Prayer Can Change Every Situation web

Prayer Can Change Every Situation – Pastor Awuah Fordjour

The Crusades Coordinator of the Evangelism Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Frank Awuah Fordjour, has advised Christians to pray since God, through prayers, can change their situations.

“As Christians, prayer should be our daily life. Make it a habit, and it will not be difficult for you to pray when the need arises. In times of joy or even in times of pain, always pray. Amazing things happen when we pray,” he said.

He made this assertion at the Mckeown Temple in Asankrangwa during the recently held “Asankrangrwa For Christ.”

Speaking on the topic, “Change Situations Through Prayer,” based on Psalm 65:2 and 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Pastor Fordjour explained that God is always ready to hear and answer the prayers of believers.

He said Christianity is not an event but a process involving troubles and weaknesses. However, he said, “God has given us a way out through His son Jesus Christ, who is the mediator between us and God.”

He defined prayer as a spiritual communication with God or an object of worship in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession. He said that prayer is not only for emergencies, but it should be a way of life. 

Pastor Fordjour quoted Max Lucado, who said, “Our prayer may be awkward, but since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayer makes a difference.”

He urged believers to pray for God’s blessings in their lives, just as Jabez did in 1 Chronicles 4:10. He explained that Jabez’s name meant “pain,” but he did not let that name define him; he prayed to God, and God changed his situation around. 

Pastor Fordjour noted that names have spiritual implications and pathways and reflect one’s lifestyle.

He cited examples of names in the Bible with spiritual meanings, such as Daniel, Abraham, Sarah and Paul. He said that when God blesses his children, everything that flows through them will also be blessed. 

He referred to Genesis 12:2-3, where God promised Abraham to make him a great nation and a blessing to all families of the earth. 

He said God’s blessing brings helpers because God uses people to bless believers. 

Pastor Fordjour said that the blessing of God is in sequence, and it increases as believers grow in faith and obedience. He quoted Psalm 71:21, which says, “You will increase my honour and comfort me once more.”

He encouraged Christians to rely on Jesus Christ, who has the power and ability to carry them through life. 

“Sometimes we feel left behind or abandoned by our friends and family, but Jesus will never leave or forsake us. We should not give up or be discouraged, but we should always pray and trust in God,” he advised.

He concluded by leading the congregation in a prayer of faith and declaration of God’s blessings over their lives. 

The service was attended by Apostle Dr Amos Jimmy Markin (Director, Evangelism Ministry), Apostle Daniel Dekpor (Asankrangwa Area Head), Apostle Francis Yaw Adu (Nsawam Area Head), Pastor Adjei Nimako Darkwah (Secretary, Evangelism Ministry), Pastor Charles K. Fosu (Asankrangrwa Area Secretary), Pastor Daniel Agabus Padi Tetteh (Wasa Mampong District), Pastor Prince Djumor (Winneba Area), Pastor Emmanuel Antwi (rtd) and Deaconess Eunice Obeng.

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35 Graduate From Tema Greenwich Meridian District Marriage School web

35 Graduate From Tema Greenwich Meridian District Marriage School

The Tema Greenwich Meridian District (TGMD) Marriage School held a brief but impressive ceremony to recognise participants who had completed a two-month-long online pre-marital school programme at the Safo Memorial Temple on October 29, 2023. 

In his opening remarks, the Dean of the School, Elder Akwasi Boaten-Sekyerehene, recounted how the school has grown from a District Marriage Committee into a fully grown school. 

According to him, Apostle Abraham Swanzy, the then District Minister, mooted the idea of the Marriage School. It started as a face-to-face programme, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the physical sessions. The school’s leadership resorted to the online mode of delivery, which has now come to stay. Since then, the school has grown steadily to its present stage. 

He commended the school’s management, comprising the Rector (District Minister), the Dean, the Registrar, and Coordinators – Academic and Counselling. 

He encouraged members, especially the youth, to fully patronise the school because it has very qualified and experienced faculty with a rich curriculum. 

In their sessional report, the Course Prefect, Deacon Samuel Ofori and his assistant, Deaconess Christine Ofori, expressed profound gratitude to the students and the course facilitators for their immense sacrifice. He listed topics covered as Marriage and Family Life, Legal Matters in Marriage, Principles of Finance in Marriage, Understanding Temperaments and Divorce and its Consequences. 

He assured them that divorce would not be an option in their lives because Malachi 2:16a says, “For the Lord God of Israel says that HE hates divorce……” Moreover, he said, divorce destroys homes and brings separation and bitterness among the family.

