Apostle Afrifa & Wife Fete Over 120 Widows

Apostle Afrifa & Wife Fete Over 120 Widows

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The Dunkwa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa, and his wife, Mrs Juliana Awuah Afrifa, have feted more than 120 widows in the church, as part of their annual donations to the less privileged.

The feast, which took place at the Area Mission House during the Christmas festivities, was patronized by widows and widowers from the Dunkwa municipality.

Apostle Awuah Afrifa disclosed that the gesture was to share in the goodness of God with the widows and to remind them of the love of God in their lives.

Quoting from James 1:27 and 1 Timothy 5:3-16, he mentioned that widows are key players in the intercession of the church.

According to him, widows’ devotion to the things of God is important as that could bring them closer to God.

He urged them to use the gifts of God deposited in them to support the work of God, while encouraging the young ones among them to open up to remarry when the right persons approach them.

The Area Head also entreated them to try as much as possible to raise their children in a godly manner, saying, “Remain steadfast in the Lord though you may be in difficult times with the demise of your spouses. God will never leave nor forsake you.”

The widows expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Area Head for the kind gesture.

Sharing their stories, one of them who lost her husband about 30 years ago, indicated that widowhood is noted with difficulty and loneliness due to the negligence of their families and the entire society. She encouraged her colleagues to engage in skill-based trades to avoid being burdens on their families.

The widows were treated to varieties of local cuisine dishes, made merry, and danced to God’s glory.

In attendance were Pastor Emmanuel Ansah and wife (Dunkwa District), Pastor Christian Nimoh (Kadadwen District), Pastor Barnabas K. Nortsu and wife (PIWC, Dunkwa), and Pastor Edward Fosu and wife (Atechem District), as well as the Area Women’s Leader, Deaconess Mariam Mensah.

Report by Pastor E. A Ayaabah-Willington.

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Do Away With ‘Entitlement Mentality’ Agenda – Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah To Christians

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The Co-ordinator of the Volta and Oti Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) for The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Oliver Dela Quampah, has challenged Christians to do away with what he terms as ‘entitlement agenda card,’ but rather develop a heart of gratitude and be appreciative to God and the people they encounter in life.

He believes that whatever is appreciated increases in value and, therefore, expects Christians to always express appreciation and thanksgiving to God and fellow humans.

According to him, some Christians overlook the value of gratitude and appreciation because of their ‘entitlement agenda card’ and some cultural nuances, saying, “It takes the grace of God to give thanks to him always,” he said. He added: “Don’t play the entitlement agenda card with God.

Be grateful to God always, be grateful to your pastors, family, and your members. They owe you nothing. In fact, the ‘entitlement agenda’ is a killer of relationships and should be done away with, he noted.

Apostle Dr. Quampah who is an Executive Council Member and doubles as the Ho Area Head of the Church, made these remarks when he addressed the Heads’ Session of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference of The Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa, on Monday, January 23, 2023.

He spoke on the theme, “Overflowing with Thanksgiving” with scripture references from Colossians 2:6-8, Psalm 118:1, and Luke 17:11-19.

He pointed out that gratitude is a universal language and must not be taken for granted, stressing that believers have more to thank God for than to complain about.

“In fact, our thanksgiving list should be longer than our shopping list,” he said, adding, “We set high standards and expect people to deliver, and we fail to commend and show appreciation should they fall short of our expectations.”

PENTECOST NEWS

The Church Of Pentecost Is Respected Brand web

The Church Of Pentecost Is Respected Brand – General Secretary Observes

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Members of The Church of Pentecost (The CoP) have been advised to uphold and jealously guard the Church’s core values and rules of conduct to help safeguard the goodwill of the CoP brand.

The General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, gave this advice on Monday, January 23, 2023, in a presentation on the topic: “The CoP Brand – Rules of Conduct and Core Values of the Church” at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Addressing the Heads’ session of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference (GMWC’23), Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that churches and denominations are known by key distinctive attributes and core values. 

According to the General Secretary, the Church, being of divine origin but composed of humans, is characterised by Biblical ethics and ethos, which it is later identified as its culture.  

“Like every other Church, The Church of Pentecost has her own culture. Our foundational beliefs are at the heart of our theology. Over the years, The CoP has built a Christ-centred brand with our core values, culture and rules of conduct handed to us as a legacy from our forebears,” he said.

He noted that the distinctive character of The CoP was steadfastly created by the forebears through selfless service, sound biblical teaching, good leadership and succession, evangelism and discipleship, sacrificial giving, and fellowship and discipline. 

“It thus behoves this generation to know, uphold and jealously guard these time-tested Pentecostal distinctive attributes as we seek to reposition the local church for maximum impact,” he stated.

