Posts in category: Church News

The Asante Bekwai Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Nicholas Appiah Missah, has brought his 31-year ministerial journey to successful completion.

A retirement service held in his honour took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the Asante-Bekwai English Assembly auditorium. It was officiated by the Cape Coast Area Head, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the Church.

Preaching the sermon on the topic, “Passing on the Baton,” based on 1 Timothy 4:6 and 1 Corinthians 15:3, Apostle Antwi explained that Christian service and leadership is like a relay race. He noted that “one believer starts the race, runs his mile, and passes on the baton for another to continue.”

“Our Christian journey and service in the kingdom of God is like a relay race; when we are chosen to lead, the baton is passed unto us. However, we cannot run forever, therefore, we must do our best within the time we have, so that we can pass on the baton with confidence, knowing well that we have finished the race and kept the faith,” he added.

Apostle Antwi entreated Christian leaders to be like Apostle Paul who trained Timothy to also lead, saying, “while in active service, let us identify and train others who can walk in our steps when we leave the scene.”

Apostle Nicholas Appiah Missah and his wife Mama Leticia were called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1989. He served in eight duty stations including Nakpanduri District (1989-1994), Berekum District (1994-1997), Jos in Nigeria as Area Head/Missionary (1997-1999), Ibadan in Nigeria as Area Head/Missionary (1999-2003), Kwadaso District (2003-2007), Tanzania as National Head/Missionary (2007-2012), Konongo Area as Area Head (2012-2016) and Ashanti Bekwai Area (2016-2020).

Apostle Nicholas Appiah Missah is a hardworking, compassionate, affable, and disciplined leader who always wears an infectious smile. He will forever be remembered by many in the Church and will constantly remain in the hearts of all who were privileged to have crossed paths with him on his ministerial journey.

In attendance were Executive Council Member and Assin Fosu Area Head, Apostle Sylvester Arhin, Prophet J. E. Ameyaw (Rtd), among others.

The colourful event was also well attended by traditional rulers, delegates from the previous stations he served, the Area pastorate, and members from various districts in the Asante Bekwai Area.  

PENTECOST NEWS.

Former General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Albert Amoah (Rtd.), paid a glowing tribute to his late wife, Mrs Agatha Amoah, during a memorial service held in her honour on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at the Jubilee Park, Cape Coast.

In his touching tribute, Apostle Albert Amoah praised his late wife for the instrumental role she played in his life and ministry.

“Right from Madina and even before we were called into the full-time ministry in October 1988, she demonstrated gifts of prophecy, word of knowledge, healing and discernment. Her preaching at open-air rallies almost always converted people.

“At Manso Atwere, during a Women’s Ministry open-air rally, her preaching led to late Maame Addai, then Chief priestess and interpreter of Komo shrine, her husband and several other devotees of the shrine giving their lives to Christ. Consequently, they burnt their fetish images and cut down the fetish tree in their compound. This incident brought a great revival to Manso because the feared Komo god had been destroyed!”

“Agatha was very good in personal evangelism and had a penchant for ‘dragging’ people to The Church of Pentecost. I became a member of the church through Agatha’s effort. Agatha displayed not only leadership qualities but the call of an Evangelist, Pastor and Prophetess. I thank her profusely for contributing to making me who I am today… I award her 70% as her contribution to the success of my ministry,” he said.

Mama Agartha, together with her husband, Apostle Albert Amoah (Rtd.), was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1988 and served at various stations and capacities in the church. Their first station was Manso Atwere, where they served for three years, from where her husband was appointed a Personal Assistant to the then Chairman of the church, Prophet Martinson Kwadwo Yeboah (now of blessed memory), a position he served for two years. Her husband was later elected as the General Secretary of the church in 1993. After serving in this high office for ten years, she joined her husband to continue the ministry work in missions, thus the United States of America, from 2003 to 2009, after which they were recalled home and stationed in Cape Coast until their retirement from active service in 2015, In all, they served meritoriously in the Lord’s vineyard for 27 years.

A tribute read on behalf of the General Council, described her as “a woman of many parts – a pastor’s wife, teacher, horticulturist, decorator, philanthropist, trader, entrepreneur, and most of all a mother – a clear depiction of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31.

“In fact, Mama Agatha has been with her husband through thick and thin – being his backbone in life and ministry, effectively playing the roles of a reliable confidante, an intercessor, counsellor, and encourager.”

The humble, generous, hardworking, sociable and resourceful Mama Agatha was also commended for her numerous contributions to The Church of Pentecost, particularly as the wife of the General Secretary for ten years, initiator of the Pentecost Preparatory School, Madina, and the crucial role she played in the establishment of the Pentecost Preparatory School, Bubiashie.

The well-attended memorial service was officiated by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, with support from the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, the immediate-past Chairman, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (Rtd.), and Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Executive Council Member and Cape Coast Area Head).

