Posts in category: Moving With Gs

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has asserted that Christians who have their integrity intact are fit for purpose and are in a better position to turn things around in the nation.

Speaking at the ongoing All Ministers’ Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, on the topic: “Righteousness: The Authority of the Kingdom” –Romans 14:17; Proverbs 14:34; Hebrews 1:8-9; Ephesians 4:24, among other scriptures, Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that though ministers of the gospel have been ordained to perform certain duties, they can make real impact only when they become blameless and men and women of integrity.

He posited that Ghana does not need too many ministers of the gospel but people of integrity.

He charged believers, especially the clergy to be men and women of unquestionable characters, whose integrity can be vouched for by everyone.

According to him, righteousness empowers leaders to properly assert their authority since they have clear conscience to undertake whatever they do.

For him, Christians have become little Jesuses because the finished work of Christ has imputed His righteousness on them.

“Let no one belittle you, stand as a giant because you have been set aside for God’s work,” he stated.

He added: “Essentially, by this finished work of Christ, we have been imputed with God’s righteousness and have been empowered to live a life of righteousness in attitude, words and deeds.”

Apostle Kumi-Larbi indicated that righteousness is what distinguishes Christians from the people of the world and that it is expected of every believer to lead lives that conform to God’s will.

He stressed that the primary reason why Jesus came to earth to die on the Cross was to make it possible for humanity to be restored to God’s righteous standards. The General Secretary noted that in the kingdom of God, the scepter, emblem, totem or symbol of authority is righteousness, saying, “That is why we the people of the Kingdom must love righteousness and hate evil.”

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Koforidua Area of The Church of Pentecost has held a farewell service in honour of Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, the outgoing Area Head and an Executive Council Member of the church, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Osei Asante, after 4 years.

The glorious service which was held yesterday at the Central Tabernacle in Koforidua, was officiated by the General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi.

Many well-wishers, royals, government officials, ministers in various para-church organisations, ministers of the church, and members attended to demonstrate their love for the out-going Area and his family.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “But As For You Man Of God,” Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi admonished men of God to avoid being entangled in vices of the world because of the name upon them.

“There are certain things we must flee from; some vices we ought to flee from and pursue virtue, and determine to avoid certain people and characters if we want to maintain our standards as men of God,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated.

Reading from Hebrews 11:24-27, the General Secretary said that Moses was the only one referred to as a ‘Man of God’ in the Torah (5 Books of Moses) because he refused the false identity, chose to be mistreated with God’s people, placed value on certain things and considered the reproach of Christ, urging Christians to have priorities in knowing the things to refuse and those to choose.

The out-going Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Committee Chairman was welcomed in the Area on September 23, 2022, after taking over from the now Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

Apostle Samuel Osei Asante is described as a man of integrity, who demonstrated a lot of humility in his relationship with people during his stay in Koforidua. He showed skill, maturity and sensitivity in dealing with others, especially in difficult situations.

Through the four-year leadership style of Apostle Asante, he was seen to be a man of the Word. He showed much passion and purposefulness in the completion of any task he apportioned to do in the Area. He was also a team player, who fostered good relationships with all his minsters and their families.

During his tenure as Area Head, he personally contributed immensely to the construction of the new ultra-modern Area Mission House and other district projects. Among such projects are the New Juaben, Kwamoso, Akropong, Mile 14 and Okorase district mission houses and church buildings.

The Koforidua Area Women’s Ministry described Mrs Elizabeth Osei Asante as a woman of prayer. Her teachings in God’s word demonstrates how deeply rooted she is in the Word of God. These qualities were seen in her assistance in the introduction of the bi-monthly Area (Zonal) prayers into the Women’s Ministry.

“Her regular visits and teachings to the Ministry at all levels encouraged most of the women to attend meetings. Her smiles and hospitality drew many people, especially the women, to her,” it stated.

The Aburi Amankralo, Elder Nana Otopah Boateng III, on behalf of the traditional leaders enstooled Apostle Asante as the “Nkosuohene” of The Church of Pentecost for his dedicated service towards the church and the chiefs.

Apostle Samuel and Mrs. Elizabeth Osei Asante, are leaving the Koforidua Area in the Eastern Region to the Kaneshie Area in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

In his response, Apostle Asante expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the church for their thoughtfulness and support throughout his four-year stay in Koforidua. He further donated GHS¢20,000 to the Koforidua Area, to support their activities and projects.

