Posts in category: Church News

Apostle Sylvester Arhin, the Tamale Area Head and Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, charged officers of the Church to be representatives of Christ and His Church wherever they go.

He made this statement at an ordination service held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Tishegu Central Assembly of the Church, during which 67 new officers were ordained. The event also marked the culmination of the 2023 Tamale Zone Lay Leadership School.

Addressing the officers in attendance, Apostle Sylvester Arhin emphasized the profound significance of the officers’ role as representatives of Christ and His Church both within the church walls and in society.

He exhorted them to manifest this representation in their everyday lives, underscoring the importance of sincerity not only in personal and social interactions but also in their spiritual calling.

Apostle Arhin advised church officers to live with integrity, defend the Faith, and continue to seek knowledge and immerse themselves in God’s word.

He also urged them to assume the role of spiritual leaders within the Local Church, fostering unity and coherence among members to ensure the smooth pursuit of Christ’s mission through the Church for maximum impact in the world.

Also present were Pastor Bernard Aziz Mohammed Abogorago (Area Secretary), the pastorate of the Tamale Zone, Area Executive Committee members, officers, and members of the Church.

Report by Isaac Kwabena Tagoe (Tamale Area Reporter)

The Bawku Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Eric Gyacham, has dedicated the mission houses for the soon-to-be-inaugurated Apondabogo and Bansi districts.

The projects, which were fully funded by the Church’s headquarters and supported by the Area as well as the respective districts, was dedicated on Friday, August 11, 2023,

Present at the dedication ceremony were Mrs. Victoria Gyacham (Wife of the Area Head), Pastor Joel Essel Donkoh (Bawku Area Secretary), ministers and their wives, as well as chiefs and elders of the Apondabogo community.

Preaching on the topic: “Noble Vessels Making Maximum Impact in the Local Church” with reference to 2 Timothy 2:20-22, Pastor Eric Gyacham stressed that there are different personalities by age, race, social status, finance, and gifts in the body of Christ. However, God is only concerned about people who will make themselves available for His divine purpose.

He therefore urged the congregants to position themselves as noble vessels worthy and pleasing to fulfill the Master’s use for His glory.

The Bansi and Apondabogo districts have been created from Bazua and Binaba districts, respectively, and are now set for inauguration.

Report by Bawku Area Media Committee

Christians must set up to reposition themselves to possess the nations for Christ Jesus since they have the mandate to disciple all nations, Pastor George Prah Amonoo, the New Tafo District Minister and New Tafo Area Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has charged.

He gave the charge on Sunday, August 13, 2023, during the farewell service held in honour of the outgone District Minister of the Yennyawoso District, Pastor Charles Oduro, and his family at the Redemption Assembly auditorium.

Addressing the congregants, Pastor Prah Amonoo, who officiated the service, in his sermon titled: “Stepping Up to Reposition Yourself to Possess the Nations,” explained that just like Joshua was charged to step up and be courageous to take the Israelites to the Promised Land, Christians have also been called purposely to proclaim the praise of Christ Jesus to the world and bring people to His marvellous light.

Reading from Joshua 1:1-9 and 1 Peter 2:9, the clergyman highlighted that all nations belong to God, and that Christians have special responsibility to capture every territory for Christ Jesus.

“There is a lot of despondency and despair all around us. So, it is our duty as Christians to bring those in that condition to the saving knowledge of Christ by being the shining light of the world,” he stated.

According to him, “possessing the nations means affecting people’s life with our godly character and righteous living.” 

He further enlightened that until Christ comes the “Possessing the nations” agenda of the Church continues unabated, urging the congregants to be good ambassadors of Christ and occupy till He comes.

Pastor George Prah Amonoo revealed that Joshua was able to deliver on his mandate because he relied on God’s promises (Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Corinthians 11:19; Heb 10:23), fed on God’s word (Joshua 1:7-8; Jeremiah 23:29; John 6:63; Isaiah 55:11), and was confident of God’s abiding presence (Joshua 1:6).

