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PENSA Ghana ‘Holistic Empowerment Conference’ Kick-Starts

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesYouth Ministry

The year 2022 has begun on a good note for youth of The Church of Pentecost as they converge at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa to be equipped and empowered to be unleashed to possess their spheres of life for Christ Jesus.

This year’s PENSA Ghana Conference dubbed ‘Holistic Empowerment Conference’ under the theme: “Equipping the Church As An Army to Possess the Nations,” is taking place simultaneously at the two centres from January 3-6, 2022.

Opening the conference on Monday night, the Patron of the Youth Ministry, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, on behalf of the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, welcomed the hundreds of young men and women mainly students, alumni, PENSA Travelling Secretaries, Resident PENSA Campus Pastors, among others, to the conference.

Giving a historical antecedent of how PENSA conferences began in the early 1980s, Apostle Asante, who also doubles as the Koforidua Area Head and Executive Council Member of the church, said the conferences have come with great blessings to the church and also impacted and built up all those who have taken part in it over the years.

He, therefore, asked participants not to take it for granted but psych and open themselves up so that the Lord would speak to them, saying, “We are not attending for attending sake; we want the glory of God to come upon us.”

Reading from Haggai 2:7-9, he said that God has something great to do in The Church of Pentecost, and it is the youth that God will use to do it.

In his welcome address, the Youth Director, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, expressed his deepest appreciation to the leadership of the church for their continuous support for the activities of PENSA and the annual conferences.

Touching on the theme for the conference which happens to be the church’s main theme for the year, he said that emphasis is placed on how members can be built to be all-round, all-powerful, and fully equipped soldiers of God with all the machinery that is needed in their mandate of taking over nations for the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Youth Ministry and PENSA Ghana is also emphasising on a holistic development and the simple case is that, as long as we have not gone to heaven, the Lord needs us here on earth, and so we must be holistically developed.

“We must be young people who do not only know how to pray and cast out demons, but young people who have their financial lives, social lives, intellectual lives and all other areas of their lives intact and well developed so that they can be attractive in all spheres of life.

“The mandate is for us to take over nations. As we prepare to take over nations, the Lord will build us into all-round young people who are truly qualified to fit into every sphere of society to demonstrate the Kingdom life and its principles.

“Another focus of this conference is to release a full militancy against the deception of the devil such as the LGBTQI+ agenda. This conference will help us to be equipped to go out there as an army to fight against this deception that the devil wants to bring into the nation,” the Youth Director stated.

Delivering the sermon from the KNUST centre, Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Bompata Area Head and Executive Council Member) quoted his main scriptures from Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Corinthians 9:7a, and said that as soldiers of God, Christians need to be hard and tough in order to win the battle against the deceptions of the devil.

According to him, the Christian’s fight is a fight of faith. “We seek to conquer minds and hearts for God to make men serve His purposes and walk in His way. Our fight is a good fight because we don’t take firearms and go on rampage on nations, but we take captive of imaginations, strongholds and any argument that attempt to exalt itself against God.”

He added: “We are fighting to eliminate sin. Sin and evil are the viruses that we are trying to remove by the gospel we preach. We are equipping the church as an army to raid our world of the virus of sin and evil.” 

Speakers for the conference include Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), Apostle Dr Dela Quampah (Ho Area Head), Apostle Martin Seth Appiah (Madina Area Head), Apostle Prof Agyapong Kodua (Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University), and Deaconess Eunice Johnson.

Others are Coach Kwasi Appiah, Bernard Avle (Broadcast Journalist), Elder Dr Patrick Adonoo (PENSA International Coordinator), among others.

PENTECOST NEWS.

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GPCC Responds To Allegations Against Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The National Executive Council of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has responded to the viral video in which the leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Prophet Owusu Bempah, alleged that Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah consulted him for prophetic direction.

Click on this link to read/download the PRESS STATEMENT: https://bit.ly/3HuLGZr

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New Tafo Area Donates To Ejura Camp Prison

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The New Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost, led by the Area Prisons Ministry, has donated food items worth GHS 12,200.00 to the inmates of the Ejura Camp Prison. An amount of GHS 1,000.00 was also given to cover their medical expenses. 

