Christians Urged To Translate Religiosity Into Spirituality web

Christians Urged To Translate Religiosity Into Spirituality

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has urged Christians to practically translate their acts of religiosity into spirituality by demonstrating their changed life wherever they find themselves.

He made this call on the last day of a week-long meeting of Heads and Ministry Directors of The Church of Pentecost to unveil the five-year vision of the church dubbed: “Possessing the Nations” (Phase 2). The prayer meeting also saw the launch of the 2024 church theme: “A People Unleashed to Transform their World.”

Apostle Nyamekye explained the distinction between religiosity and spirituality, emphasising that religiosity involves external customs, rituals, and traditions, while spirituality entails the demonstration of the values and principles of Christ, such as godliness and morality.

He urged Christians to intentionally journey from religiosity to morality if they want to impact society as Daniel did. 

He cited Daniel’s actions in refusing to eat food from the king’s table and resisting the ‘no prayer edict’ as acts of religiosity. He said Daniel’s trustworthiness and blamelessness made him stand out (Daniel 6:4–5).

“All the visions and prayers will not count if Christ cannot be formed in us,” Apostle Nyamekye iterated, adding that “mere religiosity does not transform a nation, but a transformed life does. It proves the power of God to change lives.”

Apostle Nyamekye lamented the prevalence of wrong things happening despite activism in many religions worldwide and proposed that Christians exhibit a life of pure morals to reverse this trend. 

He referred to 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10, highlighting three evidences of a truly repentant person: a transformed life, a commitment to serve, and a heart yearning for the return of Jesus Christ.

Expounding on the characteristics of an unleashed church, the Chairman stressed that as churches grow, their ministries must grow broader. 

He encouraged every member to prepare to be unleashed into a form of ministry, stating that “the mark of a great church is not about the seating capacity but her sending capacity as well.”

Apostle Nyamekye stressed: “You cannot save an individual and forget the society in which they live. Both must be evangelised.”

He highlighted the need for the church to focus on both saving souls and providing social services. 

He emphasised that the church must actively participate in transforming society and engage in issues of the state to have a meaningful impact. 

Drawing inspiration from Daniel 5:11f, he urged Christians to work towards occupying places of influence so as to effect concrete changes at the workplace and in society.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Teach What You Want Your Members To Become web

Teach What You Want Your Members To Become – Apostle Nyamekye Advises Christian Leaders

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has underscored the crucial role of sound teaching in shaping the beliefs and conduct of church members.

“Teaching affects belief systems, and that affects conduct; thus, the Church must teach what we want the members to become,” the Chairman said when he delivered the keynote address at a ceremony to officially unveil the 2024 theme of the Church. The unveiled theme for 2024 is “A People Unleashed to Transform Their World” (1 Peter 2:9, Acts 1:8).

Addressing a gathering of heads and ministry directors from the church representing 150 nations at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa, Apostle Nyamekye reminded the leaders that the focus of the Great Commission extends beyond the Church and into the world.

“The Great Commission is not just about winning souls but discipling nations,” he emphasised.

He asserted that for the nations to be discipled, members of the church must be unleashed into all spheres. However, this can only be effective when the people are taught the ways of the Kingdom.

Apostle Nyamekye further stressed that the faith of believers must be built through sound teachings for them to truly have substance to transform their spheres, stating, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Referencing John 4:40–42, Apostle Nyamekye noted that the Samaritans believed because of what Jesus taught them, not merely what they heard from the woman.

He called for a teaching pattern that prompts members to leave the church walls and impact their spheres.

The Chairman challenged all church leaders to embrace roles as both evangelists and teachers.

Unleashing people, according to him, means entering the world to build a better world.

“When people come to church, let us raise them to go into their spheres to touch lives,” he added.

Apostle Nyamekye, therefore, urged church leaders to teach their members to view their secular jobs as secular ministries and a call to serve.

He enumerated some vital issues, emphasizing that people of faith should practice what they have learned from Scripture in various contexts.

He advised them to allow God’s word to shape their conscience and highlighted the importance of a holistic view of life.