He, therefore, encouraged Pastor Oduro not to be dismayed as he takes up another challenge because the Lord, who has been with him all these years in his ministerial expedition is still with him wherever he goes and will mightily use him to do exploits at his new station.

Pastor Charles Oduro leaves for Kasoa Galilea in the Downtown-Ofaakor Area of the Church after five years of sterling ministry in the Yennyawoso District.

Present at the service were Pastor Joseph & Mrs. Joyce Ankomako (Mile 3 District), Mrs. Agnes Prah Amonoo, Pastor Robert Odame (Rtd), among others.

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

A Level-400 Communication Studies student of Pentecost University (PU), Mrs Victoria Adotei, has been enstooled as Queen Mother for the Gomoa Aboraa community near Apam in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region, under the stool name Nana Ama Ankowaa II. 

The coronation ceremony, which took place on Saturday, August 8, 2023, at Gomoa Abora, was part of the activities marking the 2023 ‘Ahobaa Kese’ (path clearing) festival and sod-cutting for a community centre project.

Nana Ankowaa II, 46, is a weekend student at the university and works at the Ghana Airport Company Limited.

In his address, Apostle Johnny Lartey Peprah, Registrar of the Pentecost School of Theology and Mission (PSTM), who represented the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, charged the new queen mother to consistently recognise and trust God as the source of her authority to make her reign impactful.

“With the values PU (University A+) has imbibed in you, we expect your integrity, charisma and conduct to be godly to promote godliness in the community while serving as a role model to the young women,” he said.

He added: “PU is proud and glad to celebrate your coronation with you.”

Apostle Peprah used the opportunity to invite the traditional leaders of the Gomoa traditional area to enrol in the University’s tailor-made Certificate in Chieftaincy Course to enable them to acquire knowledge in contemporary governance, especially at a time when the chieftaincy institution was in a conundrum. 

Amidst pomp, pageantry and the display of culture resonating through the lens of custom, tradition and modernity, Nana Ankowaa swore her oath of allegiance with a pledge to ensure the town’s development.

Also in attendance were Pastor Kofi Boateng (Winneba Area Chieftaincy Ministry Coordinator of The of Pentecost), Overseer Daniel Adams (Aboraa District Minister), Mrs Miriam Annan (Head of Communication Studies Department, PU), Mrs Margeret Dowuona-Hammond (Lecturer, PU), Mr Sammy Amofa (Lecturer, PU) and some students from the communication studies department. 

The PSMT Registrar, on behalf of the University, donated GHS 1,000.00 to support the construction of a community centre. 

Report by Sammy Amofa

Apostle Derek Kwaning Mireku, the Agona Swedru Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, has dedicated a newly built mission house for the Swedru Wawase District of Agona to the glory of God.

Present at the service were the pastorate of the area and their wives, including Mrs. Elizabeth Mireku, the wife of the Area Head.

Pastor E.K. Appiah (who initiated the project), Pastor Peter Sackey (the current District Pastor), and some officers within the area also graced the occasion.

The mission house project started in April 2021 after the creation of the District from the Swedru Mahodwe District. It took two years and four months to bring the project to completion.

Speaking at the dedication service, Pastor Patrick Bremansu of Mahodwe District admonished the church to be wholly committed to God in all their endeavors.

Referring to 1 Corinthians 6:13, he implored that just as buildings and other properties are dedicated to God, “our very personalities must also be dedicated to the service of God at all times.”

He explained that the body is not meant for sexual immorality or other forms of perverse lifestyles, but for service to God without any restrictions.

He observed that God inhabits the believer’s body as His temple and desires that the body be used to His glory, similar to the mission house.

He encouraged everyone to consider their bodies and lives as spiritual buildings dedicated to God, with a special mission of expanding spheres for the Kingdom.

The mission house comprises four bedrooms, a dining area, a hall, a kitchen, and an attached security post.

The total cost of the project was GH₵ 399,295.50. Out of this amount, the Church’s headquarters supported the project with GH₵ 272,000.00, the District contributed GH₵ 93,000.00, and other individuals provided support amounting to GH₵ 9,600.00.