Led by Pastor Agyemang Badu of Mile 3 District who represented the Area Head, Apostle Samuel Antwi, the team comprising ministers and their wives engaged the inmates in church service, leading many to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. 

The food items included one bag of sugar, 10 bags of gari, 21 bags of rice, 13 boxes of soap, oil, tin tomatoes, tubers of yams, and toilet rolls were later presented to the facility. 

Pastor Agyemang Badu explained that the act was to provide hope that Jesus loves everyone regardless of their situation. He, therefore, asked them to trust that Jesus will take care of them.

He revealed that visiting the prisons and sharing the word of God with inmates equips inmates for productive futures, replacing the cycle of crime and incarceration. 

“This is part of Possessing the Nations agenda, and on behalf of Apostle Samuel Antwi and his wife and all the pastors and officers of the Area, we have presented these items to the prisons to demonstrate the love of Christ to them,” he said. 

Officer in charge of the Ejura Camp Prison, Superintendent of Prisons Dickson Owusu Ameyaw, on behalf of the Prisons Administration appreciated the church for the gesture.

He expressed sincere thanks to the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Area Head of New Tafo, Apostle Samuel Antwi, and all pastors and officers in the Area for their show of love to the inmates.

“This will go a long way to feed inmates. This year’s Christmas will be special for inmates and it is all because of what The Church of Pentecost has done.

“Most of the prisoners have not enjoyed such since imprisonment. This time the story will be different, they will enjoy the meal in high spirits. 

“When they are hungry, it distracts us a lot but with this food, we are confident that our challenges have been lessened,” he said. 

The Area Prisons Coordinator, Pastor Emmanuel Mantey, asserted that the act would not be a nine-day wonder.

He assured the inmates of free Bibles as requested.

Report by Owusu Dennis.

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PIWC-Sakumono Women’s Ministry Visits New Life Orphanage

by with No Comment Church NewsWomen's Ministry

The Women’s Ministry of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Sakumono, as part of the activities marking the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, has visited the New Life Orphanage at Nungua, Accra to put smiles on the faces of the inmates.

Items worth about GHS 12,000.00 and a cash donation of GHS 2,000.00 were donated to the Home during the visit which took place on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

The items donated included bags of rice, breakfast cereals, buckets, assorted drinks, biscuits, bottled water, cooking oil, clothes, and shoes. Others were toilet rolls, sanitary pads, baby diapers, among others.

As part of the visit, members of the ministry fellowshipped with the inmates. In an exhortation, the wife of the Resident Minister for PIWC-Sakumono, Mrs. Eunice Owusu Sekyere Kwarteng, quoted 2 Timothy 3:15 and Luke 2:52 and asked the children to read their Bibles and pray every day and strengthen themselves in the word of God.

“The mother of all mothers who caters for children is the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said and added: “Society may forget about you but our Lord Jesus Christ will remember you. Therefore, take the word of God seriously and grow in it.” 

She prayed the favour of God upon their lives, and an excellent spirit for them to learn and be obedient to the mothers of the Home.

Presenting the items on behalf of the ministry, the Women’s Ministry Leader for PIWC-Sakumono, Deaconess Isabella Orhin, said the ministry was touched by the plight of the children and wanted them to have a great Christmas.

“As Christians, we strongly believe that children are a gift from God and must have the right to live irrespective of the circumstances surrounding their gestation and birth,” she said.

Receiving the items, Nii Afotey Botwe II, the head of the Home, thanked the church for the kind gesture. He called on other churches to also come to their aid.

Currently, the orphanage houses 92 inmates, made up of teenagers and toddlers.

Report by Yaa Asantewaah Adu Boahene.     

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Christmas Has Come Under Siege – Apostle Eric Nyamekye Bemoans

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With ChairmanTop Stories

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost Worldwide, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has expressed grave concern about the clandestine move by some world leaders and powerful groups to suppress the celebration of Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. 

According to the revered cleric, “Satan is jealous about Christmas, so he is doing everything possible to expunge the name of Christ from Christmas and make it an ordinary holiday.  

“We are in a conflict situation because there are strong forces to cancel Christmas. It was the Europeans who brought Christianity to Africa, but today the same people are scheming to destroy it,” he said. 

