The Church of Pentecost General Secretary Hailed

The Church of Pentecost General Secretary Hailed

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, got very emotional this morning as he announced the impending exit of the indefatigable General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, at the opening session of the ongoing November Heads’ Meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Apostle Nyamekye threw the entire participants into a state of weeping when he sobbed and virtually became speechless when announcing the exit of the chief scribe of the church.

He stated this when he finally put himself together: “This Heads’ Meeting happens to be the last that Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi will be attending in his official capacity as the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost.”

He continued: “You will all bear with me that he has served this Church selflessly and meritoriously in the last nine years. I humbly crave your indulgence to give him a stand ovation to appreciate our brother.

He added: “May the Lord, the One whom you have so faithfully served, bless you. And may He grant you the grace to end your tenure gloriously. And may the years ahead of you be more fruitful.”

Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, an engineer by training, was appointed General Secretary of the Church in 2013 during the time of Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah. His second term of office ends in 2023.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Church Of Pentecost Unveils 2023 Theme

The Church Of Pentecost Unveils 2023 Theme

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“Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact in the Nations” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 & Colossians 2:6-7, is the theme of The Church of Pentecost worldwide for the ensuing year 2023.

The theme was unveiled by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, at the official opening of the 2022 Heads’ Meetings on Wednesday, November 16, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana.

According to the Chairman, next year’s theme seeks to place a great deal of emphasis on the local church and reposition her as a formidable army unit to ensure the successful mission of the Church in possessing the nations for Christ. 

“We foresee that when the local church is well positioned, it can be launched to make a difference in a hopeless world. Our local churches must be strengthened to equip and send out her members, and the members must go and take the nations for Christ as envisioned in Vision 2023,” the Chairman stressed.

To achieve the desired set goals under the 2023 theme, Apostle Nyamekye said that a pattern of teaching will be adopted, guided by some selected topics to help reposition the local church for maximum impact in possessing the nations.

The eight thematic topics are: Stoking the fire of the Holy Spirit, living in the fear of God in the local church; The local church as a family; The local church upholding the value of godliness; Sacrificial giving and tithing; The local church in evangelism; Visitation in the local church; Raising family altars to strengthen the local church: Lessons from the Puritans, and Encouraging personal devotions and small group prayer meetings to strengthen the local church.

Apostle Nyamekye disclosed that the leadership of the Church has dedicated the first three months of the Bible study sessions in 2023 to studying the rules of conduct and core values of the church, as a means of strengthening the local church and deepening The Church of Pentecost brand.

“We shall be intentional in grounding our members in the Lord. We shall build their confidence in the gospel of Christ which is the power of God that saves and unleash them into the world to be channels through whom God’s grace will flow to bless humanity.

“We intend by this theme to make the local assembly ready to combat every thought, argument and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” he stated.

This year’s theme of the church is: “Equipping the Church as an Army to Possess the Nations.” As a continuation of the 2022 theme, the Chairman stressed the need to reposition the local church to achieve the desired goal, saying, “This is because to maintain unit cohesion and will to fight to possess the nations, there is the need to reposition the tactical unit (local church) to keep the fighting strength up.”

He indicated that the local church will then be more vibrant, a serious threat to the enemy and afford the Church greater success in possessing the nations, since the strength of the Church lies with the local church where real practical ministry and congregational life exist.

He stated: “As a denomination, our greatest resource is our members, and it is in their strength we find strength. It is the efforts at the local church level (tactical unit level) that culminates in the overall success of the Church as an army.

“To this end, Vision 2023 deems the local church as crucial towards the achievement of its goals and objectives.  The local church is therefore expected to be a vibrant centre for equipping members to possess the nations.”

PENTECOST NEWS

Former Radio Pastor Goes Home

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Tears flowed freely as relatives and sympathisers filed past the mortal remains of Pastor Edison Nii-Lamptey (Rtd.) at a memorial service held in honour of the former Radio Pastor of The Church of Pentecost today.

Pastor Edison Nii-Lamptey, 73, served in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost for 24 years, during which he served as the Church’s minister in charge of Radio and Television for six years (2000-2006).

The memorial service, which took place at the Nsakina L/A JHS park, gave bereaved families, the clergy, and members of the Mount Zion Assembly in the Nsakina District, where he fellowshipped until his passing, the opportunity to pay their last respects to the departed minister.

