Posts in category: Moving With Gs

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has pledged to fully participate in the upcoming National Politicians’ Conference being organised by The Church of Pentecost between June 14 and 16, 2023, at Gomoa-Fetteh near Kasoa.

The General Secretary of the ruling party, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua, gave the assurance when an eight-member delegation from The Church of Pentecost led by its General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, paid a courtesy call on the national executives of the NPP at its headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra today (Tuesday, March 14, 2023) to brief them about the conference and invite them to participate in it.

“This is a godly conference, and we will not turn our back on God. We support the National Politicians’ Conference, and we shall fully come on board,” Lawyer Kodua stated.

The NPP General Secretary commended The Church of Pentecost for its contributions to the national development of Ghana in the areas of school buildings, hospitals, and prison facilities.

Contributing, the Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Stephen Ayesu Ntim, thanked the delegation from The Church of Pentecost for the visit and appealed to the various Christian denominations in Ghana to partner with key stakeholders to ensure a very peaceful election in Ghana in 2024. 

On his part, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Kumi-Larbi, said the upcoming National Politicians’ Conference forms part of the 25 thematic areas of the five-year strategic vision of The Church of Pentecost, which is currently the largest Pentecostal church in Ghana, which has a presence in 151 nations with over four million membership.

“We want the impact of the Church to be felt in the nation. Consequently, The Church of Pentecost has over the years, organised several national events such as the Royals’ Conference, Ministers’ Conference, Environmental Care Campaign, and now preparing for the National Politicians’ Conference in June this year,” he said.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi continued: “We want to raise a generation of politicians, who will influence society with godly values and principles.”

The other members of The Church of Pentecost delegation present at the meeting include Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director), Apostle Philip Osei-Korsah (Director of Counselling Ministry), Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse (Media Ministry Pastor), Hon. Deaconess Elizabeth Sackey (Accra Mayor), Mr. Alfred Ofori Annye, Elder Stephen Djaba (Men’s Ministry Secretary), and Dr. Yao Yeboah (National Politicians’ Conference Planning Committee Secretary). 

Key NPP Executives present at the meeting include Ms. Rita Talata Asobayire (2nd Vice Chair), Dr. Charles Dwamena (National Treasurer), Ms. Kate Gyamfua (National Women’s Organizer) and other members of the party’s national executive committee.

Readers will recall that The Church of Pentecost delegation on March 7, 2023, also paid a courtesy call on the leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress to invite the party to participate in the conference. The party executives also assured the Church of its preparedness to participate in the upcoming conference.

Online registration for the conference has been opened and ends on March 30, 2023. So far, about 1,000 politicians have registered.

The National Politicians’ Conference is expected to be attended by politicians in The Church of Pentecost and other denominations across the country.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (COP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has advised Christians to actively participate in church services as it is a way of showing honour and respect to God.

“When we come to church, we should do everything that will honour God, this will show we respect and want to subject to His authority,” he added.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this today, March 11, 2023, when he delivered a presentation titled: “Deepening The CoP Brand,” at the ongoing Global Elders’ Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh.

According to him, chatting on WhatsApp, disrespecting ushers and conversing with others while church service is ongoing are attitudes that dishonour the Lord.

“When we come to Church there are three things we are expected to do; enter reverently, pray fervently and listen attentively,” he added. Reading from Isaiah 56:7, the General Secretary advised Church members to participate fully in all church activities.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further noted that the forebears of the Church took pains to build The CoP’s unique brand, therefore, this generation must be intentional about deepening the Church’s brand.

Quoting ‘Item G’ of The CoP’s Rules of Conduct, the General Secretary said: “During casual conversations at home or at work, do not speak disrespectfully or disparagingly about the Church and God’s servants. Make your concerns and grievances known to the appropriate authority for explanation or redress.”

Explaining the Apostle Kumi-Larbi observed that there will be challenges, grievances or concerns among members, however, it behoves on leaders to open up and engage.

“Quoting Apostle Eric Nyamekye, “Leadership is to solve tough questions”, we have to create avenues as elders to solve concerns from the youth, if you can’t solve it, pass it on to people of higher authority.

Despite the fact that we may have challenges, The General Secretary said that members may not always agree with the leaders of the Church, but they should be careful not to speak ill of them.

“In 3 John 1:9, Diotrephes unjustly accused the leadership, used wicked words and maligned leaders and prevented people from joining the Church; he also excommunicated others. So, the lesson here is remember to imitate what is good and not evil,” he advised.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi ended his presentation by reiterating the need for members to respect people placed in leadership positions over them, saying; “The Apostles and Pastors are working together and there must be respect to all authorities at all levels. Let us be careful of the way we speak about others’ leadership style. If you speak against the leader, you speak against God. God gave them to us. Leaders may not always be right.”

PENTECOST NEWS

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on March 7, 2023, led a delegation of the Church to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at its headquarters at Adabraka in Accra.