Gracing the occasion were Nana Ampem Darkoa (Dabanhene Abiriw), Nana Ansa Sasraku (Aburi Akwamu Gyaasehene), Nene Tei Korle (Koforidua Korle Nkwanta Odikuro), Manya Nene Nyomo (Divisional Queenmother Somanya), Nana Kwarfo Asante (Adanse Abuasuhene), and Elder Nana Odei Asiedu (Larteh Krontihene).

Also present were Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Cape Coast Area Head and Executive Council Member), Apostle Francis Yaw Adu (Nsawam Area Head), Apostle Seth Kwaku Asomaning (Akim Oda Area Head), Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head), Apostle Samuel Nana Yaw Agyei (Kade Area Head), Mrs Brigetta Adjei Kwarteng (wife of Bompata Area Head), and Mrs Philomina Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director)

PENTECOST NEWS

Members within the Suhum Area of The Church of Pentecost could not hide their joy as their immediate past Area Head, Apostle Anthony Eghan Kwesi Ekuban (retired), donated GH₵ 20,000.00 of his retirement benefits to support the work of God in the Area.

He donated the amount during a retirement service held in his honour on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the L. A. Nyarko Memorial Sanctuary in Suhum.

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Apostle Ekuban said that the presentation was done to help support the activities and projects of the Area and further encourage the members to serve God well. 

As a former Chairman of the Suhum Local Council of Churches, Apostle Ekuban (retired) used his position to unite the body of Christ in the municipality. Through his influence, the various ecumenical bodies have forged a stronger force to promote the Kingdom of God in Suhum and its environs.

The retired Suhum Area Head was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1986 and served in nine duty stations of the church. He began his ministerial journey at Nsawkaw (1986-1990); Nkrankwanta (1990-1992); Sunyani West (1992-1997), and New Tafo (1997-2000). He was called into missions in 2000 and served as a Missionary in Tanzania (2000-2007). Having been called into the office of Apostle, he was recalled home and sent to Wa as Area Head (2007-2011). He was  later posted to Goaso Area (2011-2014), Anyaa-Ablekuma (2014-2017), and Suhum Area (2017-2022).

The General Secretary applauded Apostle Anthony Kwesi Eghan Ekuban for serving meritoriously as a minister of the church, and for his kind gesture.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The L.A. Nyarko Memorial Sanctuary in Suhum, yesterday could not contain the well-wishers, ministers, and members of The Church of Pentecost and beyond, as Apostle Anthony Kwesi Eghan Ekuban, Suhum Area Head, and his wife, Mrs. Jennifer Ekuban, retired from the full-time ministry of the church after 36 years of meritorious service.

The General Secretary of the church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, officiated the memorable retirement service. He was strongly supported by the Coordinator for the Eastern Regional Coordinating Committee, who doubles as the Area Head of Koforidua, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante.

Anthony Eghan Kwesi Ekuban, was born on March 24, 1957 at Bremang Asikuma in the Central Region of Ghana to Opanyin Francis Eghan Ekuban (deceased) and Madam Mary Appiah. He had his basic education at Bremang Asikuma Primary School. He proceeded to Oninku Drive No. 2 Middle School in Tema in 1972 where he obtained the Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC).

Before his call into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost, in 1986, he worked with Sterling Products as Quality Control Manager. While in active ministry, he served in nine administrative stations of the church. They are Nsawkaw (1986- 1990); Nkrankwanta (1990 – 1992); Sunyani West (1992 – 1997); and New Tafo (1997 – 2000). Between 2000 and 2007, he was sent as a National Head and Missionary to Tanzania and returned to Ghana as an Area Head in Wa (2007 – 2011); Goaso (2011 – 2014); Anyaa Ablekuma (2014 – 2017) and Suhum (2017 – 2022).

He served as the Chairman of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council in Suhum (2019- 2022) and Chairman of the Local Council of Churches (LCC), Suhum (2020- 2022).

Apostle Anthony Eghan Ekuban is married to Mrs. Jennifer Ekuban, with whom they have four children and nine grandchildren.

Delivering the sermon on the topic, “The God We Worship,” using Psalm 86:8-10 as scriptural reference, the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Apostle Asante indicated that despite we living in a world where so many people claim to know God, their lives speaks otherwise.