The service was officiated by the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, with support from ministers of the Church, including Apostle William Ohemeng-Kwakye (Anyaa Ablekuma Area), Apostle Lt. Col. Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode (Ghana Armed Forces Chaplain / Burma Camp Worship Centre), Apostle Samuel Gakpetor (Agormanya Area), Apostle James Asare (Kasoa Area), Apostle Dr. Ben Ali (Downtown Ofaakor Area), Apostle Daniel Sey (Dansoman Area), Prophet Foster Aniakwaa (Nkawkaw Area), Apostle Kwaku Frimpong Boadu (United Kingdom), Apostle Gideon Obeng-Darko Quardson (Atonsu Area), Apostle David Nii Addo-Pappoe (Twifo Praso Area).

Also present were Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse (Media Ministry Pastor), Elder Prof. Eric Appau Asante (Deputy Youth Ministry Director), the Anyaa-Ablekuma Area pastorate and some retired ministers.

A tribute read on behalf of the General Council by Apostle Lt. Col. B. G. Kumi-Woode, described the late minister as an ardent Bible teacher, passionate gospel preacher and a jealous upholder of the Pentecostal heritage. 

“Perhaps, Pastor Lamptey’s contribution to The Church of Pentecost became more apparent when he was appointed the Radio Pastor of the Church in 2000, a role he discharged dutifully for six years. He significantly built on the work of his forebears by adding to the Church’s ever-growing list of radio and television platforms. This contributed massively to the Church’s efforts in winning souls and discipling many for Christ at the time,” the tribute further read.

The children, in a glowing tribute to their father, recounted how he ensured that they grew up in the fear of the Lord through strict spiritual disciplines such as daily devotion, occasional fasting, family prayers and the study of the word of God.

“He instilled in us godly values and principles of hard work, respect for all and service to God,” the tribute read.

Pastor Emmanuel Teye Sackitey of Anyaa District encouraged mourners at the event with a brief sermonette based on Acts 26:22-29, which he titled: “What Do You Know?”

He said that Saul (Paul) was very learned and prided himself in his knowledge until His encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. He said that, like Paul, many people have gained knowledge in the world, but this knowledge is only useful in this life and have no benefit beyond this earth. 

He said that when Paul encountered Christ, he realised that there was a light he had no knowledge of; eventually he had to humble himself and accept Jesus.

Pastor Sackitey further stated that, fortunate for Pastor Nii-Lamptey, who was also very learned and obtained several certificates and qualifications while on earth, he also gained knowledge of Christ and has, therefore, overcome death. 

“He has overcome death because he believed in the man Jesus who has overcome death,” he said.

The Anyaa District Minister called on all who are yet to receive Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour, not to pride themselves in the knowledge they may have gained in this world but rather surrender to Christ in order to overcome death and access eternal life.

PROFILE OF PASTOR NII-LAMPTEY (RTD.)

Born on August 9, 1949 into a staunch Apostolic home, Edison Lamptey demonstrated great intellectual and athletic ability throughout his educational life. This earned him great admiration from his lecturers and colleagues.

He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Canada Christian College (CCC) and the School of Graduate Theological Studies, and earned a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in the study of Religions from the University of Ghana (UG) School of Research and Graduate Studies. 

His quest to broaden his knowledge led him to undertake a series of correspondent courses, including Advertising and Public Relations, at Cambridge International College (CIC) England UK, Radio and Television Presentation at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and specializing in Radio and Television Broadcast. He also trained in Religious Broadcasting at International Communication Training Institute (ICTI) UK, (Ghana Campus) and became a member of the Institute.

Again, he undertook Advance Diploma in Business English sections 1-7 at Business Training Limited, Manchester, England, UK and specialised in business communication. Additionally, Edison took a post-graduate Certificate and an Advanced Diploma in Christian Counselling, specialising in Nouthetice and Theophostic Ministry at International Theological Seminary (ITS) Bradenton, Florida, USA (Ghana Campus), among several other professional courses.

Before his call into the full-time ministry of The Church Pentecost, Pastor Lamptey was a lecturer at The Fountain Gate Bible College in Accra and the West Coast Bible College also in Accra. He was a Dean for both Colleges.

