strong tower for the righteous because it was conferred on Him by the Supreme Being Himself. He, however, reiterated that Jesus worked to earn the name conferred on Him.

He, therefore, advised Christians, especially church leaders, to conduct themselves well at all times so that their actions do not adversely affect their names and bring the name of the Lord into disrepute.

PENTECOST NEWS.

2022 National Prayer Conference Underway

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After two years of COVID-19 disruptions, the National Prayer Conference of The Church of Pentecost, a gathering of Prayer Centre Leaders of the Church, is underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

The three-day event was officially opened today by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and is under the theme: “Equipping the Church as an Army to Possess the Nations” (Ephesians 4:11-12; 6:10-11; Hebrews 13:20-21).

Participating in the event are 119 church leaders, including ministers and officers of the Church, drawn from the 34 prayer centres approved by The Church of Pentecost.

In his opening message to participants, the Chairman stressed that beyond the grace and gifts of God, the ultimate goal of every Church leader must be to have their names written in the Book of Life.

Reading from 1 Corinthians 12:7, Apostle Nyamekye said that God gave giftings for the common good of the Church and for this reason those who are gifted should not seek to use it for their gain.

He indicated that, although the gifts may vary, they are given by the same Spirit. He said that since everyone has been endowed with a gift (or gifts) in the Church, Church leaders ought to be humble and not pride themselves in a particular gift they have received.

Expounding further, the Chairman said that no one gift is enough to build a Church of God, rather, there must be the manifestation of multiple giftings for a church to thrive.

“The gift of healing is not enough to build the Church of God because it takes other gifts to disciple members and lead them to heaven. So, you cannot build a church with one gift,” he said

He further noted that the gifts are given to bring glory to God, as a result, recipients of these giftings must ensure that they project Christ and not draw praise to themselves.

Apostle Nyamekye, therefore, urged church leaders not to only rely on their gifts, saying: “You are greater than your gifts because all gifts will pass.”

The National Prayer Conference is an annual event of The Church of Pentecost aimed at equipping Prayer Centre leaders and orienting them on the Church’s guidelines for operating such centres.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Be Agents Of Change – Apostle Kumi-Larbi Charges Clergy

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The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kum-Larbi, has charged the clergy to be agents of change in society.

He has also charged ministers and leaders of the church to make time to read the Constitution of the church, the Ministers’ Manual, and the Ministerial Handbook in addition to the Bible.

“These books have all that it takes to make us perform as good ministers of this great church,” he added.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi was addressing ministers and wives of the church who have been called to the external and internal missions field during an orientation course held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

In a presentation on the topic, “The Church Leader and Church Policies and Practices,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated that in The Church Of Pentecost, policies and practices provide the framework within which leaders and members operate, saying, “They define what we do and how we do it.”

He admonished the clergy who constitute the ‘governing authority’ of the church to know and understand the rules and principles of the church.

He noted that this would help them perform and manage their affairs decently and orderly.

The General Secretary also said that the primary motivation, as Christians in all things, is to please the Lord. However, he said that God’s will for the church is revealed to His servants through visions, dreams, prophesies, and intuitions.

“We are called to respond by receiving, understanding and following through with near perfection with the objective to influence the multitude of believers to catch the vision, and help in its effective operationalisation and actualisation,” he iterated.

Making scriptural reference to Leviticus 10:1, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that the case of Nadab and Abihu is a reminder that the will and instructions of God are to be carried out exactly as they are received to avoid the Lord’s wrath.

He urged leadership of the church, who are both stakeholders and stewards, to formulate policies from time to time to direct the actions of the church towards the attainment of God’s will for the church enshrined in the vision and mission of the church.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that policies serve as internal controls, help attain efficiency of procedures and processes, help maintain a degree of accountability in the eyes of internal and external stakeholders (Godhead), and help to build continuous learning culture as they are reviewed periodically.

He entreated ministers to wholeheartedly embrace every policy instituted by the leadership of the church.