Report by Swedru Area Media Team

A farewell service has been organised in honour of the outgoing Finance and Administration Director (FAD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, as he leaves for the Twifo Praso Area of the church as Area Head.

A colourful service occurred on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the D. K. Arnan Worship Centre in the Teshie-Nungua Area, where Apostle Otu-Nyarko serves as the Resident Minister. It was attended by ministers of the church, relations, and friends from across the country. 

Among the personalities present were Apostle Samuel Osei Asante (Kaneshie Area Head and Executive Council Member, who stood in for the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (Director of Pentecost Men’s Ministry and Executive Council Member), Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua (Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University), and Apostle James Kwabena Asare (Kasoa Area Head).

Others were Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison – retired (former General Secretary of the church), Elder Prof. Stephen Owusu Kwankye (Finance Board Chairman), Mrs Philomina Mireku (Director of Women’s Ministry), Elder Dr Owusu Sekyere (Board Chairman of PENTSOS), Head Office Management and Staff, among others.

Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko and his family were welcomed to Daniel Kwabena Arnan Worship Centre on November 29, 2020. He was the second resident minister of the Worship Centre, transferred from Kade Area to the Headquarters as Finance and Administration Director of the church.

Testimonies 

Various groups shared their testimonies about the outgoing Finance and Administration Director. 

The Head Office described him as a “great innovator” who brought innovation to the financial management and system of the church, saying, “He was instrumental in the introduction of Office 365 and the PENT-ERP projects.”

According to the Headquarters, the outgoing FAD played an immense role in introducing online and digital banking, coupled with his enforcement of the church’s cashless policy. 

“Apostle Otu-Nyarko also played a critical role in the major review of the church’s financial policies and introduction of the Area Deacons’ manual. He facilitated numerous training programmes organised by leadership for ministers, management, and staff of the church,” it added. 

The Teshie-Nungua Area Pastorate also described Apostle Otu-Nyarko as “a real gentle giant, full of zeal for the work of God and with great teaching and apostolic gifting.” 

The District Presbytery said Apostle Otu-Nyarko is a great man of God who carries God’s presence and power, describing him as “a teacher, a prophet, and an evangelist.”

The Women’s Ministry, on their part, extolled Mrs Doris Otu-Nyarko, his wife, for her guidance and support of the ministry’s activities. 

“Her calls, prayers, motherly concern, and advice to members are usually out of her deep sense of discernment and always timely,” they said, adding, “She always wears a smile that welcomes all who approach her.” 

Sermon 

Preaching the sermon on the topic, “Repositioned for a Big Catch” based on Luke 5:4-6, the Teshie-Nungua Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, said Jesus directed Peter and his friends to reposition their canoe to have a better reach of them. According to him, when the fishermen obeyed Jesus and repositioned their canoe for him to address them, Jesus turned their situation of no catch into a bumper catch.

Apostle Nkrumah Agyeman defined ‘Reposition’ as making godly adjustments in one’s thought life, spiritual life and lifestyle, thus making the necessary changes that will necessitate God’s blessing upon one’s life. 

Taking some lessons from the scripture, the Area Head said Peter obeyed Jesus despite his initial doubts. He entreated Christians to be willing to do whatever the Lord says, no matter the cost, because, without Jesus, there is nothing they can accomplish, saying, “Our success or our failures rests entirely on where Jesus stands in the picture. It is based on where you put him (Christ) in your situation. We cannot do it with our strength.”

He said after Jesus turned the fishermen’s dejection into triumph and their sorrows into success. 

“God is interested in saving us and helping us in our daily activities. Let us be attached to Jesus because he is interested in every detail of our lives, and he is ever ready to come to our rescue,” he stated.

He added: “If your today is insignificant, a bigger tomorrow awaits you. Bigger things await you as you obey Jesus Christ and have faith in him because God wants us to see, know, and experience his supernatural provisions in our lives.”

Response 

In his response, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko expressed his thanks and appreciation to God for taking him through, as well as to the Chairman and the leadership of the church for locating him and his family and bringing them to the Head Office and in the appropriate time, sending them back to the field to engage in active ministry. 

PENTECOST NEWS