In his 24-year pastoral ministry in The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Lamptey served in six stations, namely Anyinam (1990-1994), Taifa (1994-2000), Headquarters (2000-2006), Winneba (2006-2010), temporarily at Asesewa (2010-2022), and finally at Kade (2011-2014), where he retired from active service.

It is also worthy of note that Pastor Edison’s contribution and loyalty to the Church did not end at retirement. As a retired minister, he continued to teach and motivate the members for service and served as a role model and counsellor to the younger generation.  

Pastor Edison Nii-Lamptey is survived by six children, one of whom is Pastor Godwin Ako-Addo, the Alajo District Minister of the Church and the immediate-past National Secretary of the Youth Ministry.

Indeed, a great man of God has gone home to be with his Maker after serving the purpose of God in his generation. 

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Jesus Is The Liberator Of All – Apostle Kumi-Larbi

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The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has said that Jesus is the only liberator of all humankind because He alone possesses the power to set people free from captivity.

The General Secretary made this assertion on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the Methodist School Park, Gonnor-Teshie, during the Super-Duper Prayer and Healing crusade of the Teshie Nungua Area.

According to Apostle Kumi-Larbi, there is no other name, thing, preacher, king or believer who can redeem humanity from oppressive systems and ideas except Jesus, stressing that “His name, person, blood, and righteousness have the power to save.”

“Our fellowship with God is restored through Christ alone because in Him, we have been made righteous and sinless in God’s eyes as Adam and Eve were before they sinned,” he further noted.

Speaking on the theme, “Jesus Christ; The Liberator and Saviour of the Oppressed,” using Acts 10:38 as the scriptural reference, the General Secretary reiterated that in all situations, it is only Jesus who has the power to save and set humanity free.

Touching on the creation and fall of man in Genesis 1 and 3, he said that God created people out of love for the purpose of sharing love. He noted that when God created the first humans (Adam and Eve), he charged them to care for each other and the world so that, in so doing, they would experience His goodness and reflect His image.

He, however, noted that when Adam and Eve rebelled against God, the perfect communion and fellowship between them broke, resulting in them hiding from God ever since.

“When man sinned, he was driven away from the Garden of Eden, the presence of God and hence lost everything God provided for him,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi said, charging, “Jesus has come to reconnect us to God for total restoration.”

Using his life’s testimony as an illustration, he added: “I came to believe by faith that God’s redemption plan conquers Satan’s entrenched wickedness that seeks refuge in our souls. God’s forgiveness of sin overcomes Satan’s contempt for God’s redeeming love, and His forgiveness cleanses us and restores the relationship He longs to have with us.” 

Concluding, Apostle Kumi-Larbi admonished all who are yet to accept Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour to believe the Gospel of Christ, which is Jesus Himself, and consequently surrender their lives to Him.

Other speakers of the Super-Duper Prayer and Healing Crusade are Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman (Teshie-Nungua Area Head), Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance Administration Director, CoP Headquarters), Pastor Seth Kwaku Ansah (Nampansa District), Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor (Bethel Worship Centre), Elder Seth Yaw Peasah (El-Bethel Prayer Centre, Ho), with song ministration from Elder Dr. Kwasi Mireku.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Wycliffe Associates Team Pays Courtesy Call On Chairman Of The Church of Pentecost

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The Wycliffe Associates, a Christian organization with the vision of making the Bible available in every language and to accelerate Bible translation around the world by empowering national translators and equipping the local church to translate God’s work into every language, has paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, at the church’s General Headquarters in La, Accra, on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

The team was led by Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, Co-ordinator for the National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee (NDLDC) who doubles as the Agormanya Area Head of the church, and some National Executive Committee (NEC) Members of the NDLDC.

The purpose of the visit was to familiarize themselves with the headquarters of the church and to show appreciation to the Chairman for the church’s collaboration with their institution for the just ended Oral Bible Translation Workshop which took place from October 31 to November 2, 2022 at Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa Ghana.

The leader of the Wycliffe Associates team, Rev. Melchizedek Eleazar Atienza (GCBT-STRIKE Manager), indicated that the partnership between his organization and The Church of Pentecost with respect to ministry to the oral peoples is the most recent of these strategies.