He further noted that these attributes do not only give The CoP an identity but also shape people’s perceptions about the Church, which greatly impacts her influence in society.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi mentioned evangelism, church planting, discipleship, mentoring, trustworthiness, practical holiness, prayer and fasting, punctuality, respect for authority, discipline, and the expectancy of the second coming of Jesus Christ, among others, as some of the long-cherished core values and practices of The Church of Pentecost that members must be taught to uphold.

To preserve the authentic Pentecostal experience of the Church for posterity, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advisedchurch leaders to emphasise to members the importance of manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, as well as participating in the Holy Communion.

“The CoP is a respected brand in the world and these are the various variables that affect The CoP brand,” he stressed.

The General Secretary revealed that in the spirit of preserving and promoting The CoP’s brand, the leadership of the Church, through the National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee (NDLDC), has come up with Bible Study lessons for the first three months of the year (January to March) based on the core values to educate and instill these time-tested values in the members. 

He, therefore, called on ministers of the Church to actively participate in these sessions and ensure that they are effectively organised.

Commenting on the presentation, the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, posited that the core values and practices of The CoP are still relevant in the contemporary generation because they are premised on the unchanging word of God.

“In our bid to reposition the local church for maximum impact in the nations, it is incumbent that all Church leaders and members are taught and encouraged to uphold these core values and rules of conduct of the Church,” the Chairman added.

PENTECOST NEWS.

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Be Rooted In Christ – Apostle Etrue

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An Executive Council Member of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mike Etrue, has admonished Christians to be rooted in Christ and consider it a privilege in contributing to the kingdom work to which they have been called.

He called on believers to approach Christian service with a deep sense of gratitude since it reflects the rootedness of the believer in Christ.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Being rooted in Christ as Leaders – A Prerequisite for the Repositioning of Our Local Churches’ on Monday during the ongoing Heads’ Session of the 2023 Global Ministers’ and Wives Conference, Apostle Etrue, who is also the Koforidua Area Head of the Church, opined that the mark of being rooted in Christ as a Christian leader is the ability to bear fruits and have it reflected in the lives of others.

“Being rooted in Christ is key to bearing fruits. How can we not be rooted in him and yet bear fruits,” he queried. Apostle Etrue said it is incumbent on leaders of the church to be connected deeply to the source of power and growth which is Christ as people spearheading the repositioning agenda.

He implored them to endeavour to influence and make an impact in the lives of the members. “Let us see working for God as a privilege and not a burden; there should be no murmuring while we discharge our callings and the Lord will cause a change through you,” he stated.

PENTECOST NEWS

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The Church of Pentecost Adjudged “Most Impactful Church In Cape Coast”

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The Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost has been presented the ‘Osabarimba Royal Award’ as the most Impactful Church in the Cape Coast Traditional Area during this year’s Osabarimba Royal Awards ceremony.

The prestigious award was received on behalf of the Cape Coast Area by a church delegation made up of the Area Chieftaincy Ministry Chairman, Pastor Isaac Yamoah Bosompem, the Area Deacon, Elder Daniel Quainoo, and the Area Women’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Georgina Ashley, at a colourful event held at Oguaa Emintsimadze, the palace of the Osabarimba Atta II of Oguaa.

The Osabarimba Royal Awards is an annual Oguaa Traditional Council event initiated by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta in partnership with Ridge Royal Hotel, associated by all and sundry.

The awards scheme seeks to recognise and acknowledge individuals and organisations supporting the growth and development of Oguaa (Cape Coast).

Being the third edition of the annual award ceremony, this year’s event saw a rich display of royalty, prestige, togetherness, culture and tradition. It also brought together businessmen and women, technocrats, governmental and non-governmental organisations, old student associations, churches, representatives of various groups, sponsors, the media and all nominees.

Addressing the prestigious and royal gathering, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II revealed that: “We, are honouring persons and organisations in the metropolis who have distinguished themselves in their various places of work and those who through their efforts have to improve the face of Cape Coast or Oguaaman.”

The 2023 Osabarimba Royal Awards ceremony had 12 categories, including social development, education, health sector, religion, tourism, indigenous organisations and honourary awards.

The Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost took home the “Most Impactful Church in Cape Coast” award under the religion category.

The Area Deacon, Elder Daniel Quainoo, in an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, explained that the award was given to The Church of Pentecost because of the historic impact the Church had made in the lives of the people of Cape Coast in terms of evangelism in ghettos, donations to prisoners in Ankaful Prisons, visitation to patients at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Ewim Hospital, and educational support to brilliant but needy students in tertiary institutions, among others.

