Posts in category: Church News

Despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, The Church of Pentecost recorded a growth rate of 4.3% in its total membership worldwide compared to the previous year.

The church, which currently operates in 109 nations including Ghana, has a total membership of 3,623,011.

This is according to the 2020 State-of-the-Church Address (SOCA20) delivered by the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 45^th General Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

Addressing councilors via a Zoom video conferencing, Apostle Nyamekye stated that, within the period, 195,636 persons were led to Christ, which resulted in the opening of 746 new Assemblies worldwide and 124 Districts.

“It is gratifying to note that despite the challenges that we were confronted with, 99,120 of the souls won were baptised in water. This means that 50.7% of all adult souls won in 2020 were baptised in water,” he said.

He further stated: “In the area of Holy Ghost baptism, a total number of 135,061 members received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Of this number, 69,398 were new converts, representing 70.01% of converts baptised in water. Very encouraging!”

On the pursuance of the Vision 2023 agenda, the Chairman said that the year 2020 witnessed appreciable number of implementation activities at all levels of the Church in spite the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the new ministry interventions such as the Home and Urban Missions, Ministry of Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) and the Chaplaincy Ministry, the Church was able to reach out to people groups that were hitherto not reached.

“To the glory of God, the Home and Urban Missions (HUM), in its activities, won 12,331 souls. This was made up of 416 commercial sex workers, 1,194 street dwellers, 3,713 drug addicts, 3,205 northerners in the south, 544 African migrants, 101 expatriates (non-African migrants), 527 Fulanis, 50 Chakalis, 91 Kotokolis and 12 Challa with 800 Others. During the period, 2,183 of the converts received water baptism and 723 were baptised in the Holy Spirit,” he said.

He further noted: “In Walewale Area, the Chieftaincy Ministry has impacted the Bunbuna Nasuan community of Jimbale District to the extent that when a nearby community attacked them, they did not retaliate. When asked why they did not retaliate, they responded that they knew the Jimbale District Minster, Pastor Daniel Tetteh, who had been offering chaplaincy services to the palace would be disappointed to hear that they had retaliated the attack by their opponents. Praise God!”

The Chairman commended all the various ministries, including the traditional ones (Women, Men, Children, Youth and Evangelism), for the great work done in what was otherwise a difficult year.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye led councilors to observe a minute silence for ministers and ministers’ wives who were called to glory during the period.

The Chairman also acknowledged the services of ministers who will be going on retirement this year. They include: Apostle Rene Coco (Benin, 38 years), Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah (Ghana, 37 years), Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh (Ghana, 37 years), Apostle Robert C. Ackon (Ghana, 35 years), Apostle Komi Edina Agbavitoh (Togo, 33 years), Apostle Dr. Francis Kofi Bonsu (Spain, 32 years), Evangelist Stephen Omane Yeboah – (USA, 27 years), Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anthony Owusu (Canada, 26 years), Apostle Ekow Badu-Wood (Ghana, 26 years), Apostle Peter Owusu Amponsah (USA, 24 years), Apostle Joseph Adekoya Onile (Nigeria, 23 years) and Apostle Antonio R. Da Silveiro (Brazil, 11 years)

The State-of-the-Church address provides a report on the achievements under the various intervention areas of the Church’s Vision 2023 agenda of “Possessing the Nations”, as well as all major developments that took place in a particular reporting year.

Please download THE 2020 STATE-OF-THE-CHURCH ADDRESS here:

PENTECOST NEWS

The  Assin Foso Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Frederick Kweku Andoh, has dedicated a newly-constructed mission house for the Assin Akonfudi District. The four-bedroom manse, which was constructed at the total cost of GH₵318,082.20, has a kitchen, a storeroom, and a hall with en-suite facilities.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony which came off on April 25, 2021, on the topic, “Living a transformed life” based on Romans 12:1-2 and Colossians 3:2, Pastor George Kwadwo Boadi of Foso Town District explained that although the Lord accepts anyone who comes to Him, He expects a total transformation and wants believers to look exactly like Him in character, speech, and deeds.

He bemoaned the state of the church today where many believers seem not perturbed about their sinful lives and even become offended when disciplinary measures are instituted against them. He encouraged all to turn over a new leaf and live lives worthy of their call as Christians.

“You have been called by God to transform others. Because of that, you have to put on His full armour in order to sustain the gains of your transformed life,” he emphasised.

Giving a brief history of the project, the District Secretary, Elder Sefah, noted that the project which commenced in December 2017 after a sod-cutting by the former Area Head, Apostle Sylvester Arhin, received huge funding from the Headquarters of the church, with support from the Assin Foso Area, the Akonfudi District, and some benevolent individuals.

The District Minister, Pastor Kojo Anomah, commended the sacrificial giving by the members and other individuals within and outside the district in support of the project.

In attendance were the wife of the Area Head, Mrs. Kate Andoh, pastors and wives in the Area, some past pastors of the district, chiefs and elders of Akonfudi Traditional Council, among others.

Report by Pastor Samuel Avornyo.

A sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of a new auditorium for the Christiana Obu Memorial Temple and Royal Priesthood Assembly in Merry Villas District has been performed by the La Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle John Osei Amaniampong. He was assisted by the District Minister, Pastor Emmanuel Kwesi Ake.

The event took place on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at the project site.

The two-storey church building is estimated to seat more than 2,500 people upon completion. The project is expected to be constructed within 24 months and it is estimated to cost about Four Million Thirty-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Ghana Cedis and Twenty-Five pesewas (GH¢ 4,037,785.25).

The building would contain a car park, an auditorium, a gallery, two children’s halls, conference halls, offices, washrooms, a sound control room, and a baptistery.

