Posts in category: MPWDs

As part of a four-day working visit to the Sawla Area, the National Coordinator for the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Alexander Nyame, led a capacity-building programme for ministers and other MPWDs coordinators in the Tingar Zone of the Sawla Area yesterday.

In his presentation, Pastor Nyame intimated that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) form a sizeble part of the world’s population and should not be sidelined in the Church’s quest to “possess the nations” for Christ.

“In Ghana alone, about five million people live with some form of disability, that is about 12% of the country’s population,” he said.

Pastor Nyame further noted that the MPWDs was, therefore, birthed in 2019 under the Church ‘s Vision 2023 (Possessing the Nations Agenda) in order to reach out to PWDs with the gospel message of Christ and ensure their full integration in the Church and society.

He, therefore, called on Church leaders to take particular interest and be actively involved in the work of MPWDs and also ensure that the MPWDs committees are resourced and adequately equipped to fulfil their mandate.

The Gbongbouduori District Minister, Pastor Prince Kwasi Mensah, who doubles as the Sawla Area MPWDs Coordinator, exhorted the participants on the topic: “Repositioning the Local Church to Accept Persons with Disabilities.”

Using Mephibosheth as a case study with 2 Samuel 9:1-13 as scripture reference, he said that Mephibosheth, King Saul’s grandson and Prince Jonathan’s son, suffered paralysis as a child when he fell from the hands of his caretaker to the ground.

He explained that although Mephibosheth was not born crippled, but he became paralysed due to life circumstances, hence anyone could potentially become disabled in one way or the other.

Pastor Mensah further noted that despite being a former King’s grandson (a royal), Mephibosheth’s situation caused him to think less of himself.

“He referred to himself as a dead dog, that is a person of no relevance, who is not worthy to enter the palace, not to talk of share the same table with the King.

“King David, however, accepted Mephibosheth with open arms and dined with him,” he said.

The Gbongbouduori District Minister, therefore, urged Church leaders and Christians, in general, to also express the love of Jesus Christ to PWDs by reaching out to them with the Gospel, saying: “They also count when it comes to our ultimate goal of making it to heaven.”

Present at the training programme were Pastor Kwaku Amponsah (Sawla Area Evangelism Ministry Leader and Bole Customs District Minister), Overseer Kennedy Offe (Zonal Chairman and Maluwe District Minister), Probationary Overseers Philip Agbeko (Tinga District Minister), Jeremiah Atta Dogbe (Banda Nkwanta District Minister), Seth Frimpong (Jama District Minister) and their wives.

Report by Sawla Area Media Team

The National Coordinator for the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Alexander Nyame, is on a four-day working visit to the Sawla Area of the Church.

The purpose of the visit, among others, is to sensitise and educate ministers, officers and members on the need to intentionally minister (reach out) to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Area.

Pastor Nyame, as part of his duty trip, met with ministers, officers and members in the Tingar Zone of the Sawla Area, yesterday.

Addressing the gathering, Pastor Nyame said Christ must be projected to all people of the world, including persons with disabilities, who, statistically, form the third majority of the world’s population.

“In Ghana alone, about five million people live with some form of disability, that is about 12% of the country’s population,” he said.

He said God is bringing PWDs into His saving knowledge through the introduction of the MPWDs, which was birthed in 2019 under the Church’s five-year strategic vision, dubbed “Vision 2023: Possessing the Nations.”

He advised Church leaders to do everything within the power to remove the obstacles that impede the effective assimilation of PWDs in the Church so that they could also come to Christ.

The MPWDs Coordinator was accompanied by Pastor Prince Kwasi Mensah (Sawla Area MPWDs Coordinator and Gbongbouduori District Minister), and Pastor Kwaku Amponsah (Sawla Area Evangelism Ministry Leader and Bole Customs District Minister), among others.

Also present at the event were; Overseer Kennedy Offe (Zonal Chairman and Maluwe District Minister), Probationary Overseers Philip Agbeko (Tinga District Minister), Jeremiah Atta Dogbe (Banda Nkwanta District Minister), Seth Frimpong (Jama District Minister) and their wives.

In all, 96 district and local MPWDs coordinators and leaders attended the programme.

Report by Sawla Area Media Team

The Women’s Ministry of the Mamponteng District in the Old Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost has held a special feast for persons with disabilities (PWDs) of the Physically Challenged Action Foundation at Offinso on Monday, January 2, 2023.

The representatives of the eight local assemblies in the district showcased their meals, which were inspected by the District Minister, Pastor Stephen Ayerakwa Gyan, and his wife, Gladys, together with Deaconess Mavis Addai (Old Tafo Area Women’s Leader) and Deaconess Vida Appiah (District Women’s Leader), after which the 150 inmates of the Home were served.

