The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, fellowshipped with members of the New Tafo Area last Thursday as part of his McKeown ‘s Missions Week promotional tour to the Ashanti region.
The historic visit, which took place at the M. K. Yeboah Memorial Temple, Krofrom in Kumasi, attracted a high turnout, despite the threat of the rain.
Addressing the elated congregants, Apostle Agyemang Bekoe read 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 and explained that God’s people have special responsibility to praise Him, and proclaim the good news of His salvation day to day, which is the mission statement of the Church.
He was glad to announce that The Church of Pentecost has its presence in 151 nations. He indicated that missionaries are most often sent into a completely foreign and unfamiliar context and culture, faced with environmental and language barriers.
In the light of this, the IMD outlined the power of encouragement, especially to missionaries, revealing that active interest shown by members towards them and the work is a tangible reminder that someone really cares for them.
According to him, missionaries are strengthened to overcome the myriad of challenges and hardships related to carrying out the task through encouragement, hence the need for members of The Church of Pentecost to reach out to them through phone calls.
He, therefore, urged members of the Church to develop active interest in encouraging missionaries. Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe also commended the various Areas of the Church for their support, especially during missions weeks revealing that, many members of the Church witnessed and confessed to the significance of the tithes and missions offering during the Russia -Ukraine war.
He called for more support towards missions work, particularly this week, which has been designated as Missions Week. The New Tafo Area Head, Prophet Samuel Tetteh Doku, was grateful to the IMD for the visit.
He called on members to heavily support the missionary cause because it is the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God, and by helping the missionaries, “we help in spreading the good news to the whole world.”
Present at the service were Apostle J. B. K Tawiah (Kwadaso Area Head), Mrs. Victoria Tetteh Doku (Wife of the Area Head), Area pastorate and their spouses.
The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, has said that prayer is a ministry through which the power of God is released upon an individual for maximum impact.
Apostle Agyemang Bekoe said this today when he gave a presentation on the topic: “Prayer Ministry and Evangelism in the Local Church” at the Global Elders’ Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.
Reading from Hebrews 5:7, 7:25, the IMD pointed out that Jesus considered prayer as a ministry. “This means ministry is a service. So, if services can be offered and rendered, then prayer can be offered and rendered,” he said.
He explained that when one offers prayers, the rippling effect, which is the power of God, is released upon the vessel praying. He further noted that Christians should model the prayer life of Jesus, our great intercessor.
“When you intercede, you do not offer prayer; you render prayer. If you don’t offer prayer, but render it, you will lose power instead of gaining. Then you will become a spent force. That is why prayer must be offered before being rendered,” he advised.
“If you follow Jesus’ ministry, you would realise that He always offered prayer to God first. After, He comes down to render prayer. In the same way, in the local church, we must offer prayer before rendering it,” he added.
To make evangelism more effective in the local church, the IMD advised church leaders to strive to operate in all nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, which he termed as “the Spiritual gift model of evangelism.”
He said that when church leaders operating mightily in these gifts, they would draw more souls to Christ. Other evangelism models Apostle Agyemang Bekoe noted are the “Jesus-Samaritan model” where one engages in one-on-one evangelism (John 4) or one person evangelising to many people known as the “Day of Pentecost model” (Acts 2:41).
The “Possessing The Nations” agenda of The Church of Pentecost received a boost following the unveiling and dedication of a brand-new state-of-the-art truck for evangelism purposes.
The multipurpose truck, which has tailor-made systems for outdoor sound and visuals, was dedicated today by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on the sidelines of the Global Elders’ Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.
The dedication was witnessed by a jubilant crowd, most of whom were in awe of the 20-foot-long gigantic automobile.
The new truck has an inbuilt platform, clear sunlight screens on the sides, complete sound and lightning, three LED screens, and electrical gen set.
Dedicating the truck, the Chairman expressed gratitude to God for making the vision of acquiring the vehicle a reality.
He further expressed optimism that the facility will help the Church reach out to many with the gospel message of Christ.
The Evangelism Ministry Director, Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin, on his part, applauded the Apostle Eric Nyamekye-led Executive Council for the massive investment made in the Evangelism Ministry that would yield eternal rewards.