In a brief sermon titled “After He Had Served, He Fell Asleep” based on Acts 13:36, Apostle Gyesi-Addo said that, like David, the late Mrs Agatha Amoah has indeed served the Lord’s purpose in her generation and is, therefore, resting from her labour, awaiting the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He advised the congregants to also serve the Lord diligently while they remain on earth, stressing that “You can only serve your generation, you cannot serve future generations. You can only have an impact on future generations, but you cannot serve them, so do what you can now.”

The IMD said that after Christians have succeeded in serving the purpose of God on this earth, in God’s appointed time, they would “leave the glorious church, and move into the glorious city, prepared for us by our Father in heaven.”

Other Executive Council Members present at the event were Apostles Dr Daniel O. Walker (Immediate-past Vice-Chancellor, Pentecost University), Mike Etrue (Kaneshie Area Head), Sylvester Arhin (Assin Foso Area Head).

Also present were Apostles David Tettey Tekper (Achimota Area Head), Joseph Assabil (Takoradi Area Head), Samuel Otu Appiah (Winneba Area Head), and James Nana Ofori (Mankessim Area Head).

Apostle Dr Alfred Koduah and Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd.), both past general secretaries of the church, also came to commiserate with their colleague and the bereaved family.

Among those present to sympathise with the bereaved family were active and retired ministers of the church along with their spouses, ministers of other churches, members of the church, and other well-wishers.

Mrs Agatha Amoah passed on to glory on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. She is survived by a husband, one biological daughter and three legally-adopted children. She was 73 years old.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Bolgatanga Area of The Church of Pentecost has launched its ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign in an effort to maintain peace and security in the Bolgatanga municipality in the run-up to the 2020 general election.

The event, which took place on October 29, 2020, at the Bukere Central assembly, started with a peace march and broadcast in the principal streets of the municipality using the Evangelism cinema van with a cross-section of the ministers and members of the church holding placards with various peace messages.

Speaking at the event, the Bolgatanga Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, advised residents to do their possible best to preserve the peace in the country, avoid unnecessary arguments and abusive language, especially on political platforms.

He ended his address with scripture from 1 Peter 3:8-11, encouraging the citizenry to be of one mind, have compassion for one another, love as brothers, be courteous, and not returning evil for evil.

The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Peace Council admonished residents to observe the principles of peaceful co-existence, accommodate divergent political views from other political opponents, avoid anything discriminatory and not allow politicians to use them or any of their relatives to create violence before, during, and after elections.

The Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), on his part, schooled the participants on the electoral processes in the build-up to the December 7 elections. He pledged the EC’s commitment to adhering to all the electoral laws and procedures in its zeal to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.

The Parliamentary candidates for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) also took turns to pledge peace before, during, and after the general elections.

The Regional Chief Imam’s representative indicated that the Zongo communities have advised themselves not to be used as conduits for disturbances, chaos, and anarchy in the build-up to the elections.

The programme ended with a prayer for the nation and the upcoming elections. In all, about 350 people were in attendance.

Report by Bolga Area Media Team.

The newly constructed Asutsuare Central Assembly auditorium in the Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated to the glory of God.

The edifice, which was constructed at a cost of GH¢ 420,890.10, received funding from the Headquarters of the church, the Chairman’s Fiat, Area grant, District fund, Local fund, English Assembly fund, and individual donations.

The dedication ceremony took place on October 16, 2020. It was officiated by the Agormanya Area Head, Apostle James Gabriel Quardson, ably assisted by the Asutsuare District Minister, Pastor Joseph Kweku Donkor.

Speaking on the theme, “Come to the Temple of God with your Children,” based on Matthew 21:15-16, Pastor George Owusu of Asesewa District called on the members to make the building a place of prayer and teach their children to do same.

“Our children are the future of the church and are important to God. Therefore, if we come to church to pray and revitalize our spirits, we must involve the children by teaching them how to pray and the word of God,” he advised.

In an address, Apostle Quardson commended the members of the Asutsuare District for freely giving their substances to support the project.

In a short history read by the District Secretary, Elder Ezekiel Abban Teye, the Asutsuare Central Assembly began in 1964 through the evangelistic activities of  Deaconesses Agnes Wekutah and Mary Afiyo Anazah, both of the blessed memory. As the church grew numerically, they moved to a family house of some of the members.

In 1970, a piece of land was acquired where a wooden structure was constructed to serve as a temporary place of worship.

The sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of the new building was performed by the then Akuse District Minister, Pastor Nketia Egyir, in August 2006. Subsequently, the foundation stone was laid by Apostle Jacob Narh Affum, the then Area Head, assisted by Pastor Joseph Kweku Donkor on March 24, 2017.  