Domestic life, according to him, is a calling and worship to God, urging Christians to strive to be the best in everything – the best husband, best wife, best teacher, best judge, etc.

He also implored Christians to note that the Church unleashed embraces all – multicultural, multiracial, and ‘multi-all.’ However, he clarified that the unleashed Church is not opposed to ministering to a targeted group if the circumstances so demand.

He encouraged all Christians to allow God’s word to shape their conscience, emphasizing that the preoccupation of the church unleashed is that everyone should come to Christ.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Unleash The Church To Arrest The Ills Of The World web

Unleash The Church To Arrest The Ills Of The World – Church Leaders Told

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has urged Christian leaders to consciously unleash their church members to transform the world and its systems with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 theme of the Church during the Heads’ meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Apostle Nyamekye stated, “The only remedy for the ills and troubles of the world today lies at the doors of the church, for we are the light of the world.”

According to him, the full potential of the church would manifest through its rise, and that if the church fails to rise, darkness will cover the earth.

Apostle Nyamekye further stated that it would be an anathema for the church to remain silent and merely rejoice in the Lord rising upon her.

“The Church, like Zion, should be concerned about her friends; the light of the world is within the Church,” he emphasised.

Quoting from Isaiah 60 and 61:1 and 21, the Chairman expounded that when the church, the light of the world and salt of the earth, remains silent, society lingers in darkness, ignorance, poverty, and moral decadence.

Apostle Nyamekye bemoaned the inactivity of the church in influencing the outside world when ‘the church has unraveled power to address the ills and troubles of the world today.’

Observing that the church is in a deep sleep, he described the situation as the ‘Church’s courage has been plagued with cowardice.”

He called on Church leaders to recognise that the mandate of the church is to avert decay wherever it is found.

The Chairman also proposed that the Church does not need new denominations or conferences but fire to unleash her.

“If we can awaken and unleash the tremendous power warmed up in the Church, Christianity will explode with unprecedented growth,” he remarked.

Placing the Church in her right context, Apostle Nyamekye stressed that the Church is a strategic orchestration of God to achieve His divine purposes and plans.

He observed that the Church is the conduit through which the manifold wisdom of God is revealed and the mysteries of redemption expressed. “The whole universe is waiting for us,” he charged.

Enumerating the core task of the Church, Chairman Nyamekye indicated that the church is the avenue to train Kingdom-minded people to unleash them into the world to make God famous again.

He said this role called for unleashing the church with a violent force that cannot be resisted, controlled, or hindered.

Revealing the theme for 2024 as “A People Unleashed to Transform Their World,” Apostle Nyamekye explained ‘unleashing the Church’ to mean ‘a call to every member of the local church to be involved in some form of ministry (service) outside the four walls of the Church with the sole aim of projecting the values and principles of the Kingdom of God in their spheres.’

He made a fervent call on Christians to take up this mandate to positively affect everywhere they are with the true light of the Kingdom of God, emphasising that the kind of culture that rules the world is the culture determined by the generation of Christians.

“The effect of the Church’s light will influence the culture that rules the world,” he mentioned.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Vision 2028 Unveiled web

Vision 2028 Unveiled

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has unveiled a new vision for the church, dubbed ‘Vision 2028.’

The new vision is expected to cover the periods between 2023 and 2028 with the theme, “Possessing the Nations Part 2 – Unleashing the Whole Church for the transformation of their world with the values and principles of the kingdom of God.”

The unveiling of Vison 2028 was held on the sidelines of the 2023 November Heads Prayer Meeting currently underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa, on Monday, November 13, 2023.

“While Vision 2023 (Phase I of the Possessing the Nations Agenda) focused on equipping our members, Vison 2028 (Phase 2) would focus on unleashing these equipped members into the world as agents of transformation,” the Chairman said.

He added: “In the past five years, we have focused on equipping the church to possess the nations. However, equipping people does not guarantee they will take the necessary actions in their communities to possess the world for Jesus Christ. 

