23 Church Buildings Submerged In Water In Akosombo Dam Spillage Flooding web

23 Church Buildings Submerged In Water In Akosombo Dam Spillage Flooding

Twenty-three church buildings belonging to The Church of Pentecost, a leading global Pentecostal church, have been submerged in water in the Volta Region following the controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

Other church facilities like mission houses, particularly the one in Mepe, one of the worst-hit communities, have also been sunk in the flood waters.

Meanwhile, about ten other assemblies in some districts in the Sogakope Area have been cut off from the reach of the members.                                                               

This was revealed when the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, together with the General Secretary, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, visited Battor and Mepe and other affected areas on Monday, October 23, 2023, to have firsthand information of the situation.

So far, the floods have seriously hit seven administrative districts within the Sogakope Area of the church.

They are Mepe District, where the church lost six church buildings, including the official residence of the District Minister. Others are Battor District (six church buildings submerged), Kpotame District (1 church building submerged), Dedukope District (3 church buildings submerged), Adutor (2 church buildings submerged), Adidome (2 church buildings submerged), and Tefle (3 church buildings submerged).

The flood has also displaced over 4,000 church members, including about 1,195 children, who lost their houses, farmlands and their sources of livelihood to the incident. 

The Chairman and his team were at the affected communities to provide the immediate needs of the affected members, such as mattresses, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, food, water, and clothing.

The Mepe District Minister, Overseer Frederick Dzamesi, and his family have been given temporary accommodation at Mafi-Aklamador, a few kilometres from Battor. At the same time, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other government agencies have provided temporary shelter for the affected people at a few safe havens, such as schools. 

PENTECOST NEWS

Websize (1)-6

The Church Of Pentecost Supports Flood Victims At Mepe, Battor

The Church of Pentecost on Monday, October 23, 2023, presented huge relief items worth several thousands of Ghana cedis to support flood victims at Mepe and Battor and adjoining communities in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

Led by the church’s Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the General Secretary, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, and other senior ministers and officials, a truckload of relief items was presented to the displaced people.

The items included several bags of rice, gari, sachet water, sugar, mattresses, blankets, cooking oil, soaps, toilet rolls, mosquito nets, beverages, sanitary pads, and many more.

Addressing some victims at the Battor Central Assembly of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Nyamekye assured them of the church’s support in these difficult moments.

Describing the whole incident as a national disaster, Apostle Nyamekye thanked God for securing the lives of the people, as no casualty has been recorded so far.

Quoting from Ecclesiastics 9:12 (Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them), the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) National President encouraged the people to remain strong and rely on God, since He can turn their unfortunate situation into something good.

“Sometimes we don’t really know what will happen to us tomorrow. Let us strengthen ourselves and look into the future, which is very bright. The flood has come, and we can do nothing about it. Our houses and livelihoods have all been submerged. We can only cry to God to bring relief and a better future,” he said.

He added: “The world and its entirety is temporal. Life and its entirety is short, so situations and events that happen on Earth are temporary. Yesterday, it was COVID, but today it’s no more. Today, it’s flooding, but tomorrow, floods will be no more.

“So we have come today to manage this temporary situation. We cannot close our eyes on you because it affects the entire church when something happens to the people. Together, we can manage this flood situation and get out of it stronger,” he indicated.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye thanked the Volta Regional Coordinating Committee (Volta RCC) of the church, led by the Ho Area Head, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, and the Sogakope Area Head, Pastor Godwin Coffie Adzahlie, and other Area Heads and pastors in the region for effectively managing the situation.

Upon further assessing the impact of the disaster, the Chairman promised to bring the victims an additional 100 bags of rice and other relief items.

At the same time, the Women’s Ministry Director, Mrs Philomina Mireku, who was part of the delegation, hinted that her ministry was mobilising relief items across the country to alleviate the victims’ plights.

The General Secretary, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, said the coming of the church’s leadership to the affected communities showed the church has love for the people and was concerned about their plights.

According to the Sogakope Area Head, Pastor Godwin Coffie Adzahlie, many church buildings, mission houses, residences of church members, farmlands, and livelihoods have been affected by the floods. At the same time, thousands have been displaced and sheltered in temporal structures.