He added: “There are certain individuals in the nations if they become president today, they will cancel Christmas the next day. So, as Christians, we need to be serious about the celebration of Christmas.”  

The Chairman, therefore, called on Christians to fully embrace Christmas and celebrate it as such as they gather together and proclaim the love of God to humanity through the offering of His Son Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. 

Apostle Eric Nyamekye said this on Christmas Sunday when addressing members of the church in East Legon District of the Madina Area at the Peniel Assembly Auditorium to climax the 2021 Christmas Convention which was on the theme: “Jesus Christ – The Light of the World” (Isaiah 9:1-7). 

He took time to explain the essence of Christmas and how some powerful anti-Christian groups and individuals are planning to suppress its global significance and commemoration. 

He said that the annual celebration of Christmas brings glory to God, and that there is an inseparable connection between the glory of God and the birth of Christ. He added that the fact that non-Christians observe it brings glory to God and affirms the fact that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world and not just a founder of a religion. 

Because of this, he stated, Satan is struggling hard through some global institutions to take God out of the scene and make the period a normal holiday where people will make merry and enjoy themselves without recourse to Christ who is at the centre of the celebration.  

Apostle Nyamekye revealed that in December this year, the European Commission attempted and is still pushing hard to expunge the word “Christmas” and simply keep the period as “holidays” since they think that the word “Christmas” is offensive to non-Christians. This, he said, “is a tactical approach by the enemy to get Christ out of the minds of humanity.” 

Delivering the sermon on the topic, “The Magnificat” (Glory Be To God) based on Luke 1:46-55, 68; 2:29, he said that the Christmas story is the most beautiful and wonderful story ever told. The events heralding His birth – a virgin conceiving, a barren woman (Elizabeth) also conceiving, and angels announcing His birth – are all wonderful stories to be told. 

He said that the story was wrapped up in three prophetic songs of praise sung by three persons. Mary (Jesus’ mother) sang the first song called ‘The Magnificat’ (Magnifies) in Luke 1:46.  

The second prophetic song of praise called ‘The Benedictus’ (Blessed) was sung by Zacharia, father of John the Baptist in Luke 1:68, while Simeon, the old prophet, sang the third song called ‘Nunc Dimittis’ (Now Dismiss) in Luke 2:29 during the naming of Jesus. 

Focusing on ‘The Magnificat,’ Apostle Nyamekye revealed that Mary was chosen by God to bring forth the Messiah because she was a virgin and also feared God.  

He indicated that God’s mercies extend to those who fear Him in every generation. Reading from Psalm 34:11-14, he stated that the fear of God is connected to the obedience of God. 

“The fear of God is also about putting the will of God above ours, despite our feelings and perspectives on a matter,” he said. 

He added: “The acid test for a good Christian is in how much the fellow fears the Lord.” 

Apostle Eric Nyamekye advised believers to fear God and do His bidding to experience the mercies of God for their lives.      

The service was like a homecoming for the Chairman and his wife, Mary who once served as a District Minister for the district after their return from missions in South Africa. The Chairman and his wife received a tumultuous welcome from the members amidst cheers and shouts of praises. On behalf of his family, Apostle Nyamekye thanked them for their support and prayers which have helped him rise to the top. 

Present at the service were Apostle George Kwaku Narh (retired), and the host Minister, Pastor Patrick Kobina Bremansu, and his wife Gifty, among others. 

PENTECOST NEWS. 

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Christmas Has Come Under Siege – Apostle Eric Nyamekye Bemoans

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With ChairmanTop Stories

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost Worldwide, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has expressed grave concern about the clandestine move by some world leaders and powerful groups to suppress the celebration of Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

According to the revered cleric, “Satan is jealous about Christmas, so he is doing everything possible to expunge the name of Christ from Christmas and make it an ordinary holiday.

“We are in a conflict situation because there are strong forces to cancel Christmas. It was the Europeans who brought Christianity to Africa, but today the same people are scheming to destroy it,” he said.

He added: “There are certain individuals in the nations if they become president today, they will cancel Christmas the next day. So, as Christians, we need to be serious about the celebration of Christmas.”