“It requires a systematic effort to strategically unleash the vast potential currently within the church. A church, equipped, must be unleashed to transform the world.”

Apostle Nyamekye explained that Vision 2028 has 31 thematic areas designated with specific strategic objectives to guide its implementation. “Vision 2028, therefore, seeks to create avenues and opportunities for ministries outside the walls of the church while unleashing our members from whatever fear or hindrance that could prevent them from engaging with and transforming their world,” he stated.

He indicated that in fulfilling the objectives of Vision 2028, the institutions, systems and structures of the church shall be strengthened and complemented with monitoring and evaluation. 

PENTECOST NEWS

James McKeown Memorial Lectures Promotes web

James McKeown Memorial Lectures Promotes Dialogue Between Academics And Ecclesial Practitioners – Apostle Nyamekye

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has stressed the need to use the annual James McKeown Memorial Lectures (JMML) as a bridge to promote scientific and practical dialogue between academics and ecclesial practitioners of the Global Pentecostal/Charismatic movement.

In a keynote address read on his behalf by the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, at the opening of the 2023 JMML organised by the Pentecost University at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on Friday, November 10, 2023, Apostle Nyamekye was hopeful that the lectures would promote God’s Kingdom agenda and foster collaboration between academia and practising ministers and grassroots leaders within the churches around the globe.

He firmly believed that the event would allow participants to critically examine and reflect on the praxis and theories of their faith, thereby contributing to advancements in global understanding and appreciation of the Pentecostal movement.

Touching on the theme for the lectures, “Maximising the Impact of Pentecostal-Charismatic Ecclesiology and Mission in The Nations,” Apostle Nyamekye, who is the Chancellor of the university, noted that the theme sought to stimulate research and conversation among scholars and practitioners on the need to maximise the church’s missional impact to positively transform the nations of the world through the values and principles of the kingdom of God.

According to him, although Pentecostals have generally felt this need, its articulation among key stakeholders of the movement has been slow. 

“This conference attempts to engender such conversations in ways that can inform the future of the church’s visible missional impact in the nations, where all believers are released into their spheres of life as agents of transformation,” he said, adding, “For those in the academia, this call should be crucial to you as your primary duty is to transform all those who you train.”

Apostle Nyamekye indicated that per the church’s 5-year strategic vision, the church’s leadership pledged to support the Pentecost University to create an enabling learning and research environment as a training ground for pastors, lay leaders, and people studying in different fields. 

“As part of this vision, the church committed to supporting Pentecost University to organise at least one international conference annually. The conference will bring together local and international scholars and practitioners to discuss various aspects of the themes outlined in Vision 2023,” he said.

He said the initiative is expected to encourage scholarly activities and publications at the university and that the James McKeown Memorial Lectures is an example of this effort.

The Chairman eulogised the Founder, Pastor James McKeown, describing him as a “highly respected figure in Ghana and Africa, known for his contributions as a pioneer of Ghanaian Pentecostalism and as superintendent and chairman of The Church of Pentecost in Ghana.” 

“In honour of his legacy, these annual lectures are organised to promote scientific and practical dialogue between academics and ecclesial practitioners who work within the Global Pentecostal/Charismatic movement,” he added.

The Chairman of the University Council, Pastor Prof. William Otoo-Ellis, together with the Vice-Chancellor, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, launched the Pentecost Researchers’ Forum (PRF), which aims to seek ways by which academic research in The Church of Pentecost can be integrated into the practical ministry of grassroots Christianity by promoting the mutually compatible nature of academic research and spirituality. 

Among the plenary speakers were Prof. Kirsteen Kim (Professor of Theology and World Christianity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, USA), Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu (President, Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon-Ghana), and Apostle Dr Emmanuel Anim (Ag. Pro Vice Chancellor & Director, PSTM – Pentecost University).

PENTECOST NEWS 

Apostle Nyamekye Mourns With Ga State Over Passing Of Ga Manye WEB

Apostle Nyamekye Mourns With Ga State Over Passing Of Ga Manye

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on Friday, October 20, 2023, visited the Ga Palace to commiserate with the Ga Traditional Council following the passing of the Ga Manye, Her Royal Majesty Naa Dedei Omaedru III. 

