Posts in category: Moving With Gs

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has advised Church leaders to make conscious efforts to build stronger relationships with the Christian youth through mentoring and discipleship.

According to the General Secretary, combining the knowledge and experience of the older generation and the strength and speed of the young generation is a sure bet for maximum impact. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this yesterday when he addressed participants of the ongoing 2023 PENSA Ghana Conference at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus.

Delivering a presentation on the theme of the conference: “Repositioning the Youth for Maximum Impact in the Nations,” the Chief Scribe of The Church of Pentecost explained that this year’s theme seeks to underscore the fact that members, particularly the youth, are the Church’s greatest resource, and must, therefore be carefully nurtured, loved and equipped to push the “Possessing the Nations: agenda.

“Repositioning the local church, therefore, means creating the needed atmosphere for the youth to be built up and made sharper for the task of influencing society with the principles, values and lifestyle of the kingdom of God,” he said.

Drawing lessons from Paul and Timothy, Apostle Kumi-Larbi further noted that the duo’s relationship offers Church leaders and the youth a great example of how Christian mentoring and discipleship ought to be carried out.

He further explained that Paul and Timothy are worthy of emulation because they both exhibited the right attitudes needed for ensuring a successful mentoring relationship.

Buttressing his assertion, the General Secretary said Apostle Paul saw Timothy’s potential as a great spiritual leader and subsequently invested his whole heart into helping Timothy develop into the fullness of his calling. 

He, however, emphasised that Timothy also aided the process because he was humble, teachable, and proved to be trustworthy.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, therefore, urged the youth to also avail themselves to be mentored even as Church leaders make the effort to reach out to them.

“Timothy’s commitment to the Lord was so strong that he allowed himself to be circumcised in order not to offend the religious Jews they would encounter (Acts 16:3). In fact, their relationship grew to the extent that Paul referred to him as ‘my son in the faith’,” he said.

On his part, he further stated, Paul exercised patience as he nurtured his young protégé to grow in wisdom and faith. 

“Paul spent much time teaching him and even addressed two books of the New Testament to him. Paul also introduced Timothy to the joys and the difficulties of missionary life while encouraging him not to allow others to disregard him because of his comparative youthfulness,” he said.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further indicated that the duo’s relationship also underlines the importance of the older generation discipling the younger ones.

He said that through discipling, Paul painstakingly nurtured Timothy to become a pillar in the early church and thus helped to propagate the gospel message at the time.

“In the story of Paul and Timothy, we learn that discipleship is standing shoulder to shoulder in the work of the Kingdom, iron sharpening iron; encouraging, rebuking when necessary, and sharing a common burden for a lost world,” he said.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised Church leaders to regard the youth as equal partners in the work of ministry and to harness the gifts, talents and potentials for maximum impact in the nations.

He also admonished the Church members, particularly the youth, to wholly embrace the tenets, values, practices and the ethos of The Church of Pentecost.

“Like every other Church, The Church of Pentecost has her own culture. Our foundational beliefs are at the heart of our theology. We have our governance system, and our way of expressing practical Christian life and ministry.

“These cultural practices are in tandem with God’s covenant with the Church, which predates the existence of The Church of Pentecost. As a church denomination, we love and cherish these practices so dearly. Hence, everyone who comes into our fold must know and diligently apply themselves to them,” he charged.

The annual PENSA Ghana Conference., organised under the auspices of the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, is the biggest youth conference in the country.

Dubbed the “Impact Makers Conference,” this year’s event, which officially kickstarted yesterday, is being held concurrently at three separate locations, namely; Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus and University for Development Studies (UDS) campus.

Speakers of the event are Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle Samuel Osei Asante (Patron, Youth Ministry) and Pastor Ebenezer Hagan (Director, Youth Ministry), among several others.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has advised Christians to make the Church a place where true worship and affectionate love among brethren can be greatly felt.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this yesterday when he joined members of the Danquah Worship Centre in the La Area of The Church of Pentecost for the first Sunday service of the year 2023.

In his sermon titled: “Discerning the Body of Christ,” the General Secretary explained that the Church is a group of believers or disciples of Jesus Christ who are related through consistent gathering and membership in a Christian denomination that serves as their spiritual family for nurturing, guidance, support and ministry or service (Ephesians 4:12-16).

He also described the Church as the household of God made up of all those who have been redeemed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, stressing that, as members of God’s household, Christians must value and treat each other with love. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further posited that Christian churches exist because of the love of Jesus, and they grow with the love of every believer strengthening the family of God. 

“Each follower of Christ is part of God’s universal family, and as children of God, we enjoy His fellowship through the life of every believer,” he said.

According to the General Secretary, fellowship is a gift from God to help the believer enjoy their faith journey with like-minded people. He said that, through Christian fellowship, the believer is able to help, encourage, strengthen, teach, and comfort other Christians – and receive the same from them.