 “It is in view of this partnership that we organized the 3-day workshop that aims to provide methodology, strategy and technology for Oral Bible Translation, and in so doing, produce first Oral Scriptures in 10 languages,” he affirmed.

Speaking on what was accomplished in the 3-day training workshop, he revealed that a total of 60 Oral Bible Translations (OBTs) in 10 languages were completed and as a result, for the very first time, people can now hear God’s word in Andrendaa (Ahanta), Chakalli, Challa, Dagaare, Jelgoore (Fulfulde), Komba, Kotokoli, Nabt, Talen and Mampruli languages.

“We believe that what we have accomplished today is just the beginning; greater things are yet to come with more Scripture portions to be translated which will enable many language groups to hear God speak to them in their heart languages,” he stated.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on his part, revealed that the Vision 2023 of The Church of Pentecost stresses the need to possess the nations for Christ by equipping the Church to transform every sphere of society with kingdom values and principles. He added that as part of the interventions to achieve this, the NDLDC started to produce audio versions of all discipleship manuals in the local languages for oral people groups and members who expressed interest in them.

“What the Wycliffe Associates have brought on board, that is equipping our facilitators in training (FITs) and Heart Language Translators (HLTs) to produce oral Bibles to Bibleless groups through Oral Bible Translations is a great initiative which is in line with the Possessing the Nations Agenda,” Apostle Nyamekye said.

The Chairman expressed his appreciation to the Wycliffe Associates for the huge investment made in the project. He, on behalf of the church, presented traditional smock to the Wycliffe Associates team.

In attendance was the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, Pastor Benedict Eghan (Personal Assistant to the Chairman), Apostle J.B.K. Tawiah (NDLDC NEC Member and Kwadaso Area Head), Bishop Dr. Jose Abraham (Global Training Initiative Manager), Mr. Mark Foster (Global Training Initiative Director), Pastor Raymond Andaya (Translation Project Manager) and Mr. Alejandro Lactaw (IT Service Director).

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare, Oral Bible Translation Project Coordinator.

Rev. Dr. Gordon Kisseih Inducted As GPCC 1st Vice President

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The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), the largest ecumenical body in the country, has inducted into office, Rt. Reverend Dr. Gordon Kisseih, Founder and General Overseer of Life International Church (formerly Miracle Life Gospel Church), as its 1st Vice President.

An induction service, which was officiated by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, who doubles as the 2nd Vice President of the GPCC, was held last Saturday at the Life International Church, City of Favour Auditorium, at Achimota.

Various heads of churches who are members of the Council, the National Executive Committee of GPCC, clergy, and members of Life International Church graced the occasion.

Profile

Rev. Dr. Gordon Kisseih responded to the call to enter full-time ministry in 1987. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) from the KNUST, Kumasi, and a Master of Education (MA) from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma (USA), where he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity in Pastoral Theology from Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria. Prior to coming into ministry, he worked with the then Ghanaian Italian Petroleum Company (GHAIP), now Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

He is married to Rev. Mrs. Esther Kisseih, co-founder of Life International Church, and together they are blessed with two children. He is a man of integrity, true humility, prayerful, and dedicated to training the next generation of transformational leaders. As part of his impact on society, Rev. Dr. Kisseih is the President of Life International Schools, that is a Senior High School (Life International College), a Foundation School (from Creche to Junior High), and Life Bible College.

Sermon

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, delivering the sermon on the topic, “Understanding the Church,” stated that “the church’s foundation is one and the church is one. No one denomination has the truth. The truth is in Christ, who is the truth; what we hold are truths about the Truth.

He disclosed that the main thing that Apostle Paul had to contend with was the issue of circumcision, that is whether the Gentiles turning to Christ should be circumcised or not. He noted that the Pharisees found it a big issue because it gave them an identity in Christ.

He, however, said that the mystery of Christ was made known to him which changed his perception while quoting Ephesians 3:6.

He stated: “Denominations may be good but they should not be blocs that divide us. I believe that no one denomination is exclusive of a particular channel of God’s grace. The things are equally distributed among all denominations, and the degree to which God uses a fellow is determined not by the denomination in which he or she is located, but by the depth of his surrender to God, regardless of where he or she worships.”

He urged Christians to stay in unity and entreated them to make the church a strong organisation that focuses on eternal life.

