Posts in category: Church News

Olam-Ghana, a subsidiary of Olam International, a multinational agribusiness company, climaxed its Cocoa Managers’ Conference yesterday with a donation of GH¢20,000.00 towards The Church of Pentecost Chairman Education Foundation (COPCEF) at the Pentecost University (PU).

The Head of Cocoa Sustainability at Olam-Ghana, Mr Kennedy Ntoso, presented the donation to the university at a thanksgiving service held on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh. The event had the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye as the guest speaker.

In a brief remark after receiving the donation, the Head of the Centre for Ministerial Formation at the university, Apostle Dr. Samuel Ofori, thanked the company for giving generously towards a worthy cause. He stated that the gesture would go a long way to support students struggling to meet the financial demands of tertiary education.

Mr Ntoso revealed to PENTECOST NEWS in an interview after the event that although the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, it is also to support the well-intentioned social interventions of the church.

He was hopeful that the donation would serve as a source of encouragement to the church to continue to provide social support to the destitute and vulnerable in society in line with the “Possessing the Nations” agenda.

The Church of Pentecost Chairman Education Foundation (COPCEF) was set up in 2019 by the Chairman of the church and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, with a primary objective to break the barrier of financial difficulties in the attainment of tertiary education. For more information on COPCEF visit: https://copcef.org/

SOURCE: PENTECOST NEWS

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cathedral project, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah has called on Christians in the country, Ghanaians in the diaspora and corporate bodies to contribute their quota to the building of the national iconic edifice.

The most touted National Cathedral project, which is to be built by the Christian community in Ghana, is expected to cost $250 Million UDS.

Speaking at the National Cathedral Fundraising Strategies launch at the Oil Dome of the Royal House Chapel International in Accra on Sunday, September 5, 2021, Apostle Opoku Onyinah, who is also the immediate past Chairman of  The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), said the project, which is owned by churches in Ghana, is expected to be completed in March 2024.

“It is hoped that with oneness of heart, we can achieve this to the glory of the Almighty God. Let us therefore arise and build,” he said.

Reading from Nehemiah 7:70-72, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees stated that as Christians who believe in the sovereignty of God, they must see the National Cathedral project as one of the gifts of God to Ghanaians.

According to him, the inclusion of the Bible Museum and the Biblical Garden will give the cathedral and enhanced outlook.

“The Bible Museum and the Biblical Garden will make the cathedral to become an educational and research resource centre, as well as another centre of attraction in the country,” he said, adding, “It has the potential of drawing the world to Ghana.”

With regards to the funding of the project, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah said that the government provided the land and seed money of 10 per cent of the total sum. Fortunately, he said, when the head of churches and their general secretaries met in August 2021, it was their cherished desire that the church in Ghana must own the project.

“Ownership brings responsibility. Therefore, the implication is that, we must develop strategies to raise funds to build the cathedral,” he said.

“To this end, it has been proposed that if the churches are able to mobilise at least one million Christians in the country who will faithfully commit themselves to contribute a minimum of GHS 100.00 every month for the next three years starting from September 2021, the necessary funds will be generated for the project. This is based on the premise that Christians constitute 71.2 per cent of Ghana’s population which translates into about 21.6million people.”

Apostle Prof. Onyinah continued: “Like in the days of Nehemiah, as the family heads and the people contributed to the building and restoration of the walls of Jerusalem, so also should all of us contribute to the building of this cathedral.”

He said the Board of Trustees had worked out some strategies to achieve the aforementioned goals by selecting 50 key church denominations to provide some expected number of people to contribute a minimum of GHS 100.00 a month for one year, starting from September 2021. This, according to him, could generate GHS100million ($16.67million) every month or GHS 1.2 billion, which is about $200million a year.

He added: “Other churches have been identified to give a certain number of people to contribute.

He encouraged all Ghanaians to contribute GHS 100.00 a month for the next three years. He disclosed that all churches in Ghana will be expected to set one week in a year dubbed: ‘National Cathedral Week’ for prayers and to raise funds to support the project. He further directed all churches in the country to launch the fundraising at their levels on September 19, 2021, to engender enthusiasm and participation of their members. Fundraising services will be launched in all regional capitals across the country in the coming days, he added.

According to Apostle Prof. Onyinah, contributors to the fund can pay to the MoMo short code *979# or various bank accounts provided by the Secretariat. Individuals and families, as well as corporate bodies, who contribute will have their names electronically generated and some embossed on the walls of the Cathedral, he disclosed.