Referring to Acts 2:42, Apostle Kumi-Larbi highlighted the strong bond that existed between the early Christians, who devoted themselves to “teaching, fellowship, prayers, and breaking of bread.” 

He explained that early believers willingly shared what they had with their brethren to the point that they had no needy persons among them, and, thus, urged contemporary Christians to emulate this “great display of brotherly love.”

The General Secretary also urged Christians to share each other’s burdens by comforting the afflicted, encouraging the disheartened, visiting the sick, and praying for those who are weak or struggling in the Christian faith. 

“Every follower of Christ carries a burden for His kingdom, and these loads become lighter when shared,” he said.

Touching on the spiritual significance of the Church, Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that, beyond fostering healthy relationships among brethren, the gathering of Christians has spiritual implications for God’s mission on earth.

“Every Christian is like a stone, and the Church is the spiritual house that God is building. The Lord Jesus is the foundation of this spiritual temple. He is a great stone. Every Christian is a small stone built upon the Lord Jesus to become the temple of God and the habitation of God,” he explained.

He further noted that Christians, as living stones, are therefore being built up to become “God’s spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5).

“The purpose of our being built up as a spiritual house is to form a collective priesthood that is continually offering spiritual sacrifices to God,” he added.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, therefore, called on Christians to lead righteous and holy lives at all times to make their bodies acceptable sacrifices that God could use for His purpose.

He also advised them not to speak disparagingly about the Church and God’s people as this brings the Church, and extension, God’s name, into disrepute.

“Rather, make your concerns and grievances known to the appropriate authority for explanation or redress, he advised.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has advised Christians to resolve in the New Year to obtain God’s favour at all cost.

According to him, pursuing divine favour, which he also describes as the Lord’s approval, would bring upon an individual untold blessings, cause God to make worthwhile interventions in their circumstances, and connect them to their destiny.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi revealed this in a sermon at the Osu Central Assembly church auditorium during the recently-held 31st December watchnight service.

Speaking on the topic “The Highly Favoured One,” the General Secretary explained that the manifestation of God’s abiding presence in the life of an individual is what reflects as the favour of God. 

He, however, stressed that God’s grace must precede His favour because the Grace of God revealed in Christ transforms a person’s heart from one opposed to God to one that can be approved and inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi therefore indicated that divine favour is a distinguishing mark of every believer since only those who have experienced the grace of God in Christ Jesus can receive it.

“Anyone who has encountered the grace of God in Christ that transforms the heart and has the abiding presence of God is highly favoured. So, as a child of God, you must accept that you are indeed highly favoured,” he explained.

Making reference to the encounter between Angel Gabriel and Mary in Luke 1:28-30, 38, Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that the former addressed the latter as “highly favoured” and “blessed” due to the unique task and privilege she had to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, through whom salvation would come to all humankind.

“Gabriel’s emphasis was on the privilege Mary had received, not on her status as a virgin or a member of the house of David, but just that she had found favour with God and become the recipient of His grace; His undeserved favour,” he explained.

The General Secretary further noted that, just as people usually favour those who favour them, God also shows favour to those who honour Him with their words and deeds.

Quoting Isaiah 66:2 and 2 Chronicles 16:9, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised Christians to develop an intimate relationship with God and to delight in, connect with, and give honour to Him daily so as to be rightly positioned to receive the Lord’s approval (favour).

“Mary gives us an example of her total devotion to the Lord in her answer to the angel Gabriel: ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May it be unto me as you have said.’ [Likewise], may we have the wisdom and grace to answer God’s call, whatever it is,” he said.

Touching on the benefits of divine favour, the General Secretary noted that people who are divinely favoured receive special strength to outrun their competitors and accomplish great feats even with little effort. 

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further noted that people who are divinely favoured are selected among many other qualified persons.

“Divine favour is also said to be in operation when a man seeks the face of God in prayer and has all his request granted, and also when help is made available unto a person at a time and from a place they least expected as was the case of the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda in John 17: 1-15,” he said.

The General Secretary also stated that divine favour is seen at work when one is called by God for the work of ministry when they least expected; when one always receives kindness from others; when one is singled out of a crowd; and when, all of a sudden, every endeavour one undertakes begins to succeed or prosper.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, however, cautioned Christians who have obtained God’s favour not to take it for granted like Saul, Samson and Lucifer but to guard it jealously.

He mentioned disobedience to God, immorality, pride, stinginess (selfishness), wickedness and prayerlessness, among others, as some actions that could cause one to lose God’s favour.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, today dedicated the newly-constructed Nsawam Area Mission House.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi was assisted by the Koforidua Area Head and Executive Council Member, Apostle Mike Etrue, and the Nsawam Area Head, Apostle Francis Yaw Adu.

