“Possessing The Nations” Agenda Is The Heartbeat Of Christ – Prof. Agyapong-Kodua

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The Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, has urged ministers of The Church of Pentecost to be purposeful about the “possessing the nations” agenda since it is central to the work of the ministry.

According to him, “the vision of possessing the nations is a lifelong agenda and is actually the heartbeat of Christ.”

Prof. Agyapong-Kodua said this during a preparatory retreat for the 2022 batch of ministerial students School of Theology, Mission and Leadership (STML) of the university ahead of their official commissioning on Friday.

In a four-point teaching on the theme “The Purpose of The Call,” the VC gave clarity on why an understanding of the purpose of the call was necessary; the enablers of the call; and the kind of ministers required to possess the nations.

With multiple biblical references including Obadiah 21, Daniel 7:26, Revelation 11:15 and Ephesians 3:10, he asserted that God’s purpose is that, the Kingdoms of the world would become His. 

According to him, this agenda of God is revealed when He called Abraham (Genesis 12); and out of him the nation, Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6)- his treasured possession; and out of Israel, Christ Jesus, the Saviour.

Referring to Ephesians 3:10, he further stated God is now using the Church as a conduit to make Himself known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. 

“Everything God is doing or going to do with us is for one purpose- to facilitate His agenda of reclaiming the Kingdoms of this world unto Himself. For this reason, ‘the purpose of our call as ministers is to pursue the ‘possessing the nations’ agenda.’” 

The Pentecost University VC further indicated that everything is warming up to the day that all the Kingdoms of the world will surrender to the authority of God and that ministers have been called as agents to facilitate that. 

To achieve this objective, he advised ministers to constantly avail themselves for the infilling of the power of the Holy Spirit and to demonstrate a Christ-like lifestyle, stressing that: “these two attributes are essential for the success in ministry.”

Prof. Agyapong-Kodua enumerated activities such as evangelism, baptism, prayers, and worship, among others, as useful enablers that should be adopted and carried out intentionally to equip the Church to accomplish her ultimate purpose of “possessing the nations.” 

The School of Theology, Mission and Leadership is a school under Pentecost University. It is responsible for training individuals called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost and those interested in biblical and theological studies. The STML plays a critical role in the University A+ agenda of Pentecost University.

Report by David Gunn

18 Officers Of The Church Of Pentecost In Adukrom District Retire

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The Adukrom District of The Church of Pentecost in the Koforidua Area has held a retirement service for 18 officers of the church who have served for several years.

The service took place at the Adukrom Central Assembly Auditorium held on July 10, 2022.

The retired officers consisted of five Elders, one Deacon, and 12 Deaconesses. They are Elders Samuel Kwame Odame (served for 54 years), Nicholas Akrofi (served for 44 years), Emmanuel Atta Ansah (served for 40 years), Joseph Arko Adjei (served for 32 years) and Emmanuel Bekoe (served for 28 years), as well as Deacon Alex Adu Bonsra (served for 27 years).

The retired deaconesses are Rosina Asare (served for 45 years), Grace Mante (served for 37 years), Margaret Owusu (served for 37 years), Leticia Ofori Ansah (served for 37 years), Esther Manu (who served for 32 years), Patricia Obuobi (served for 31 years) and Jane Ashia (served for 28 years).

The rest are Cecilia Akrofi (served for 26 years), Rose Okai (served for 24 years), Grace Amoako Mensah (served for 15 years), and Henrietta Oye Ayisi (served for 12 years).

Speaking at the service on the topic, “They are Worthy of Double Honour” based on Matthew 25:9-13 and 1 Timothy 17:20, Pastor Seth Ofei Badu, District Minister of Koforidua Old Estate District, noted that the work of an officer of the church is a great responsibility, which comes with rewards at the end.

In a short address, the Area Head for Koforidua, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the church, congratulated the retirees for their selfless services to God and the church over years.

He advised officers in active service to emulate the exemplary qualities of sacrifice, commitment, humility, hard work, perseverance, and prayer life exhibited by the retired officers.

Present at the service were Prophet Ebenezer Appiah (Dansoman Area Head), Pastor Samuel Kwaku Asante (Chemunaa District), Pastor Alfred Ahorsu (Akropong District), Pastor Dennis Gatorwu (Kitase District), and the pastorate in the Koforidua Area.

Report by Deacon Isaac Agyei.