In his welcome address, the Apostle General of the Royal House Chapel International, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah, called on the Christian community to own the project. He indicated that President Akufo-Addo does not own the National Cathedral, and that he [the President] is just the vision bearer.

“The National Cathedral project is not owned by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The Bible teaches us the model of how temples are built. For instance, when you read 2 Chronicles chapter 2 you realise that to build the temple, God places the vision in the heart of King David, and in our case the President. King David shared the vision of building God’s temple with his son Solomon. Solomon in our case would be the Board of Trustees whom the President shared his vision with to make sure that the the dream God placed in his heart is materialized and done according to plan,” he stated.

On his part, the Executive Secretary to the Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, said the construction of the Cathedral was first announced by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in his presidential address on March 6, 2017 where he informed Ghanaians about his intention to build the National Cathedral which would address a critical missing link in our national architecture where the State will have the opportunity to have formal religious activities including state burials, presidential inaugural services, among others.

Some of the features of the cathedral are a 5000 auditorium but expandable to 20,000 during national events, chapels which can be rented to churches, prayer rooms, crept where leaders of society and national figures can be buried, among others.

SOURCE: PENTECOST NEWS

The National Blood Service (NBS) in Ghana is experiencing shortfalls in its bloodstock. This unfortunate development has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reluctance of many Ghanaians to make voluntary blood donations.

To help address the aforementioned situation, James McKeown Worship Centre (JMWC) in the Dansoman Area of The Church of Pentecost in collaboration with the National Blood Service (NBS), has organised a blood donation exercise to help stock the National Blood Bank and also help save lives of patients. 

“If we donate blood, we help people and save lives, including ours, because you don’t know when you or your loved one would be in need of blood,” he said. 

The exercise was part of the weeklong National Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) celebration under the theme “Re-Branding the Social Ministry to Drive the Possessing the Nations Agenda of the Church.”

The exercise took place on Sunday August 29, 2021, at the church premises. The event saw about 71 members of the JMWC donating pints of blood to support the noble cause.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS on the sidelines of the event, the Resident Minister of JMWC, Pastor Dr Perez Sepenu, said both him and his wife, Dr. Naa Akushia Sepenu, both practicing specialists at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KATH), underscored the need for blood donation exercises. 

He said blood saves lives, adding that one of the leading causes of death amongst pregnant women was Hemorrhage, a condition where a woman bleeds uncontrollably during, before, during or after delivery.

“Therefore, blood donation goes to help such patients whose condition can only be managed by blood and blood products as part of their treatment,” Dr Sepenu stated.

He also noted that the blood donation exercise is in line with the Church’s “Possessing the Nations” agenda (Vision 2023).

Mr. Jonas Belko, the National Blood Bank Coordinator, commended JMWC for supporting the exercise and encouraged other churches and corporate bodies to emulate the good example.

As part of the event, all the donors were given packs of milo, tins of milk and other souvenirs such as T-shirts, keyholders and books, as tokens of appreciation.

SOURCE: THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST NEWS

Thirty-three persons who have served The Church of Pentecost in various capacities have been honoured by the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

They were presented with plaques, letters of appreciation and tokens in recognition of their invaluable services to the church and God.

The ceremony, which took place at the Pentecost Pension House, Gbawe in Accra, on Friday, September 3, 2021, also saw the inauguration of the newly established Pent Media Board.

The reviewed national committee/board chairmen and members include Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, now retired (Chairman of the Constitutional Amendment Committee), Apostle Joseph Assabil and Elder Dr. Ebenezer Nii Ayittey Tagoe (Members of the Missions Board), and Mrs. Sheila Nyaneba Hayfron (National Executive Committee Member of the Women’s Ministry).

Others are Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (Chairman of the defunct Media Board), Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor, Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse, Elder Joseph Mbrokor-Ewoal and Elder Justice Eric Kyei Baffour (all Members of the defunct Media Board).

Others are Pastor Emmanuel Danah (former Media Ministry Pastor), Pastor Isaac Annor (former Publications Officer and Member of the Literature Committee and Press Board), Elder Dr. Adom Adu-Amoah, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Anim, Elder Charles O. Frimpong, and Elder Dr. Gibson Annor-Antwi (Chairman and Members of the defunct Pent TV Board respectively).

The rest are Elder Matthew Nkansah, Elder Lawyer Bernard Bosumprah, Elder Lawyer Peter Adaliwe Kaba, Ms. Portia Abena Dufie and Ms. Akosua Somuah as well as Elder Gibson Annor-Antwi (all Members of the Electoral Commission).

