Posts in category: Church News

Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Blasu, the Director of the Centre for Religion, Environment, Science, and Development (CRESAD) and a Research Fellow at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology and Mission, has urged the Christian community in Ghana, particularly Church leaders, to embrace their role as stewards of God’s creation and to prioritise proactive actions to combat environmental challenges.

In a thought-provoking presentation today at the National Creation Care Conference taking place at the Crystal Palm Hotel, Accra, Rev. Dr. Blasu stressed that the Church should take a leading role in restoring harmony to the ecosystem and combating ecological challenges.

Drawing attention to a recent incident highlighted by Mr. Sintim-Misa on his popular KSM show, Dr. Blasu challenged the reactive tendencies of some Christian clergy and questioned why they often wait until harm is done before addressing environmental issues.

Dr. Blasu stated that Christians, as custodians of God’s sustaining laws, should rather be at the forefront of preserving and caring for God’s creation.

Highlighting the biblical responsibility entrusted to humanity to “till the soil and keep it” (Gen. 2:15), Dr. Blasu pointed out that humanity had failed in this task due to the break in ecological relationships caused by sin.

However, through redemption in Jesus Christ, believers have been charged to work with God in restoring creation.

“Therefore, as the commissioned leaders, the Church has a vital role in addressing ecological degradation,” he futher noted.

While acknowledging the efforts of some churches and organisations in Ghana, Dr. Blasu called for a more proactive stance from the entire Christian community for maximum impact.

He expressed concerns about the increasing rate of ecological degradation and emphasised that challenging times should not hinder Christians from fulfilling their role in creation care.

Dr. Blasu also outlined four reasons why proactive responsibility is crucial, particularly in challenging times.

According to him, adopting a proactive responsibility for creation care helps prevent the worsening of environmental impacts during economic crises, ensures that God hears the prayers of His people by maintaining a clean and pollution-free environment, and allows Christians to learn from the wisdom of other-than-human creations as divine whistle-blowers of natural disasters.

He also noted that, by taking proactive responsibilty, the Church would ensure a better environment for future generations and uphold the African cultural worldview of holistic and precarious interconnectedness with the natural world.

The National Creation Care Conference is a three-day event aimed at developing a national Christian framework, policy, and plan to safeguard the environment and address climate change-related issues.

The event, which officially opened on Monday, May 22, 2023, is being jointly organised by The Church of Pentecost, A Rocha Ghana, Akrofi Christaller Institute, Challenge Enterprises of Ghana, and World Vision Ghana.

PENTECOST NEWS

Only a few in the history of The Church of Pentecost have had the rare opportunity to serve in all the ministerial offices of the Church: Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, and Apostle. One such person is Apostle James Smith Gyimah (Rtd.), whose mortal remains was laid to rest today [May 20, 2023].

The revered minister served in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost for 35 years, serving as Evangelism Ministry Director and an Executive Council Member of the Church. He is also credited as the brain behind the Lay Leadership School, which has contributed to the sharpening of the leadership prowess of lay leaders in the church.

Apostle Gyimah, 73, was called to glory at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Monday, April 4, 2023, following a short illness and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Gyimah, and four children.

The man, popularly referred to as the “Professor of Eschatology” due to his in-depth knowledge of the study of the end times, had a befitting memorial service held in his honour at the Ansaful Central Assembly church auditorium.

The glorious event, which had in attendance the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, and the immediate-past Chairman of the Church, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, was graced by a massive gathering of dignitaries within and outside the church.

The mammoth crowd of mourners who had come to pay their final respects to the departed minister comprised active and retired ministers, ministers’ wives, officers, members, and other sympathisers.

Apostle J.S. Gyimah joined the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1980 and served as a District Minister at Kasoa (1980-1981), Odorkor (1981-1985), Koforidua (1985-1990), and Taifa (1993-1994).

He was later appointed as Suhum Area Head (1994–1996), Witness Movement Director (1996–2000), and National Head for Nigeria (2000–2005).

He was recalled home in 2005 and posted to head the Agona Swedru Area (2005-2007), Takoradi Area (2007–2009), and finally, the Asokwa Area (2009–2015), where he retired from the active ministry.

Even in retirement, Apostle Gyimah was instrumental to the body of Christ, particularly with his teachings on eschatology celebrated in and out of Ghana.

A tribute read on behalf of the General Council by Apostle Kumi-Larbi at the event described him as a “man of many parts.” “He had an outstanding gift as an orator and teacher, with such profound insight into the word of God. He was “a walking Bible concordance”, a teacher, an expositor of the Bible, evangelist, prophet, and apostle to the core,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi said.