Deputy Director Of Evangelism Ministry Survives Gory Lorry Accident

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The Deputy Director of the Evangelism Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, Elder Evans Ayim, escaped unhurt from a gory motor accident that occurred on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Dadieso on the Nkawkaw-Kumasi Highway.

Elder Ayim was on his way to the Evangelism Ministry’s Leaders meeting which was being held in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

We thank God for His manifold grace and mercy in saving the life of the Deputy Director.

Find the picture of the damaged vehicle below.

Takoradi Area Organises PWDs Seminar for Church Leaders & Volunteers

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The Takoradi Area of The Church of Pentecost has held a day’s seminar for the Takoradi community and its environs to promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the church and society.

The seminar, which took place on July 9, 2022 at the A.T. Nartey Memorial Temple, Takoradi, was attended by ministers and their wives, presiding elders, officers, MPWDs committee members, district ministry committees and MPWDs volunteers across the area.

Addressing the gathering at the event on behalf of the Takoradi Area Head, Prophet Samuel Tetteh Doku urged members to demonstrate love towards persons with disabilities.

The main facilitator for the training, Pastor Alexander Nyame (National MPWDs Coordinator), outlined the church’s vision for the PWDs as captured in the five-year strategic vision of the church (Vision 2023) and challenged all to work towards the successful realisation of the vision.

Quoting from Genesis 1:26-27, he mentioned that PWDs are created in the image of God and, therefore, must not be neglected. Instead, he urged them to demonstrate love to them and lead them to Christ. 

The Takoradi Area MPWDs Coordinator, Pastor Christian Asiedu Budu, expressed his profound gratitude to Pastor Nyame for educating them on the plights of PWDs and the need to care for them. He further thanked the church for its continuous support for PWDs.

The topics treated during the training programme included “MPWDs At A Glance,” “Dos And Don’ts When Interacting With MPWDs,” and “Basic Ghanaian Sign Language.”

The seminar was attended by Pastor Stephen Okyere Acheampong (Area Secretary), Pastor Stephen K. Asuo (Area Executive Committee Member), Elder Daniel K. Quaye (Area Deacon), as well as a cross-section of the area pastorate and their wives. 

The National MPWDs Coordinator was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Evelyn Nyame, Moses Amankwaah and Christian Dadzie.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare (Takoradi Area Media Pastor)

Asokwa Area Donates To PENSA-KNUST, KNUST Food Bank 

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The Asokwa Area of The Church of Pentecost, under the leadership of Prophet James Amaniampong, has donated food items to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) and the KNUST Food Bank to support the welfare needs of students.

The items, worth GH¢ 75,000.00, included 80 bags of rice, 20 packs of sardine, 20 boxes of mackerel, 30 packs of 1-litre oil, 30 boxes of tomato paste, 30 boxes of milk, 500 packs of gari, 20 boxes of Milo, 30 packs of Yazz sanitary pads, 20 boxes of Voltic water, 100 bags of sachet water, among others.

Present at the brief presentation ceremony on Sunday, June 26 2022, at the PENSA-KNUST building site grounds at Ayeduase, were the Asokwa Area pastorate and their wives, some officers of the church and their spouses, representatives of KNUST staff, the University Relations Officer and his team and about 200 members of PENSA-KNUST

Addressing the gathering at the event, Prophet Amaniampong said that the Lord laid it on the heart of the Area leadership to visit PENSA-KNUST and use the opportunity to extend brotherly love to those who, for one reason or another, may be in need. 

“We cherish you and appreciate your efforts and seriousness. We have followed your performances as a church, and we are proud of you. We will continue to pray with you for success in all your disciplines,” he said.

The area also donated food items to the KNUST food bank. The donation was received on behalf of the university by Mrs Theodora Oduro, the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs. She expressed gratitude for the generous gesture, describing it as a timely intervention.

“Over 1,200 people applied for the Food Bank last semester, but we could only serve 500 people,” she remarked, adding that the donation would greatly ease the burden on her office.

Pastor Jonathan Ebo Quaye, the KNUST Resident Campus Minister of the Church, and Elder Francis Amihere (PENSA-KNUST President) accepted the donation on behalf of PENSA-KNUST; they were grateful to the leadership of the Asokwa Area for this kind initiative. 