Also present at the dedication ceremony were Apostle David Tettey Tekper (Achimota Area Head), Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Finance and Administration Director, COP Headquarters), Apostle Samuel Gakpetor (Agormanya Area Head), Apostle Phillip Osei-Korsah (Director, The Church of Pentecost Counselling Ministry) and Apostle Samuel Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head).

Preaching on the topic “Built on Christ” with Colossians 2:6-7 as anchor text, Apostle Samuel Obuobi said that foundation is the most important part of a building and even determines, to a large extent, how high it would be constructed.

The Asamankese Area Head noted that the foundation is also crucial because a house with a weak foundation would not stand the test of time. “In the same way, one’s faith in the Lord would only stand the test of time if it is rooted and built on Jesus, who is our Rock,” he explained.

Apostle Obuobi further explained that just as rocks are strong, impenetrable, durable, permanent, lasting, and unconquerable so is rooting one’s faith in Christ.

“In fine whether buildings always look good, until the weather changes. But for those whose foundation are firm and strong they will never be moved. Anyone whose faith is rooted in Christ has no fear; even when the storms rage, they are not moved because they are firmly rooted in Him,” he said.

Apostle Obuobi said that, challenges are bound to happen in the New Year, however, those who would remain firmly rooted in Christ and His word would triumph in the end. A man who had been touched by the word ministration responded to an altar call by Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko and was led to accept Jesus as His Lord and personal Saviour.

The Nsawam Area Mission House building project was initiated after the proposed creation of the Nsawam Area, which had been carved out of the Suhum and Achimota areas, was approved at the 45th session of the General Council Meetings of the Church.

Consequently, the leadership of the Suhum Area, led by the then Area Head, Apostle A.E.K. Ekuban (now retired), cut sod for the project on June 10, 2021 and supervised it until the official inauguration of the Nsawam Area on August 29, 2021.

The Nsawam Area Executive Committee and the Area Estate Committee, took over the project, and, in close consultation with Pastor James Agyin (Projects, Estate and Development Manager, COP Headquarters), saw to its successful completion.

It is also worth mentioning that the building is sited on a vast parcel of land owned by the Church’s headquarters but released to the Area for the project.

The dedication ceremony also had in attendance Mrs. Rose Kumi-Larbi (Wife of the General Secretary), Mrs. Esther Adu (Wife of the Nsawam Area Head), the Nsawam Area pastorate, traditional leaders, as well as officers and members of the Church.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has urged all people of the world to readily accept and cherish Jesus Christ for He is God’s perfect gift to humanity.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi gave this admonition on the day of Christmas (Sunday, December 25, 2022) during the closing session of this year’s Christmas convention at the Abelenkpe Central Assembly church auditorium in Accra.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Jesus, God’s Perfect Gift to Humanity,” the General Secretary indicated that Jesus Christ is the best gift anyone could give out or receive in this Christmas season, stressing: “Jesus is a complete package who lacks nothing.”

“When you encounter Jesus, He comes to live in you, and since He is without blemish, you will also become perfect,” he further stated.

Using Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16 and James 1:17 as Bible references, the General Secretary iterated that Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah revealed that the Saviour of the world would be an undiminished deity eternally united with full humanity in one person.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, thus, pointed out that although the second member of the triune Godhead, Jesus also became a member of the human race when He came down to earth as the firstborn son of the virgin Mary to redeem humanity from sin – making Him fully God and fully man.

This, he noted, was why, although human, Isaiah’s prophecy described Jesus with divine attributes such as Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, among others.

Touting Jesus’ credentials, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated: “Only God qualifies to be called Wonderful Counsellor because He alone is the perfect counsellor; for in Christ dwells all the wisdom of the Godhead bodily.”

“God alone is omnipotent, He alone has the authority to call Himself the Mighty God; He alone is eternal and so He alone is entitled to the name Everlasting Father. Also, God alone, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed His lifeblood so that all who believe in His name would have peace with God – the perfect peace of God that surpasses all understanding, – making Him the Prince of Peace indeed,” he explained.

As the New Year approaches, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advised Christians to commit their lives (plans and aspirations) to Jesus and strive to walk with Him all year through..

“Don’t go ahead of Jesus, it will eventually end in disaster, rather follow Him because He has the best strategy. As our Everlasting Father, let us enjoy Him endlessly, and as our Prince of Peace, let us welcome His dominion,” he said.

PENTECOST NEWS

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has asserted that the celebration of Christmas and Easter are the two most important events in the calendar year for every Christian.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi said this today when he joined members of the Osu District at the Central Assembly church auditorium for this morning’s session of the ongoing Christmas Convention.

According to the Church’s chief scribe, both Christian festivals are essential because “Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, whilst Easter, held in remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection for the sins of humanity, cemented our salvation.”

