The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has challenged Ministers of the Gospel to focus on winning the cities for Christ, since urban centres are the hub of influence and culture.
He made this call when he delivered a sermon at the annual prayer meeting of ministers and wives of The Church of Pentecost in the Greater Accra Region held at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Atomic, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Some retired ministers of the church and other Executive Council members also graced the event.
Speaking on the topic, “Winning The City,” Apostle Nyamekye explained that most of the cities mentioned in the Bible, such as Antioch, Ephesus, and Corinth, were strategic places for Paul’s missionary work.
He said that Paul understood that reaching the cities with the gospel would have a ripple effect on the surrounding communities.
The Chairman quoted some scholars who have observed that the world has become one immense city and that he who wins the city wins the world.
He noted that the trend of urbanisation is likely to continue and that the church needs to adapt to the changing landscape and be serious about fulfilling the Great Commission in the cities.
“When you are transferred from the rural side to the urban side, change your mindset; tune your mind from the rural value setting to the urban value setting,” he advised.
Apostle Nyamekye noted that cities are characterised by diversity, sophistication, anonymity, and sinfulness. He indicated that ministers who work in the cities must be able to adapt to the culture and lifestyle of city dwellers without compromising their faith.
He also cautioned them to be aware of the challenges and temptations that come with urban ministry.
“Be diverse, especially in the use of language in many areas in the cities. Let there be interpretations in other languages when you have joint services. Conscious efforts should be made for people to lead church services in the vernacular,” he stated.
He discussed the challenges that rural-urban migration poses to countries like Ghana, where limited employment opportunities, inadequate access to education and healthcare, resource constraints, and lower living standards often push people to seek better prospects in urban areas.
“Statistics reveal that a substantial percentage of the membership of The Church of Pentecost resides in urban centres. In the Greater Accra Region, where the church has a significant presence, the congregation raised 47.4% of the total tithes in 2022,” he said, adding, “These numbers highlighted the necessity for the church to adjust its ministry approaches to cater to the unique needs of urban congregations.”
Apostle Nyamekye urged ministers to focus on helping the weak in the city, emphasising that ministry in urban areas should not be self-centred or driven by personal ambition.
Given the fast-paced urban lifestyle, he reminded them that ministry in the city demands attention to one’s spiritual life.
The Chairman called for the church to embrace change, diversity, and quality in its urban ministry efforts while encouraging leaders to adapt to the dynamic nature of city life, manage conflicts, and foster harmony within diverse urban communities.
He concluded his message by saying that “city churches need leaders who think as city people,” underscoring the need for a shift in mindset to effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities that urban ministry presents.
As part of the programme, newly transferred ministers and their wives to the region were introduced to the gathering.
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