Later, the Volta RCC Coordinator, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, and the Sogakope Area Head, Pastor Adzahlie, led the General Secretary, Apostle Obuobi, and his team, riding on a boat, to visit some of the affected places, including the Mepe District Mission House and Central Assembly church buildings which were all submerged in water.

Apostle Gyau Obuobi called on the chief of Mepe and his traditional council to commiserate with them. He also interacted with the North Tongu District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Osborn K. Divine Fenu, at the District Assembly.

PENTECOST NEWS

Couple Welcomes First Child After 21 Years Of Marriage web

Couple Welcomes First Child After 21 Years Of Marriage

Mr. Anecham, a member of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) in Navrongo, and his wife, Mrs. Anecham, a deaconess of The Church of Pentecost at the Kwamo District, experienced a profound joy as they welcomed their first child after enduring a 21-year wait.

Surrounded by relatives, fellow church members, and well-wishers, the couple celebrated this divine blessing during the naming and dedication ceremony for their new bundle

Their hearts overflowed with gratitude to God, as He had chosen this appointed time to bestow upon them the precious gift of a son. This miraculous moment arrived after five unsuccessful attempts with IVF, a testament to the power of faith and divine intervention.

Deaconess Anecham offered words of encouragement to Christian couples facing similar struggles with infertility, urging them not to rely solely on their own understanding but to place their trust in God’s appointed time.

The well-attended dedication service took place at the Israel Assembly on October 22, 2023.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Mpasaso District Hosts Ahintabea 2 web

Mpasaso District Hosts Ahintabea 2

The annual fasting and prayer programme of the Mpasaso District of The Church of Pentecost in the Tepa Area has resulted in 57 adults and seven children receiving the Holy Ghost baptism, 22 being healed from various ailments, and 23 souls won for Christ.

The event, dubbed “Ahintabea 2,” also recorded several testimonies and deliverance. 

The District Minister, Overseer Emmanuel Owusu, and his executive committee went on several days of prayer retreat before the programme.

Ahintabea 2 is the annual prayer conference organised to deepen the spiritual relationship of the members with the Lord as they fast and pray to be set on the fire of the Holy Ghost to possess their spheres for the Lord.

The 2023 Ahintabea prayer was the second edition, which was held from 9th to 15th October 2023, on the theme: “Repositioned into His Presence for Maximum Impact” (Ezekial 48:35 and Revelation 21:3). Among the speakers were Apostle David Nii-Addo Pappoe (Tepa Area Head), Overseer Emmanuel Owusu (Mpasaso District), Pastor Samuel Amoako Agyarko (Achaise District), Pastor Eric K. Gyabare (Hwidiem District), Pastor Stephen Larbi (Tepa District), Overseer Henseley Agyare Darfour (Abonsuaso District) and Elder Samuel Coffie (Sokoban District).

The programme led to over 400 adult participants and 250 children, members and over 50 non-members from the Mpasaso and its environs.

The event featured seasoned musicians such as Elder Carlos Coffie, Minister Kofi Addo, Brother Godfred Boateng, Sister Ekuah Gyamfuah, Minister Ampong and the district choir.

During the climax session, the Area Head, Apostle David Nii Addo Pappoe, speaking on the topic: “The Pattern for the Church” (Acts 2:44-47), urged members to stoke the Holy Ghost’s fire to provoke God’s presence in the local church. 

He explained that when the fire is burning in the church, God’s presence is inevitable, signs and wonders shall be seen, and many souls shall be won for Christ.

He encouraged presiding elders to pray with the members to make the local church a prayer centre.

This year’s event was unprecedented as it featured continuous nights of prayer, days of fasting, Holy Ghost empowerment, fellowship, and other entertaining activities.

Report by Emmanuel Charles Odoom.

Women's Director, Deputy Visit Ho Area web

Women’s Director, Deputy Visit Ho Area

The Director of the Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, Deaconess Philomina Mireku, and her deputy, Deaconess Vivian Amfo, paid a working visit to the Ho Area of the church from October 9-11, 2023. Their arrival was met with a warm and grand reception organised by the Anum-Asikuma Zone of the Area at Anum-Asikuma Central Assembly Auditorium on Monday, October 9, 2023. 

In her opening address, the Women’s Ministry Director reminded all women that the vision of the ministry was to contribute substantially to the Church’s Vision 2023 by equipping all women and ladies within the church to exemplify Christ-like character, engage in evangelism, and provide dedicated service. 

