It was all joy when the newly constructed grand church auditorium for the Abrepo Central Assembly in the Suame Area of The Church of Pentecost was dedicated to the glory of God on September 27, 2020.
The 1,500-seater auditorium, which was constructed at the total cost of GH¢694,823.00, can boast of 120 seating capacity hall for the English Assembly, and a 100 seating capacity children’s hall. Other facilities include washrooms, administrative offices, and disabled ramps.
The edifice was dedicated by the Suame Area Head, Apostle Michael Collins Asiedu, assisted by the Abrepo District Minister, Pastor Fred Obboh, and other ministers in the Area.
Delivering the word of God on the topic, “The Redemptive Presence of God,” based on 2 Chronicles 7:12-16, Genesis 28:12-15, Pastor Charles Ebo Asmah of Bohyen District said that even though God is Omnipresent, He still chooses places where He meets His people and discloses His being to them. He explained that God uses such meeting places to seek an uncommon relationship with His people and also cause His redemptive activities to occur.
The Area Head, Apostle M. C. Asiedu, on his part, indicated the need for Christians to have a new mentality, a new attitude, and a renewed lifestyle which, he noted, will invoke the glorious presence of God in the midst of His people.
A total of 125 persons surrendered their lives to Christ following a series of evangelistic activities undertaken by the Haatso Area Home and Urban Missions (HUM) of The Church of Pentecost at some slums and unreached parts of the capital city, Accra.
The event, which took place from Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 20, 2020, was organised in collaboration with the Southern Sector HUM Coordinator, Pastor Joseph Taah Appiah and his team.
Among other things, the event was aimed at evangelising to unreached target/people groups, establishing mono-ethnic assemblies, and training HUM stakeholders in the area.
On the first day, the team visited the Dome Train Station area – a converging point for drug peddlers, addicts, prostitutes, the neglected poor and other vulnerable people, where they shared the gospel of Christ with them. The exercise recorded a total of 27 souls made up of 25 drug addicts and sex workers (both male and female) as well as 2 women of the Kassena ethnic group. A similar exercise at the same location in April, yielded 17 souls, thus totalling 44.
The team visited the Kwabenya Abuom Junction area and the Dome Market on day 2 of the exercise. There, a total of 52 washing bay attendants, drug addicts (at a popular place in the Dome Market area called “Afghanistan”) and porters/truck/wheelbarrow pushers were evangelised to and led to Christ.
On the third day, the team partnered with the Macedonia Assembly HUM to evangelise at slums and “ghettos” in the Atomic area. To the glory of God 34 souls were won comprising 12 children and 22 adults, with some of being drug addicts. They have since joined the Macedonia Assembly.
The Team met with Pastor Alex Kyere of Dome New Town District on Day 4 to discuss the possibility of reactivating the Kassena mono-ethnic church at the Ebenezer Assembly that had been merged with the Akan Assembly. Following fruitful deliberations, the District Pastor has decided to resume services for the sizeable Kassena population in the Pillar 2 community. Another outreach undertaken in the urban slum close to the Agbogba Central Assembly/Police Station in the late afternoon yielded 19 souls.
The final outreach which was carried out at the Adenta-WASS slum area on Day 5 of the exercise recorded 33 souls (both adults and children). The converts have since joined the Adenta-WASS HUM Assembly. In all, the total number of persons led to Christ during the weeklong exercise was 165.
On Day 6, however, a day’s workshop was held at the Haatso Central Assembly church auditorium for HUM volunteers, presiding elders, as well as local, district and area HUM coordinating teams.
The event was opened by the Haatso Area Head, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang-Bekoe, with Pastor Joseph Taah Appiah as the main facilitator. The weeklong activities were climaxed with the inauguration of the WASS HUM Assembly at Adenta. The Adenta District Minister, Pastor Emmanuel Oppong Donkor has demonstrated great commitment towards the HUM concept by leading a group of persons to raise an amount of GHS 1,000.00 to support members of the new HUM assembly.
Aside from appointing a presbytery to manage the assembly, Pastor Oppong Donkor has also put the new converts up for “adoption and rehabilitation” by members of the Adenta Central Assembly and has promised them a set of instruments and sporting kits (football and jersey) for the youth members of the assembly.
The Haatso Area HUM looks to undertake a similar exercise to consolidate gains made so far and also break fallow grounds across the Haatso Area–especially in the Pantang, Haatso and DNT Districts before the end of the year 2020. Efforts are also being made to retain as many souls won during the weeklong exercise as possible in the church.