The Registrar, Elder John Kwame Ansah, recounted how the school started by providing pre-marriage counselling to only church members. He explained that the scope of the school gradually broadened to cover non-members, with most denominations embracing the school. 

He pointed out that the current batch of students includes students from the Netherlands and China. 

He added that 53 students enrolled. However, 35 were able to go through the programme successfully. He further indicated that the course was entirely free to the participants since the district bears all expenses involved. 

The Registrar paid tribute to Apostle Abraham Swanzy, the originator of the Marriage School in TGMD, Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka for embracing the school and lending his fullest support to it, Elder Akwasi Boateng-Sekyerehene for his dedicated service and all Faculty members for their immense sacrifice.

The Rector, Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka, who doubles as the District Minister, in a brief message delivered on his behalf by the Presiding Elder of the Safo Memorial Temple, Elder Justice Cudjoe, congratulated the graduands on their successful completion of the programme. 

Certificates were presented to the graduates.

Report by TGMD Media Team

Cape Coast District Organises Officers Retreat web

Cape Coast District Organises Officers Retreat

The Cape Coast District of The Church of Pentecost, under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Kofi Aidoo, has organised a three-day Officers Retreat to equip them for the work of ministry. 

Held under the theme, “Reposition yourself as an officer in contemporary times,” the event occurred at the Adisadel Central Assembly from Wednesday, 1st to Friday, 3rd November 2023. 

Speaking on the first day of the retreat on the topic, “The officer and his knowledge of CoP ministry,” the wife of the Cape Coast Area Head of the church, Mrs Margaret Serwaa Antwi, stated the need for officers to love one another, particularly as leaders of the church. 

Using John 13:1, 1 Corinthians 1:3 and 2 Kings 12:7 as Bible references, Mrs Antwi reiterated the call for officers to have compassion for the members and be ready to suffer for them. 

Speaking on the second day on the topic, “Repositioning ourselves in our commitment as officers in the church” based on Colossians 3:25, Ruth 1:16, and 2 Samuel 11:6, the Area Head, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, asked officers to deem it a great honour for God to call them as leaders because it is a wealthy calling. 

Quoting from Genesis 24:5-7, Apostle Antwi highlighted four things that officers must be committed to. He entreated officers to be committed to God’s providence, God’s principle, God’s performance (Genesis 24:54-56 & 2 Corinthians 6:18), and God’s people because leadership is not a business. 

He stressed the need for leaders to be polite to the people (Act 20:27) while charging them to seek the best interest of all the church members.

Speaking on the last day of the retreat, Mrs Margaret Antwi (wife of the Area Head) spoke on the topic: “Mobilising the entire church to keep the fire burning.”

She called on leaders to pray in and out of season, saying that as leaders, they must be prayerful. Using 1 Peter 2:9, she said that a leader must never stop their devotions so that the fire of the Holy Spirit will continue to burn in them and set them ablaze. 

She appealed to officers to mobilise the members, lit the Pentecostal fire in them, and involved them in church activities. 

To keep the fire burning, Mrs Antwi urged leaders to stay with Jesus Christ throughout their life journey, be constant in their zeal for the Lord, and have their personal devotion every day. She also advised them not to dwell in the past things but to move in the glory of the Lord.

Report by Bernard Apprey. 

Girl Miraculously Healed Of Speech Impairment web

Girl Miraculously Healed Of Speech Impairment

Vivian Amegah, a 19-year-old girl from Agadzi village in the Akenkansu District in the Akim Oda Area of The Church of Pentecost, who became mute under strange circumstances for a year, has been healed by the power of God.

Vivian Amegah experienced a psychotic episode soon after her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) mock examinations in November last year. Subsequently, she became utterly mute and could not write the BECE with her year group. She was taken to diviners and traditional healers and given a talisman, which was put around her neck.

The District Minister of Akenkansu, Probationary Overseer Dr Vicent Appiah, explained how the young lady had her healing:

“On the first day of meeting her, we prayed for her, and we saw how she struggled but could not open her mouth when we urged her to speak. The Holy Spirit also drew our attention to a thin brown thread around her neck, and when we inquired what it was for, her Auntie quickly said: “It is just a thread.” We then told her to remove it, but she hesitated, saying, “Grandma would be the best person to remove it when she comes home,” the District Minister said.

The District Minister continued that during a second visit on October 6, 2023, he gave her a Youth Bible and a reading torch and encouraged her to read Matthew 8 and 9 about the miracles of Jesus Christ.