The newly-unveiled truck is said to be the longest evangelism truck in Ghana, and the second longest in Africa.
Present at the event were Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (International Missions Director) and other ministers and officers of the Church.
The external branch of The Church of Pentecost in the United States of America (CoP-USA Inc.) has donated six tricycles to Fulani communities in Ghana through the Home and Urban Missions (HUM).
The donation, worth $5,000, were dedicated and presented on behalf of CoP-USA by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, at a brief presentation ceremony at the just-ended International Missions Board meeting.
Explaining the rationale for the donation in an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, the National Head of CoP-USA, Apostle Michael Agyemang-Amoako, said: “When we learnt that the Fulanis converts had lost their jobs due to their decision to surrender their lives to Christ, we were moved to come to their aid and provide them with some form of employment.”
“This, we believe, would also encourage others, who are afraid of facing similar fate, to come to Christ,” he added.
Elder Dr. Ken Aboah, a Trustee of The Church of Pentecost and the Chairman of the Legal Committee of the Missions Board, thanked the CoP-USA for the kind gesture.
He also revealed that the CoP-USA has offered educational scholarships to Fulanis who are interested in pursuing tertiary education.
“This is helping to prevent the Fulani’s from engaging in dubious activities in the communities, while bringing them to the saving knowledge of Christ for maximum impact,” he stated.
The HUM National Coordinator, Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, received the tricycles for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.
Present at the presentation ceremony were Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), Apostle James Sundaram Raj (RCC Co-ordinator Far East and Asia/ Oceania & Executive Council Member), Apostle Ousmane Zabre (RCC Co-ordinator Francophone West Africa & Executive Council Member), Apostle Angelino Binda Jequessene (SADC), Apostle Massaboi Zuwu (Anglophone West Africa), and Apostle Sam Agyemang Tabi (Europe – Acting).
Others were, Apostle Samuel Appiah (Middle East), Apostle Seth Fianko (East Africa), Apostle Komi Tchango (Central Africa), Apostle Lawrence Otu Nyarko (Co-opted Member / FAD), Pastor George Prah Amonoo (Missions Board Member), Elder Professor Stephen Kwankye (Missions Board Member), and Deaconess Mrs. Ruth Keelson (Co-opted Missions Board Member).
A total of 162 persons have been ordained as officers of The Church of Pentecost in the Teshie-Nungua Area of the church.
The ordained officers comprising 57 Elders, 56 Deacons and 49 Deaconesses, were drawn from the various districts in the Area.
The ordination service which was officiated by the International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, assisted by the Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, took place on Friday night [February 10, 2023] during the climax of the Area’s All Officers Apostolisation held at the Fred Stephen Safo Memorial Temple at Nungua-Nshorna, Accra.
Also present to assist the IMD were the Hohoe Area Head, Apostle Moses Ahiakor, a guest speaker at the Apostolisation; Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd) – a former General Secretary of the church, and Apostle M. M. Kopah (Rtd).
Apostle Agyeman Bekoe charged the newly called officers to commit themselves to the service of the church to advance the Kingdom business.
At the same event, the Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, presented special awards to individuals and districts in the Area for their evangelistic efforts.
The awardees were Mrs Esther Boateng who won 26 children for Christ and retained them in the church in 2022. She also won nine adult souls.
Others were Elder Isaac Kyeremeh of Community 20 District who won 11 souls, with 10 baptised in water, and Elder Peter Sam of Mannet District. He also won 15 souls with 12 baptised in water.
The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Elder Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and his wife, Mrs Adelaide Cynthia Araba Siaw Agyepong, was also honoured for winning a total of 80 souls for Christ, with over 50 of them baptised in water.
The Teshie District, led by the late Pastor Robert Sowah Nii Anang, received the highest soul-winning district award for winning 422 souls last year, while Graceland Pentecost International Worship Centre, headed by Pastor Felix Okyere Anti, was also awarded for baptising and retaining all 174 souls won in 2022.
The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, has called on officers of the church (Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses) to be good and loyal brand ambassadors of the church.