The Haatso Area Head is commended for his continuous support to the Area HUM, particularly for releasing an amount of GHS 2,650.00 to support their activities. From this amount, the leadership of the Haatso Area HUM has procured 2 rechargeable /mobile public address (PA) systems and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for onward distribution to the Adenta and Redco HUM mobile assemblies.
A couple, Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Kate Anyane-Lah, members of Housing Down Central Assembly in the Madina Area of The Church of Pentecost, who have remained childless for 20 years, has given birth to a set of twins.
Three months after the blessing of their marriage on 5th August, 2000, Kate conceived but suffered a miscarriage in the early stage of the pregnancy. After that unfortunate incident, the couple did everything humanly and medically possible to conceive again but to no avail.
They described the humiliations they had to endure from friends, some Church members, and even family members as “unbearable.” At a point, they even decided not to move forward whenever childless couples were called out for prayers.
For twenty years of their marriage, they spent a huge percentage of their income on medications, hopping from one hospital to another, including fertility hospitals, with the sole aim of having a child.
In 2015, they were made to undergo a surgery called Laparoscopy and were promised that they will conceive within two months but it yielded no positive result. At a point, a doctor taking care of them at one of the hospitals said to them: “What else do you want from me? I have done all that is medically possible for you.” While going home that day, Kate was nearly hit by a vehicle while standing right in the middle of the road unaware.
But to the glory of God, in September 2019 during a prayer session organised by the Women’s Ministry which was led by the District Pastor, Mrs. Anyane-Lah encountered divine grace and her menstrual cycle ceased. Upon visiting the hospital, she was told at the first examination that it was a menopausal symptom because she was 44 years. But a test conducted later showed that she had picked a seed. They did not believe the report so they had to test it three more times by themselves for confirmation with a pregnancy test kit.
It is marvelous that the pregnancy turned out to be twins (two females). Due to her age, she encountered some medical challenges during the pregnancy but God graciously took her through till delivery on 15th May, 2020. The children were named on 19th September, 2020.
The New Edubiase District of The Church of Pentecost has organised a get-together for some young people in the New Edubiase township to evangelise to them and win them for Christ. The event was also aimed at inviting them to experience the joy of Christian fellowship.
Unfortunately, the highly successful event was earlier reported on various news portals with the caption: “New Edubiase District Organizes Dinner For Drug Addicts.” We wish to state that any report bearing the afore-mentioned caption is inaccurate and deeply regretted.
The attendees of the said event were not “drug addicts” as reported, but a section of the unreached youth populace in the township. We, therefore, render an unqualified apology to all, especially the attendees, for any embarrassment it might have caused them.
In the Church’s attempt to win all for Christ, coupons were given to as many of them as possible, of which fifty-seven (57) attended. To the glory of God, Forty-three (43) of them gave their lives to Christ.
Sharing the message of the gospel with them, the District Minister, Pastor Emmanuel Nkansah, told the participants that God’s purpose for sending Christ into the world, as an expression of His love, is to save everyone including them. Though the society might have ignored them, Christ and His church still love them and the church, with her opened arms, is ready to receive them.
The Church will continue to foster good relations with all people so as to win some for Christ.
The immediate past Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, has been inducted as the President of the Bible Society of Ghana, with Madam Matilda Amissah-Arthur (former 2nd Lady of the Republic of Ghana) and Mrs. Florence Hutchful as Vice Presidents.
Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah took over from Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee of the Salt and Light Ministries.
His induction service took place during the Society’s 2020 Annual General Meeting held at the Evangel Assemblies of God Church at Adabraka, Accra, on Thursday, October 1, 2020.
According to the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Enock Aryee-Atta, Apostle Prof. Onyinah was elected by the Council of the Society through physical and virtual elections.
In his remarks, Apostle Prof. Onyinah thanked members of the Society for the confidence reposed in him and called for their continued support for its activities. “Beloved, it is indeed humbling to serve you as president and I pray that you continue to support the Society so that it will be a beacon of God’s glory to all people,” he said.
Prior to his induction, The Church of Pentecost in a letter signed by Apostle David Tettey Tekper, Executive Council Member and Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Committee, on behalf of Chairman of the Church, Eric Nyamekye, congratulated the Apostle Prof. Onyinah on his new position.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Dr. Daniel Walker, congratulated Apostle Prof. Onyinah on assuming the new position. “We as a University and Church are proud to associate with Prof Onyinah and the new mandate God has bestowed on him. We wish him the best,” he stated.
Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah is the immediate past Chancellor of the Pentecost University and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC).