Aside from the dinner, the Church also presented some items worth GHC 2,500.00 to the Home, among which were wax prints, clothing, underwear and panties.

According to Pastor Ayerakwa Gyan, the gesture was in response to the charge in Matthew 25:40, and also to fulfil the Church’s Vision 2023 agenda of “Possessing the Nations,” which seeks to influence every sphere of life with principles and values of the kingdom of God. He called on all and sundry to get the PWDs involved in the New Year celebration to make them feel part of the society.

The Founder of the Home, Mr. Sylvester Yaw Barima Antwi, appreciated The Church of Pentecost, especially the Mamponteng District Women’s Ministry for the wonderful benevolence. He asserted that such acts create space for social interaction, and are closely entwined with definitions of the self-esteem for the disabled in society.  

He appealed to the masses for support as the established school of the Foundation needs funds to install electricity to aid teaching and learning.

Deaconess Mavis Addai (Area Women’s Leader) commended the Mamponteng District Women’s Ministry for such a pleasant occasion with PWDs. She stressed the need for the Women’s Ministry in the various Areas of the Church to imbibe the 2023 theme of “Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact in the Nations.”

On her part, Deaconess Vida Appiah (District Women’s Leader), also acknowledged the effort of the Local Women’s Ministry Leaders and Presiding Elders of the Mamponteng District. She assured that more of such visitations will be embarked upon in 2023 to embolden the confidence of the vulnerable in society that someone cares for them.

Report by Dennis Owusu & Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

The Mampong Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a praises and worship festival with persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Area. 

The event, which was spearheaded by the Area’s Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) Committee, was purposely held to give thanks to God for His care and love throughout the year 2022.

In his opening remarks, the Mampong Area Head, Apostle Samuel Kwabena Asare, encouraged participants to be steadfast in Christ no matter their peculiar challenges since Jesus’ love for them is beyond comprehension. 

He advised them to focus on their innate abilities and potentials rather than their inabilities. 

Pastor Richard Asare-Drah, the Area MPWDs Coordinator, charged participants, parents and other stakeholders to take good care of their relatives with disabilities due to their uniqueness. 

The well-patronised event featured a worship session, individual testimonies, a talk on personal empowerment, and success stories of some PWDs, among others. Participants included persons with mobility or physical disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment and mental health challenges.

As part of the programme, all participants were refreshed with meals and drinks. 

Present at the event were Area MPWDs Committee members, some ministers and District MPWDs Coordinators. 

Report by Overseer Osei Mensah

The Mampong Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a praises and worship festival with persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Area. 

The event, which was spearheaded by the Area’s Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) Committee, was purposely held to give thanks to God for His care and love throughout the year 2022.

In his opening remarks, the Mampong Area Head, Apostle Samuel Kwabena Asare, encouraged participants to be steadfast in Christ no matter their peculiar challenges since Jesus’ love for them is beyond comprehension. 

He advised them to focus on their innate abilities and potentials rather than their inabilities. 

Pastor Richard Asare-Drah, the Area MPWDs Coordinator, charged participants, parents and other stakeholders to take good care of their relatives with disabilities due to their uniqueness. 

The well-patronised event featured a worship session, individual testimonies, a talk on personal empowerment, and success stories of some PWDs, among others. Participants included persons with mobility or physical disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment and mental health challenges.

As part of the programme, all participants were refreshed with meals and drinks. 

Present at the event were Area MPWDs Committee members, some ministers and District MPWDs Coordinators. 

Report by Overseer Osei Mensah

The Prestea-Himan District in the Bogoso Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a free medical health screening exercise for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the aged within Prestea and its environs.

The event, which was initiated by the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) committee of the district, took place on November 2, 2022, at the Krutown-Nsuekyir community ground.

The 20-member medical from the Prestea Government Hospital, led by the Nurse Manager and Hospital Administrator, Mrs. Florence Agbeko, screened the patrons for various health conditions such as Hepatitis B, Typhoid, HIV/AIDs, Ear, Eye, Teeth, Mental Health and Malaria. They also administered medicines and vaccines at the event. 

In all, a total of 188 persons, including those with leprosy as well as visual, auditory and speech impairments, patronised the event.

Some PWDs and aged persons were enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), whilst others had their expired NHIS cards renewed.

Speaking in an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, the District Minister, Pastor A. T. Nartey, said that PWDs must receive equal access to better healthcare and life in Christ like everyone else.

“Disability is not inability. Every soul God has created matters, so we should show love to every person no matter his or her status because our God is a God for every person,” he said.

He further stated that physical disability is not by choice and could, therefore, happen to anyone else. He, therefore, made a passionate appeal to members of society to do more to empower and seek the welfare of PWDs rather than presenting them with “handouts.”