Apostle Nyamekye was accompanied by Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (PEMEM Director and National Coordinator of the Chieftaincy Ministry), Apostle Dr Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head and Executive Council Member), Pastor Anthony Obeng (Kaneshie Area Chieftaincy Ministry Coordinator) and Elder Dr Nana Iprem, some of the members of the Kaneshie Area Chieftaincy Ministry as well as some pastors and their wives. 

Nii Kwao Donkor II, Asene Tsono Mantse, and his team received the Chairman and his delegation. 

Speaking at the meeting, Apostle Anane Denteh, who is an Executive Council Member of the church, reiterated the value The Church of Pentecost places on the chieftaincy institution by creating a whole ministry for them to foster the relationship between the church and royals. 

He added that as a church that places a premium on chieftaincy, they needed to visit the Ga palace and sympathise with them on the passing of the Queen.

Apostle Anane Denteh assured that the church was fully committed and would fully partake in the funeral activities when the time was up. 

Nii Afotey Anokwafo II, Antwere Gonno Mantse, Nungua, who is also a member of The Church of Pentecost, advised his fellow royals to give their lives to Christ just as he has done and acknowledge that all power is embedded in Christ. 

He, therefore, urged royals to dedicate all the power and authority given to them here on earth back to Christ, indicating that he has taken the step to align with Christ and is never going back. 

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on his part, said that death is an inevitable experience and is not something that can be seen physically but that which hurts the very soul of those who have lost loved ones.

The Chairman also expressed gratitude to the Ga State for its warm reception to The Church of Pentecost by offering them places to worship, contributing to its massive development over the years. 

He added that considering this beautiful relationship between the church and the Ga state, there was a need for the leadership of the church to visit and share their burden of grief with them. 

He expressed the sympathy of the church to the family and promised the church’s full support to them throughout the funeral arrangements. 

As part of the visit, some assorted items were presented to the palace in support of the funeral rites. 

Apostle Eric Nyamekye also signed the book of condolence, which was opened at the palace. 

The Asene Tsono Mantse, Nii Kwao Donkor II, thanked the church for its thoughtfulness in coming to sympathise and console them and donating to support the funeral. 

He also used the opportunity to announce the funeral arrangements and urged the church to join them when the time was due. 

Report by Pastor Frank Mensah Tandoh

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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

Apostle Nyamekye Charges Ministers To Win Cities For Christ web

Apostle Nyamekye Charges Ministers To Win Cities For Christ

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.

PENTECOST NEWS 

Let's Emulate Apostle Ntumy's Tenacity - Chairman Nyamekye To Christians web

Let’s Emulate Apostle Ntumy’s Tenacity – Chairman Nyamekye To Christians

Retired former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy’s tenacity and faith in God in the face of challenges and difficulties is legendary. He is one man of God, who has been through what can aptly be described as painful life experiences. But in all of the challenges he has been through, the former Chairman has not been heard publicly questioning God or slacking in his faith in God.

One typical example of his tenacious character and faith in God was his decision not to leave the flock in Liberia and return to a comfortable life in Ghana, citing the war; instead, he made that decision, which would have been very difficult for many a man of God to take – he stayed with the members of the church and went through the harrowing experience of war with them, to the extent that he came face-to-face with death, spending one hundred and sixty-five days in Flamingo, the popular camp of no return during the Liberian war.

Another demonstration of his faith in God is how he has given recognition to the goodness of God in his life, despite having been confined to an electronic wheelchair in the last fifteen years, after serving meritoriously as Chairman of The Church of Pentecost.

On the occasion of the retirement service of the former Chairman, the current Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye paid glowing tribute to his staying power, urging the congregants and the wider Christian community to emulate the tenacity and staying power demonstrated by the former Chairman.

“We have seen the life of a man with such staying power and tenacity. As the preacher said, let us thank God for his life, let us recognize the goodness of the Lord.