Apostle Ekow Badu Wood, now retired (Chairman of the Press Board, Member of the Ministerial Committee and Pentecost Convention Centre Board), Mrs. Mabel Darko (Member of the Press Board), Apostle David Nyansah Hayfron (Member of the National Ministerial Committee), Pastor Henry Sowah Ako-Nai (Member of the National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee), Apostle Emmanuel Kwasi Osei Ofosu, Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa and Pastor Stephen Frimpong Koranteng, now retired (all Members of the Records, Archives, and Statistics Committee), Evangelist Shadrack Ohene-Asa Otu (former Deputy Evangelism Director) and Pastor Percy Nii Tackie-Otoo (former National Secretary of the Evangelism Ministry) were all recognized for their dedicated services to the church.

Some reviewed Area Deacons, namely Elders Samuel B. Sackey of Achimota Area, Isaac Asare of Obuasi Area and the late Jacob Nii Ashie of Yendi Area, were also appreciated for the incredible roles they have played in the church.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated Pent Media Board is constituted as follows: Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Chairman), Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (FAD), Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor (Secretary). Other members of the board are Elder Dr. Adom Adu-Amoah, Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse, Pastor Paul Odai Laryea, Elder Charles O. Frimpong, Elder Matthew Nkansah, Elder Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, Elder Lawyer Peter Adaliwe Kaba, Elder Isaac Boamah Darko, Deaconess Efua Garbrah-Sarfo, Elder Philip Osei Bonsu and Ms. Akua Boakyewa Yiadom.

Speaking at the event, Apostle Eric Nyamekye highly commended the reviewed chairmen and members of the various national committees and boards for serving with all their strength and resources. He urged them to throw their weights behind their successors so that the work of God will continue to grow.

He also congratulated members of the Pent Media Board on their appointment and charged them to bring their expertise to bear to help realise the vision of establishing the Media Centre.

The Board Chairman, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, speaking on behalf of members of the board, thanked the leadership of the church for confidence reposed in them by selecting them to serve on the board. He pledged their preparedness to do their best to project the image of the church positively in realization of the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Teshie-Nungua Area of The Church of Pentecost has welcomed its new Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, his wife Grace and their family to the Area. 

Apostle Nkrumah-Agyeman takes over from Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah who retired on August 15, 2021, after 37 years of ministerial service to the Church.  

Preaching the sermon at the welcome service which took place on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Agnes Boahemaa Gyimah Memorial Temple, Nungua, on the topic, “Faithful is the One Who Has Called Us,” the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) and Executive Council Member-elect, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, read several Bible texts including 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 54:10 and Isaiah 41:13 and explained that God’s righteous right hand is strong and firmly holds the believer to an expected end.  

“If you are about to leave the protection of the righteous right hand of God by indulging in unholy acts, do well to return back to Him. God’s righteous right hand will never leave you nor forsake you, it will not leave you in the care of anyone. His righteous right hand holds believers firmly even in death, that is why Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for believers.” 

According to Apostle Anane Denteh, God has made declarations concerning His children. He defined declaration as an emphatic public statement made by a higher authority such as government or a public official.  

“In Isaiah 41:13, God made a profound statement that He will hold us by our right hand,” he said, adding, “We live in an era where people do not keep their promises, but God has promised us that He will hold us by our right hand despite whatever challenges we find ourselves in, and He is faithful to keep His promises.” 

He added: “Every believer, sometimes, panics over issues. As ministers of God, sometimes we panic when we have to go to the mission field but God has promised us in Isaiah 54:10 that He will take care of us with compassion.” 

Apostle Anane Denteh explained further that the ministry of Abraham also took him to different places and God made a covenant with him to protect him and his descendants, saying, “God has never disappointed those who rely on Him; He has a righteous right hand with which He uses to support His people.”  

Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman and his family were grateful to God Almighty, the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the Executive Council for the opportunity to serve in the Area.  

He read Lamentations 5:21 and encouraged the members in the Area to litter every space in the Area with prayers and embark on aggressive evangelism.  

Apostle Nkrumah-Agyeman was called into the full-time ministry in 1998 from Mamprobi Central Assembly in the then Accra West Area. He has served in Kete Krachi, PIWC Koforidua, Equatorial Guinea as Missionary and Bolgatanga Area as Area Head. 

Report by Isabella Gyau Orhin.

The 37-year ministerial journey of the Sunyani Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh, was brought to a glorious end on Sunday, August 15, 2021, at the F. D. Walker Auditorium, Sunyani.  