Stressing the importance of repositioning the ministry, she stated the need to assess past efforts to bring people to Christ. She underscored the urgency of repositioning, characterising it as a wake-up call. Deaconess Mireku asserted that achieving favourable outcomes would necessitate a complete departure from outdated methods and processes. She thus emphasised the importance of character development as a critical aspect to focus on to realise Vision 2028.

Later on Tuesday, the director and her deputy met with all ministers’ wives, deaconesses, wives of officers, district and local Women’s Ministry executives. She emphasised the importance of collaboration in moving the ministry and the church forward. 

She also met with all the women in the districts within the Ho Municipality in the evening. Delivering the sermon with reference to Romans 12:18, Deaconess Philomina Mireku asserted that Christian women were expected to positively influence their communities, starting with their own homes, local markets, and social circles. She, however, lamented that sometimes, the behaviour of one woman towards another could lead to people backsliding in their faith. She, therefore, called on women to embody a Christ-like character, believing that such a transformation would encourage the return of backsliders and bring new life to many marriages.

The Ho Area Head and Executive Council Member of the church, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, expressed his excitement and appreciation to the leadership of the Women’s Ministry for the historic visit.

On the last day of their visit, the team met with all the women in the Kpetoe Zone, which comprises Kpetoe, Ziope, Akpokope and Adaklu Waya districts, at Kpetoe Central Chapel. 

Speaking at the event, Deaconess Vivian Amfo, the Deputy Director, encouraged the women to be steadfast in prayer and be exemplary mothers, wives, and daughters just like the “Proverbs 31 Woman.”

She encouraged the young ladies to eschew laziness and immoral behaviour to achieve the purpose of God for their lives. She also encouraged parents and the church to invest in the development of the girlchild by paying attention to their personal devotions, conduct, dressing and commitment to church activities.

The Women’s Ministry Director and her deputy were accompanied by Mrs Comfort Quampah, the wife of the Ho Area Head and National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the Women’s Ministry; Deaconess Fidelia Ametefe (Area Leader) and the entire Area Executive Committee members, throughout their visitations to the various zones in the area. The Ho Area pastorate was also present to grace the occasions, which was a delight to the National Director.  

The visit of Deaconess Philomina Mireku and Deaconess Vivian Amfo to the Ho Area of The Church of Pentecost was a significant event that stirred the hearts of all in attendance, inspiring a renewed commitment to reposition the local church and empower Christian women to make a lasting impact on the nation.

HO AREA NEWS DESK

Be Strong And Do Exploits web

Be Strong And Do Exploits – Apostle Obuobi Charges Christian Youth

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, has encouraged believers to be strong and do exploits for God. 

He said this on Saturday, October 21, 2023, during the final session of the 2023 Shekinah Pre-Tertiary & Ministry-To-Teens Conference organised by the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost.

He based his sermon on Daniel 11:32, which states that those who know their God shall be strong and do great things.

He explained that “exploits” means achievements, accomplishments, or attainments. He said that God has created humanity to do exploits and to have a glorious end, regardless of their humble beginnings (Job 8:7). 

The General Secretary urged the youth not to let anyone despise them because of their age or background but to strive to realise their potential in God.

He emphasised that the condition for being strong and doing exploits is to know God personally and experientially, not just by hearsay or information. 

He said that knowing God is the source of eternal life (John 17:3) and the key to overcoming the challenges and enemies of life.

Apostle Obuobi challenged the youth to move from the level of knowing about God to the level of knowing God intimately and passionately. He said that as they do so, they will experience the power and presence of God in their lives and manifest His glory to the world.

The 2023 Shekinah Pre-Tertiary & Ministry-To-Teens Conference began on Friday, October 20, and ended on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at various designated satellite centres nationwide. The conference aimed to empower and equip teenagers in The Church of Pentecost to stand for God and positively impact their generation. 

The conference featured various activities such as Bible studies, seminars, workshops, and more. The keynote addresses were transmitted virtually from the command centre in Koforidua to all the satellite centres.

PENTECOST NEWS

Websize (1)-5

Prayer Is Our Heritage – General Secretary Reminds Christians

Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has asserted that prayer remains the heritage of Christians.

He has, therefore, called on believers to keep to prayer as it has immense implications.

He noted that prayer should be an integral part of the daily routines of Christians until their last breath.

