Tarkwa Area Inaugurates Chieftaincy Ministry, Launches Environmental Care Campaign

The Tarkwa Area of The Church of Pentecost has inaugurated the Chieftaincy Ministry to provide chaplaincy services to members and non-members in the area who are chiefs, queens and royals.  

The colourful ceremony, which took place on Friday, May 13, 2022 at the E. K. Memorial Worship Centre in Tarkwa, was chaired by the Area Head, Apostle Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the Church as well as the Western and Western North Regional Coordinator.

Speaking on the topic: “The Chief and Queen as an Agent of Transformation” with Matthew 20:25-28 as his main scripture reference, Apostle Dr. Walker admonished chiefs and queens to be agents of transformation in their areas of jurisdiction. 

He further urged them to provide good leadership for their subjects by exhibiting the seven leadership qualities of Jesus.

These he mentioned as visionary leadership, servant leadership, team player, leadership with integrity, compassionate leadership, love, and finally leadership with authority but not abusing power.

He, therefore, urged the royals not to abuse their authority and position but to see it as an opportunity they have been given to serve the people.

He also urged them to lead their subjects with integrity, saying that this is why the adopted slogan for the Chieftaincy Ministry is “Royals, Ruling with Integrity.”

Apostle Dr. Walker bemoaned the impoverished state of the African continent despite the abundance of natural resources. He said that the bane of the continent continues to be poor leadership and therefore challenged Chiefs and Queens, who are revered leaders in society, to provide quality leadership in their respective jurisdictions in order to transform the nation.

The Chief of Essipon, Nana Kofi Abuna V, a Member of the National Executive Committee of the Chieftaincy Ministry and a special guest of honour, explained the missions and vision of the Chieftaincy Ministry and admonished Christian royals to be bold and avail themselves for enstoolment anytime the opportunity comes, bearing in mind that God is with them.

A nine-member Tarkwa Area Chieftaincy Committee was inaugurated to steer the affairs of the ministry in the Area.

Nana Adarkwa Bediako (Gyasehene, Apinto Traditional Area) co-chairs the committee with Nana Abena Kunadjoa II (Wassa Fiase Queen mother). Other members of the committee are Nana Essoun Ntuaben X (Ituma, Shama Odikro), Secretary, Pastor Robert Ebow Mensah (Pastor’s Representative), Nana Kwaku Twum (Brenakyim Odikro), Nana Badu Amoagu (Kangakrom Queen Mother), Nana Amankwa Gyebour (Kontinhene, Apinto), Nana Kesewaa (New Takoradi Queen Mother) and Dr. Elvis Bassowa

Nana Adarkwa Bediako in a brief response on behalf of the Committee expressed gratitude to God and the Area Head for the opportunity given them to serve the Lord in this special capacity. He also thanked the area pastorate and the entire church membership for making the inaugural service a success.

They also pledged their unflinching support and commitment to the charge given them.

The Chieftaincy Ministry was inaugurated as part of Vision 2023 (a five-year strategic plan of The Church of Pentecost), The committee is charged to mobilise and educate royals in the church to influence their spheres with the values and principles of the kingdom of God.

The Tarkwa Area Head also launched this year’s Environmental Care campaign at the event. According to him, this year’s campaign would focus on the recycling of plastic waste and tree planting. 

Apostle Dr. Walker charged the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and other Security heads in attendance to enforce bye-laws on the sanitations to make the environment clean. 

He also urged the chiefs and royals to take Environmental Care campaigns as a personal responsibility and to push it in their respective jurisdictions in order to make maximum impact.

Hon, Benjamin Kesse the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal, on his part, commended The Church of Pentecost for the continuous efforts toward environmental cleanliness and promised his outfits to support the campaign by enforcing the environmental bye-laws in the municipality.