The Chairman, therefore, called on Christians to fully embrace Christmas and celebrate it as such as they gather together and proclaim the love of God to humanity through the offering of His Son Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye said this on Christmas Sunday when addressing members of the church in East Legon District of the Madina Area at the Peniel Assembly Auditorium to climax the 2021 Christmas Convention which was on the theme: “Jesus Christ – The Light of the World” (Isaiah 9:1-7).

He took time to explain the essence of Christmas and how some powerful anti-Christian groups and individuals are planning to suppress its global significance and commemoration.

He said that the annual celebration of Christmas brings glory to God, and that there is an inseparable connection between the glory of God and the birth of Christ. He added that the fact that non-Christians observe it brings glory to God and affirms the fact that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world and not just a founder of a religion.

Because of this, he stated, Satan is struggling hard through some global institutions to take God out of the scene and make the period a normal holiday where people will make merry and enjoy themselves without recourse to Christ who is at the centre of the celebration.

Apostle Nyamekye revealed that in December this year, the European Commission attempted and is still pushing hard to expunge the word “Christmas” and simply keep the period as “holidays” since they think that the word “Christmas” is offensive to non-Christians. This, he said, “is a tactical approach by the enemy to get Christ out of the minds of humanity.”

Delivering the sermon on the topic, “The Magnificat” (Glory Be To God) based on Luke 1:46-55, 68; 2:29, he said that the Christmas story is the most beautiful and wonderful story ever told. The events heralding His birth – a virgin conceiving, a barren woman (Elizabeth) also conceiving, and angels announcing His birth – are all wonderful stories to be told.

He said that the story was wrapped up in three prophetic songs of praise sung by three persons. Mary (Jesus’ mother) sang the first song called ‘The Magnificat’ (Magnifies) in Luke 1:46.

The second prophetic song of praise called ‘The Benedictus’ (Blessed) was sung by Zacharia, father of John the Baptist in Luke 1:68, while Simeon, the old prophet, sang the third song called ‘Nunc Dimittis’ (Now Dismiss) in Luke 2:29 during the naming of Jesus.

Focusing on ‘The Magnificat,’ Apostle Nyamekye revealed that Mary was chosen by God to bring forth the Messiah because she was a virgin and also feared God.

He indicated that God’s mercies extend to those who fear Him in every generation. Reading from Psalm 34:11-14, he stated that the fear of God is connected to the obedience of God.

“The fear of God is also about putting the will of God above ours, despite our feelings and perspectives on a matter,” he said.

He added: “The acid test for a good Christian is in how much the fellow fears the Lord.”

Apostle Eric Nyamekye advised believers to fear God and do His bidding to experience the mercies of God for their lives.     

The service was like a homecoming for the Chairman and his wife, Mary who once served as a District Minister for the district after their return from missions in South Africa. The Chairman and his wife received a tumultuous welcome from the members amidst cheers and shouts of praises. On behalf of his family, Apostle Nyamekye thanked them for their support and prayers which have helped him rise to the top.

Present at the service were Apostle George Kwaku Narh (retired), and the host Minister, Pastor Patrick Kobina Bremansu, and his wife Gifty, among others.

PENTECOST NEWS.

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Birth Of Christ Is Worth Celebrating – General Secretary

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With GsTop Stories

In a dispensation where the media is saturated with news stories of doom and gloom, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, says it is very refreshing to retell the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, through the celebration of Christmas.

Delivering a sermon today on the topic: “Joy To The World, A Saviour Is Born” (Luke 2:8-16) at the Mamprobi Central Assembly, Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that there is a deliberate attempt to gradually shift Christmas from its central focus as a celebration of Christ.

He noted that some people are determined to take away the Christ factor from Christmas and rather observe the period as a holiday. 

“How can we say we are celebrating the birthday of a ‘person’ and yet not want Him to be part of the celebration?” he wondered.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, therefore, urged Christians not to fall for this subtle-ungodly agenda and rather commit to reestablishing the essence of Christmas, which is to celebrate the goodness that came out of the birth of Christ.

Touching on the significance of the birth of Christ, the General Secretary explained that the depraved nature of the human race, which resulted from sin (disobedience) caused them to attract the wrath of God (Romans 3:23, Romans 1:18, 31-32).