“Today, we have been called upon to learn from the life of our dear apostle; that we will be able to suffer long, have the needed tenacity and staying power in times of difficulties and remember that, “God is still good; His goodness and love endure forever”, he asserted.

Chairman Nyamekye also eulogised Mrs. Martha Ntumy’s staying power; and not abandoning her husband to his fate, but sticking to him throughout the challenging times the former Chairman has faced in this life, saying, “in Ghana, the statistics on divorce between believers and non-believers is almost the same. What this means is that we lack staying power. Let us learn from Apostle Michael Kwabena Ntumy and his wife, Mrs. Martha Ntumy”, he urged.

Report by Elder David Tagoe

“You Owe Me Nothing; I Owe You Everything”- Apostle Dr. Ntumy web

“You Owe Me Nothing; I Owe You Everything”- Apostle Dr. Ntumy

Without a shred of doubt, his two terms of ten years as the fourth Chairman of The Church of Pentecost saw the church emerging from obscurity to national and international prominence, spreading its tentacles to all continents of the world.

In the last fifteen years, he has been confined to an electronic wheelchair, but that could not stop him from serving as the Director of Literary Works of the church.

Since his assumption of that duty, under his watch, the Church has published twenty books of international standards. The aforementioned and many more are the things he availed himself to be used of the Lord to do  in the church. Many are those who would have claimed indispensability that, but for them, the church could not have assumed its current status, but certainly, not the now retired former chairman of The Church of Pentecost.

In an excellently written response read on his behalf on the occasion of his retirement service held at the auditorium of H4 Hotel, Hamburg, Bergedorf, typical of him, Apostle Dr. M. K. Ntumy drummed home one point- he would not claim credit for anything.

He wrote, “finally, to The Church of Pentecost fraternity worldwide, thank you very much. You do not owe me anything; I owe you everything; I didn’t make you what you are, you made me what I am. Long live the church of Pentecost. God bless us all”.

In that response preceded by the song, “Aseda fata wo, ayeyi fata wo, yen Hene Christo,” Apostle Dr. M. K. Ntumy expressed profound gratitude to the current Chairman, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye and members of the Executive Council, as well as the immediate-past Chairman of the church, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah (Rtd) for not abandoning him to his fate, but showed him great support.

He remarked, “Chairman Eric Nyamekye has shown us exceptional love and compassion even long before he became chairman. He has visited me many times, and shared with us from his personal resources; called me very often to enquire about our well-being and to pray with us”.

Turning attention to the immediate-past Chairman, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, he recalled, “Chairman Opoku Onyinah told me, “I do not see death in this at a time doubt abounded, whether the following day will see me alive. He insisted, that despite my disability, I still have a lot in me with which to serve the Lord and the Church so retiring me on health grounds was not an option.

“He and his executive council appointed me Director of Literary Works in 2013; today our directorate has published twenty books of international standards”.

He also expressed gratitude to former General Secretaries, Apostle Albert Amoah and Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, and International Missions Directors, Apostles B. K. Arthur and Stephen Kofi Baidoo, both of blessed memory with whom he worked during his tenure as Chairman from 1998 to 2008.

He also thanked those under whose administrations he served namely; Apostles Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi and Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, General Secretary and International Missions Director respectively.

In that same response, he paid glowing tribute to his dear wife, Mrs. Martha Ntumy, whom he affectionately calls Lady, for standing by him through thick and thin in his ministry.

Amid a loud applause from the congregation, he said, “at this juncture, dear Chairman, permit me to pay a glowing tribute to my wife, Mrs. Martha Ntumy. My wife of forty-one years now; a ministry partner for the past 39 years; she is all-in-all to me; my beloved wife, a mother and the best of friends.

“Over the past fifteen years when I got into the state of paralysis, the best of my dear Lady came to the fore; my nurse, my doctor and mighty intercessor; Lady, may the Lord richly bless you and greatly reward you”.

He didn’t miss the opportunity to thank his children for acquitting themselves well. For them, he prayed, “may the Lord bless each of you in the continuous journey of life”.

Written by Elder David Tagoe