The General Secretary encouraged ministers, officers, and members of the church to learn and implement the core practices, rules of conduct, and culture of the church.

These are Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry Excellence, Prayer, Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Leadership and Church Culture.

“Remain loyal to the leadership of the church and to God. Work as faithful colleagues we can count on,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi further stressed.

PENTECOST NEWS

Do Not Force Members To Accept Your Culture – Apostle Bekoe Tells Missionaries

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The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, has admonished missionaries to eschew forcing their native countries’ cultures on the members of the nations they serve as missionaries.

According to Apostle Agyemang Bekoe, the only permissible are the policies and doctrines of the church, which are the main foundation of the church, saying, “Don’t force them to accept your culture, rather engage with theirs.”

Apostle Agyemang Bekoe said this on Monday, July 4, 2022, during the Orientation Course for Missionaries of The Church of Pentecost held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh. The orientation was being organised by the International Missions Directorate of the church.

Addressing the missionaries on the topic, “Missions That Defies Theories: A Case Study Of The COP,” the International Missions Director said that missionaries must learn to appreciate and embrace the indigenous culture of the resident nations, stressing that a good heart and mind must be developed towards this feat.

Reading from Hosea 2:14-15, Apostle Agyemang Bekoe stated that the people of Israel wandered in the desert and were punished when their hearts had strayed away from God. Nevertheless, he noted, the judgement of God became a symbol of new opportunity for them.

“God continually shows love amid judgement…there is reassurance, encouragement, and comfort,” he asserted.

He revealed that many emerging missionaries do not engage their missionary guides, and they fail to ask questions on their appointments for fear of being unnecessarily tagged as being too inquisitive.

Explaining the realities of being a missionary of The Church of Pentecost, he said that many begin the journey with complaints rather than the urge and the resolve to fix the challenges within their nations or areas of assignment.

“When your complaints exceed growth, you become a liability to the organisation,” he stated.

He urged the missionaries of the church to be agents of change, because they are being sent not to go and ‘party’ but to fix broken systems and structures, trigger growth, and to set things right.

He charged them to break grounds by breaking through genuine contacts while building solid administrative systems and structures.

Present at the orientation were Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary of the church), and Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head of the church).

PENTECOST NEWS

Rely Solely On The Power of The Holy Spirit – Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin To Missionaries

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The Evangelism Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Amos Jimmy Markin, has admonished ministers of the church called into missions to endeavour to depend entirely on the Holy Spirit.

This, he noted, will help demonstrate the power of the gospel of Christ in possessing the nations.

According to the Evangelism Director, The Church of Pentecost, from sub-Saharan Africa had been able to take its spirituality into its own hands and, driven by the Holy Spirit, successfully grew its indigenous denominations across the globe.

“The Holy Spirit is the chief actor of missions,” Apostle Dr. Jimmy Markin said, adding that the extraordinary growth of the church is due to the thorough transmission effect of the Holy Spirit’s work in missions.

He said this on Monday, July 4, 2022, during the opening of the Missionaries Orientation, underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

Speaking on the topic, “Power Evangelism (Evangelising With The Aid Of Gifts And Fruit Of The Spirit),” with Acts 1:4. 8; Galatians 5: 16, 22-25; 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-11, as scripture references, Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin said that power evangelism is the role and influence of God, the Holy Spirit in Christian evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

“Power evangelism essentially employs the use of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit in an effective church planting,” he stated.

He noted that power evangelism was demonstrated through the ministry and life of Jesus Christ, the chief evangelist, and subsequently the early disciples including Peter, Philip, and Paul.

The Evangelism Director advised the missionaries to focus on their salvation since their spiritual state was delicate to their evangelistic ministries.

According to him, to become credible witnesses, two ingredients were required. These are sound character and a charismatic power which have been adequately provided to the missionary through the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry (Gal. 5:16).