He said that to restore humans to their former glory, God intervened by coming down to redeem mankind from sin in fulfilment of the prophecy given by Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:8-9).

“[The Book of Matthew] records that in the appointed time Isaiah’s prophecy came to past; God came down to earth in the flesh to save mankind through the birth of Christ. So, His birth was a confirmation of God’s salvation for mankind,” he said.

He further noted that Christ is God’s gift to the world so that through Him, all those who believe would become God’s children as He originally intended before the fall.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also stressed that Jesus is a total package, describing Him as “the wonderful Counselor; Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace,” and that without Him, life on earth has no meaning. These, according to him, are among the many reasons why the birth of Christ is worth celebrating.

The General Secretary, therefore, advised unbelievers to accept Jesus Christ into their lives to enjoy the numerous benefits of His birth.

He also urged believers to hold firmly to Christ and walk with Him throughout the ensuing year to experience a truly prosperous New Year.

The service, which was the climax of this year’s Christmas Conventions, had in attendance members from all four assemblies (Mamprobi Central Assembly, Bethel Assembly, Korle-Bu Assembly and English Assembly) of the Mamprobi District in the Dansoman Area of the Church.

Merry Christmas!

PENTECOST NEWS

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IMD Joins Awakyekwaa District Christmas Convention

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With IMDTop Stories

The International Missions Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, and his wife Debora on Christmas Day [Saturday, December 25, 2021] fellowshipped with members in Awakyekwaa District of Downtown-Ofaakor Area. 

He was received by the Downtown-Ofaakor Area Head, Apostle Dr. Benjamin Ali, together with the Awakyekwaa District Minister, Overseer George Arthur. 

The elated church members who could not hide their joy happily sang and danced to the glory of God. 

Delivering the sermon on the topic, “The Wise Gifts” taken from Matthew 2:11, Apostle Agyemang Bekoe explained that the Wisemen [their number was not specified by the Bible] presented three important gifts, namely gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus and also bowed to Him. 

According to the IMD, the gold represents royalty which depicts Jesus’ kingship. It also represents worth and stability. He stated that as the king of the world, Jesus is the originator of all the treasures in the world, and that His children have access to them. 

He also said that the frankincense presented to Jesus exudes fragrance which is also used for medicinal purposes. He mentioned that anyone that comes to Christ must radiate the beauty and aroma of Him which makes believers attractive and so special. He further stated that Christ is the epitome of healing and heals those who come to Him and give them clarity of mind. 

Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe concluded his sermon by saying that myrrh is a preservative used to preserve dead bodies from seeing corruption. This, he said, was about the death of Christ which was foretold ahead of His birth and God making the appropriate provisions for it so that His body would not see corruption. 

The whole atmosphere was charged when the International Missions Director led the congregation through a prayer session after the word ministration. 

PENTECOST NEWS. 

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Jesus Is A Package To The World – General Secretary Of The Church Of Pentecost Declares

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With GsTop Stories

God has offered His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to the world as a complete package for those who accept and believe in Him, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has asserted. 

Speaking at the 2021 Christmas Convention organised by the Baatsona District in the Teshie-Nungua Area of The Church of Pentecost on the Christmas eve [Friday, December 24, 2021] on the theme: “The Birth of Jesus: Fulfilment of God’s Word” with scripture references from Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7; Matthew 1:22-23; Galatians 4: 4-5, among others, Apostle Kumi-Larbi called on the world to gladly embrace God’s indescribable gift and enjoy the full benefits thereof. 

He stated that when a gift is given and nobody receives it, it remains with the giver, saying, “Jesus Christ has been given to the world by God as a gift but not until the world receives Him, He remains with the owner (God). 

“As a gift to the world, Jesus is a package and when you accept Him, you receive the full promises of God for your life.” 

According to the General Secretary, nobody is a mistake in life. However, what can make one a mistake in life is their failure to recognise God’s gift [Jesus Christ] and accept Him and walk with Him for the rest of their lives. 