Exhorting the congregation on the topic “Departing from The Earth,” using John 13:36-38 as the main scripture reference, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah emphasised that death brings fear and uncertainty to people’s hearts when confronted with it.

Referring to Jesus’ own despair before His crucifixion, the former Chairman reminded all gathered that no one knows when they will die and that death is inevitable for all. He, therefore, encouraged all and sundry to accept Jesus since He is the only way to heaven.

He further stressed the importance of diligently safeguarding the salvation offered by Christ, as it provides assurance of eternal life after departing from this earth.

“Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, He prepares a place for you in heaven,” noted the former Chairman.

James Smith Gyimah was born on September 27, 1950, in Tarkwa, within the Western Region of Ghana, to Evangelist Theophilus Yaw Akonnor and Deaconess Janet Afua Sitimaa, both of blessed memory.

Apostle Gyimah’s zealous and endearing disposition in ministry earned him several names, such as “Man of slogans,” “Man of principle,” “Defender of the faith,” and “Crusader of the tenets and policies of the Church.”

He would also be fondly remembered as the minister who always wore the full-round clerical collar (cassock), etc.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Ghana Food Security Conference 2023 (GHAFSEC) is underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) in Gomoa Fetteh. The conference, being broadcast live on Pent TV and Metro TV, has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders in and outside Ghana to address the country’s critical issue of food security.

Prominent figures such as Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman, The Church of Pentecost), represented by Apostle N.Y. Kumi-Larbi, Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong (Executive Chairman, Jospong Group of Companies), Mrs. Adelaide Agyepong (Chief Executive Officer, Asian African Consortium) and Prof. Paul P. Bosu (Director-General of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), among several others are taking part in the event.

In his address, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, highlighted the country’s current challenges of food insecurity, including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

He, therefore, commended the initiatives of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), the Asian African Consortium (AAC), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in driving collaboration and innovation towards ensuring food sufficiency.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also assured JGC/AAC and the CSIR of the Church’s unwavering support in ensuring that the shared dream becomes a reality.

He cited the biblical example of Joseph in Egypt, who successfully implemented a stockpiling system to ensure food security during times of drought and expressed optimism that the conference would achieve its intended objective.

Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, representing the Jospong Group of Companies, emphasised the significance of the venue’s religious atmosphere and the gathering of experts from academia and industry in addressing food security. He also highlighted the attempt of successive governments to address the issue but to no avail while acknowledging the key role of scientists and researchers in dealing with the challenge.

Dr. Agyepong, therefore, expressed Jospong Group’s commitment as a private sector entity to collaborate with scientists and researchers in tackling food security challenges.

He drew parallels to their successful waste management endeavours and stated his outfit’s readiness to support the translation of innovative research in the food sector into practical applications.

According to him, food insecurity contributes to Ghana’s high inflation rate and called for the government’s support in dealing with this once and for all, and reiterated Jospong Group’s willingness to serve the research community and collaborate on all fronts.

In her statement, Mrs. Adelaide Agyepong also expressed gratitude to the participants and highlighted the crucial role of science, research, and development in driving innovation and productivity in the agricultural sector.

She emphasised that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, providing a source of income for about 45% of the population.

Mrs. Agyepong further acknowledged the presence of foreign partners from Thailand and Nigeria at the conference, noting that their expertise and experiences in rice production would enrich the discussions. She also stressed the need for immediate measures to enhance food production to combat rising food prices and the risk of increased food imports.

Prof. Paul P. Bosu, Director-General of CSIR, on his part, emphasised the importance of the partnership between the Jospong Group of Companies, the Asian African Consortium, and CSIR in addressing Ghana’s food security concerns.

He highlighted the need to establish inter-institutional technical teams and develop action plans to enhance the production of selected commodities such as rice, jute, maize, soya bean, tomato, and onion.

Prof. Bosu also underscored the significance of efficient coordination, accountability, and financing at the local level to transform Africa’s food systems.

The Ghana Food Security Conference 2023 serves as a crucial platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and collaboration to enhance food production in the country.

The goal is to bridge the gaps in Ghana’s food security situation through innovation, investment, and sharing best practices. With the participation of local and international partners, the conference provides an opportunity to develop actionable plans, establish timelines, and allocate resources for sustainable food production in Ghana.

As the conference continues, it is hoped that the discussions and partnerships formed will pave the way for a more secure and prosperous future, ensuring that Ghanaians have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives.

PENTECOST NEWS.