Inductee Response

In his response, Rev. Dr. Kisseih expressed his utmost gratitude to God and the leadership of the Council for entrusting him with this higher calling. He thanked the various leaders of denominations who graced the occasion to support him.

He charged the clergy to be involved in national issues since the church is the solution for all the crises being faced by the world.

Present at the service was His Lordship Justice Eric Kyei Barffour, an Appeal Court Judge who represented the former Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Woode (Rtd).

Also present was Apostle Ekow Badu-Woode (retired), a former General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council and former Kasoa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost.

PENTECOST NEWS

One Member One Discipled Soul Relaunched

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Host of ministers and members from the various Areas in the Greater Accra Region of The Church of Pentecost, gathered at the Kaneshie Central Auditorium, today as the One Member One Discipled Soul initiative, themed, “Go, Seek and Save the Lost,” (Luke 19:10), was relaunched to the glory of God.

The event was chaired by the General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi. He was assisted by the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang-Bekoe.

The concept, which is a brain child of the Evangelism Ministry under the five-year strategic plan of the church (Vision 2023), designates November each year for Aggressive Evangelism to fulfill the main mandate of Christ given to his disciples, thus go ye into the world and win souls unto God and disciple them accordingly.

Delivering the purpose of the meeting, the Kaneshie Area Head, who doubles as an Executive Council Member, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante said that the event was to relaunch the annual November aggressive evangelism project and one member one discipled soul initiative of the church.

“Willing to fulfill the commission of the Lord Jesus and the vision 2023 of the church, we have earmarked November as the month to win souls and our meeting seeks to launch the activity for the next year,” he stated.

In a brief sermon on the topic, “Appointed As A Witness,” using Acts 26:16 as a bible reference, the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe iterated that the task of Christian witnessing can be categorized into two.

These, he said is to first, be commissioned to witness (Matthew 28;19) and secondly, to be appointed as a witness (Acts 26:16).

According to Apostle Agyemang Bekoe, the commissioning gives a command which indicates a role attached to the movement which is Christianity and the appointment is more of a personal responsibility.

“The determination and the decision of who goes into the kingdom of God for that matter has been given to us by Christ,” he said, urging Christians to be witnesses of God to their family and to win them to Christ.

He further outlined that the duty of the appointment as witnesses is to open the eyes of the blind by bringing them out of darkness into light. He, therefore stressed that after the blind has received the light and the power of God and receive forgiveness of sins, they turn to belong to the Kingdom of God.

Launching the One Member One Discipled Soul, the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, mentioned that the mandate of the church and for that matter all the ministries of the church is to disciple all nations.

He noted that the new ministries, including Home and Urban Missions, Schools Outreach ministry, Chieftaincy, Pentecost Workers’ Guild have all been established as additional vehicles to reach the unsaved.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi admonished that this annual event should not be seen as a ritual. Instead, he advised that we should see it as stock taking, a time to evaluate our performance as far as the great commission entrusted into our hands is concerned and ask for strength to do the work as an evangelist.

“Evangelism is a way of life, so let us live it. It not a preserve of a selected few but it is for every Christian,” he stated.

He, then called on the Executive Council members, National and Area heads, ministers and their wives (both active and retired), Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses and the entire membership of The Church of Pentecost, to come out from their comfort zones, get to the streets, markets, shops, hospitals and wherever they find people, to share the good news.

He added: “Remember from 12am tomorrow, Monday 1st November, every space must be saturated with the gospel, by making ourselves all things for all people so that by all means we might win some.

Now, on behalf of the Chairman of The COP, Apostle Nyamekye, Executive Council, the National Evangelism Coordinating Committee, I launch the 2022 Aggressive Evangelism and the One Member, One Discipled Soul, in the name of God the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.”

Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, the Evangelism Director outlining the activities for the initiative encouraged members to engage in personal (one-to-one) evangelism, ghetto evangelism, beach evangelism, social media evangelism, crusades/ rallies, hospital evangelism, Prison evangelism, among others.

The Evangelism Ministry, under the auspices of the Anyaa-Ablekuma Area will be holding a crusade dubbed, “Accra For Christ,” from November 22, 2022 to November 25, 2022, for all Greater Accra Ministers and members.