Vivian Amegah narrated that on October 13, 2023, she suddenly spoke out some words of the Bible that she was reading in her mind. Out of shock, she stopped reading the Bible, and the speech also ended. She became mute again. On Sunday, October 15, 2023, she could not narrate this experience in church as she had only spoken transiently. The entire district persisted in prayer for her during the period.

On Sunday, October 22, 2023, as she got up and was preparing for church service, she suddenly spoke again, and this time, she remained vocal. She was the first person to report to church that day. As she gave the details of her testimony, all joined in to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the miracle. The District Minister prayed for her and, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, cut the thread (talisman) around her neck.

To the glory of God, Vivian Amegah can now talk without any impairment. She intends to go back to school. 

Report by Samuel Ofori

Downtown-Ofaakor Area Holds Officers School, Launches Aggressive Evangelism Month web

Downtown-Ofaakor Area Holds Officers School, Launches Aggressive Evangelism Month

The Downtown-Ofaakor Area of The Church of Pentecost held its quarterly Officers School, a flagship programme attended by all ministers and their wives, as well as all the officers and potential officers in the Area, from October 30 to November 1, 2023, at the Area Office.

The Area Head, Apostle William Kojo Edzorhoho, delivered a message on the theme, “The Seed Planted Must Grow” based on Matthew 13:3-9, explaining that the survival and growth of the seeds sown by God depend on the type of soil they fall on. 

He urged officers to ensure that the evangelistic efforts in the church grow and bear fruits for the glory of God. He warned that some seeds may be bad and unproductive and advised the leaders to take time in preparing the soil of the hearts of the people so that the seed of the word may grow and be fruitful.

He further stated that the purpose of the fruit is to carry and protect the seed for dispersal. He said that the fruit of the Christian is the lifestyle that reflects the character of Christ. 

Apostle Ezorhoho encouraged the officers to live a good and righteous life that would attract others to the gospel and help with a wide dispersal of the seed.

He encouraged the officers to teach intentionally, pray for and build up the members, and trust the Lord to grow them. He also urged them to be watchful and faithful as they serve the Lord.

During the service, Apostle Kojo Edzorhoho launched the Aggressive Evangelism Month and the One-Member-One-Discipled Soul (1M1D) initiatives in the Area. 

He emphasised that soul-winning is the core mandate of The Church of Pentecost and that the church must be vibrant and effective in evangelism. 

He challenged the officers to use all the available resources and methods to win and turn many to Christ. He assured them they would receive the soul winner’s crown when the Lord Jesus returned to take them and the souls they had won to heaven.

He encouraged all officers to get on board and support the Aggressive Evangelism and the 1M1D initiatives and make disciples of all nations for the Lord.

Report by Overseer Stephen Danso

AGRIHOUSE, PEMEM, And PENTSOS Explore Possibilities Of Forging Partnership web

AGRIHOUSE, PEMEM, And PENTSOS Explore Possibilities Of Forging Partnership

AGRIHOUSE Foundation, an agribusiness non-governmental organisation, the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), and PENTSOS are in the early stages of exploring opportunities to promote the Ministry’s agribusiness agenda among its members.

The inaugural meeting to discuss this exciting collaboration occurred at the General Headquarters of The Church of Pentecost on Monday, November 6, 2023. Representing PEMEM were the National Director, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, his deputy, Elder Ebenezer Acheampong, and Elder Stephen Djabah, a member of PEMEM’s National Executive Committee. Elder Frank Adutwum represented the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS).

AGRIHOUSE team was led by its Founder and Executive Director, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, and Pamela Setor, the Impact and Promotions Executive. Among the attendees were Senator Ken Schilz from Nebraska, USA, and representatives from Heart Builders Real Estate, Eunice Taylor and Daniel Tetteh. Also present was Elder Benson Mensah, who is into piggery.

Alberta Akosa outlined AGRIHOUSE’s mission, which is to advance agribusiness through exhibitions, advocacy efforts, capacity-building programmes, community development initiatives, social impact programs, seminars, workshops, trade missions, and various innovative projects. She highlighted the organisation’s involvement in activities such as boot camps, pre-harvest programmes, one-house-one garden projects, and livestock programs, all aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector through education and training.

Senator Ken Schilz from Nebraska, on his part, emphasised the importance of marketing programs in ensuring that farmers receive fair value for their products while helping consumers better understand the processes involved in farming. He suggested that sharing personal farm stories through documentaries could foster a stronger connection between consumers and farmers, thereby ensuring that consumers appreciate the authenticity of the products they consume.