The team, made up of Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (PEMEM Director and Executive Council Member), Apostle Philip Osei-Korsah (Director of Counseling Ministry) and Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse (Media Ministry Pastor), were received by the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, Dr Sherry Ayittey – 2nd Vice Chair, Mr. Godwin Ako Gun, Deputy National Communications Director, and other members of the party’s national executive committee.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said the purpose of the visit was to brief the NDC leadership about the forthcoming National Politicians’ Conference” being organised by The Church of Pentecost and subsequently invite the party to participate in the conference.

He said plans are far advanced to invite other political parties in the nation to attend the conference. Mr Johnson Nketiah, on his part, commended The Church of Pentecost for thinking outside the church walls and thereby making plans to organise such a historic conference.

He assured the leadership of the Church of his party’s preparedness to participate in the conference. The National Politicians’ Conference is expected to be attended by politicians in The Church of Pentecost and other denominations across the country.

The other key NDC Executives present at the meeting include Dr Sherry Ayittey – 2nd Vice Chair, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, Mr. Godwin Ako Gun, Deputy National Communications Director, among others.

The event, which is scheduled to be held at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa- Fetteh between June 14 and 16, 2023, will have about 2,000 participants in attendance.

Online registration for the conference has been opened and ends on March 30, 2023. So far, about 1,000 politicians have registered.

PENTECOST NEWS

Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has urged church leaders to avoid destroying the brand of the church but purposely uphold and bequeath it to the next generation.

“Do not destroy the foundation of The Church of Pentecost brand, teachings and culture, rather improve on the brand for the next generation,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi said.

He said this on Monday, February 20, 2023, during the opening of the 2023 Kaneshie Area Ministers and Officers’ Retreat (Apostolisation) at the Kaneshie Central Auditorium.

Speaking on the topic, “Deepening The CoP Brand For Maximum Impact,” the General Secretary said that the move to reposition the church in this generation is a clarion call to deepen its brand as a church.

Discussing the CoP brand, Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that apart from the covenant that God has established with the church, other things that guide officers and ministers on how to conduct themselves and lead the church are the tenets of the church, core values, church culture, and rules of conducts.

He iterated that these activities have given the church a unique and enviable brand which ought to be guarded jealously, saying, “All members of our church must brand themselves accordingly.”

He added: “As custodians of the church, you are to jealously guard and protect the virtues and core values of the church from one generation to the other.”

According to him, it is evident that this distinctive character of the church has contributed to building a strong church through selfless service, sound biblical teaching, good leadership and succession, evangelism and discipleship, sacrificial giving, fellowship and discipline.

“Do not be too concerned about the leadership and succession of the church for each one is working their salvation with fear and trembling,” he stated.

He charged the leaders that the policies of the church which are the principles of action used to help achieve their goals, can be changed but the core values and rules of conducts do not change. He, therefore, admonished them to avoid substituting the brand of the church for anything.

The Church of Pentecost traces its origin to the ministry began by Rev. James McKeown in 1937, which culminated in the establishment of the Gold Coast Apostolic Church in 1953. When the Gold Coast attained independence and became Ghana, the Church became known as Ghana Apostolic Church. On the first day of August 1962, the Ghana Apostolic Church adopted the name “The Church of Pentecost” as its new name.

PENTECOST NEWS

“If the generosity and selfless giving of our forebears have brought The Church of Pentecost (CoP) to its current status, then we can only reposition The CoP by emulating or exceeding their sacrificial giving and generosity towards God’s work.”

The above statement was contained in a presentation made by the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the recently-held Sekondi Area Ministers and Officers’ Retreat (Apostolisation) which took place at the Apostle JWD Cudjoe Memorial Temple, Ketan.

Speaking on the topic, “Sacrificial Giving and Tithing,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi, using Proverbs 21:13, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Galatians 6:6-10 as Bible references, defined sacrificial giving as a divine attribute of God that graciously shares with humankind and giving out of your essential budget for a specific course.

He explained that giving is undergirded by the two principles of gratitude and stewardship. According to the General Secretary, gratitude brings out the sense of appreciation that we have for something or someone, especially human beings, giving to God because they want to express their thankfulness for all that He has done.

“When we come to the presence of God, let us be careful not to grumble because if you are grateful of what he has done for you; there is no need to complain,” he stressed.

Expounding the second principle, that is stewardship, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that Christians are stewards and caretakers of God’s creation, therefore, they are accountable to God for the application of the talents, resources, and opportunities He Has entrusted to them.

“The percentage of the resources we offer to God and to charitable causes is something we will account for and be rewarded for,” he added.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, however, observed that one practice that is gradually dying out in the Church is the noble act of members genuinely and willfully giving to support ministers of the Church.

“Members of the Church must uphold this practice of sacrificial giving in the Church, for one of the brand elements of the The Church of Pentecost is giving without being forced or coerced. This brings glory to God, and there is more blessings in giving than receiving,” he stated.

He also advised Church leaders at the local assemblies to be faithful in paying their tithes, teach members to give wholeheartedly, and constantly remind the members to bring all their tithes to the Church.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also encouraged members to love one another and to extend their acts of generosity and selfless giving to needy members in the Church.