The assembly was named after Mrs. Christiana Obu, who was very instrumental in the establishment of the Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost.

Apostle Amaniampong was full of appreciation to God for the realisation of the project.

Present at the ceremony were Pastor Solomon Ashally Djanie (La Area Estate Committee Chairman) and the Site Engineer for Gab Construction (the contractors), Ing. Abraham Adjetey Adjei, among others.

Report by David Babu Neizer, Merry Villas District.

The Berekum Area of The Church of Pentecost, under the headship of Apostle Samuel Berko, has dedicated eight Community Based Church Buildings (CBCB) in April 2021 to the glory of God.

This was in line with the broader vision of the church to get all members a conducive place of worship. As such, the Berekum Area has committed itself to support local assemblies to complete all ongoing CBCB projects in the Area.

By the grace of God, the following church buildings were completed and dedicated between the 27^th and 30^th of April 2021:  New Testament Church building (Amasu District), Tainso Church building (Seikwa District), Tainano Church building (Asiri District), Bredi-Akoto Church building (Kwakuanya District), Kutre No. 1 Church building (Brenyekwa District), Kojokesekrom, Basakrom, and Ntaabene church buildings, all of Japekrom District.

Expressing his joy for the providence of God towards the Area, Apostle Samuel Berko urged church officers and members to be good stewards of the church buildings. He also encouraged them to regularly maintain the buildings so that the facilities would serve other generations.

He encouraged them to continue to tithe faithfully, give, and also pray for the leadership of the church.

Chiefs and opinion leaders who were present at the dedication services at the various communities expressed their appreciation to the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for their prudence in financial management and for being pacesetters in most matters of Christian and national interest.

The dedication services were witnessed by Mrs. Joyce Berko (wife of the Area Head) as well as ministers of the church and their wives in the Area.

Report by Pastor Daniel Fosu, Berekum.

The Techiman Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Isaac Nii Kotei Djani, has been elected the Chairman of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) for the Bono East Region. The election took place on April 12, 2021, at the Assemblies of God Church in Techiman.

The region was formerly part of the Brong-Ahafo Region headed by Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh, Sunyani Area Head of The Church of Pentecost. With the creation of the Bono East Region in 2018, it became necessary that it has its leadership.

In an exhortation, the Bono Regional Chairman of the GPCC, Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh, spoke on the topic, “Unity in Humility.” Reading from Philippians 2:1-2;8, he said that one very important tool required in the advancement of the kingdom of God is unity. He stated that unity can only be achieved when believers humble themselves to one another.

“Humility is something we should highly pursue in addition to the spiritual gifts, for it is humility that exhorts a person,” he advised.

He encouraged members of the Council to submit to the new leaders irrespective of their denominations so that the Council can move on.

In his acceptance remarks, Apostle Isaac Nii Kotei Djani, an Executive Council Member of the church, thanked the House for the honour done him and pledged to work with all to lift the Council to higher grounds, while soliciting their prayers and support.

The regional executives are Reverend Dr. Adjei Gyan (Vice-Chairman), Pastor Daniel Owusu (Secretary), Pastor Yaw Owusu (Financial Secretary). Others are Apostle Kwame Asare, Pastor Boakye Yiadom, Reverend Samuel Nkansah, and Reverend Anthony Kyeremeh.

Report by Pastor Peter Amuzu-Avorde, Techiman Area Reporter.

The two-day consultative meeting of Area and National Heads of The Church of Pentecost began on Monday, May 3, 2021, ahead of the 45th General Council Meeting scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The event, which also has participants from the Francophone and Spanish Bloc, is being held virtually (via Zoom).

The Heads’ consultative meeting is held perennially to provide Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists of the church the opportunity to prayerfully contribute to some key decisions made by the Executive Council that are to be tabled before the General Council for ratification.

Welcoming participants to the meeting, the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, underscored the delicate role of the Executive Council as the body of the church that is responsible for ensuring the proper administration of every aspect of the church’s life.

He said that there is the need for the heads’ consultative meeting because “in the multitude of counsel there is safety.”

“So please do not deny us of your sanctified contributions. Rather, let us all contribute to building a better church for our children and future generations,” he urged.

Earlier, Apostle James Raj, the National Head for India and a member of the Executive Council shared with participants a sermon titled “It Is Time to Arise,” inspired by Isaiah 60:1-2, Ezekiel 37:3-10 and other scripture references.

He explained that Adam was created in the shining glory of God, but he lost it because of sin.

Apostle Raj said that through His death and resurrection, Jesus has restored the glory of God to the Church; therefore, the Church ought to show forth this glory to the world.

Referring to Ephesians 5:8 and 14, he stressed that the Church, which was once in darkness, is now called to be part of the Kingdom of Light. He, therefore, charged the Church to show forth this light, which, according to him, is the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit through signs and wonders.

He said for the Church to rise as a glorious army, it must make prayer its foremost priority. This, he said, is because prayer connects the Church to the Father. 

He also explained that the unadulterated word of God and love for one another are other essentials that the Church ought to possess to show forth the glory of God.

According to him, glory in this context represents rulership or dominion, hence, the Church must assume their position of dominance which Adam lost, and which Jesus restored.

“Jesus Christ has glorified the Church. In these last days, the Church must demonstrate this glory by having authority and rulership over the world. The glory is in the Church, God is in the Church. So, Church arise and shine and show forth the glory of God to the world!” he charged.

He further noted that “when the Church shows forth her light nations and kings will come to her and this will make it easier to possess the nations.”

Apostle Raj said the world today is hopeless and going through desperate times; however, the Holy Spirit is ready to raise the Church as an army in the world to bring it the hope it is direly yearning for.

PENTECOST NEWS