He said that we worship the God of the Bible who through His words, created the heavens and the earth.

Therefore, he urged those who do not know God to endeavour to accept and do the will of God, saying, “God exists and never changes; He is the creator of the world who is still in the business of creating; he is eternal, incomprehensible but knowable.”

According to him, in our quest to worship God, He revealed Himself in three dimensions, which are being in the form of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Executive Council Member stated that “worship is the praise, adoration, and reverence of God both in public and private,” adding, “it is a celebration of the worthiness of God by which honour is given to His name.”

The testimony of the General Council described Apostle Ekuban as a disciplined and hardworking man of God. According to them, he demonstrated empathy towards all who engaged with him.

“With his evangelistic enthusiasm, Apostle A.E.K. Ekuban submits to the will of God in winning souls into His Kingdom,” the testimony stated.

The Suhum Area Women’s Ministry also described Mrs Jennifer Ekuban as a woman of prayer who constantly stood on her feet for long hours in prayers, which is indeed remarkable, saying, “She is humble, kind, and respectful towards everyone. She is polite and patient in dealing with people and issues, hence a unifier and great team player.”

“Apostle Ekuban is an innovative leader who always seeks better ways to push boundaries and break new grounds. Under his leadership, the relationship between the church and other churches has moved to a new pedestal,” the Suhum Area Presbytery stated…

Poised as a man who exhibited servant-leadership, the Area Pastorate of Suhum further described Apostle Ekuban as a leader who brought a lot of transformation to the area. According to the testimony, he was greatly concerned about the welfare of the brilliant-but-needy students in the area and improved upon the enrolment drive of beneficiaries of the area scholarship scheme.

Gracing the occasion were Barima Amoako Kokra Boame (Kokorasehene), Owoabrempong Odi Agyeibea (Kokorasehemaa), Nana Konadu Kontie (Homosuhemaa), among other chiefs and traditional leaders in Suhum.

Also present were Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Asamankese Area), Prophet Foster Aniakwaa (Nkawkaw Area), Apostle Daniel Yeboah Nsaful (Koforidua Effiduase Area), Apostle Seth Kwaku Asomaning (Akim Oda Area), Apostle Victor Asamoah (Afram Plains Area), Apostle Samunel Nana Yaw Agyei (Kade Area), Apostle Yaw Adu (Nsawam Area), Mrs Grace Gakpetor (wife of Agormanya Area Head), and Dcns. Beatrice Kwafo (former Women’s Ministry Director).

In their response, Apostle Anthony Eghan Ekuban (Retired) and his family expressed their utmost thanks to God and the leadership of the church for their continuous support throughout their 36 years of ministry.

The General Secretary lauded Apostle Anthony Ekuban for meritoriously serving diligently, saying, “Well done!”

PENTECOST NEWS

A three-member delegation from the Ghana Prisons Service yesterday paid a courtesy call on the leadership of The Church of Pentecost at the Church’s Headquarters at La in Accra.

The team, led by Mr. Isaac Kofi Egyir, the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, were received by Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary, The Church of Pentecost), Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director, The Church of Pentecost-Headquarters), and Pastor Prof. William Otoo Ellis (Children’s Ministry Director of the Church), on behalf of the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

The purpose of the visit, according to Mr. Isaac Egyir, was to express his outfit’s appreciation to The Church of Pentecost for its continued support to the Prisons Service, especially in the area of infrastructural development, and to explore future collaborative efforts.

The visit was also to finalise details on the official commissioning and handing over of a correctional facility constructed by the Church. The project is part of efforts to assist the government in solving the challenge of overcrowding in Ghanaian prisons.

Mr Egyir also revealed that the Service has introduced an outreach and community engagement initiative, dubbed the “Stay Out of Trouble” campaign, targeted at schools and churches. The initiative, among other things, seeks to educate the citizenry, particularly children and youth, on crimes and its consequences.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, on his part, thanked the delegation for the visit and assured the team of the Church’s commitment to ensuring the welfare, reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of prison inmates to make them responsible, productive and law-abiding members of society.

The Director-General was accompanied by Elder Dr. Francis Omane-Addo (Director of Prison Welfare and Human Resource) and Rev. Canon S. S. Adoma-Okine (Chaplain General of Ghana Prisons Service).

PENTECOST NEWS.