With PEMEM and PENTSOS agribusiness initiatives, the team expressed their interest in partnering with the church to bolster the agricultural sector.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, Director of PEMEM and an Executive Council Member of the church, explained that about 60 percent of the church members depend on agricultural activities as their source of livelihood.

He, however, expressed concern about the problem of post-harvest losses affecting farmers in Ghana. Thus, the Ministry seeks to partner with any agribusiness organisation that will help to train church members who are into farming to overcome the challenges confronting them in the agribusiness sector.

The focus of PEMEM, according to him, is to train church members on best agribusiness practices to enhance their skills in the production, preservation, processing, and marketing of their farm produce.

Apostle Anane Denteh was optimistic that the Women’s and Youth ministries all have a stake in developing the skills of their members in agribusiness.

This potential partnership holds promise for the agricultural sector in Ghana and could pave the way for innovative solutions to the industry’s most pressing issues.

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Evangelism As An Emergency Service – Apostle Dr Col. Kumi-Woode To Christians web

Evangelism Is Emergency Service – Apostle Dr Col. Kumi-Woode To Christians

Apostle Dr Col. B. K. Kumi-Woode, the Director of Airforce Religious Affairs, has called on Christians to see November, which has been declared as ‘Aggressive Evangelism Month,’ as a call for emergency service for the Lord. 

Speaking at the launch of the Ashaiman Area One-Member-One Discipled Soul on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the James McKeown Temple, Apostle Dr Col. Kumi-Woode likened the Christian to the Fire Service personnel, who is always ready on standby for emergencies of any fire outbreak. 

“The Fire Service personnel knows that his work is of an emergency nature, so he is always ready, and their equipment is also ready to be called upon any time. They are never taken unaware,” he said, stressing, “This should be the attitude of Christians as well.” 

Speaking on the theme, “Snatch others from the fire and save them,” Jude 1:23a, he called on believers to move into action during the Aggressive Evangelism Month, saying God is counting on them to save the world.

He said that soul-winning is not assigned to angels but to believers who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. 

Stressing further, he said: “We as believers are fire service operators, for sinners are in fire because they are under the control of the devil. Their lives are being destroyed, and for such, we need to rescue them.”

He asked believers to realise that the devil is also in emergency service, driving many into hell, so the Christian emergency service must come in. He reminded Christians that the end of the wicked is severe, and they must not allow any sinner to die in their sin, for that will make God a loser because one of his creations has found his way to hell. 

“We should not allow people to become evangelists after death as was the case of the rich man in the Bible (Luke 13:19-31), and we must ensure we do everything possible to snatch them from the devil’s burning fire.” 

In his military element, he charged the members with the command, “Just go. Preach the word, proclaim the truth, for unbelievers surround us, and we ought to preach the word.” 

He added: “You don’t need to memorise many scriptures before you can preach; you can also use just one scripture to preach Christ. Use your testimony as a reference point to preach, and we will win the world for Christ.” 

He indicated that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, making evangelism an emergency service. 

The Area Evangelism Leader, Pastor Alexander Mireku, speaking on behalf of the Area Head and Chairman of the Area Evangelism Coordinating Team, said the One-Member-One-Discipled Soul drive is a deliberate action to be taken by every member of the church to evangelise about Jesus Christ. 

Quoting Elton Blueblood, who said: “Evangelism is not a professional job for a few trained men, but is instead the unrelenting responsibility of every person who belongs to the company of Jesus,” he called on members to engage in all forms of evangelism, stressing the use of digital, tracts, placards, house-to-house, testimonial evangelism, street, schools, and market, among others. 

Present at the function were all ministers and wives from the Area, Presiding Elders, Districts Executive Committee Members, and Ministries Executive Committee Members from the local to the Area level.  

Report by Ashaiman Area Media Team.

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST HEADQUARTERS STAFF ACQUIRE SKILLS IN CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION web

The Church Of Pentecost Headquarters Staff Acquire Skills In Crucial Communication

Management and Staff of The Church of Pentecost General Headquarters have undergone a week-long training programme to sharpen their skills in crucial communication.

The training sessions, which began on October 23 and ended on November 1, 2023, sought to equip the staff with the requisite skills and knowledge for effective interpersonal and professional communication to help them navigate difficult conversations, build stronger relationships, and achieve better outcomes in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.

In all, a total of 196 staff benefited from the exercise, which BeiroConsult, an Accra-based management training consultancy firm, facilitated. 

