Posts in category: Missions

Five Districts in the Takoradi Area of The Church of Pentecost have raised an amount of GHS 16, 346.90 to support the work of missions.

The amount was presented to the Missions Office on Wednesday, December 15, on behalf of the Area by the New Takoradi District Minister, Pastor Solomon Nii Ashaley Djani, during a short presentation ceremony at the General Headquarters at La in Accra.

In addition to the amount, the Area donated a motor bicycle, a 32-channel mixer, a Behringer 6-channel mixer, 73 half-piece clothes, 10 pairs of men trousers, eight pairs of ladies’ shoes, six pairs of men’s shirts, three ladies’ suits and 12 men’s suits.

The donation was realised during the weeklong ‘Missions Promotion’ exercise undertaken by the National Head, Apostle Semenya Dogbe, and his wife, Rosina, in some districts of the area.

Apostle and Mrs. Dogbe arrived in the Takoradi Area on Monday, December 6, and were received and hosted by the Area Head, Apostle Joseph Assabil, and the Area Missions Committee.

The couple ended their promotion exercise on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, after paying separate visits to the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC-Takoradi), Adientem District, New Takoradi District, New Site District and Takoradi District.

Once every three years, missionaries of the Church are granted a furlough (leave of absence) to return to their home country for a period not exceeding three months. As part of their stay, they are encouraged to undertake ‘Mission Promotion’ exercises, where they educate the church public about missions work and promote missions activities to raise funds and mobilise the needed support for missions.

Among other things, the furlough allows missionaries to relax, undergo medical checkups, and reconnect with their families and friends.

PENTECOST NEWS

An appreciation service was held yesterday in honour of 11 ministers of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) who have ended their Mission duty.

They are: Apostle Konon Rogatien (CoP-Benin), who served at Burundi for four years; Pastor Thomas Anane served at Equatorial Guinea for seven years; Pastor Eric Somuah (CoP-Ghana) served in Tanzania for four years; Pastor Houenou Goudja of CoP-Benin served at Mali for five years; Pastor Peter Eshun (CoP-Ghana) served at Lesotho for seven years; Pastor Koassi Kouakou Yeboua (CoP-Cote D’Ivoire) spent six years in the Central African Republic and Apostle Abraham Arthur (CoP-Ghana) took oversight responsibility of the churches in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Hungary for five years.

The following also ended their missionary service last year: Apostle Daniel Owusu-Akyaw (CoP-Ghana) served at Zambia for five years and later at Cameroun for seven years; Apostle Daniel Ato Eduah (CoP-Germany) also served at the Czech Republic for five years; Apostle Edmund Appiah (CoP-UK) spent seven years in Finland, whilst Apostle Agyemang Tabi of CoP-Italy served at Austria for five years.

The ministers were each given a plaque of honour and a cash token in appreciation of their meritorious service to God and the Church.

In response, Apostle Tabi, on behalf of the recipients, expressed gratitude to God and the leadership of the Church for the opportunity given them to serve the Lord and the Church as well as the honour done them at the event.

Dubbed the ‘Appreciation Summit,’ the event is held annually by the International Missions Office to honour the selfless and dedicated service of missionaries of the church in the face of prevailing challenges on the mission field. The event was, however, suspended in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and its related restrictions.

PENTECOST NEWS

The International Missions Office has organised a training programme for national heads in the external branches of The Church of Pentecost on the back of the recently-held November Heads’ Meeting.

The event, which is in fulfilment of the Church’s Vision 2023, was held yesterday at the Pentecost Pension House, Gbawe, under the theme: “A Missionary Revived To Possess The Nations” (Ephesians 5:27; Ephesians 3:10).

The main facilitators for the event were the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, and the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe.

Other facilitators were the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) Director and Executive Council Member of the Church, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, and the Finance and Administration Director (FAD), Apostle Lawrence Otu Nyarko.

In his closing address, Apostle Eric Nyamekye advised participants to endeavour to apply all that they had received at the event.

He urged them to emulate Apostle Paul’s unreserved determination to serve the Lord and to commit themselves to the work of God even at the peril of their lives.

“It is a choice to serve the Lord. So, go all out for Christ!” the Chairman charged.

He also encouraged the missionaries to keep working wholeheartedly for the Lord and trust Him to cater to their needs.

In his presentation, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised the participants to familiarise themselves with the policies of the Church and strive to uphold them. He noted that as National Heads they must act as role models to officers and members of the Church in adhering to the financial policies of the Church.

According to Apostle Agyemang Bekoe, the seminar was organised for capacity-building purposes and to provide missionaries an avenue to engage the leadership of the Church on issues that are peculiar to their respective nations. 

Some of the topics handled at the event were “Knowing & Implementing Church Policies,” “Financial Issues of Concern,” “New Mission Trends,” and “Missions Perspective Document.”

PENTECOST NEWS

The Paterson District in the New Jersey Region of The Church of Pentecost in the United States of America has donated two pairs of speakers and microphones towards internal missions.

The items, worth GH¢3,000.00, were presented to two churches, namely, the Saga Assembly of Kabitie District in the Nkwanta Area and the Godokpe District in the Ho Area.

In a signed statement copied to PENTECOST NEWS, the Paterson District Minister, Pastor Samuel Morgan, noted that the donation to the Saga Assembly was inspired by a video documentary produced by the International Missions Office during this year’s McKeown Missions’ Week celebration – an annual event aimed at highlighting the work of all missionaries of the church and promoting the church’s missions enterprise.

The donation to Godokpe District, on the other hand, he added, is meant to promote the church’s evangelistic activities.