Touching on what makes Jesus Christ a package with reference to the prophecies of Prophet Isaiah foretelling the birth of the Mesiah, he averred that aside the salvation that Jesus offers to all those who believe in Him, He comes into one’s life as a Wonderful Counselor. Explaining further, he said that because of what Satan did to man in the Garden of Eden to deprive man of God’s glory and thereby ended up confusing the entire human race, humanity needs a Wonderful Councilor, someone who knows the mind of God and will be able to interpret it to humankind so that man can be restored to his former glory. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also said that Jesus is a package because He is a Mighty God. He indicated that Jesus is described as a ‘Mighty God’ because He performs and does wonderful things which no mind can fathom. He said that it is only Jesus Christ who can correct all that the devil has destroyed in a man’s life. 

He added that Jesus is the only Prince of Peace to the world, and that He calms every worrying situation that one finds himself in.  

Jesus is a wonderful package because He is an Everlasting Father who can help and direct His children in order not to miss their providential way. Reading from Romans 8:15-17, he encouraged believers to be strong in the Lord and boldly come to Him with their challenges for a perfect solution. 

Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi ended his sermon by launching the congregation into intensive prayers.  

As part of the service, the Teshie-Nungua Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, on behalf of the Area presented a birthday package to the General Secretary who celebrated his birthday on the eve of Christmas. 

Present at the service was the host District Minister, Prophet Fred Antwi, and the wife of the Area Head, Mrs. Grace Nkrumah Agyeman, among others. 

PENTECOST NEWS. 

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Elders Anim-Yirenkyi, Asumadu Sakyi Are Joint Winners Of 2021 Chairman’s Best Worker Award

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

Management and Staff of The Church of Pentecost Headquarters ended this year’s activities on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, with an award and retirement ceremony which saw Elder Ebenezer Anim-Yirenkyi, a Principal Accounts Officer at the Pension Office, and Elder Daniel Asumadu Sakyi, also a Principal Accounts Officer at Asokwa Area Office in Kumasi being crowned as the joint recipients of the Chairman’s Best Workers Awards for the year. 

The Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, presented the prizes to the duo amid cheers from the staff and other attendees of the annual ceremony which took place at the Sophia McKeown Temple at La, Accra. 

As part of the service, four staff of the church who have served the church for varied years were retired from active service. Also, some staff who have served for 10, 15, 20 and 25 years were given long-service awards. 

Giving his Christmas and end-of-year address, Apostle Eric Nyamekye wished management and staff well in the Yuletide and prayed for a prosperous new year. 

Revealing the essence of Christmas, Apostle Nyamekye said that Christmas brings glory to God just like the angels sang in Luke 2:14. Because of this, he said, the devil is doing all he can to take people’s mind off  Christ and make the season a mere holiday, a period of feasting and merrymaking, as the European Commission has attempted and still pushing hard to expunge the word ‘Christmas’ and simply keep the period as a holiday. 

Notwithstanding all these deliberate attempts to downplay the importance of Christmas, the Chairman called on Christians not to gloss over the fact that Christmas is a season God is glorified by the celebration of the birth of His Son Jesus Christ which enforces the fact that Jesus is not a founder of a religion but the Saviour of the world. 

“It is, therefore, proper that Christians gather in this season if they can, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, worship at His feet, lift Him up as the king of all gods and tell of His love to the world. This brings so much honour to our God,” he said. 

In an exhortation, the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, spoke on the topic: “Golden Shields” based on 1 Kings 14:27; 2 Chronicles 12:10. 

He explained that King Rehoboam replaced the lost golden shields his father Solomon made with bronze shields after King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. 

Deducing some lessons from what King Rehoboam did, Apostle Agyemang Bekoe noted that by replacing the golden shields with bronze, King Rehoboam replaced conviction with convenience, control with compromise, value with vanity, and glory with a glow.  

According to him, conviction is influenced by passion and devotion. “Passion and devotion drive the vision of the organisation,” he said.  

On control and compromise, he stated that when standards are compromised, control is lost. He said in Rehoboam’s time, there was no control because he replaced the golden shields with bronze shields.  

He also said by replacing value with vanity, King Rehoboam traded worth for worthless, saying, “In an organisation, we need to value what we have and jealously guard them.”  

Present at the service were Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), Apostle Lawrence Out Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director), Prophet David Kankam Beditor (Ashaiman Area Head and Chairman of Greater Accra Coordinating Committee), Ministry Directors, Staff, among others. 

PENTECOST NEWS.