He served as a full-time minister of the Church for 42 years during which he held many high-profile positions. Notable among them were International Missions Director, Rector of Pentecost University College between 2003 and 2008, and Chairman of the Church from 2008 to 2018.
Currently, he is a lecturer at the School of Theology, Mission and Leadership of Pentecost University.
As part of the effort to possess the nations by transforming every sphere of society with values and principles of the kingdom of God, the Old Tafo-Akim District of The Church of Pentecost in Koforidua-Effiduase Area has constructed a bus stop at Ettokrom at a cost of GH¢ 9,000.00.
The Area Head, Apostle Daniel Yeboah Nsaful, on Sunday, August 30, 2020, dedicated the facility and handed it over to the chiefs and people of the community.
In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, the Old Tafo-Akim District Minister, Pastor Prince Odoom, indicated that the facility will relief commuters in the community since it will provide shelter for the travelling public.
The commissioning of the bus stop which coincided with the dedication of the Ettokrom Assembly Information Centre and the refurbished church auditorium was attended by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Honourable Gifty Twum Ampofo, and the Abuakwa North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Honourable Twum Ampofo.
Others were: Barima Eto Adomako III (Chief of Ettokrom), opinion leaders, representatives of churches in Ettokrom, Pastor Job and Mrs. Margaret Wiredu of Ati District, among others.
In a brief address, Apostle Nsaful stated that the construction of the facility is a realisation of the church’s agenda for transforming society by partnering government and state institutions to provide key interventions to facilitate the development of the nation.
According to him, the church’s five-year strategic vision of possessing the nations is geared towards equipping its teeming members to make an impact in society by living out and standing for the values and principles of the Kingdom of God in their daily activities.
The Abuakwa North MCE, Hon. Twum Ampofo, who received the facility on behalf of Ettokrom Community, commended the Church for the kind gesture.
The MP for Abuakwa North, Hon. Gifty Twum Ampofo, was full of gratitude to the Church for the gesture and admonished Ettokrom community to take good care of the facility to serve its intended purpose.
The newly built mission house for the Juapong District in the Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated by the Agormanya Area Head, Apostle James Gabriel Quardson. He was assisted by the Juapong District Minister, Pastor Joseph Anenyah Ntoso.
The event, which took place on Sunday, 20th September, 2020, brought together ministers and their wives in the Area, and members in the district.
The new mission house was constructed at a cost of GH₵ 298,401.00 with funding from the headquarters of the church, Area Infrastructure Development Fund (AIDF), district offerings, and individual donations.
Reading from Matthew 11:28-29; Judges 4:18-21 and 1 Samuel 22:1-2, 23 Apostle Quardson preached on the topic, “The shelter that guarantees safety.”
According to him, people seek for rest whenever they become physically weary. “One of Jesus’ purposes on earth was to give rest to them that are weary and heavy laden. There is rest for the body and the soul. Jesus is able to fulfill both,” he said.
He indicated that rest comes in two forms – the rest that humans give to their fellow humans and that which is found in Christ Jesus. “Jesus is able to give rest to our souls and security to our bodies while we are on earth. He watches over His chosen ones,” he noted.
The Area Head exhorted Christians not to be anxious and overwhelmed by the unfortunate situations that sometimes face them in life.
He stated: “Let us unwaveringly seek the rest and security that Jesus offers for in it we find rest for our bodies and security for souls.”
Apostle James Gabriel Quardson commended the members for their sacrificial giving that has led to the completion of the project.
Also in attendance were Mrs. Felicia Quardson (wife of the Area Head), Pastor Enoch Odame (former Juapong District Pastor who is the current Resident Minister for Egyir Paintsil Memorial Worship Centre – Madina Area), among others.
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. (Psalm 115:1-3 NIV)
On 12th March 2020, the Minister of Health in Ghana, Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu announced to the Ghanaian public of the first cases of the novel corona virus infection recorded in the country. This was after weeks of uncertainty among Ghanaians regarding the spread of the virus in neighbouring countries. This was due to the devastating effects Covid-19 has had on superpowers like China and Italy. In the minds of most Ghanaians, countries with excellent medical facilities and emergency response systems were being “humbled” by the novel virus and thus, Ghana “stood no chance” in dealing with the situation if a case was recorded in the country. The government of Ghana initially banned travels to Ghana from countries with more than 200 cases of the coronavirus. In a press conference, the Minister of Information, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated, “All travel to Ghana is strongly discouraged”. Citizens and resident-permit holders were required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. This did not stop the importation of the virus. After recording 137 cases, the president declared a partial lockdown of the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolis to help curb the spread. This did not however stop the spread as more cases were reported through routine surveillance and contact tracing embarked on by health professionals.