Apostle Gyau Obuobi made this known on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the climax of the Osu District’s one-week fasting and prayer event held at the Osu Central Auditorium from October 16 to 22, 2023.

The event, which was on the theme, “The Local Church Called To Prayer, For Maximum Impact” (Acts 12:5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17), brought together church members eager to embrace the transformative power of prayer.

The General Secretary highlighted the significance of prayer, touching on several key points.

He drew a parallel between prayer and heritage, likening prayer to something passed down from generation to generation, saying, “In The Church of Pentecost, prayer is not just a tradition but a precious heritage.”

Apostle Obuobi urged the church to guard it and pass it on to future generations, much like Naboth, who refused to relinquish his inheritance.

He noted that in The Church of Pentecost, prayer is a defining feature that sets the church apart, adding, “Prayer is a core element of Pentecostalism, ingrained in our services and lifestyle. Apostolic believers learn the art of prayer and cannot be separated from it, for it is an integral part of Pentecostalism.”

The General Secretary passionately emphasised that prayer acts as a catalyst for revival. He cited the example of the Wesley Brothers, known for their fervent prayer life.

He emphasised that prayer is not optional for Christians but an absolute necessity since it is essential to the Christian disciple’s life. He encouraged the congregation to spend much time praying, reminding them there is no substitute for it.

He referenced Matthew 21:12-13 and Isaiah 56:7, underlining God’s expectation for the church to be a “House of Prayer.”

He disclosed that miracles, signs, and wonders followed when the first church prayed. This principle, he mentioned, remains unchanged, and by continuing in prayer, the church can anticipate remarkable miracles and divine interventions.

Apostle Obuobi concluded by sharing insights into the outcomes of prayer.

He quoted Bill Hybels, stating that prayer is the key to unlocking God’s consistent and prevailing power in one’s life.

“Through prayer, individuals and the church can tap into the divine power,” he admonished.

Apostle Obuobi noted that in prayer, God speaks and directs.

“Prayer is not merely presenting requests to God; it is a channel through which miracles and opportunities are granted,” he declared.

Among those present were Mrs Korkor Obuobi, the wife of the General Secretary, and Pastor Gabriel Owusu and his wife, Priscilla (Osu District Minister).

PENTECOST NEWS

Websize (1)-4

Seek God’s Will For Your Lives – Pastor David Arthur Urges Young Christians

The Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Travelling Secretary for the Upper East Sector, Pastor David Arthur, has urged young Christians to run away from sin and seek God’s will for their lives.

Speaking on Saturday at the second day of the ongoing Shekinah Pre-Tertiary & Ministry To Teens Conference 2023 organised by the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost on the topic: “Our Victory Over Occultism, Homosexuality and Addictions,” he noted that God created man in His own image and crowned him with glory and honour.

He, however, said that the devil, who was jealous of God’s creation, introduced sin to destroy it. Drawing inspiration from 1 John 5:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:13-14, he urged young people to run away from sin and seek God’s will for their lives.

Pastor Arthur explained that sin created a vacuum in man’s heart that could only be filled by God.

He said that the things that the world offers as pleasure and power are actually traps that lead to bondage and destruction.

The Travelling Secretary said that Jesus Christ came to die for the sins of the world and break its power over humanity.

He said that through faith in Christ, believers are born again of an incorruptible seed, which is the word of God.

He stressed that as children of God, they have the nature of God in them.

“We can overcome sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Live holy and victorious lives for the glory of God,” he concluded.

This year’s Shekinah Pre-Tertiary & Ministry To Teens Conference is the third edition and was held at over 500 satellite centres across the nation with the Command Centre in Koforidua in the Easter Region of Ghana. The conference ended yesterday, with a presentation from the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi.

PENTECOST NEWS

2023 ‘SHEKINAH CONFERENCE’ UNDERWAY NATIONWIDE web

2023 ‘Shekinah Conference’ Underway Nationwide

The third edition of the Shekinah Pre-tertiary and Ministry-to-teens Conference has officially begun at various designated satellite centres nationwide.

The conference, which is under the theme: “Teens Repositioned For Exploits And Maximum Impact,” is being held at over 500 satellite centres across the nation from October 20 to 21, 2023.

The conference aims to empower and equip teenagers in The Church of Pentecost to stand for God and make a positive impact in their generation.