“Instead of feeling sorry for them and giving them foodstuff and used clothes, let us help them access better medical care, quality education and grant them business opportunities so that they can also be independent,” he said.

Mrs. Florence Agbeko, on her part, thanked the Church for undertaking such a wonderful initiative. She also advised parents against hiding relatives who are suffering from physical disabilities.

Some PWDs also commended the Church for the event and called for more such exercises in the future.

Present at the event were Elder William Gyetuah (District Secretary), Elder Francis Archer, (MPWDs District Secretary), Deacon Mark Cudjoe (MPWDs District Organizer), Deaconess Doris Amoo (District Women’s Leader), as well as some officers and members of the Church. 

Report by Elder Francis Archer

The Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) of The Church of Pentecost, in partnership with Joni & Friends and Covenant Family Care Missions, Ghana, has provided assistive devices to about 213 persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

The exercise is in fulfilment of the ministry’s vision to project the love of Christ to PWDs by granting them opportunities to actively participate in the Kingdom business and thereby facilitate their full inclusion in society.

The assistive devices include wheelchairs, crutches, zimmer frames, and white canes. 

The MPWD is a ministry of The Church of Pentecost birthed under her five-year strategic vision, dubbed Vision 2023. It seeks to build a strong ministry to persons with disabilities (PWDs) through effective evangelism and discipleship, as well as create an enabling environment to promote their spiritual, emotional and personal growth in order to impact the church, their communities, and nations.

Joni & Friends is an organisation in the USA which envisions a world where every person with disability finds hope, dignity and their place in the Body of Christ. 

Covenant Family Care Missions, on the other hand, is a subsidiary of Covenant Family Community Church in Accra that evangelises to persons with disabilities in Ghana.

Report by MPWDs Media Team

The Takoradi Area of The Church of Pentecost has held a day’s seminar for the Takoradi community and its environs to promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the church and society.

The seminar, which took place on July 9, 2022 at the A.T. Nartey Memorial Temple, Takoradi, was attended by ministers and their wives, presiding elders, officers, MPWDs committee members, district ministry committees and MPWDs volunteers across the area.

Addressing the gathering at the event on behalf of the Takoradi Area Head, Prophet Samuel Tetteh Doku urged members to demonstrate love towards persons with disabilities.

The main facilitator for the training, Pastor Alexander Nyame (National MPWDs Coordinator), outlined the church’s vision for the PWDs as captured in the five-year strategic vision of the church (Vision 2023) and challenged all to work towards the successful realisation of the vision.

Quoting from Genesis 1:26-27, he mentioned that PWDs are created in the image of God and, therefore, must not be neglected. Instead, he urged them to demonstrate love to them and lead them to Christ. 

The Takoradi Area MPWDs Coordinator, Pastor Christian Asiedu Budu, expressed his profound gratitude to Pastor Nyame for educating them on the plights of PWDs and the need to care for them. He further thanked the church for its continuous support for PWDs.

The topics treated during the training programme included “MPWDs At A Glance,” “Dos And Don’ts When Interacting With MPWDs,” and “Basic Ghanaian Sign Language.”

The seminar was attended by Pastor Stephen Okyere Acheampong (Area Secretary), Pastor Stephen K. Asuo (Area Executive Committee Member), Elder Daniel K. Quaye (Area Deacon), as well as a cross-section of the area pastorate and their wives. 

The National MPWDs Coordinator was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Evelyn Nyame, Moses Amankwaah and Christian Dadzie.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare (Takoradi Area Media Pastor)

The Ave-Dakpa District in the Aflao Area of The Church of Pentecost has supported Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) within the district.

As part of their annual event, 16 PWDs members were given assorted food items and undisclosed cash amounts to support their livelihoods on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

Speaking on the topic, “Be Grateful As An Equipped Soldier” (Luke 17:12-19), Pastor Eric Osei, District Minister of Ave-Dakpa, said that Christians must demonstrate acts of appreciation to God by taking care of the needy.

He stated that after Jesus had healed the ten lepers who requested help from him, only one of them went back to the Lord to thank him for his kind gesture. This, he said, should not be the attitude of any soldier in the army of God.

“In our present situation, when we give to the needy, we are expressing our gratitude to God for his unmerited favour bestowed upon us,” he noted.

He then urged Christians to exhibit love to one another, since it is also an act of love towards God.

After the exhortation, the members were taken through a time of prayer and thanksgiving.

Elder Fred Obed Asamoah, the District Coordinator for the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWD), advised beneficiaries to be regular at church, and always pray for those who have been supporting them.

Present were some members of the District Executive Committee, Local Coordinators of the ministry, and some members of the church.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey, Aflao Area Reporter.