Others present at the event were Pastor Edward Obeng-Debrah (GPCC Secretary, Tarkwa), Chief Supt. Thomas Ababio (District Police Commander, Tarkwa) and the D.O 3 Alex Assiam (Municipal Chief Fire Commander, Tarkwa)

Also present was Mrs. Irene Odi Walker (Wife of the Tarkwa Area Head), as well as the area pastorate and their wives.

Report By Tarkwa Area Media Team

112 Children Receive Holy Spirit Baptism At Pentecostal Conference

One hundred and twelve children in the Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost received the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the “Pentecostal Conference” prayer service organised by the Area Children’s Ministry.

The event, held on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the Asesewa Central Assembly church auditorium, was under the theme: “In the Last Days, I Will Pour Out My Spirit Upon All People.”

Reading from Joel 2:28, the Area Children’s Ministry Leader, Pastor George Owusu, mentioned that, Prophet Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost; ten days after the ascension of Jesus Christ. 

“As Pentecostals, the teachings on the ministry of the Holy Spirit must be impacted unto our children,” he said. 

Throwing more light on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, Pastor Owusu referenced John 16:13-18 and Romans 8:14, 26 to assert that the Holy Spirit directs or guides believers.

According to him, the Holy Spirit is also a comforter to believers and strengthens them to pray. 

“The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers. Hence, the children of God should persistently seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives,” he further stated.

The event which was held at zonal and district levels of the Agormanya Area was attended by 71 Children’s Ministry workers and 846 children.

Report by Agormanya Area Media Team

Abodom District Holds Fasting & Prayer Convention For Children’s Ministry

The Abodom District in the Ashanti Bekwai Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a Fasting and Prayer Convention for the district’s Children’s Ministry.

The event, which took place on Saturday, May 14, 2022, was initiated by the District Minister, Overseer Noble Dzakah, in partnership with the ministry, to equip the children and children’s workers for maximum impact.

The event was attended by the District Children’s Ministry Leader, Executive Committee Members of the ministry, teachers and some children in the district. The Abodom District Secretary, Elder Alexander Owusu, also participated in the spiritual empowerment programme.

Speaking on the theme “Equipping the Child as an Army to Possess the Nations” based on Matthew 18:1-4, Overseer Dzakah said that it is only those who have a repentant heart like that of a child that could become the greatest in the Kingdom.

Expounding further, the district minister noted that one of the key traits of children that adult Christians must emulate is their forgiving nature.

“Children forgive easily, so to become greatest in the Kingdom, one must have the heart of forgiveness,” he said.

He further stated that: “as we possess the nations, people, including Christians, may offend us. However, Jesus is saying that to become the greatest in His kingdom we must forgive them.”

Overseer Dzakah also advised Christians to repent and desist from all kinds of evil, such as anger, lies, gossip etc., in order to be considered great in the Kingdom.

After the sermon, the district minister led the congregation of about 642 children through a time of fervent prayer during which 45 of the participants were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

To the glory of God, 64 non-members of the church surrendered their lives to Christ at the event. 

Report by Overseer Frank Osei Tutu (Area Media Coordinator)

A Transformed Agent Transforming The World – The Case of The Honest Taxi Driver

The Church is an EQUIPPING CENTRE where members are transformed to transform the society. That is exactly what our celebrated Taxi Driver, Kwesi Ackon, and his wife, Francisca, have just exhibited.

There is a vast difference between what the world holds dear to that of the church. The world teaches us to focus on money and to do anything to get it irrespective of how one gets it.

The Church, on the other hand, teaches godly principles and values to transform worldviews contrary to the word of God. The moment the Church shifts its focus to that of the world, the world would be plunged into deeper darkness and depravity will reign.

There is a subtle attempt by the world to influence the Church to focus on wealth creation instead of rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying. The Lord Jesus Christ has called us from the world, transformed and equipped us to go back into the world to be agents of transformation in the world. Glory hallelujah!

So, this honest gesture done by our dear brother and his wife, is a fulfillment of the mandate of the Church. When individuals in the Church understand their calling as agents of transformation, the kingdom of God is established here on earth.