In attendance were the Shia Osudoku District Chief Executive, Honourable Daniel Akuffo, and the Assembly Member of Asutsuare Electoral Area, Honourable Jonathan Kwablah, the pastorate, and their wives in the Area, among others.

Report by Agormanya Area Media Team.

Ghanaians have about two weeks to go to the polls to elect a president and 275 parliamentarians to lead the nation. In view of this, the New Tafo District of The Church of Pentecost has launched an ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign ahead of the elections to educate the populace to pursue peace before, during, and after the elections.

The colourful event dubbed “Seek Peace and Pursue It” took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the M. K. Yeboah Temple, Krofrom in Kumasi. It was in line with the directives of the leadership of the church to preach peace and pursue it.

The District Minister, Pastor Seth Dwamena Asante, led members from the local assemblies in the district in a float through the streets of Ash-Town and Krofrom, holding placards bearing peace and salvation inscriptions, amidst singing and dancing to create public awareness about the event.

Present were the Manhyia Sub-Metro Electoral Officer, Mrs Anastacia Nketia, the Ashanti Regional Programme Officer of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Nana Afia Pokua Konadu, among others.

Pastor Seth Dwamena Asante in his welcome address based on Psalm 34:14 spoke on the significance of seeking in every area of human activity. He said the Vision 2020 theme of the church enjoins members of the church to be agents of peace in their quest to possess the nations.

He asserted that it is the constitutional right for Ghanaians to exercise their franchise. He, therefore, advised the youth not to avail themselves for unscrupulous persons to use them to foment trouble before, during, and after the elections, but to be vigilant and live peacefully with their neighbours to make Ghana a better place to live.

The Electoral Officer for Manhyia South, Mrs Anastacia Nketia, educated the participants on the dos and don’ts of the electoral process and encouraged the youth to partake in the elections since it is an obligation for every citizen who is 18 years and above and of sound mind to exercise their franchise.

“It is against the law to vote when you are not 18 years old. Putting any material apart from the ballot paper and causing violence at the polling centres is also unlawful. Therefore, let us be mindful not to get involved in any of these offenses,” she said.

The Ashanti Regional Programmes Officer for the NCCE, Nana Afia Pokua Konadu, commended The Church of Pentecost for the launch of the peace campaign across the country and the church’s support towards the operations of the NCCE.

She advised that if the message of peace is spread and concerted efforts are made to create awareness of its importance, the world will be a better place.

Report by Dennis Owusu.

The Aflao Area of The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, the security agencies, the Local Council of Churches, and the traditional authorities, have launched the ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign in the Ketu South municipality.

The programme drew a lot of people to the Shekinah Temple in the Aflao District of the church, where the event was held. The Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Elliot Edem Agbenowu, was the guest of honour. It was graced by the Divisional Police Commander, the CEPS Commander, the Ketu South NCCE head and other personnel from the municipality.

The Area Head, Apostle Kofi Dzemekey, who chaired the occasion, in an address gave a brief insight into the main theme of the campaign, “Seek Peace and Pursue It” taken from Psalm 34:14.

He also stated the commitment of The Church of Pentecost towards the peace of the nation, especially in this year’s elections. He encouraged the citizenry to do all that they can to protect the peace they are enjoying in the country since Ghana is the only nation they have.

The MCE of Ketu South, Hon. Elliot Edem Agbenowu, pledged the commitment of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) to ensure a peaceful election. He encouraged residents to adjust to the new security protocols being implemented by the security agencies in the municipality. This, he explained, was because the constituency has been identified as a hot spot for the 2020 elections, coupled with the activities of the Western Togoland group. He assured residents of his commitment to protect the peace and security of the municipality.

The head of NCCE in the municipality, Mrs Evelyn Klopkodzi, who is also a deaconess of the church, used the opportunity to educate the gathering on peace and how to ensure that everyone becomes an agent of peace during and after the 2020 general elections.

The NPP parliamentary candidate for the Ketu South constituency, David Tiano Quarshie, an elder of the church, spoke on behalf of all the political parties and pledged their commitment of ensuring a peaceful election.

The Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent S. O. Bempah, and the CEPS commander both pledged the commitment of the security agencies towards ensuring peace and security, before, during and after the 2020 general elections.

Other speakers included the representative of the Municipal Chief Imam, the chairman of the United Churches of Aflao and the representative of the Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area.

Prayers were offered for the Electoral Commission, the Municipality, the Region and Ghana as a whole.

There was a peace walk in some principal streets of Aflao with members holding placards bearing various peace messages.

Report by Pastor Samuel Abil Asoandek.

It was a colourful, joyous, and blissful day as Apostle Abraham Lincoln Angoh, the Bompata Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, retired from the active ministry of the church after 38 years of laudable service to God and the church.

The retirement service, which took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the A. T. Nartey Temple, Bantama in the Bompata Area, was officiated by Prophet James Osei Amaniampong, Executive Council Member of the church who also doubles as the Area Head for Asokwa Area. 