Present to grace the occasion were Apostle Dr. Joseph I.T Buertey (Resident Minister, PIWC-Asokwa), Pastor Lt. Franklin Kumi-Lartey, Pastor Peter Blood Asante (Resident Minister, PIWC- Kotei), Pastor Johnson Asiedu (Ahinsan Estate District Minister), Pastor Samuel Engman (Esreso District Minister), Pastor Boakye Yiadom (Ahinsan District Minister), Pastor Kyei Mensah (Gyinyase District Minister), Pastor Benjamin Kwarifa (Kaase District Minister), Pastor Ebo Dadzie (Abidjan Nkwanta District Minister), Elder Dr. Isaac Okyere (Asokwa Area Executive Member) and Elder Omane Siaw.

Also in attendance were Mrs Georgina Amaniampong (Wife of Asokwa Area Head), Mrs Joanna Dwomoh Quaye (Wife of PENSA KNUST Campus Pastor), Mr Charles Ankah (Directorates of Needy Students) and Dr. Pearl Adu Nyarko (KNUST Staff)

Report by PENSA-KNUST Media Team

HUM Coordinator Plants Tree At Kinkasie Dagati

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The National Coordinator of the Home and Urban Mission (HUM), Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, joined the Goaso Area of The Church of Pentecost to plant trees in the Kinkasie Dagati community last Sunday as part of this year’s Environmental Care Campaign.

The event, organised under the auspices of the Goaso Area Head, Apostle William Kojo Edzorhoho, also commemorated Apostle Kwafo’s visit to Goaso Area. 

Some of the trees planted included coconut, mango, and orange. 

Apostle Edzorhoho encouraged members of the Church to be involved in planting trees in line with the strategic vision of the Church, dubbed Vision 2023, and to support the government’s “Green Ghana” campaign. 

He tasked the local assembly to take good care of the trees planted, water them and ensure their survival at all costs. 

In a short remark, Apostle Kwafo intimated that, as Christians, it is their responsibility to take care of the earth, which is their Father’s creation, keep a clean environment, and plant trees to replenish the depleted forest vegetation. 

He also thanked the Area Head for the opportunity to be part of such an important event.

Present at the ceremony were Pastor Kwasi Bukari (HUM Pastor, Techiman Sector), Pastor Isaac Ekow Yarkwa (Goaso Area HUM Coordinator), Pastor Joseph Owusu Ansah Domfeh (Goaso District Minister), Pastor Samuel Arhin (Dadiesoaba District Pastor) and Naa Collins Anguo Kun (Chief of Kinkasie).

Also in attendance was the wife of Pastor Bukari, Magdalene.

Report by Pastor Samuel Arhin (Dadiesoaba District Minister)

Cape Coast Area Women’s Ministry Donates To Ankaful Prisons Annex

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The Women’s Ministry of the Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated some items worth GHS 11,100.00 to inmates of the Ankaful Prisons Annex at Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana.

The Area Ministry Leader, Deaconess Mrs. Georgina Ashley, together with Pastor Ernest Ohene Adu (Abee District Minister) and Elder Daniel Quainoo (Cape Coast Area Deacon), led the Church delegation to present the items during a visit to the prison on Tuesday, June 28, 2022

The items include rice, gari, sugar, water, toiletries, parazone, liquid soaps, detergents, soaps, drinks, milk, sanitisers, tissue papers, palm oil, cloths, toothpaste and brushes.

Handing over the items, Deaconess Ashley indicated that the donation is in line with the church’s “Possessing the Nations” agenda, which aims at influencing all spheres of society, including the prisons service, with Kingdom principles and values. 

“As Christians, we need to emulate the example of Jesus by doing good to all persons within our society, rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying,” she stated.

She also advised Christians to be socially responsible and contribute to nation-building since the government cannot do it all. 

Superintendent Elisha Ntsiful, who received the items on behalf of the service, expressed profound gratitude to the Church for the kind gesture and continuous support of the prison service. He lauded them and urged them to keep supporting the inmates.

Present at the brief presentation ceremony was the Cape Coast Area Executive Committee members of the Women Ministry.

Report by Pastor Daniel Appiah (Frami District)

Tell The World About Jesus – Apostle Nyamekye To Missionaries

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has charged ministers of the church missions field to declare to the world that Jesus Christ has atoned for the sins of the world.

Apostle Nyamekye made this charge at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, during the just-ended orientation for newly-called missionaries of the church.

Addressing the missionaries, the Chairman of the church said that Jesus, who is the atoning sacrifice, did not only come to earth to die for believers, but He died for the sins of the whole world.