“Whereas the fruit of the Holy Spirit provides the relevant godly character of the missionary (Gal. 5:22–24), the gifts of the Holy Spirit become the manifestation of his power source for the work (1 Cor. 12:4–11),” Apostle Dr Markin said.

He entreated missionaries to implore the gifts of the Holy Spirt in demonstrating the power of God in their various nations assigned. These gifts are the Gifts of Revelation or the eye (the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and discerning of Spirits); the Gifts of Power or the Arm of God (faith, working of miracles, and gifts of healings); and the Vocal Gifts or the Mouth of God (prophecy, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues).

“These gifts are very powerful equipment which makes the work and function of the evangelist effective and easy,” he pointed out.

The Evangelism Director charged the clergy to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit; be filled with the Spirit, and be led by Him. He also urged them to spend more time in the presence of God through prayer in faith.

“What singles you out as a missionary is grace, and what brings you out is favour. Until then, what brings you power is faith,” he stated.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Elder Dr. Siaw Agyepong Donates 49-Seater Bus To PENSA-Legon

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Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Presiding Elder for the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Graceland (PIWC-Graceland), has donated a brand new 49-seater Zhongtong bus, worth US$ 160,000.00, to the University of Ghana (UG) branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA-Legon).

Elder Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, surprised the students with the donation when he fellowshipped with them last Sunday.

According to renowned businessman, he had not initially planned to donate a bus to PENSA-Legon because of the huge amount involved, which he had not budgeted. However, while praying in the morning, he was directed by the Lord to donate a bus to the students. So, without hesitating he quickly arranged for the bus to be sent to them on campus.

Exhorting the students on the topic, “Excelling In Your God-Given Potentials: Lessons from King Solomon” with 1Kings 3:3-10 as scripture reference, Dr. Agyepong said that King Solomon offered a higher sacrifice to the Lord that was unmatched in the history of Israel. This, he noted, earned the King an encounter with the Lord. He, therefore, urged Christians to make great sacrifices for the Lord, stressing that it is only then that they would receive such a divine encounter.

Among other things, Dr. Siaw Agyepong said that King Solomon, during his reign, prioritised the interest of his subjects over his personal gain. He urged Christians not to be selfish but lead a selfless life. 

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Pastor Kwadwo Obeng, the UG Campus Minister of The Church of Pentecost, said that PENSA-Legon had long been raising funds to purchase a new bus to commute students to and from church. He, therefore, considers the donation an answered prayer and is grateful to the Lord for meeting their need through Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong.

Report by PENSA-Legon Media Team

Carry Yourselves Well – Apostle Nyamekye To Christians

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has advised Christians to carry themselves well to protect their godly reputation (good name) as followers of Christ.

“Live by the principles of love and faithfulness, while you bind them to your neck; then you will gain favour with God and man,” Apostle Nyamekye stated.

Apostle Nyamekye said this on Sunday, July 3, 2022, during a visit to the Tema Joint Church in Ghana.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Authority in the Name Jesus,” Apostle Nyamekye said that in the Garden of Eden, God named the first man Adam and gave him the authority to name all things on earth. (Genesis 2:19)

He stressed that all a person is worth is vested in their name; hence, names given to individuals are not only for their identification.

“All that Jesus is, is seen in his name; He does not need to be there physically,” he noted, adding that, “when you destroy a person’s name, you destroy the person.”

Reading from Psalm 23:3, the Chairman iterated that God hallows His name; therefore, He wants Christians to lead a life of righteousness for His name’s sake. He, therefore, urged every believer to renew their minds and be careful how they relate with others.

Apostle Nyamekye explained that certain things are better than money. These, he noted, are good health, peace, wisdom, etc. but the greatest is a good or great name.

“A good name does not only assure security, but it is a purchasing power. When your name is great, it does many things for you,” he added.

He further said that a great name is earned; as such a person needs to invest in his name to make it great, stating, “the authority of Jesus’ name was not just conferred on Him, He earned it.”