Buttressing his assertion, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that although Christmas and Easter are observed as public holidays globally, the festive seasons mean more to Christians than just a period for merry making.

“It is not the partying and Christmas trees that make Christmas special; it is, rather, because on this special occasion we remember “Immanuel;” when God came to dwell among His people,” he said.

He further noted that the Church is the most appropriate place to mark the birth of Christ, saying: “If celebrating the birth of Jesus is indeed the reason for the season, then it should be celebrated together with the birthday celebrant, Jesus, in His house and with His family, the Church.”

He, therefore, advised Christians not to follow blindly by making light of these special events but spend the period reflecting and acknowledging God’s goodness for giving Christ to the world as a gift.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi further indicated that, for Christians, the Christmas season does not just end after the holidays; instead, it is an opportunity to encounter and develop a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, who dwells in and with us to the end of the age.

“After Christmas, the parties will be over, the shopping will cease, and the Christmas trees will be disposed, but God will still be with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us,” he assured.

In the month of December, The Church of Pentecost joins Christians across the globe to celebrate the birth of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and its implication for humanity.

As part of the celebrations, conventions are held at the various levels of the church. The Osu District, like many other branches of the Church, commenced this year’s Christmas convention on December 22, 2022.

The event, which is under the theme, “Jesus Christ; In Him Is Life and Light” (John 1:4), is being held in morning and evening sessions.

Other speakers for the convention are Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head), and Pastor Simon Antwi (Osu District Minister), among others.

PENTECOST NEWS

“Life is more than merely saying we are living beings. It is more than simply breathing, the heart pumping or the brain running. It is beyond our intellect to explain all the processes that must take place for you and me to live. But Jesus knows what life is. And, even better, He is life; He started it; He created it; and He fashioned it. So, take Jesus away and there is no life.”

The above statement was contained in a sermon preached today by the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, during the morning session of the Osu District Christmas Convention at the Central Assembly church auditorium, Accra.

Speaking on the topic: “Jesus Christ; The Giver of Life That Gives Light,” Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that Jesus is an embodiment of both life and light as highlighted by Apostle John in the various books of the Bible he authored (his Gospel account, three epistles: 1, 2, 3 John, and the book of Revelation).

In his sermon, the General Secretary indicated that Apostle John’s testimony of Jesus is worth believing because He was one of the few people who enjoyed a very close relationship with Christ during His time on earth. 

Not only was John one of Jesus’ inner circles, but he was also one of His earthly cousins, and thus, might have known Christ from childhood. Moreover, John was one of the three disciples (the others being Peter and James) who witnessed Jesus’ greatest moments of glory and His darkest trials because they were His closest friends, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained.

In his biblical accounts, the General Secretary pointed out with various scripture references that Apostle John presents Jesus as Life and light, as well as the eternal God. 

He explained that the breath of life that was used in God’s creation of mankind distinguished them from all other creatures. However, man lost this life, which he described as the “God-kind of life” (Zoe in Greek) after the fall.

He further indicated that, from the moment Adam and Eve sinned, humans lived in a fallen world. Every human being is, thus, born physically alive but dead in sin and spiritual darkness (separation from God).  

He, however, noted that the only way one can obtain the God-kind of life is to be born-again so that the abundant life and nature of God will be imparted into their spirit from God.

This, according to the General Secretary, also denotes that the Lord Jesus is not only the source and sustainer of physical life – the old, fallen, biological life inherited from Adam – but He is also the author and finisher of the new, spiritual, eternal life, which every believer receives by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Throwing more light on the born-again experience, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated that after one accepts Christ as Lord and personal Saviour, God recreates the individual by replacing their old spirit with a brand new one, created in His own image and likeness so that they will become His direct offspring.

“This also means that Zoe is the essence of salvation,” he added.

Reading from 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 2 Peter 1:4, he mentioned that the Zoe life of God brings life to the individual and makes them a divine and new specie.

He also mentioned that the God-kind of life enables one to have an intimate relationship with God (John 17:3), reflect Christ; the one true light (John 1:4, 1 John 5:11,12), partake of God’s divine nature by becoming His vessel of love and blessing on earth. (2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 5:5).

It also enables the believer to work in God’s divine power and authority (2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 3:20), sets them free from the devil, sin, and eternal damnation (John 5:24, Romans 8:2, 1 John 5:18) and empowers them to live life abundantly, free from oppression and sickness (John 10:10).

Apostle Kumi-Larbi, therefore, urged all who are yet to surrender their lives to Christ to do so in order to obtain the gift of eternal life.

“And if you already have the gift of eternal life, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened so that you will know that you have the life and nature of God in you. I also pray that you will allow God’s divine nature and power within you to dominate you and flow through you to others,” he concluded.

PENTECOST NEWS.