PENTECOST NEWS

PENSEC-Koforidua 15-Unit Classroom Block Commissioned By President

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The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commissioned a 15-unit classroom block constructed by the government at the Pentecost Senior High School (PENSEC) Koforidua.

The ceremony took place on Sunday, October 23, 2022, as part of the activities undertaken by the President during his three-day tour of the Eastern Region.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo reiterated his government’s commitment to the Free Senior High School programme.

Responding to the request by the headmaster, President Akufo-Addo promised to liaise with GETFund to build new dormitories for both boys and girls in the school to accommodate more students.

The Headmaster of the school, Mr Peter Atta Gyamfi, in his welcome address, said PENSEC-Koforidua has worked tirelessly for the past twenty-two years to be among the top schools (Grade ‘A’ school) in Ghana.

He said: “I am happy to announce that the dream of establishing this school was nurtured in the year 2000 by The Church of Pentecost. This was conceived with the main objective to cater for the continuation of their products from the Pentecost Preparatory School.”

He added that the school was absorbed by the Ghana Education Service in 2016 as a government-assisted school, saying, “Our aspiration and efforts at Pentecost Senior High School, Koforidua is to support the continuous improvement of education delivery as inspired by the Free Senior High Education Policy in order to support human capital and national development.”

The headmaster assured the President that PENSEC was committed to supporting the government’s efforts to build a Free Senior High School Education in Ghana to positively impact the lives of the millions of Ghanaians who hitherto cannot afford secondary education.

According to him, the school keeps on growing numerically year after year to the present student population of over 2,200. However, he said, the school does not have any dormitory block built for the purpose as classroom blocks have been converted into dormitories for the boys, while a church auditorium has also been converted into a girls’ dormitory.

He appealed to the President to consider building dormitories for the school since that will help the school increase intake of students and thereby help the government to accelerate the achievement of the access component of the Free SHS policy.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, speaking at the occasion assured the President of the Church’s commitment to partner with the government in ensuring the socio-economic development of the country.

He emphasized that the Church will not relent on its effort to help make people’s lives better in the country through its social intervention projects.

Apostle Mike Kwame Etrue, the Koforidua Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, prayed to commission the 15-unit classroom block. 

Present at the ceremony were some government officials, including the minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, his deputy, Hon. Okyere Baafi; Benjamin Oduro Asante (Regional National Service Coordinator), and pastors of The Church of Pentecost in the Koforidua and Effiduase Areas.

Report by Pastor Musa Yahaya.

President Akufo Addo Commends The Church Of Pentecost For Exceptional Leadership

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“The Church of Pentecost, by what it has done here [at Nsawam], has demonstrated exceptional leadership in its desire to maintain and grow a partnership with the state to address the problems of our nation.”

These were the words of the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when commissioning the Nsawam Reformation Prison Centre, at Ahodwo in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality last Saturday.

According to the President, the gesture by the church was “a very important example of the collaboration that the state seeks in this country, between government and several stakeholders that is, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and independent institutions in our nation.”

In his address, President Akufo-Addo recalled the collaboration between the church and the state during the COVID-19 era, where the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), a state-of-the-art facility of The Church of Pentecost, was made available to the government as a quarantine centre for Covid patients, coupled with the distribution of food items by the church to the needy in various parts of the country.

He commended The Church of Pentecost for this exceptional initiative that helped save and solved the situation during that period.

“It shows the commitment of this church towards contributing to resolving the socio-economic problems of our nation,” he stated.

The President further iterated that the church’s prisons interventions are initiatives that will help develop the skills and talents of inmates of the country’s prisons, and provide educational opportunities for them, saying, “We know that today, the prison is not just a place of correction and punishment but it is meant to be a place of rehabilitation and reformation.”

He also stressed that congestion in prisons is one of the major burdens of prison administrations all over the world. He, therefore, said that to have a church put this as its priority to decongest and ease the accommodation of the prison is a major service to the nation.

The President of Ghana, however, hinted that the expansion of the Nsawam Medium Security Remand Prison by his administration was about 70 percent complete, and would be operational by the end of the year.