Delivering the sermon on the topic, “Magnify the Lord” based on Psalm 34:3, Prophet Amaniampong encouraged the Angoh family to continue to praise God for the rest of their lives, because God has made them greater than their problems.

“I want to inspire you this morning that the Lord is great; greater than everything, including your problems and everything you possess now. So blow Him! …scale God up! Make God more important, make Him more important than every other thing. God is the first, He is the last, He is the beginning, He is the end, He is the keeper of all creations, He is the creator of the universe; manager of all time,” he said.

Abraham Lincoln Angoh was born on 12^th August 1955 at Bankyim in the Western Region, to Maame Afua Sika and Nana Kwasi Angoh.

He started primary school at Dompin No.1 Local Authority Primary School, near Dabaose in 1961 and continued at Tamso Anglican Primary School. He completed and obtained the Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) in 1970 at Tamso L/A  Middle School.

He was called into full-time ministry as a Probationary Overseer in 1982 and has since served the church meritoriously and selflessly. His passion, desire, and exemplary work ethic have led him to serve in various capacities in the church. He also served as the National Music Committee Chairman of the church for nine (9) years from 2011 to 2020.

Different testimonies read out by the Area Pastorate and Area Presbytery praised Apostle Abraham Lincoln Angoh and his wife, Mrs Theresa Esi Angoh for welcoming the views of all persons and their ability to ease up tensed moments with laughter and bliss.

The General Council applauded him for effectively balancing his time, both as a national figure and area head. His wife, Mrs Theresa Esi Angoh, was also praised for supporting her husband’s ministry and standing in the gap for him whenever national assignments took him away from the Area.

The service was graced by the presence of the immediate past Chairman of the church, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah; Apostle Isaac Nii Kotei Djani (Executive Council Member), among other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, a 3-day Praise and Worship Festival was held in honour of Apostle Angoh prior to retirement on Sunday, November 15. The event saw ministrations from Elder Dr Kwasi Mireku, the Voice of Pentecost, Jak Alolome, Kwaku Gyasi, Deaconess Dorcas Appiah, various choirs in the area, and other individuals.

Report by Pastor Joshua Kwabena Donkor.

After 28 years of selfless service, the Techiman Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Julius Franklin Asante-Ayeh, has brought his active ministerial journey to a successful end.

The colourful retirement event, which took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the Dwomor Central Assembly church auditorium in Techiman, was chaired by the General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi Larbi.

Delivering a sermon on the topic: “Seeing Him Who Is Invisible,” based on Hebrews 11:23-27, the Sunyani Area Head, Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh stated that “serving God is an act of faith because there are no stipulated rewards, rather, it is a step of faith unto a path that leads to innumerable rewards.”

“Moses could have enjoyed life in Pharaoh’s palace, but he decided to leave all that pleasure and associate with his fellow Jews, this was an act of faith, but in the end, it yielded great blessings in his life and his impact is evident even till now,” he revealed.

He, therefore, entreated all believers to follow in the sacrificial example of Moses, by shying away from worldly pleasures, and rather, seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and to let their lights shine before men so that glory will be given to the Lord.

According to Apostle Andoh, unlike in most worldly engagements, the rewards in serving God are invisible and unspecified, however, if one takes a step of faith to serve Him, there are abundant rewards that can be attained.

He commended Apostle Asante-Ayeh for following in the sacrificial example of Moses by leaving his job and comfort zone to accept the call to take up the herculean task of active ministry.

Apostle Asante-Ayeh was called into active ministry in 1992 and into the office of an Apostle in 2012. He served in Navrongo as District Minister, PIWC-Accra as Resident Minister, Lesotho as National Head, and Bantama West as District Minister. He also served in Nungua Nshorna as District Minister. His ministry took him to the Headquarters of the church as Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) Director and finally in Techiman as Area Head.

He also served in the following capacities: Area Children’s Ministry Leader (Bolgatanga), Area Witness Executive Member (Accra West), Area Secretary (Bolgatanga), and Area Workers Secretary, (Accra East). Others are Area Executive Committee Member (Asokwa), and Area Executive Member (Teshie/Nungua).

The retirement service was preceded by a musical concert on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at the same venue to honour him for his service to the Area and specifically, his love for music, which led to the formation of the Techiman Area Mass Choir.

In his response, Apostle Asante-Ayeh thanked all who have helped him in his Christian life and ministry including all past and present Chairmen of the church as well as Deaconess Eunice Addison (of blessed memory).

Also present at the special occasion were Apostles Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Hohoe Area Head and Executive Council Member), Emmanuel Ofei Ankra Badu (Immediate-past PEMEM Director) and the area pastorate.

Report by Pastor Peter Amuzu-Avorde, Techiman Area.