The awardees, on behalf of the nominees of the various categories, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II and the Planning Committee for the recognition and honour done them.

They said the award has greatly motivated them and promised to do more to “make Cape Coast great again.”

In attendance to witness the event were over 30 chiefs and queen mothers.

Report by Pastor Ebenezer Okoampah (Cape Coast Area Media Ministry).

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Sawla Area Organises Retreat For Pentecost Schools Staff

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A two-day retreat has been organised for managers, teachers and non-teaching staff of the Pentecost Preparatory schools in the Sawla Area.

The maiden event, which is a brainchild of the Area Head, Pastor David Amankwaa, took place at the Sawla English Assembly church auditorium on January 9, 2023. It was under the theme: “Repositioning Our Schools, the Role of Teachers.”

The purpose of the programme, according to Pastor Amankwaa, was to allow the participants to wait upon the Lord for fresh strength, take stock of the past year and plan for the New Year.

Addressimg the participants, the Sawla Area Head said teachers (educators) have a significant role to play in the Church’s vision of transforming society with Kingdom principles and values, dubbed “Vision 2023.”

He, however, noted that to be effective agents of transformation, they ought to be first transformed by having a personal encounter with Christ and building an intimate relationship with Him.

Using Acts 6:1-8, and Colossians 3:23-24 as Bible references, Pastor Amankwaa explained that the first-century church recorded tremendous growth in population within a short time because the leaders of the church – the 12 apostles – were spirit-filled and spirit-led.

He said that the apostles relied on the Spirit of God in every decision they took, including the appointing young men to wait on tables and meet the daily needs of the widows in the church.

He, therefore, urged the participants, particularly the managers of the schools, to always pray for divine direction and insight when taking decisions.

He also advised them to efficiently execute their administrative duties with diligence.

The Sawla Area Head cited the story of Moses and Jethro in Exodus 18:25-27 to stress the need for the leaders to delegate and share their workload.

“There is strength in diversified unity, and this must be effectively harnessed by the leaders to the advantage of the schools,” he advised.

The Area Head also encouraged the teachers to add value to themselves by striving to further their education, saying: “A man’s ministry is an outflow of himself, so you can only give what you know as a teacher.”

Ending his submission on a high note, Pastor Amankwaa commended the staff of the Sawla and Bole Pentecost Preparatory schools for recording a 100% pass in their first attempt at the Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE).

He, however, challenged them to aim at single digits in this year’s exams.

The participants, 53 in all, were also taken through bookkeeping and other administrative functions as part of the retreat.

Report by Sawla Area Media Team

HUM Poised For Greater Works In 2023 & Beyond

HUM Poised For Greater Works In 2023 & Beyond

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The Home and Urban Missions (HUM) of The Church of Pentecost held a National Sub-Committees’ Performance Review Meeting yesterday to take stock and strategise for the year 2023 and beyond.

The meeting, chaired by the HUM Coordinator, Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, brought together all heads and secretaries of the various sub-committees under the ministry at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

This year’s meeting was strategic as it aimed at finishing strong and well as the Church’s five-year strategic vision, dubbed “Vision 2023,” enters its final lap.

The sub-committees represented at the event  included the Expatriates, Secretariat, Literature, Fulani, Orality, Vulnerable Children, Rehabilitation and Nation Possessors. The rest were Cine Evangelism, Outreach, Training and Equipping Centre, Sports and the Production committees.

The various committees took turns to read their reports for 2022, and highlighted their achievements and projections for 2023.

Giving his closing remarks, Apostle Agyei Kwafo expressed gratitude to God for the amazing successes chalked by each committee in the previous year.

He also expressed appreciation to the house on behalf of the National Executive Committee, chaired by Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe, and prayed with the participants for God’s abounding grace.

The HUM Coordinator also encouraged them to put in their best this year, saying: “We are expecting greater works this year and beyond.”

Home and Urban Missions (HUM) is a ministry of The Church of Pentecost dedicated to reaching out to the unengaged and unreached people groups in the nations.

Report by Overseer Emmanuel Otchere Darko

Havedzi Assembly Church Building Dedicated

Havedzi Assembly Church Building Dedicated

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The Aflao Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, has dedicated the newly-built Havedzi Assembly church building in the Keta District of the Church.

Apostle Agyen Brefo was ably assisted by the District Minister, Pastor Samuel Dogbe, and other ministers in the Anloga zone and their wives. The dedication ceremony was held on December 30, 2022.

The building was funded through the Community-Based Church Building (CBCB) initiative and grants from the Church’s General Headquarters, the area, district and contributions from members of the Havedzi Assembly.