What am I saying? When the Church fails her mandate of equipping, the devil will have a field day. Jesus said in John 8:12 (GNB), “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”

As Christians, therefore, we are the light of the world because our Lord and Saviour is the light of the world. Take out the Church and the world is doomed.

If this is our call, then why the call and pressure from the world to monetize every act of faithfulness and diligence by the individuals of the Church? 

Many have sought to paint The Church of Pentecost as an ungrateful entity just because the Church is not dishing out monies to its agents of transformation. 

The world sees a transformed person, gives him all the attention he/she needs and rewards them in monetary terms and the world expects the Church to do same? Is it that the role of the Church is belittled or undervalued? The Church in all this must be praised and honoured and not vilified as is being done today.

Let’s do a reverse of the Taxi Driver scenario and examine what would have happened?

Should it have been that Mr and Mrs Arkon were not Christians, the said 8,000 Ghana cedis plus would have been lost. The owner, who visibly is an older adult with family dependants could have gone through hell trying to fend for herself and the family. Supposing the said money was her business capital, the loss of the money meant a collapse of her fish mongering business. What of the health implications on the poor old woman, a possible elevation of blood pressure with its associated illnesses? If she is a Christian, then her faith in God could have crashed if not well grounded.

Thank God for such agents of transformation who are transforming their respective spheres of lives. If you are blessed to be one, keep on keeping on for God is a rewarder of the faithful.

  • Article By Mrs. Mabel Cudjoe Amuzu (The Church of Pentecost, Kofiase District – Ashanti Mampong Area).

Elmina District Women’s Ministry Donates To Ankaful Mental Hospital

The Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost in Elmina District has donated some assorted items to the Ankaful Mental/Psychiatric Hospital, near Elmina in the Central Region.

The items donated included water (bagged and bottled), liquid soaps, washing powder, tissues, toilet rolls, bottled drinks, biscuits, antiseptics for cleaning, among others.

The Women’s Ministry delegation was led by the District Minister, Pastor Chris Ameyaw, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Awurakua Ameyaw, the District Women’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Regina Christopher, her Assistant, Deaconess Dorcas Lomotey, the Secretary, Deaconess Catherine Buadu, and the Treasurer, Deaconess Veronica Naana Sampa, among others.

Presenting the items to the hospital, Pastor Chris Ameyaw stated that the donation was based on the love mandate Christ admonished believers to express in Romans 5:8, saying, “Irrespective of the status of a person, we need to fully demonstrate love through giving.”

He added: “When we were yet sinners, deserving punishment, Christ gave up His precious life for us by dying a vicarious death on the cross.  Since Jesus Christ gave unconditionally, all who are Christ-centered must also give to their neighbours, including patients at the hospital.”

He commended the hospital management and staff for their selfless service to patients.

The Deputy Director of Nursing Services (DDNS) of the hospital, Mr. Bismark Tuffour, and other management members of the hospital received the items.

They expressed their profound appreciation to The Church of Pentecost in Elmina and the Women’s Ministry for choosing the Ankaful hospital.

The DDNS described the donation as apt and timely since the facility was in dire need of them.

He added that the facility since its inception in 1965 had treated and discharged many clients (patients) with diverse mental and psychiatric challenges. He assured the church and the Women’s Ministry leadership that the facility is well equipped to heal any form of mental ailment.

Mr. Bismark Tuffour stated that effort has been put in place to ensure that clients are well taken care of. While applauding the church for the gesture, which he said will go a long way to complement government’s effort, he called on others institutions to emulate the gesture.

Report by Enjell Cherubim Senam Fiadzigbe, Elmina.

A Child After 19 Years Of Marriage

Mr. Ebenezer and Mrs. Dorcas Sarkwa of Pentecost International Worship Centre, Kwadaso (PIWC-Kwadaso) have been blessed with a child after 19 years of marriage.