A post supposedly attributed to the Italian Prime Minister, Minister Giuseppe Conte reads; “We have lost control, we have killed the epidemic physically and mentally. Can’t understand what more we can do, all solutions are exhausted on ground. Our only hope remains up in the Sky, God rescue your people.” The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic at a news briefing on March 11, 2020.
On 19th March 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo called on Christian leaders to seek the face of God amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic across the country. He again declared 25th March 2020 a National Day of Prayer and Fasting against coronavirus. He also re-echoed the words of King Jehoshaphat when he was overawed by the enemies, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). This was greeted with mixed sentiments among the populace. Some Ghanaians made mockery of the declarations. In the comments section of a popular news portal in the country, one poster said; “Ghanaians need economic stimulus package to save businesses and lessen the burden on our livelihood. Not fasting and praying at this time. We need to be Serious. Selfish and Greedy Leaders”. Yet another posted, “We need to change our attitude. We don’t need prayers but need to care for humanity”. Another posted, “Mr President, we are very pleased with your words but let us face the fact with honesty, prayers we know won’t do anything…”. A popular musician in Ghana, in an interview during the lockdown said, “It is now time for pastors and Christians to show that indeed their God is real by calling on Him (God) to heal just ten of the infected people.” The naysayers increased by the day.
But the church did not relent. Most church leaders declared fasting and prayers for their members. The Church of Pentecost in particular declared Friday as a day of fasting and prayers to call on God to intervene. After one such prayer sessions, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye declared, “The roots of the virus have been uprooted and burnt.” This was also greeted with mockery when the cases kept going up each day.
Fast forward to 28th September 2020, Ghana had recorded 46,444 cases, 299 deaths and 45,646 recoveries with an active case count of 499. In percentage terms, only 0.15% of the population have been infected with the virus. 0.6% of those infected passed away while 98.3% have been clinically discharged. Only thirteen (13) countries in the world have better recovery rates than Ghana. In Africa, only Djibouti has a better recovery rate (98.7%). Djibouti however has 0.55% of its populace infected with the virus with 1.1% of those infected passing away. The total cases worldwide stand at 33,585,750 with 24,903,199 recoveries (74%) and 1,007,196 deaths (3%). In as much as we praise the government for its interventions, we cannot deny the hand of God in the impressive statistics stated above. Indeed, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a recent address to the nations bemoaned the fact that most Ghanaians were not adhering to the safety protocols put in place to help curb the spread such as the wearing of nose masks and social distancing. However, the number of active cases keep reducing although testing is still being carried out.
This might be an indication that the fewer active cases is not entirely the work of government and its agencies but something else is involved. That “something else” is God in action. Contrary to the mockery and doubts, God has shown again that “…the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b). This should increase our faith in Him and increase our appetite for prayer in our personal circumstances and also intercede for others. People will not stop ridiculing the church but the church (you and I) should stand strong, “so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10).
And so it has been today through the pandemic. When sceptics ridiculed and scorned at Christian leaders and the church saying, “Where is your so-called God who heals?” The answer is and has always been this: He is always with us and answers our cry anytime we call. We are His witnesses to the world. And we join voices with the Psalmist to sing;
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. (Psalm 97:1-6 NIV)
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa, has reiterated her resolve to preside over a peaceful, transparent, and fair elections in Ghana, come December 7.
Speaking at the launch of the 2nd edition of the ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign organised by The Church of Pentecost, the EC boss said that she made a covenant with God several years ago to be used by Him in a way He pleased.
“Today I stand before the Almighty God to pledge and present myself as an Agent of Peace in our nation Ghana and the rest of the world.
“Romans 12:8 places the onus of ensuring and maintaining peace on us as individuals. It emphasises that if it is possible, as much as it depends on us, we should live peaceably with all men. I believe that if we are each able to do this, we will be counted as worthy agents of peace, and by extension, as ambassadors of Christ.
“As a representative of God, responsible for the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful elections in Ghana, it is important that I and indeed the leadership of the Electoral Commission, signal peace in all our operations, activities and speech.
“As individuals at the helm of affairs, we have a duty to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes peace and builds trust. We recognise that how we speak, what we say, and our posture will help promote peace or otherwise in our dear nation. It is vital that in all we do we build trust and confidence in our processes as this will go a long way to foster peace in our society.