According to the IMD, The Church of Pentecost (The CoP) is a unique brand, and, therefore, leaders should acquaint themselves with the practices, culture, doctrines and core values of the church, among others to market it well.
Apostle Agyemang Bekoe said this at the climax of the Teshie-Nungua Area All Officers Apostolisation held at the Fred Stephen Safo Memorial Temple, Nungua-Nshorna in Accra on Friday, February 10, 2023.
He indicated that as brand ambassadors, they should not talk ill about the brand but rather promote it wherever they find themselves through their actions and inactions by portraying Christlike characters that will speak well of the church.
Speaking on the topic, “The Church of Pentecost Brand,” the IMD noted that The CoP is a brand because it has distinguishing features that make it unique from other churches.
Touching on what makes The CoP a brand, he mentioned among others that the church is a Bible-believing church and that the Bible should be the standard for the conduct of its members (brand ambassadors).
He also said that The CoP is a Classical Pentecostal church that believes in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, thus Holy Spirit baptism with the initial sign of speaking in tongues. The church also believes in water baptism (baptism by immersion).
The church has a native spirit of simplicity, modesty and discretion, where religious excesses are controlled.
Apostle Bekoe also mentioned another distinctive brand of The CoP as the Covenant the church has with God. Others are its doctrines or tenets, Core Values which include evangelism, prayer, holiness, tithes and offering; the Rules and Conducts of its members, Church Culture, among others.
The International Missions Director charged officers and members of the church not to adulterate the church’s hard-earned brand so that the integrity and sanctity of the church will be maintained at all times.
He ended his ministration with with an impartation service.
Present at the event were the host Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman; the Hohoe Area Head, Apostle Moses Ahiakor (Guest Speaker); a former General Secretary of the church, Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd.) – Speaker; Apostle M. M. Kopah (Rtd.), the Area Pastorate, and officers in the Area.
The “2023 National Bible Reading,” a week-long initiative of The Church of Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), in collaboration with the Ghana Bible Society and Local Council of Churches, was officially launched on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Sophia McKeown Temple (SMT), near the Church’s General Headquarters, La, in Accra.
The event, was chaired by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe. He was assisted by the PEMEM Director, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the Church.
This year’s “Bible Reading Week” is under the theme, “God’s Unchanging Word, Hope for all,” with Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:24-25 as key scriptures.
The National Bible Reading exercise is scheduled to take place at the studios of Pent TV from Monday (February 7) to Friday (February 10).
Delivering the welcome address at the event, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh explained that the rationale behind the Bible Reading Marathon is to encourage the public reading of scriptures, stressing that everything about our lives revolves around the Word of God. which is completely reliable and accurate.
The PEMEM Director noted that the increasing spate of social and spiritual challenges in the world seem to scare godly people and cause them to doubt whether there is a place for Kingdom values and principles in the emerging world.
He, however, assured that “there is hope for us because God’s Word is infallible, unchanging, and faithful for anyone who depends on Him.”
“The Bible does not need to be recast, modernized or amended to compromise its standards in the face of societal challenges. God’s Word, rather needs to be understood, believed and practised in all spheres of our lives,” he added.
Apostle Anane Denteh is optimistic that as the Bible is read aloud in public, it would inspire the reading of God’s Word in homes and society, urging, “It is our earnest desire to expose our community to the powerful words of the Creator with an open heart of understanding.”
He commended the Heads of churches and the Chairman of the Bible Society of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Torto, for the support towards the programme and called on Church leaders to intentionally promote both public and private reading of the Bible among their members.
In a keynote address, the incoming General Secretary of Ghana Bible Society, Very Rev. Dr. Kwasi Addo Jnr, expressed that it is always a delight when people gather to read the scriptures, saying, “with the word of God dwelling in our hearts, we are guided.”
He said that in a world where everything appears uncertain and systems are crumpling, the Word of God is the only unchanging thing that can be relied on.
“Contemporary Christians are hooked on to the English versions of the Bible, and survey shows that many lack reading in the mother language. We want to encourage reading the Bible in our mother tongue,” he stated.