The event, which was officiated by the General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, was assisted by Apostle Isaac Nii Kortei Djani (Executive Council Member, RCC Coordinator for Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions and Techiman Area Head). Also present to grace the occasion were ministers of the church, DSP Francis Nimado (Sunyani District Police Commander), Nana Kwaku Saben (Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Council who represented the Omanhene of Sunyani), Nana Afia Ampem Kunadu Yiadom (Bannue Nkwantahema), and other traditional leaders from the Sunyani Traditional Area.  

The various stations that Apostle Andoh served were equally represented in their numbers. 

Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh was called into the full-time ministry of the church in 1984. He was later called to the office of an Apostle in 2008 and sent out as a missionary in the same year to Zimbabwe with oversight responsibility for the Republic of Mozambique. Other stations he served are Nkawie Toase (1984 – 1985), Nyinahini (1985 – 1991), Kwesimintsim (1991 – 1997), Bidieso (1997 – 2001), Kaneshie (2001 – 2008), The Republic of Zimbabwe as National Head (2008 – 2012), Mankessim as Area Head (2012 – 2015) and Sunyani as Area Head (2015 – 2021). 

Notable among the offices he held in his active years of ministry include Area Evangelism Leader, Area Secretary, Area Children Ministry Leader and Area Executive Member, Zonal and Regional GPCC Chairman, Bonnke Crusade Committee Chairman, RCC Co-ordinator, and an Executive Council Member of the Church.    

Preaching the sermon at the service on the topic, “To End Well, Add Virtue To Your Faith,” the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, took his key references from 2 Peter 1:5-11, Titus 2:11-12 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 

He exhorted Christians to live exemplary life such that their lifestyle could serve as a standard worthy of emulation and to attest to their testimony that God indeed has saved and transformed their lives.  

The General Secretary described Apostle Andoh as a man who has added virtue to his faith. According to him, all that have been said about Apostle Andoh in the citations presented to him are a true reflection of his life. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi defined virtue as the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. He further noted that virtuous people do the right thing at all times even as determined by law.  

“Virtuous people are kind-hearted, obedient, diligent, not men-pleasers and have a high principle of conduct, live lives of moral excellence and chastity,” he pointed out. 

Concluding his sermon, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi advised all and sundry to respect one another, treat one another with kindness and compassion, eschew acts of corruption and malicious actions. 

In their farewell speech, the leadership of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) in the three Bono Regions highly commended Apostle Obeng Andoh, who was the Regional Chairman of the body for his sterling leadership.  

“He is a hardworking person. From the height of his simplicity and the weight of his spirituality and the depth of his humility, you can just see and know the man carries God within him. He has set a high standard for all of us. He is a man who fears and loves God,’’ they said. 

The General Council of The Church of Pentecost equally described him as a man of the Word who rightly divides the word of God with precision and illustrations for the understating of his audience.  

“He is a man who strongly believes in the limitless power of fervent prayer and one of the averred defenders of the Pentecostal heritage and the Christian faith,” it said.  

The General Council also described his wife, Juliet as a strong pillar behind his ministry, saying, “Her love and support have contributed greatly to their successful ministry.’’ 

Report by Pastor Joseph Awotwe, Sunyani.  

Elder Prince Amoah of Bethel Assembly in the Santase District of The Church of Pentecost has donated a brand-new Fiat pickup vehicle worth $34,000 to the Miaso District. 

Elder Amoah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PrinceMark Company Limited, has also given out GH¢15,000.00 to the district to sink a mechanised borehole at the mission house.

Explaining the rationale behind the gesture, Elder Amoah said: “As part of Vision 2023, we are to possess nations by sharing what we have received from God with the world. So, I realised that Miaso District needed a vehicle for the smooth running of the district and decided to support them in my own small way by presenting this pickup and a token of money to help run the district.” 

The keys and documents of the vehicle were presented to the Nkawkaw Area Head, Prophet Foster K. Aniakwaa, at a brief handing-over and dedication ceremony held on Friday, August 20, 2021. The Area Head, in turn, presented them to the Miaso District Minister, Pastor Samuel Appiah Mante.

Prophet Aniakwaa thanked Elder Prince Amoah for the kind gesture, saying: “We were not expecting this at this particular time. We are very much grateful for what you have done. God richly bless you.” 

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Pastor Samuel Appiah Mante was full of appreciation to Elder Prince Amoah for the timely donation made to the district. 

“This pickup truck is going to benefit the entire Miaso Community. We will ensure that we use it for the purpose for which it has been brought to us so that whenever he sees it around, he would feel fulfilled that his effort has not been in vain,” he said.

Present at the ceremony were Pastor Kofi and Mrs Akosua Antwi Boasiako of Santa district in the Kwadaso Area as well as the Nkawkaw Area Deacon, Elder Daniel Kwame Agyepong.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare