Posts in category: Church News

The 6 Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces in Kamina, Tamale, has honoured Pastor Isaac Deku, the Kamina Barracks District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, and his family, for their selfless service to officers and soldiers of the Unit.

The ceremony, held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, as part of the appreciation week organised for the outgoing District Minister and his family, had in attendance Lt. Col. Jeremiah Yao Agbeko Ankuyi (Commanding Officer of the Unit), Major Thomas Himneh (the Second-in-Command), SWO Kofi Mensah (the Regimental Sergeant), chaplains of various denominations in the Unit, and other key appointment holders.

Also present were some officers and soldiers of the 6 Infantry Battalion, as well as ministers, officers, and members of The Church of Pentecost.

Speaking at the event, Lt. Col. Jeremiah Yao Agbeko Ankuyi acknowledged the general difficulty there is in leading people, especially the flock of God, and praised Pastor Deku for his selfless efforts in making a distinguishing mark in his personal life and in the spiritual lives of the people in the Unit.

He concluded his speech with a prayer and well-wishes for the minister.

Abdul-Rahim Yamusah (the Garrison Imam), other officers of the Unit, and members of the Kamina Barracks District also took turns to eulogize the minister and his family.

As a token of their gratitude, the Commanding Officer led his officers and soldiers to present Pastor Deku and his family with a giant plaque of honor bearing the logo of the 6 Infantry Battalion and a citation.

These gifts, according to Lt. Col. Agbeko Ankuyi, would serve as a tangible expression of appreciation for the selflessness and dedication the minister and his family had demonstrated at the Unit.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Pastor Isaac Deku, on behalf of his family, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the leadership and the entire membership of the Unit.

He also prayed that the ties between the Church and the Unit would deepen even more as they prepare to receive a new minister.

Report by Overseer Isaac Kwabena Tagoe (Assistant Area Reporter, Tamale)

Sunday, July 30, 2023, was a historic day for members of the Central Assembly of the Apam District in the Winneba Area of The Church of Pentecost as they witnessed the long-awaited dedication of their church building.

The church building project, which has taken some 38 years to complete, has been aptly named “McKeown Temple” after the founder and first Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor James McKeown.

The colourful dedication service for the edifice was officiated by the Winneba Area Head, Apostle Samuel Otu Appiah, with assistance from the Apam District Minister, Pastor Bismarck Aidan.

In attendance were Mrs. Gifty Dansoah Appiah (Wife of the Area Head), Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah (MP for Gomoa West), Pastor T. K. Tandoh (Rtd.) and his wife, and Mrs. Diana Ofori Atta (Rtd.).

During the ceremony, Pastor Emmanuel Foster Asamoah, the Abasraba District Minister, delivered an exhortation on the topic “House of Prayer,” drawing references from Isaiah 56:7 and 1 Kings 8:28-52 in the Bible.

In his message, he emphasised the significance of the temple as a place of fellowship with God and urged everyone, especially Christians, to avoid actions that would distance them from the temple.

The event was also graced by the representative of the Chief of Apam, the Winneba Area pastorate and their wives, as well as members of the Winneba Area Executive Committee.

Report by Pastor Isaac Sunkwah Nekasen (Winneba Area Reporter)

It was a joyous mood when members of The Church of Pentecost in the Kanda-Alaska District in La Area and beyond, family members, loved ones, and a cross-section of the ministers of the church gathered at the Dome of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC)-Kokomlemle, Accra to witness the retirement service of Pastor Matthew Kwabena and Mrs Sarah Yeboah on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Pastor Yeboah has served in the full-time ministry for 37 years. He served in seven districts; Jaman Drobo in Berekum Area, Samreboi in Tarkwa Area, Amoaya in Sefwi Wiawso Area, Jumapo in Koforidua Area, Asene in Akyem Oda Area, Ashaley Botwe in Madina Area, and finally Kanda-Alaska in La Area.

He served as the Zonal Witness (Evangelism Ministry) Leader for Sunyani Area from 1987 to 1992, Witness Movement (Evangelism Ministry) Leader for Tarkwa Area from 1994 to 1998, Evangelism Ministry Leader for Sefwi Wiawso Area from 1999 to 2004 and Sefwi Wiawso Area Executive Committee Member from 2000 to 2004. 

He also served as Women’s Ministry Patron for Koforidua Area from 2005 to 2010, Koforidua Area Executive Committee Member from 2007 to 2010, and La Area Executive Committee Member from 2021 to 2023.

Prophet David Kankam Beditor, an Executive Council Member and RCC Co-ordinator for Greater Accra Region officiated the retirement service.

Speaking on the message titled, “Lessons from the unjust steward for maximum impact,” based on Luke 16:1-12 and Proverbs 21:20, among other scriptures, Prophot Kankam Beditor charged Christians to strive to receive good reports about their lives. He, therefore, implored them to avoid wastage and procrastination, use their resources generously to bring others to Christ, make good friends, be team players, be good stewards, and ask themselves necessary and relevant questions. 

In their final words, Pastor Matthew and Mrs Sarah Yeboah thanked all who played significant roles in their ministry. 

In attendance were Apostles Sylvester Arhin (Executive Council Member and RCC Co-ordinator for the Northern Regions), Prof. Adjapong Kodua (Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University), Dr. (Col) Benjamin G. Kumi-Woode (Resident Minister for Burma Camp Worship Centre), John Osei Amaniampong (Rtd) – former La Area Head, Kingsley Addai (Resident Minister for PIWC-Kokomlemle), Seth Dwamena Asante (Nkwanta Area Head), among others.

Report by Daniel Tetteh, La Area Reporter.

In an impressive display of faith and determination, the Pentecost University (PU) branch of Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) has successfully acquired a new bus.

The long-awaited bus, which was purchased at the cost of GHS 1.9 million cedis, will play a vital role in the group’s mission to proclaim the gospel and reach out to souls for Christ.

An unfortunate accident during a fun trip to Koklobite Beach in November 2019 had left PENSA-PU’s old bus completely broken down. Since then, finding reliable transportation for evangelism outreaches had been a hurdle.

For this reason, the quest for a new bus had been a pressing issue for both members and leaders of PENSA-PU.

Speaking at a special ceremony held on Sunday, July 30, 2023, to dedicate the bus, Elder Richard Mbelembote, the PENSA-PU President, mentioned that the journey to secure the new bus was not without its challenges.

According to him, the efforts to acquire the new bus started in 2020 during the tenure of Elder Prince Oppong as the group’s president. The Elder Andrews Awuku-led team also pushed the agenda when they took over in 2022.

Elder Mbelembote further stated that when the current leadership took over the mantle of leadership, they also assured the members of their commitment to pursuing the vision. They, therefore, set up the Financial Empowerment Committee to explore various means of raising funds for the project.

The committee’s efforts yielded positive results, leading to generous contributions from the members and various donors, including Elder Ing Felix Astrim of FeDems Limited, who supported the project with GHS 100.000.00.

Elder Mbelembote also expressed gratitude to Pastor Nelson Adu and his wife, Mrs. Celestine Adu, for their tremendous support in making the vision a reality.

Dedicating the bus, the Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, emphasised the significance of dedicating everything used for the work of God to Him.

He remarked that, while the bus is a mechanical device, through prayers and the grace of God, it becomes a tool for the greater mission.

On his part, the Campus Minister, Pastor Nelson Adu, expressed appreciation to God and all those who contributed to the purchase of the bus.

He also thanked the Vice Chancellor for his support and presence during the fundraising process.

Following this significant milestone, the leadership and members of PENSA-PU have been advised to care for the bus and instill a maintenance culture in order to benefit many generations to come.

PENTECOST NEWS

The newly constructed Adenta District mission house of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated to the glory of God.

Dedicating the building on Sunday, July 23, 2023, the Haatso Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, called on Christians to pursue excellence in all they do for the manifestation of God’s glory. 

Apostle Gyasi-Addo asserted that anything intended to be done for the Lord should be done with utmost diligence.

The Area Head, who was happy about the timely completion of the project and its cost-effectiveness, commended members of the Adenta District for their commitment and generosity towards the project.  

The construction of the mission house became necessary when the district was created out of the Old Adenta District in the Madina Area in August 2019. The land for the project was acquired at the cost of GHS 330,000.00. The then Area Head, Apostle Emmanuel Agyeman Bekoe (the current International Mission Director), cut the sod for the construction of the mission house on December 24, 2020.

The project cost GHS 1,010,349.93. It was funded through district offerings, grants from the Headquarters and the Area, and individual contributions.

The District Minister, Pastor Emmanuel Oppong Donkor, the District Finance Committee Chairman, Elder Amos Aggrey, and the District Secretary, Elder Samuel Gyimah, all expressed their appreciation to God and the church for their commitment to the project.

Present at the service included Nana Adwoa Biriwa (Sefwi Sempa Hemaa), Mrs Elizabeth Gyasi-Addo (wife of the Area Head), Mrs Comfort Oppong Donkor (wife of the District Pastor), Pastor John Viscount Arkoh (Area Secretary) and other ministers and officers in the Area. 

The programme was a resounding success and a showcase for God’s glory. 

Report by Divine Mensah Vadze. 

The Winneba Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Otu Appiah, has dedicated the Awutu Beraku Central Assembly church building.

The Winneba Area Head was assisted by Pastor Charles Arthur, the Awutu Beraku District Minister.

The colourful dedication ceremony, held on Sunday, July 23, 2023, also had in attendance Mrs. Gifty Dansoah Appiah (Wife of the Area Head), Pastor William Ofori Atta (Rtd.), Pastor Kofi Anyane Asare (Rtd.), Quaicoo, and Pastor Emmanuel K. Gbadago (Rtd.).

During the service, Apostle Otu Appiah delivered a sermon on the theme “You Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit,” using 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as his scripture reference.

In his message, the Winneba Area Head emphasised that the body of every believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit, signifying that the Spirit of God dwells in them.

Apostle Otu Appiah further explained that just as the people of Corinth constructed well-decorated and magnificent temples for their gods, believers should honour God with their bodies since His Spirit resides in them.

“By this, Paul was saying that the Spirit of God dwells in them as His temple, and if God dwells in them, then it means their inner man is beautiful or magnificent,” he said.

The Winneba Area Head further stated that God is preparing His temples (believers) by endowing them with His grace, giftings, and fruit so that they can fulfill the purpose He has destined for them.

“Now, you are beautiful inside, but one day, what is inside will come out when He appears, and you shall be like Jesus,” he said.

Apostle Otu Appiah, therefore, urged Christians to lead decent and upright lives, bearing in mind that they are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for them to do.

Also present at the event were Pastor Eric Kweku Ansah, the Winneba Area pastorate and their wives, as well as members of the Area Executive Committee.

Report by Pastor Isaac Sunkwah Nekasen (Winneba Area Reporter)

After 37 years of service to The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Daniel & Mrs. Emelia Owusu Appiah were, on Sunday, July 31, 2023, retired from full-time pastoral ministry.

The retirement service was aptly described as a “thanksgiving ceremony” by the Madina Area Head, Apostle Martin Seth Appiah, who officiated the service. According to him, Pastor Owusu-Appiah’s “ministerial journey was met with turbulent times with infringing health issues, yet ‘his love, sincerity, and zeal for the work of ministry never grew cold, and today we gather to show appreciation to God for a successful ending.”

Called into the ministry in 1986, Pastor Owusu-Appiah pastored in Seniagya (then Ashanti B- Mampong Area) from 1986 to 1991, Agbozume (then Volta A) from 1991 to 1996, Donkorkrom (then Nkawkaw Area) from 1996 to 2002. He also served in Abelenkpe (then Accra East Area) from 2002 to 2008, Santasi (Kwadaso Area) from 2008 to 2014, La-Nkwantanang (Madina Area) from 2014 to 2019, and finally in Ashalley Botwe from 2019 to date where he draws the curtains down on his service.

Speaking on the theme, “Ministry in the Midst of Suffering,” Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Anim, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University and Resident Minister for the Oyarifa Worship Centre, encouraged believers to always see their lives as a service and ministry to God and men, notwithstanding the challenges and persecution that may come along with such endeavours.

“Our lives must be seen by all as a service that is prompted by love and also stands in endurance that is inspired by hope because there will always be accountability and reward—it is a natural principle,” he asserted.

Reading from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 and Colossians 3:17, Apostle Dr. Anim explained that Apostle Paul suffered greatly in his ministry (strong oppositions and great persecution) after establishing the churches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth, yet his love and understanding of his ministry encouraged him to endure greatly with the hope that the people will see Christ and that he (Apostle Paul) will be rewarded by the Lord.

“Our retiring colleague is committed to protecting the kingdom’s principles and values. His teachings on eschatology and the characters of the citizens of heaven depict heaven-mindedness…. We will also remember our colleague and friend for his integrity. He made sure he accounted for every resource that was allocated to him. His prompt filing of returns for grants to his districts testifies to his meticulousness in his duties,” described a testimony by the General Council of Pastor Owusu-Appiah.

Apostles Mike Obeng Andoh (Rtd), a former Executive Council Member, and Apostle A. K. Ahalivor (Rtd.), the immediate past Madina Area Head, some retired ministers, the Madina Area pastorate and their wives, among others, constituted the congregation in the highly-packed auditorium for the service.

PENTECOST NEWS.