After several years of miscarriages and two unsuccessful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the couple who had been married since 2003 could not have a child of their own.

As a result, medical experts who gave various treatments to Mrs. Sarkwa for the last 19 years, but to no avail, concluded that she was barren.

In desperation and having exhausted all human efforts, the couple resolved to build their faith in God through the power of prayer by actively participating in the Radical Faith Convention held at PIWC-Kwadaso in 2021. The event, dubbed, “Radical Faith, Radical Results,” was an initiative of the Resident Minister, Pastor Samuel Nana Yaw Agyei Asiamah.

After a year of commitment, complete dependence on God, unwavering spirit and adherence to the resident minister’s counselling, the God of impossibilities made the barren womb fertile and Mrs. Sarkwa became pregnant.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkwa have been blessed with a child to the glory of God. 

Indeed, our God still performs miracles.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare

donation

Salem Assembly Women’s Ministry Donates To Nsawam Female Prison

Inmates of the Nsawam Female Prison were elated by a donation made by the Women’s Ministry of Salem Assembly in the New Achimota District of The Church of Pentecost last Saturday.

The gesture was part of the ministry’s activities marking the recently-held National Women’s Week Celebration.

The items, which included Bibles (English and Twi), toiletries, sanitary pads, assorted drinks, washing powder, bags of rice, gallons of oil, gari, packs of bottled water and bags of sachet water, were presented to the prison by Mrs. Eunice Kissi Agyekum (Wife of the District Pastor) and Deaconess Mary Paddy (District Women’s Ministry Leader)

Receiving the donation on behalf of the inmates, Mr. Frank Nana Ankomah, the Officer-in-Charge of the prison, expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of The Church of Pentecost for their generosity and continuous support to the prisons service.

Other members of the delegation were Elder Isaac Quansah (Presiding Elder, Salem Assembly), Elder Michael Darko (Youth Ministry Leader, Salem Assembly), Deacon Ernest Donkor (Evangelism Ministry Leader, Salem Assembly), Deaconess Dorothy Nsiah (Women’s Ministry Leader, Salem Assembly) and Deaconess Paulina Quansah (Wife of the Presiding Elder).

The inmates were very thrilled by the visit and commended the Church for their concern for welfare of prisoners.

Report by Deacon Stephen Nana Opoku

The Church of Pentecost Leadership Meets Honest Taxi Driver

The Leadership of The Church of Pentecost has met with Kwesi Ackon, the honest taxi driver and member of the church, who returned the huge money he found in his car to its owner. 

The General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on behalf of the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, met Kwesi Ackon, the man of the moment, together with his wife, Francisca and his social media influencer, Roberta Maanaa Quaye aka Empress Baako Pe, a midwife by profession who has become Kwesi’s manager.

Present at the meeting were the Finance and Administration Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko; the La Area Head of the church, Apostle John Osei Amaniampong, and Pastor Bright Kojo Addae, the Kokomlemle District Pastor of the church, where Kwesi Ackon and his wife fellowship.

The General Secretary congratulated the taxi driver for living the Christian virtues of honesty and integrity. He encouraged him to maintain his integrity. He was so glad that there were people of integrity in society who continue to live Christlike life in the midst of a corrupt world.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that the church will soon announce some good package for the taxi driver as a way of motivating him to do more and also encourage others to do same.

“What you have done is not just for The Church of Pentecost but for the entire Christiandom. We are gratified that you have lived by the Word of God,” the General Secretary stated.

The La Area Head of the Church, Apostle John Osei Amaniampong, on behalf of the Area, donated GHS 5,000.00 to the taxi driver, while the Kokomlemle District of the church also added GHS 1,000.00 to it.

The church’s ultimate reward for Kwesi Ackon will be announced by the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in the coming days.

The news of Kwesi Ackon, a taxi driver, went viral early this week after he returned an amount of GHS 8,400.00 he found at the back of his car to the owner. He picked the trader, an old fishmonger, from the Mallam Atta Market in Accra to her residence at Teshie on Easter Saturday.