The conference features various activities such as Bible studies, seminars, workshops, and more.

The keynote addresses are transmitted virtually from the command centre to all the satellite centres.

In his opening address, the Coordinator for the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Ghana, Elder Samuel Boahen, expressed his gratitude to God for making the conference possible despite the challenges posed by the ongoing changes in the Ghanaian academic calendar.

He also acknowledged the Youth Ministry and its Director, Apostle Ebenezer Hagan, for their significant1the support and guidance in putting the conference together.

He urged all the participants to make the most of the programmes and learn from the seasoned speakers and facilitators who have been invited to share their insights and experiences.

“It remains my prayer that we all shall leave the conference fully empowered and rejuvenated, serving the Lord diligently to the glory of God,” he said.

The Youth Director, Apostle Ebenezer Hagan, in his remarks, expressed his joy over the successful launch of the conference.

He said that this year’s conference has undergone a great transformation as it marks the third edition of the annual event.

He explained that the conference has gotten a new identity as pre-tertiary and ministry to teens, which reflects the renewed commitment of The Church of Pentecost to teenagers.

Apostle Hagan noted that teenage years are the years of formation, as well as the most impressionable days in a person’s life.

He said that this is the time when young people can make the greatest changes to their course of life.

He, however, cautioned that this is the time when they are most vulnerable to the attacks and temptations of the devil.

He, therefore, stressed the need for young people to be repositioned for exploits and make the needed impact, as indicated by the theme of the conference.

The Youth Director cited people in the Bible such as Joseph, David, Daniel, and Esther who stood for God and did great things for His kingdom at their young age, saying, “No teenager who will be joining us will leave the same.”

The first sermon of the conference was delivered by Pastor Ebenezer Agyapong (Kwadaso Sector Travelling Secretary), who spoke on the main scripture for the conference, Daniel 11:29-32.

He explained that Daniel prophesied about a time when a wicked king would reign over Israel and introduce strange things into the country.

He said that in spite of his oppression, some people would rise up and resist him because they knew God.

He likened this situation to the current state of affairs in the world, where there are many evil influences and practices that seek to corrupt and destroy young people.

Pastor Agyapong challenged young people to be like those who knew God and did exploits in their generation. He encouraged them to be grounded and established in Christ, as stated in Colossians 2:6.

He also referred to 1 Samuel 17, where God used a young man named David to bring an end to the Philistine oppression of Israel. He said that God can use young people today to bring an end to any form of oppression or injustice in their society if they are willing and obedient.

The conference continues with more sessions and activities until Saturday, October 21, 2023…

Present at the launch were Pastor Musah Yahaya (PIWC Koforidua Resident Minister), Pastor Emmanuel and Mrs. Serwah Kissi (PENSEC Koforidua Chaplain), Elder Prof. Appau Asante (Deputy Youth Director), Elder Ebenezer Ankamah (Ministry-to-teen NEC Member), PENSA Ghana Coordinating Team, and PENSA Travelling Secretaries from various sectors across the country.

PENTECOST NEWS

Torkorni District Inaugurates French Assembly web

Torkorni District Inaugurates French Assembly

The Torkorni District in the Hohoe Area of The Church of Pentecost has officially inaugurated its French Assembly, bringing a new sense of community and spiritual connection to the town’s French-speaking residents.

The vision for the French assembly was initiated by the District Minister, Pastor Hope Kofi Lumor, who was recently transferred to the Hohoe Area. 

He realised the need to embrace the local population’s diverse linguistic backgrounds and reach out to those who speak French.

Pastor Lumor was inspired by the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Pastor Francis Kofi Mensah, who started a French class for some church members.

He and his team decided to build on the foundation and embarked on a mission to connect with the French-speaking community. They went door-to-door, sharing the gospel and inviting people to join the church. They also organised a two-day French rally, which attracted many people from different backgrounds and denominations. The rally was successful, as about 12 persons gave their lives to Christ.

Pastor Lumor expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our church’s mission is to spread the love of Christ to all peoples and languages, including French. Thus, we embarked on this journey to reach out to the French-speaking community, and today, we celebrate the birth of the French Assembly.”

He thanked God for His grace and guidance throughout the process. He also thanked his team and the church members for their support and prayers, encouraging the new converts to remain faithful and grow in their relationship with God.

Report by Don Simon