“It is important that we remain transparent, responsive and accountable to our Stakeholders by providing them with timely and accurate, information on all our activities.
“It is important that we remain fair to all our stakeholders i.e. the Political Parties and that we conduct our activities without fear or favour.
“It is vital that we communicate with our stakeholders with decorum, devoid of inflammatory words, irritation or anger.
“We recognise that this year is a crucial year as we go to the polls on December 7. What we say and do will have a positive or negative bearing on the nation. We are, therefore, resolved that our activities and words should leave a lasting and positive impact on our dear nation,” she indicated.
Giving her personal commitment to holding a credible election, Mrs. Mensa disclosed that she has spent some time talking about what the Commission is doing as an institution. However, I also have a duty to God and Country to be an Agent of Peace, she said.
“As the head of the Commission, the signals I send out, be it to our staff or the public are important as it will have an impact on the election and the nation. This is not lost on me. As such my speeches and interaction with our key stakeholders must be decorous/courteous yet clear and firm and must also inspire confidence and trust in me as a person and in the Commission.
“As a Christian, I am a firm believer in the principles that Christ stands for – Justice, Peace and Truth. I am committed to ensuring that these principles are reflected in everything that both I and the Commission do.
“I must be fair to all and conduct my activities without fear or favour. I must maintain an open-door policy, welcoming all categories of persons irrespective of their social standing. I must have a listening ear and provide people with an avenue to air their views and opinions.
“Above all, I must work and undertake all my duties to ensure that it is the will of the people, which is the will of God, that stands. As an Agent of Peace, I should be truthful and not seek to alter the will of God. The Onus is on me to abide by this principle. God being my guide and helper I am confident that I will not let Him and the people of Ghana down; in Jesus name.”
She appealed to the general public to be peace ambassadors since every citizen, no matter the tribe, creed, age or gender, should see themselves as agents of peace, saying, “As citizens, we all have a duty to promote peace in our dear country and we can only achieve this if we ourselves are agents of peace. Very often, citizens tend to feel that the onus of maintaining peace is upon their leaders only.”
The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has made a clarion call to the people of Ghana to do whatever they can to pursue peace and consolidate it as the nation prepares for the general elections on December 7, this year.
Speaking at the launch of the Church’s ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign held at the Burma Camp in Accra on Sunday, September 27, 2020, under the theme: “Seek Peace and Pursue It” – Psalm 34:17b, Apostle Nyamekye appealed to all Ghanaians to be objective and constructive in their criticisms and not to be unduly blinded by their political colouration.
“Let us have the courage to correct our politicians when they go wrong and appreciate and encourage them when they do what is fitting and proper,” he said, adding, “As we launch this campaign today, we urge all stakeholders to pledge their unflinching commitment towards the peace of this nation.”
He seized the opportunity to call on the Government and other state institutions to pursue good governance so as to guarantee the peace of the country, and also do whatever is within their power to ensure a level playing field for all the political parties.
He also appealed to the security agencies to conduct themselves within the highest remit of their professional codes and remain neutral in dealing with all troublemakers.
With regards to the activities of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the run-up to the elections, Apostle Nyamekye commended the Commission on the smooth compilation of the new Biometric Voters Register. “It ought to be however noted that for an election to be viewed as free, fair and transparent, all the processes in the chain, from voter registration to the declaration of electoral results play very key roles. We, therefore, urge the Electoral Commission to undertake its activities and conduct itself in such a manner as will elicit the confidence of all its stakeholders,” he pointed out.
The Chairman further called on the Judiciary, led by the Chief Justice, to take all necessary steps to have all election-related court cases that may arise, fast-tracked. This, he said, will not only ensure that outcomes are known as quickly as possible but also shore up the confidence of the public in the judiciary in the settlement of electoral disputes.
He charged the political parties and their candidates to undertake their politicking in manners that do not seek to malign their opponents, saying, “The politics of insults, ethnocentric trivialities and unnecessary rivalry that exacerbate tensions, should be brought to an end in our political discourse and other forms of engagements.”
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, who did not leave the clergy and other religious bodies out, called on them to continue to educate their members and institute fasting and prayers for their members to cry out to God for the peace of the nation.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa who was the special guest speaker; Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mrs. Josephine Nkrumah; Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana and Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Philip Naameh; President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) and General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, heads of churches, and the Deputy Ameer, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Alhajj Ahmad Suleman Anderson.
Others were Members of Parliament, Municipal and District Chief Executives, traditional authorities, representatives of the various security agencies, among others.