“When you reject Him (Jesus), you reject the appeasing sacrifice that saves,” he said, stressing that the sceptre of the authority of the Kingdom of God is Jesus.

According to the Chairman, Jesus is the only one who takes away the wrath of God, saying, “The righteous run to Him always when they are faced with difficulties.”

“When you carry the sceptre, you must be a righteous person. This is the foundation of Christ,” the Chairman stated.

He added: “Fasting and prayers do not activate the name of Jesus; it does not make the name more powerful, but it releases our spirit man and strengthens our faith to be able to act upon this name Jesus.”

The Chairman charged the missionaries not to worry about where they have been sent to since Jesus is the king over all nations.

Establishing the power and authority in the name of Jesus, Apostle Nyamekye iterated that His resurrection from the dead was God’s proof that He is the appointed one, hence the Son of God.

He then charged them to go into the nations and preach the gospel in love since the gospel is the essence of missions.

PENTECOST NEWS.

2022 Orientation For New Missionaries Ends

by with No Comment Church NewsMissionsMoving With ChairmanTop Stories

The 2022 orientation for newly-called missionaries of The Church of Pentecost has ended at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

The five-day event, organised by the International Missions Office, began on Monday, July 4, and ended on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Closing the event with a sermon on the topic, “The Ministerial Call,” the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, stated that the ministerial calling is a life of pure and holy sacrifice.

“The whole church is called for the whole mission, but this particular calling is a call to sacrifice for the sake of the house of God,” Apostle Nyamekye said.

According to him, the call is a sacrifice for the sake of God and His kingdom. He, therefore, said that the motives of a man when he is being called are always read by God.

He admonished the clergy to be careful of the kind of friends they take in ministry because some have not been called and due to that their ‘gods’ are their bellies.

Apostle Nyamekye further said that ministry is about snatching men from hell and making them ready for heaven, stressing, “We are to seek the lost wherever they are.”

He added: “Anyone fit for heaven is a great asset to the earth. Therefore, once you offer yourself as a sacrifice, you do not determine where you are sacrificed. Hence, when you accept the call, where you are posted is in the hands of God.”

The Chairman urged them to have a better understanding of the ministry so that God will turn things around for them.

Quoting David Livingstone, he emphasized that the ministerial call is a diplomatic call assigned by God to men. He then encouraged wives of missionaries to support their husbands instead of arguing about their roles.

“As a minister of the gospel you are a diplomat, so your spouse’s role is not defined, hence, you are one in ministry,” he emphasised.

Notable among speakers for the orientation were Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (International Missions Director), Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Bompata Area Head and Executive Council Member), Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin (Evangelism Director), Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head).

Others were Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah (Ho Area Head and Executive Council Member), Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anim (Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pentecost University), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (Pentecost Men’s Ministry Director and Executive Council Member), Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (Co-ordinator for Home and Urban Missions), Apostle Lt. Col. Benjamin Kumi-Woode (Chaplain, Ghana Armed Forces), Pastor Alexander Nyame (Co-ordinator, Ministry To Persons With Disabilities), and many more.

PENTECOST NEWS.

First Urban Accelerated Church Building (UACB) Dedicated In Kaneshie Area

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The Living Faith Assembly, located at Atico near Danrose in Bubiashie District in the Kaneshie Area of The Church of Pentecost, has been dedicated to the glory of God.

The project happened to be the first church building under the newly introduced Urban Accelerated Church Buildings (UACB) to be completed and dedicated in the church.

The dedication service was officiated by Apostle Dr. Samuel Ofori (Head of Centre for Ministerial Formation, Pentecost University), assisted by the Bubiashie District Minister, Pastor Eric Kweku Ansah.

The dedication service was attended by the Chief of Bubiashie, Nii Kpatsakole Kumowuo, and his entourage, as well as the Keneshie Area Chieftaincy Ministry Leader, Nana Imprem VIII of Ekumfi Esiam, and some opinion leaders.

Also present were the representatives of Honourable Dakoa Newman (Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South Constituency) and some ministers of the church in the Area.

In a sermon, Apostle Dr. Samuel Ofori cited 1 Kings 8:26-39 and said that the local church must be a house of prayer and sound teachings to equip the members to possess the nations. He also mentioned that as the Lord listened to the cry and prayer of King Solomon during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, likewise the Lord will answer every prayer that is lifted up in the new edifice.

The project commenced in May 2021 and was completed in June 2022. It was mainly financed by the Headquarters of the church through the UACB grant and supported by the local church.

Report by Michael Asante.