The history of Havedzi Assembly could be traced back to 2005, a year before the creation of Keta District in 2006 when Pastor Thomas Agbeke was the Anloga District Minister.

The assembly was opened through an aggressive house-to-house evangelism exercise after an attempt to organise an open-air rally proved futile. At the end of the outreach, souls were won, baptised and gathered for church service the following Sunday morning. The church used to fellowship at the compound offered by Mr. Francis Kwakuvi Aglanu Normoley until a plot of land was purchased from the Aglanu Nornorley family in 2012 for the purpose of constructing a permament place of worship.

Consequently, the assembly put up a temporary structure in which they fellowshipped until May 2019 when the CoP Headquarters released a CBCB grant for the project.

The financial support from the area as well as the diligence of the district and the local assembly facilitated the completion and dedication of the church building.  

Delivering a brief exhortation at the event on the topic: “Every Christian Is Shaped For Ministry” based on John 12:26 and Ephesians 4:11-12, the Agorve-Woe District Minister, Pastor Francis Lamptey, exhorted Christians that each one has been specially fashioned by God to serve in His church.

“Our spiritual gifts, hearts, abilities, personalities and experiences are part of God’s grand plan to use us variedly to reflect his glory on earth as his servants,” he stated.

Expounding John 12:26, he noted that a true servant is the one who serves the Lord and not one who holds the title of servanthood.

Dedicating the building, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Church for the CBCB initiative.

He also commended the Keta District’s leadership for the project’s successful completion.

He admonished the members to exhibit sacrificial service to the Lord so that God will use them to build a strong church.

He added that the ministry opportunities instituted in the church were to help members identify their callings in order to serve the church and the community.  

Report by Aflao Area Media Team

Kaneshie Area Women's Ministry Holds Quarterly Fasting & Prayer Chain

Kaneshie Area Women’s Ministry Holds Quarterly Fasting & Prayer Chain

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The Kaneshie Area Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, organised its Quarterly Fasting and Prayer Chain at the Kaneshie Central auditorium in Accra.

The event which was on the theme, “Repositioning Women Through Prayers for Maximum Impact,” had the Kaneshie Area Head, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the Church, as the guest speaker.

Highlighting the theme for the year, “Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact In The Nations,” (Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20), Apostle Asante explained that much attention has been given to the local church because activities in the church are mainly executed at the local level.

He explained that repositioning is the act of placing someone in a new position or changing the direction of an objective for effective use.

He added: “Nothing new has been introduced by the church, rather it is strengthening the already existing values for effective impact. Whatever relevant goal that was abandoned has been revisited for the benefit of the church and the nation.”

Referencing from Esther 4:7-16, the Kaneshie Area Head said that Esther fasted and prayed together with the Jews in Susa when she heard about the intention of Haman to annihilate the Jews.

He noted that the prayer of Esther and her people created a miracle where she found favour in the sight of the king by defying all odds, saying, “The king granted all her request including sparing the life of Mordecai and in replacement of Haman’s evil plot. Esther saved the entire generation from extinction and brought joy, peace and comfort to the Jewish in a foreign land.”

Apostle Samuel Osei Asante charged the women to be lovers of prayer by interceding for the Church, the nation, and their families to cause a tremendous change in society.

In attendance was the wife of the Area Head, Mrs Elizabeth Osei Asante, the Area Pastorate, current and past leadership of the Women’s Ministry, and members of the ministry.

Report by Michael Asante, Kaneshie.

Nation Possessors Conference Underway At PCC

“Nation Possessors Conference” Underway At PCC

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The “Nation Possessors Conference” being organised by the Home and Urban Missions (HUM) commenced yesterday at the Josiah Coffie Quaye auditorium of the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh.

Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, the HUM Coordinator, welcomed all the participants to the conference on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the ministry.

In his opening address, the HUM Coordinator elucidated on the Nation Possessors concept and encouraged participants to run with the vision.

Apostle Kwafo further urged the Nations Possessors recruits to uphold and work with the five-year strategic vision of The Church of Pentecost, dubbed “Vision 2023,” as outlined by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

The conference, which is expected to close on Saturday, January 21, 2023, has 150 participants drawn from 53 administrative areas of the Church in attendance.

Also in attendance were the HUM Pastor for Koforidua, Ashaiman and La Sectors, Area HUM Coordinators from Anyaa Ablekuma, Kasoa, Wa and Nkawkaw as well as some members of the National Nation Possessors Executive Committee.

The concept of Nation Possessors came into being during the inauguration of HUM to raise and equip an army of zealous Christians to fervently intercede for the successful implementation of Vision 2023.

Among other commitments, the group will be vibrant in the fulfillment of the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ across the entire Church and the nations.

Report by HUM Literature Committee