He called on various stakeholders and private agencies that have interest in the industrialisation of agriculture in the country to support the Ghana Prisons Service’s agriculture project.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Church Of Pentecost Builds Prison Reformation Centre

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The Church of Pentecost has built an Inmates Skills Acquisition and Reformation Centre at Nsawam in the Eastern Region of Ghana as a move to reform prisoners to become useful and integrate them into society.

The 320 capacity fully-furnished facility, which was handed over to the Ghana Prisons Service at a ceremony at Ahodwo in the Nsawam-Adoagyire Municipality today Saturday, October 22, 2022, has four dormitories, an infirmary, a visitors lounge with a shop, a fully furnished administration block with auxiliary offices, an ICT lab with computers and accessories, a tailoring workshop, a carpentry workshop, a chapel fully furnished with musical instruments, baptistry, kitchen with a dining hall, soccer pitch, and volleyball pitch, CCTV Installations, and other facilities.

The Nsawam Prison Reformation Centre is the second to be built by the church, after constructing a similar one at Ejura in the Ashanti Region in May 2021. The construction of the all-male correctional centre began two years ago. The project was supervised by the Projects Development and Estate Department of The Church of Pentecost General Headquarters. Currently, two of such facilities are at various stages of completion at Damongo and Obuasi in the Savannah and Ashanti regions, respectively.

Commissioning the facility, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, highly commended The Church of Pentecost and the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, for his sterling leadership.

“I can say with confidence that the commissioning of this prison facility is the high point of my working visit to the Eastern Region,” he said.

He added: “The Church of Pentecost is demonstrating exceptional leadership in its desire to develop this country through social intervention projects such as the reformation and congestion of the prisons.”

According to the President, this collaboration between the church and the government was also seen at the height of COVID-19 when the church donated its facility at Gomoa Feteh to Government as a holding centre for Covid patients.

“It shows the commitment of this church towards contributing to the development of this nation. All Ghanaians should join me to say, Ayekoo to the Church,” he stated.

In his address, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said “as Christians, we believe we must not only lead and usher people to Heaven but also show interest in their livelihoods here on earth by making them useful to society. It is for this reason that together with the Ghana Prisons Service, this facility has been christened, “Inmates Skills Acquisition and Reformation Centre.”

According to him, overcrowding is one key contributing factor to poor prison conditions in Ghana and other parts of the world, disclosing that, as of October 2022, there was a total of 14,957 inmates in Ghana’s prisons, as against the maximum capacity of 9,850.  

He further disclosed that the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons which was built to hold a total of 850 prisoners, is currently holding 3,187 prisoners, representing over 275% above the required capacity.

“Being aware of this reality, The Church of Pentecost took the initiative to partner the Ghana Prisons Service to decongest Ghanaian prisons and provide better living conditions for prison inmates,” Apostle Nyamekye stated.

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost further stated that the Prison Reformation Centre is a direct response to the Bible’s admonishing in Hebrews 13:3 which states: “Continue to remember those in prison, as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated, as if you yourselves were suffering.”

Apostle Nyamekye hinted that the Ejura Prison Camp project constructed last year by the church is already yielding some dividends. Currently, thirty-six (36) inmates, he noted, are being trained in different trades (Tailoring, Kente Weaving, Leatherworks, Carpentry, and Metalworks).  A good number of the inmates, he added, have already been trained at the workshop and have since been discharged.

“Moreover, forty (40) inmates have been enrolled on a non-formal or literacy education which began in August this year. Many of the inmates are turning a new page in their lives by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal saviour,” he expressed in joy.

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost further stated that in a bid to further assist the Prisons Service to decongest the prisons, the Church beginning from this year, embarked on an annual release of some prisoners with default warrant, by paying for the fines owed.

This year, he said payment has been made for a total of 42 prisoners from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Nsawam Female Prison, Ho Central Prison, and the James Camp Prison. The Church, he added, intends to re-orientate these prisoners to fashion out the right attitude to civil life and assist them with the needed initial support to re-start life in order to be socially reintegrated in society, saying, “For us sinners are our clients.”

Apart from the prison facilities, The Church of Pentecost is also building police stations in some communities across the country to enhance security in those places, and also providing potable drinking water in some selected deprived communities in the country, among other initiatives. A Police Station and a 20-bed capacity health facility are also ready for commissioning at Kawampe and Abesewa in the Savannah and Ashanti regions respectively.

PENTECOST NEWS