The old woman who had no hope of retrieving the said money wept profusely and invoked the blessings of God upon Kwesi Ackon when he voluntarily traced her at her residence on Easter Sunday to return the money to her. This act by the taxi driver which was captured on video went viral courtesy of Empress One and subsequently caught the attention of the Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who donated GHS20,000.00 to him. Several other persons who were touched by the gesture by the taxi driver have since donated several amounts to him.

PENTECOST NEWS.

sasas

Adankwame District Donates Motor Tricycle To Dambai Lakeside District

The Adankwame District in the Suame Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated a brand-new motor tricycle to Dambai Lakeside District in Nkwanta Area. 

The motor tricycle, worth GH¢ 13,400.00, was presented to Pastor John Nyarko Akyirem (the Dambai Lakeside District Minister) at a brief ceremony on May 6, 2022. Among those present at the event were the Dambai Lakeside District Executive Committee members.

Receiving the tricycle, Pastor Akyirem expressed profound gratitude to God for meeting the district’s urgent need through the Adankwame District.

He also thanked Pastor Kamal Kwakye (Adankwame District Minister), the District Executive Committee, and the entire membership of the Adankwame District for their kind gesture and prayed for open heavens for the district. 

He also promised to use the tricycle for its intended purpose and adopt a very high maintenance culture.

Report by Overseer Albert Adu-Gyamfi (Nkwanta Area Media Pastor)

Faith Or Doubt? Gleanings From The “Doubting Thomas”

Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16, New International Version)

Thomas Didymus, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Although all of the Gospels mention Thomas (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15), it’s only the Gospel of John that records any of Thomas’ words. Three places in the Gospel of John was he referred to as Thomas Didymus (John 11:16, 20:24, 21:2). His two names are actually one and the same. Thomas comes from the Hebrew (or Aramaic) and means “the twin”. Didymus is from the Greek and means “the twin.” He is thus widely believed to be born a twin. Although he is popularly known as “the doubting Thomas”, nowhere in scripture was he referred to as such; He was tagged as such in one moment of weakness. He was unfortunate to suffer the curse of the “bad news syndrome”, whereby bad news sells more than the good ones. Although He was involved in other exceptional moments that revealed some mysteries about our Lord Jesus Christ and his relationship with God the father, these ones are easily forgotten. Labels are difficult to change once they are engraved on a person, especially when it is negative. In her article, “The dangers of labelling people”, Gurimran Virk states that labelling is very dangerous. According to her, it has the possibility of creating stereotypes, hearsay, bias, fears, stigma and the inability to separate a person from the label itself. This is what happened to Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Thomas is seen as one who did not hold grudges nor did he nurse wound feelings. Time and again did he oppose letting Jesus expose himself to danger, but when the Master would decide to take such risks, always was it Thomas who rallied the apostles to go with him. In one such occurrence, the disciples wanted to stop Jesus from going to Judea (John 11:6-7), an expedition which they thought might end his life due to previous experiences they had there. His decision to go back to Judea did not make sense to them since the Jews wanted to stone him two days ago (John 8:59; 10:31; 10:39). Even when Jesus explained the situation to them, they were determined not to go back there, citing logical flaws in the arguments of Jesus. According to their logic, and rightly so, if Lazarus was asleep, he will surely wake up, by himself. And if he is dead, there is no reason to go there again for there is nothing that can be done for him again (John 11:11-15). The disciples were not only protecting the life of Jesus, but theirs as well. They feared that whatever might happen to Jesus will have a ripple effect on them as well. This action was borne out of lack of faith in Jesus and in his mission. Thomas Didymus, however, refused to let his fears take over him. He had surrendered his life totally to the Rabbi. He wanted to be with Jesus, in life and in death, and as though he was their leader, he rallied them, saying, “Come on, comrades, let’s go and die with him.” This is a declaration of faith, just like Paul declared in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. This is a declaration which should guide our walk as Christians. We should live for Christ, following him all the way, even through perils, believing that whatever the outcome, our lives will be preserved. As Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 10:23, our lives aren’t ours. Anyone who is in Christ has been crucified with Christ and thus their lives are not theirs anymore, but Christ’s (Galatians 2:20). 