He further noted that reading the Bible in the native languages brings out the cultural interpretation that would help to make reading better and take away the strangeness in culture to bear. He, therefore, encouraged Christians to make Bible reading a habit and not only an annual event.
“Indeed, we go to church, carry the Bible, but the light of the Word appears not to guide us as a people. We are still dominated by corruption, deceit and lies. As a people of the Word, let’s allow the light of God’s Word to guide us as a country and transform our lives as a people,” he appealed to the Christian community.
Among those who read the scriptures were, Nii Afotey Anokwafo II (Antweregono Mantse, Teshie), Eld. Nana Ampim (Chief of Ekumfi Eyisem & Twafohene of Ekumfi), Nana Adjoah Tanah II (Bogoso Queen mother), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Chief of Defence Staff), Hon. Moses Anim (MP Trobu Constituency & Deputy Minister for Fisheries), Hon. Elizabeth Sackey (Accra Mayor); and Dr. Francis Omane-Addo (Representative for Director of Prisons).
Others were Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare (Director General, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission); Rev. DOII I. K. Erzoah Amihere (Rep. for Chief Fire Officer of Ghana National Fire Service); Rev. Andrew Jackson T. Odjawo (Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Director for Ecumerical and social Relations); Rev. ADO II Samuel Mireku Addo (Chaplain, National Headquarters, GNFS); Rev. Derek E. Koomson (The General Director Scripture Union).
Also in attendance were Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head); Apostle Col. Benjamin Kumi-Woode (Chaplain, Ghana Armed Forces & Resident Minister, Burma Camp Worship Centre); Elder Dr. Nana K. Gyasi (CEO Nana K. Gyasi Company Limited); Elder Dr. Nana Amo Tobin (CEO. Tobinco Group of Companies & Chief of Apinto Traditional Area), Elder Dr. Ebenezer Asamoah Nyarko (Deputy Director, PEMEM), and PEMEM National Executive Committee Members.
The “Bible Reading Marathon” initiative was initiated six years ago during the tenure of Apostle Emmanuel Ankra Badu (now Tema Area Head) as PEMEM Director. To commemorate this significant milestone, some churches with television broadcast channels have also offered to join Pent TV in transmitting the programme live to the church and general public.
The 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference of The Church of Pentecost began on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana.
The annual fasting, prayers, and teachings event, being attended by about 4,000 ministers and their wives in Ghana, will be joined by other ministers of the church across the globe via zoom at designated places.
This year’s conference is under the theme, “Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact in the Nations” – Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.
Officially opening the conference on Wednesday morning, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost worldwide, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, was hopeful that the Lord would make His ways known to the participants, as they diligently seek Him with all their hearts.
“May God’s unerring Spirit lead this conference, and may the church be fired with holy zeal,” the Chairman said.
Touching on the theme for the year, he said it represents an intentional effort to strengthen the local church, as the centre for mobilising the grassroots and equipping them for the ‘possessing the nations’ agenda.
According to Apostle Nyamekye, “repositioning suggests that we have not yet arrived. Let us put behind us the glories of yesteryear and strife to attain the goal for which Christ has called us. We, therefore, need a constant, consistent, critical examination and retooling of the church for maximum impact in the nations.”
He added: “As ministers of a church that seeks to reposition itself, we need to first reposition ourselves to be able to effectively reposition the local church.”
This, he said, can only be a reality when ministers of the church are well-grounded and well-positioned in the very things they want their members to know and do.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye challenged the participants to open up to the Lord and receive the various ministrations and find the best ways to pass them on to the local church to achieve the intended effect.
This year’s conference will end on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
The newly-built four-storey residential block of the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, has been named after the late Apostle David Yaw Anti Owusu, widely known as “Apostle DYA Owusu.”
The facility was formally commissioned yesterday at a short ceremony officiated by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, with assistance from the General Secretary, Apostle A.N.Y. Kumi-Larbi, the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, and other Executive Council members of the Church.
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The historic event was also witnessed by the family members of the late minister.
Explaining the rationale for the gesture, Apostle Nyamekye said the late Apostle Owusu was one of the illustrious servants of The Church of Pentecost who served God and the Church well.