The Director of the Counselling Ministry of the church, Apostle Dr Philip Osei-Korsah, whose outfit initiated the training programme, in an interview with Pentecost News, noted that crucial communication, which borders on relational conversation on matters that are critical and difficult to discuss, is vital to ensuring high productivity at the workplace and enhancing one’s social life. 

He explained that the exercise was meant to help management and staff acquire the skills to communicate and handle thorny issues for mutual benefit.

Apostle Dr Osei-Korsah added that the training was based on two dimensions – workplace productivity and social life enhancements, which are expected to help them better manage various aspects of their social lives.

To realise the full benefits of the training, he urged the beneficiaries to practice the skills they acquired at home and workplace. 

Some staff who spoke with Pentecost News expressed their delight to management for putting together the training.

According to them, the exercise has helped them acquire skills in dealing with difficult conversations, conflict resolution, assertiveness, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, among others.

They called for such training programmes to be organised regularly to build their communication skills.

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Go And Make Disciples Of All Nations web

“Go And Make Disciples Of All Nations!” – New Tafo Area Relaunches One Member; One Discipled Soul Project

The New Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost has relaunched the Area’s “One Member; One Discipled Soul” project with a call on Christians, particularly members of the Church, to vociferously preach the Gospel to rescue others from the clutches of sin, and disciple them for Christ.

Launching the event on Friday, November 3, 2023, during the Area’s monthly prayer meeting dubbed: “Divine Encounter” at the Sepe-Buokrom Revival Centre, the Area Head, Prophet Samuel Tetteh Doku, read from Matthew 28:18-20, and charged all members to be deeply involved in the soul winning assignment.

He emphasised that soul winning is the prime duty of every believer, urging the congregants to intensify their evangelistic efforts to win more souls into the Kingdom of God as the month of November has been set for rigorous soul winning at all levels of The Church of Pentecost.

The New Tafo Area Head stressed that it is not just enough for Christians to preach the Gospel to the unsaved, but rather win, nurture and integrate them into the body of Christ.

“If nothing else, you must endeavour to win just one soul and disciple him for Christ,” he tasked.

After the launch, the congregants who could not hide their joy happily sang and danced to the glory of God for they were poised to reach out to the unsaved with the Gospel message of Christ.

Present at the event were Mrs. Victoria Tetteh Doku (Wife of the Area Head), the Area Pastorate and their spouses, among others.

Report Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

Anyaa-Ablekuma Area Launches One Member, One Discipled Soul web

Anyaa-Ablekuma Area Launches “One Member, One Discipled Soul” Project

The Anyaa-Ablekuma Area of The Church of Pentecost, led by Apostle William Ohemeng-Kwakye, on Sunday, October 23, 2023, launched this year’s aggressive evangelism month initiative, dubbed “One Member, One Discipled Soul.”

The project, initiated by the church through the Evangelism Ministry, dedicates the month of November to aggressive evangelism nationwide.

During a leadership training program organized for all presiding elders and Area and District Ministry executives ahead of the month, Apostle Ohemeng-Kwakye preached on the theme: “What Do You See, Man of God?” inspired by Jeremiah 1:10-12, 2 Kings 6:16, 17, and Genesis 16:13.

He encouraged leaders to be visionary leaders and not outdated or wheelbarrow-typed leaders who are always pushed to act.

He charged the house that they are leaders of city churches; hence, they should strive to “see well.”

The Area Head also mentioned that God has called and appointed leaders to win souls for Himself and needed to see themselves as such.

He also announced that every local assembly within the Area is tasked to win at least 21 souls during the period.

Apostle Ohemeng-Kwakye advised presiding elders and ministry leaders to be skillful in discharging their duties.

Following his presentation was Pastor Frank Awuah Fordjour, a coopted National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the Evangelism Ministry and the Agape District Minister, who shed more light on the activities to be embarked upon during the month.

These activities include house-to-house evangelism, personal evangelism, market evangelism, bus evangelism, street evangelism, ministry to prostitutes, sports evangelism, dawn broadcasting, ministry to the ghettos, water and Holy Spirit baptisms, etc.

During the launch ceremony, the Anyaa-Ablekuma Area Head requested all present to be intentional about winning back backsliders during the month.

Members present spontaneously burst into speaking in tongues at the end of the launch to demonstrate how poised they were to win the lost souls for Christ.

In attendance were Mrs. Comfort Ohemeng-Kwakye (Wife of the Area Head), the area pastorate, Area and District ministry leaders, and presiding elders. In all, 207 persons participated in the launch ceremony.

Report by Anyaa-Ablekuma Area Media Team