“When you are talking about the name Jesus, demons bow. This is because He earned a crown which is ‘the name above all names,’” he said.

Apostle Nyamekye then urged believers to avoid comparing the name of Jesus to others when they go to their various churches. 

He intimated that the authority in the name of Jesus is above all and independent of all, and it transcends all boundaries, limits, and thoughts, 

The Chairman mentioned that authority is the mandate to perform and power is the ability to perform. He further pointed out that names have power, so the name of Jesus is not only vested with authority but has power.

“Let us not flood our churches with fear of demons, rather build on the name of Jesus which has authority and power,” he stressed.

Present was Apostle Emmanuel Ankra-Badu, Tema Area Head of the church, and his wife, Mrs. Rosina Ankra-Badu.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Ghana Needs Righteousness: Not Churches, Leaders – Apostle Nyamekye

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has said what the nation needs are not leaders and churches but righteousness exhibited by the citizenry through faith.

He noted that although there were many churches and leaders in the country, righteous living was still an issue.

The Chairman added that the change the country sought for from its leaders could only materialise through righteous living and building a righteous brand

Leadership not showmanship

Apostle Nyamekye was speaking at a thanksgiving service held for the new leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by its President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in Accra.

The Apostle said leadership was not about showmanship and accessing power to lord it over subordinates but rather a huge responsibility that hinged on righteousness.

“What we need as a nation are not more leaders and churches. Churches don’t change nations; the only thing that brings change to a nation is righteousness,” he said, and quoted Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

The service at the Church of Pentecost, Alajo Central Assembly, was attended by some of the elected members of the national executive of the GJA and other personalities.

The GJA President was joined by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah; the Treasurer, Audrey Dakalu; the Organiser, Dominic Hlordzi, and the Greater Accra Chairman of the association, Charles Benoni Okine.

The personalities included the Editor, Graphic, Kobby Asmah; the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah; the President of the African Chamber of Mines, Kwame Addo Kufuor; the Chief of Alajo, Nii Armah Ajoor II, and the families and friends of the members of the GJA executive.

Exemplary

Apostle Nyamekye admonished all leaders to live exemplary lives that pleased God.

He added that their main focus as leaders should be the ability to solve problems, answer needed questions and meet the needs of their followers.

“There is nothing private about a leader; everything a leader does is in the open and so a leader must strive to live a life that pleases God. A leader solves problems, meets the needs of the people and has the ability to respond to the needs of his people,” he said.

He specifically advised Mr Dwumfour to be truthful and allow God to use him to be the light in journalism and bring about the difference the profession needed.

The Resident Minister of the Burma Camp Worship Centre of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lt Col Kumi-Woode, also urged the GJA executive to live lives of legacy and carry the presence of God wherever they found themselves.

“Once you identify as a Christian, your mission is to let God reign wherever you are, and if, indeed, journalism is the Fourth Estate of the Realm, may we do good and impactful journalism, so that from that angle we can build a strong nation,” he added.

New media

Mr Dwumfour thanked God and all who supported him and promised a new media and Fourth Estate that was ready to play its role in the affairs of the state.

He pledged to be committed to the cause of the association and use his Christian principles to chart a path for the GJA.

He urged all journalists to come together to perform their gatekeeping role in the country’s democracy.

“We are charting a new path. In the next three months, I will unveil a policy document that will lay stress on the policies I have mentioned earlier, with their timelines. I believe with a united front, we can go places,” he added.

For the third time since his victory speech and inaugural address, Mr Dwumfour called on those with whom he contested the GJA Presidency to come on board for them to work together to build the new media they all anticipated.

Advice

When reached for her thought after the service, COP Addo-Danquah urged journalists to rally behind the new executive to help build the country.

“I urge all journalists to rally behind Mr Dwumfour, put the past behind them because when they move on, the country will move on; when they work well, the country will also work well.

“I urge all journalists to support him to achieve whatever he has set himself to achieve with the position,” she said.

Source: Graphic.com.gh