Pastor Morgan is hopeful that the donation would go a long way to inspire the beneficiary churches and others in the mission areas to do more for the advancement of the Kingdom business.

The items were presented to the Missions Directorate today by Pastor Felix Anti (Administrative Secretary to the General Secretary) on behalf of Paterson District for onward distribution to the churches.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Apostle Ransford Obeng Gyamfi has assumed office as the new National Head of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) in Canada. He takes over from Apostle Dr Emmanuel Owusu as the seventh national head of the church.

He was inducted into office by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, at a special service held at the McKeown Worship Centre in Toronto, Canada on Sunday, September 26, 2021. The event also saw the glorious retirement of the immediate-past National Head, Apostle Dr Emmanuel Anthony Owusu, and his family from the full-time ministry of the church after 26 years.

Apostle Obeng Gyamfi was called into the full-time ministry in 1998 in Germany, having served as a Field Assistant in Frankfurt from 1995 to 1997.  

He has since pastored at Wiesbaden District, Frankfurt (1997-1998), Dusseldorf District, Germany (1998-1999), PIWC-North York (2000-2002), Calgary District (2002-2006), Ottawa District (2006-2010), Peel District (2010-2016), and Montreal District (2016-2021). 

Apostle Ransford Obeng Gyamfi is married to Mrs. Irene Obeng-Gyamfi, and they are blessed with four children, namely, Ransford Gyamfi Jnr., Israel Terry Gyamfi, Jeffrey Gyamfi, and Elgin Gyamfi.

Report by PENTMEDIA Canada

A historic service was held last Sunday [September 26, 2021] at the McKeown Worship Centre in Toronto, Canada in honour of Apostle Dr Emmanuel Anthony and Mrs Patience Owusu, who bowed out of active ministry after 26 years.

The service, which was officiated by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, also had in attendance Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Bompata Area Head and Executive Council Member), Prophet James O. Amaniampong (Asokwa Area Head), Apostle Patrick Aseyoro (Odorkor Area Head) and Apostle Michael Osei (France National Head). 

A delegation from the USA, consisting of Apostle John Appiah, Apostle Samuel Arthur, Apostle Andy Donkor, Apostle Stephen Amponsah, Apostle Dr. Portuphy, Pastor Joseph Gyamfi, Pastor Joseph Antwi, among others, and led by Apostle Michael Agyemang-Amoako (National Head for CoP-USA and Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) Chairman for the Americas) also graced the event.

Speaking on the topic: “The Jewish Root of Christianity: Some Lessons for our Time,” Apostle Nyamekye stated that God chose Israel strategically to reveal Himself to the other nations of the world. (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 9:18-19; Exodus19:3:-6; Deuteronomy 4:-8; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalms 78:6). 

According to him, Israel had a covenant with God, and as part of the covenant, they were to be holy people, a kingdom of priests, and a treasured possession unto the Lord. They were also instructed by God to teach this to their children so they would not forget Him, he added.

Apostle Nyamekye stated that, even when the Jews had dispersed on the face of the earth, they were expected to hold on to the word of God and remain holy. With this in mind, as they interacted with other cultures such as the Babylonian and Greco-Roman cultures, the Jews, he noted, ensured that they influenced and possessed the other cultures, thereby spreading their religion to other nations.

Comparing the church (now the Israel of God) to the nation of Israel, Apostle Nyamekye said God’s agenda for the world is to ensure that “none should be lost.” (Galatians 3:8; 3:16; 6:15).

Just like the Jews, he advised the Church in Canada to explore ways by which they could influence the Canadian people through their culture in order to draw them to the Lord. 

“Our churches should be equipping centres where righteous men and women are raised to influence the society with Kingdom values and principles. Let us live exemplary lifestyles based on the principles and values of the Kingdom of God like the Jews did,” he said.

He also advised that only people who are adaptive to various situations should be called to serve in leadership positions in the church.

The Chairman urged parents to endeavour to teach their children the word of God and be an example of authentic Christianity.He also urged church members to avail themselves to be used by the Lord to possess their communities for Christ.

Testimony by the General Council in honour of the retired minister read by Apostle Adjei-Kwarteng hailed Apostle Dr. Owusu as an embodiment of humility, hard work, service and discipline. It also described him as one who accomplishes assignments efficiently and effectively.

The Council also praised Mrs. Patience Owusu for being the strong pillar in the life and ministry of her husband, whilst acknowledging her selflessness, love, hard work, compassion, and dedication to God and the advancement of His Kingdom. 

The National Council of CoP-Canada further testified that Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Owusu made a difference in the lives of so many people as a preacher, teacher, prayer warrior, an affable father, counsellor, and an effective administrator, who helped to maximise the church’s financial resources and ensure a smooth financial administration.

To climax the event, Apostle Eric Nyamekye presented a ‘certificate of service’ plaque to the retired minister in acknowledgement of his meritorious service to God and The Church of Pentecost for over two decades.

Among those in attendance were Mrs. Mary Nyamekye (wife of the Chairman), Apostle Ackah-Baidoo (rtd.), a former National Head of Canada, and his wife, as well as Mrs. Mary Miah and Mrs. Faustina Bediako (both wives of former Canada National Heads). Some community leaders, including ministers from other churches, the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario led by Mr. Emmanuel Duodo, and royals, attended the event.

Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Owusu was called into the full-time ministry in 1995 and served at Toronto (1995-1999), Vancouver (1999-2003), France (2003-2009), USA (2009-2016), and Canada (2016-2021). He previously served as an Acting National Head for Canada between 2013 and 2014 and also served as an Executive Council Member and the RCC Chairman for the Americas from 2015 to 2020.

Report by PENTMEDIA Canada.