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The General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost (COP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has charged the ministers and officers of the Church to deepen their knowledge and understanding about The COP brand to help enhance and jealously guard it.

“Let us make The Church of Pentecost brand stronger, and teach our members to love and become more interested in the Church,” he stated.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi gave this charge on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, during the evening session of the 2023 Sekondi Area Ministers & Officers Retreat (Apostolisation) at the Apostle J.W.D Cudjoe Memorial Temple at Ketan.

Delivering a presentation titled “Deepening The COP Brand,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi iterated that as a church within its third or fourth generation, it is expedient for the members to go back to the forebears and ask them how the Church rose from obscurity to prominence while upholding its values.

Reflecting on Deuteronomy 32:7; 19:14; 27:17, and Proverbs 22:28, the Chief Scribe disclosed that over the years, The Church of Pentecost has built a Christ-centered brand with the core values, culture and rules of conduct handed to the current generation as a legacy from the forebears.

This brand, he noted has distinctively contributed to building a strong church through selfless service, sound biblical teaching, good leadership and succession, evangelism and discipleship, sacrificial giving, fellowship and discipline.

He, therefore, urged the members to make an effort to learn, uphold and jealously guard these time-tested Pentecostal distinctive attributes as efforts are made to reposition the local church for maximum impact.

“The CoP has its own culture, its foundational beliefs at the heart of its theology, its governing system, and practical expression of Christian life and ministry, in addition to a covenant between the Church and God. These things we love and cherish so dearly, therefore, everyone who comes into our fold must know and diligently apply on themselves,” he said.

He further noted that “although the Church began with people with little or no formal education, the Holy Ghost inspired them to create a brand which has made the Church unique, distinguished and respected in the world.”

Touching on the rules and conducts, Apostle Kumi-Larbi urged ministers as well as officers and members to ensure that appropriate messages are preached to suit every occasion, while taking into consideration the time used for such church programmes.

He further encouraged the ministers and officers to make much effort to ensure that members attend church services because it helps deepen their (members’) spiritual lives.

“Attending church programmes provides one the opportunity to study the word of God, pray for the needs and healing of believers and unbelievers, propagate the gospel of Christ, and share fellowship with other believers,” he said.

PENTECOST NEWS

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has made a passionate appeal to Church leaders to make time to interact with the youth and educate them about the core values, rules of conduct and other foundational beliefs of the Church.

According to the General Secretary, many of the grievances of young people in the Church could easily be addressed when ministers and church leaders engage more with them.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this yesterday when he addressed participants of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference (GMWC’23) currently ongoing at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Speaking on the topic: “The CoP Brand: Rules of Conduct and Core Values,” the General Secretary emphasised the need for the older generation of members to painstakingly teach the youth about the foundational beliefs and practices that were bequeathed to them by their forebears.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that observing the tenets, core values, church culture and rules of conduct inherited from the forebears has given the COP a unique and enviable brand.

“It thus behoves this generation to know, uphold and jealously guard these time-tested Pentecostal distinctive attributes as we seek to reposition the local church for maximum impact,” he said.

To preserve The CoP brand for future generations, Apostle Kumi-Larbi posited that church leaders should engage the youth to clarify any concerns or misgivings they may have regarding the Church’s governance system, The CoP’s way of expressing practical Christian life and ministry, as well as her cultural practices. 

“These values and beliefs are in tandem with God’s covenant with the Church, which predates the existence of The Church of Pentecost. I therefore plead with ministers and leaders of The Church of Pentecost at all levels to have time to engage the members, especially the youth; they have questions!” he said.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also advised the youth to avail themselves to be mentored by the older generation and to seek clarifications on issues from appropriate authorities.

He buttressed his assertion by quoting item “G” of the Church’s Rules of Conduct, which reads: “During casual conversation at home or at work, do not speak disrespectfully or disparagingly about the Church and God’s servants. Make your concerns and grievances known to the appropriate authority for explanation or redress (3 John 9,10; Numbers 12:1-15).”

He advised the Christian youth to refrain from falsely accusing or castigating their spiritual leaders or persons in authority as it may have dire consequences, as seen in the cases of Miriam (Numbers 12:1-15) and Diotrephes (3 John 9, 10).

He reminded them that emphasis on the respect for authority, as well as prayer, the word of God and absolute reliance on the Holy Ghost, are among the variables that have contributed immensely to making The CoP a respected brand in the world.

“It is because of this culture that in 1998, Senior Apostles like S.K. Ansong, B. K. Arthur, D. K. Annan and the rest could subject themselves to the leadership of a young Apostle, Dr. Michael Ntumy, who was elected Chairman of our Church at age 40,” he said.

Concluding his message, Apostle Kumi-Larbi encouraged members, particularly the youth, to cooperate with the Church leadership in protecting and projecting The COP brand.

“For, I foresee that the glory of tomorrow’s Church is far more glorious than the Church today,” he said.

PENTECOST NEWS.