He further touted some of the positions the late minister held in the Church, paramount amongst them were his (Apostle Owusu) relatively short stint as an Acting Chairman of the Church from 1987 to 1988 following the unfortunate passing of the then Chairman, Apostle Fred Safo, and also as an Executive Council Member of the Church for 19 years (1969-1988).
The gesture, according to Apostle Nyamekye, was, therefore, aimed at honouring the memory of a gallant soldier of the Cross.
The Chairman advised the ministers present to also serve the Lord and the Church faithfully so that posterity would celebrate their good works.
The leader of the Owusu family, in response, expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the Church for the great honour done them. The family donated a front desk to the management of PCC to aid operations in the facility.
The newly-commissioned David Yaw Anti Owusu block has 153 rooms and an elevator to ensure easy movement inside the building.
The new block adds to six other residential buildings at the centre which have been named after other illustrious servants of the Church, namely, Apostle Abraham Tetteh Nartey, Apostle Stephen Henry Ankamah, Apostle James Kwaku Gyimah, Apostle George Alphonso Wood, Apostle Patrick Asiamah, Apostle Samuel Richard Asomaning and Elder John Bart Plange.
Present at the event were some active and retired ministers of the Church. Among them were Pastor Prince Odoom (PCC Manager) and Pastor James Agyin (Projects Development and Estate Manager, CoP – Headquarters), who supervised the execution of the building project.
Apostle D.Y.A. Owusu was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1950 and was stationed at Sunyani a year later. He subsequently served at Suhum, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ho, Akim Oda and Cape Coast, where he retired from active ministry in 1988.
Apostle Owusu served in various capacities in ministry as afore-indicated and also served as Chairman of the Pensions Board and General Leader for the Women’s Movement (now Women’s Ministry) from 1955 to 1988 and 1967 to 1976, respectively.
He passed on to glory on July 21, 2008 at age 86, after a protracted illness.
The newly-constructed Dansoman duplex, the official residence for the National Co-ordinator for Home and Urban Missions (HUM) and the Women’s Ministry Director, has been dedicated.
A short dedication ceremony officiated by the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, was held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Dansoman Sahara. He was assisted by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, and the Dansoman Area Head, Apostle Daniel Kojo Sey.
The Project, Development & Estate Manager at the General Headquarters, Pastor James Orhin Agyin, in a brief history of the project said that in maximising the use of land due to the ever-increasing demand in strategic locations in the Accra Metropolis, the Headquarters management directed for the old structure to be demolished and replaced with a befitting design that could serve two directors at a time.
The single-storey double occupancy apartments comprise a 5-bedroom suite, a family area, living and dining, kitchen, laundry, storage spaces, security post, and car parking port.
Speaking at the service, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi said that Christians are one family, saying, “We have become fellow citizens in the kingdom of God and ethnic barriers have been taken away bringing everyone together as one.”
Touching on some aspects of the rules of conduct for ministers and members of the church, he urged members to take the pastor as their friend because the pastor needs compassion, help, advice and their prayers as they also need his.
“Make the Church your spiritual home. Love the brethren with brotherly affection and if you are able, contribute to the needs of the saints,” he stressed, adding that since the church is our home, the problem of others must be a great concern to each other.
He further said that because believers are one, during casual conversations at home or at work, one must endeavour not to speak disrespectfully about the Church and its leaders.
The General Secretary explained that in the case of misunderstandings of any instructions, concerns and grievances must be made known to the appropriate authority for explanation or redress.
“Let’s live as a family, take your minister as your friend, ask for understanding to anything you want clarity to in the church,” he said.
Present were Prophet David Kankam Beditor (Greater Accra RCC Co-ordinator & Ashaiman Area Head), Apostle Samuel Osei Asante (Kaneshie Area Head & Executive Council Member), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (Pentecost Men’s Ministry Director & Executive Council Member), Heads in the Greater Accra region, Ministry Directors, Management of the Headquarters, traditional leaders, session of Greater Accra Ministers and their wives.
The two Ministry Directors to occupy the new facility are Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (National Co-ordinator, Home and Urban Missions) and Deaconess Philomina Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director).