Thomas is the great example of a human being who has doubts, faces them and wins. He had a great mind; he was no carping critic. He was a logical thinker. It can be said that the reason why the others didn’t doubt was because they had seen the resurrected Christ. According to Luke 24:8ff, when the women came back from the empty tomb and after seeing the risen Christ, the disciples also doubted. Luke reported in verse 11, “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense”. They did not believe that Jesus Christ has resurrected from the tomb just as he told them. On the same day, while Cleopas and another were on their way to Emmaus, their conversation showed that they never believed Jesus had resurrected. Jesus was quoted as referring to them as fools, because of their unbelief (Luke 24:25, KJV). They only believed when Jesus performed a sign for them to see (Luke 24:30-31, 35). In the same manner, whiles the disciples were ‘hiding’ in a room and Jesus appeared to them, they had their doubts whether he was the one, they thought it was a ghost. Jesus himself challenged them by asking them to touch him and confirm for themselves so all doubts will be removed (Luke 24:37-40). They still did not believe until he performed a sign for them (Luke 24:41-43). In effect, Apostle Thomas was thus behaving as the other disciples will, just as anyone of us would have done. The doubt of Thomas was not borne out of unbelief or resistance to accept the truth of who Jesus is or what he has done. Thomas’ only crime is to desire an honest answer; after all, his quest led him to faith when he boldly declared, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). What we learn from Thomas is that being in Jesus’ presence brought out the best in him by increasing his faith. Conversely, being away from Jesus seemed to trigger doubt. Thomas made the first public profession of Jesus as being both Lord and God. It takes great faith to declare Jesus as Lord, for many Christians are yet to discover and settle on “Who” the lord of their lives is and therefore continue to live questionable Christian lives. As Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anim puts it, the Christian cannot seek to enjoy the benefits of salvation in Christ without having to accept the “inconvenient” challenge of His lordship over their lives.

In chapter 14 of the Gospel according to John, Thomas again showed the characteristics of a candid person. Jesus openly declared to his disciples that he was going away to prepare a place for them so they can be with him wherever he is. He continued that they (the disciples) knew where the way to where he (Jesus) was going. This was news to them. The disciples had no idea what Jesus was going on about, but none had the courage to step in and ask him any questions, bar Thomas. He opened up to Jesus in all honesty, not faking knowledge but with a heart ready to learn from the master. He confessed to Jesus Christ, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”(John 14:5, NIV). This genuineness brought out one of the most remarkable statements of Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NIV). We should thus not be afraid of asking questions. Questions, no matter how stupid they may sound can lead to new insights, revelations and breakthroughs.

Nicky Gumbel disagrees with people who regard faith as unquestioning and think that faith and doubt are opposites. According to him, faith and doubt are two sides of the same coin. Although there is no doubt that 2 + 2 = 4, it does not take any faith to believe it. On the other hand, to believe that someone loves you is open to an element of doubt. To put your faith in God is similar to loving a person. There is always the possibility of doubt. Without doubt, faith would not be faith. The Apostle therefore used that moment of questioning to build upon his faith.

Many have made the unfortunate error of defining the Apostle by his one moment of doubt. If we “refuse” to use Thomas’ moment of bravery to define him, then we should not be quick to define him with his moment of doubt, or lack of faith as we term it. We all have moments we are proud of and other moments we wish we could forget. The rest of the disciples doubted as much as he did. As Jack Wellman beautifully put it, there is no doubt that Thomas was a strong believer and a powerful missionary used by God to His Glory.

Written by P/Overseer Eric Akude (Kpetoe District)