Posts in category: PEMEM

History was made on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, when the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Pentecost Chieftaincy Ministry interacted with members of the National House of Chiefs at their end-of-year sitting at Manhyia in Kumasi.

The meeting, which was to introduce the Chieftaincy Ministry to the National House of Chiefs, was part of the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda of The Church of Pentecost to transform every sphere of society with the Kingdom values and principles, including the chieftaincy institution.

Some of the revered chiefs described the move by the Church as historic, being the first church to set up a ministry dedicated to chiefs and for appearing before the august House to share its vision with Nananom.

Addressing members of the House, the National Co-ordinator of the Chieftaincy Ministry and Director of Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, thanked the President of the House and Nananom for the honour done the Church to interact with them.

He indicated that the Church has a vision of reaching the palaces with the gospel of Christ and to share godly fellowship among chiefs and royals through palace chaplaincies.

“We believe that introducing the Pentecost Chieftaincy Ministry to the National House of Chiefs during this important meeting will help to foster a cordial relationship between the church and the palace,” he said.

Apostle Anane Denteh, who is also an Executive Council member of the Church, explained that through the establishment of the ministry to the chieftaincy institution, the spiritual bond between the church and the palace would be strengthened for the good of all royals and the thought that chieftaincy is incompatible with the Christian faith will be effectively eroded.

This, he said, will result in a situation where a person’s Christian faith will no longer hinder him/her from ascending to the throne when their time is due.

“We consider the fact that there must always be a good and solid relationship between the church and the palace for the transformation of society as one of our mutual responsibilities. Thus, both the church and the palace are crucial for our national development and peacebuilding because we all lead the largest portion of our populace,” Apostle Denteh said.

According to him, as the church is seeking to effect transformation in society, it acknowledges the unequivocal leadership role the chieftaincy institution has successfully played over the centuries in Ghanaian society.

“The Church of Pentecost believes that our ability to influence and bring transformation to our society will be incomplete without, first, involvement with the chieftaincy institution in a healthy partnership, beginning with rendering a ministry to and through the chieftaincy institution.

“The National House of Chiefs is the highest body in Ghana that unites all traditional rulers, chiefs, and kings which indicates its significance to us as a church. Similarly, the church’s prophetic call and mandate have wide and deep impact on the various communities across the country and that shows that we have something in common to share,” he stressed.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh ended his presentation by introducing the new academic programme in Chieftaincy Studies that Pentecost University will roll out in the 2023 academic year.

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, thanked the Church delegation for coming to explain its vision to the House, saying, “Your presentation to Nananom has given us food for thought and I hope we will continue the dialogue.”

He commended the leadership of the Church for carefully selecting chiefs from various parts of the country to constitute the executives of the Chieftaincy Ministry.

The Vice President of the House, Naa Puowele Karbo III, Lawra Naa, was happy that the church has been a trailblazer in leading a collaboration between the palace and the church through the ministry of chieftaincy.

The Church’s delegation included Apostle Lt. Col. B.G. Kumi-Woode (Director, Airforce Chaplaincy, Ghana Armed Force and NEC Member of the Chieftaincy Ministry), Apostle Yaw Agyei-Kwarteng (Co-ordinator, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council), Elder Pimampen Yaw Kagbrese V (Omanhene, Yeji Traditional Area/President of Bono East Regional House of Chiefs and Chairman of the Chieftaincy Ministry, and Elder Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong III (Omanhene, Suma Traditional Area and Secretary of the Chieftaincy Ministry).

Other NEC members present were Elder (Dr) Urbor Stephen Tassan Konjar VI(Chief, Kpasa Traditional Area), Elder Nana Akwasi Amoh Kyeretwie I (Chief, New Abirem Traditional Area), Nii Afotey Anokwafo II (Antwere Gonno Mantse, Nungua Traditional Area), Elder Ubor Augustine Nigarim Poyari (Konkomba Chief, Nariligu Traditional Area), Elder (Dr) Nana K. Gyasi (CEO, Nana Kwadwo Gyasi Co. Ltd.), Deaconess Nana Kofi Abuna V (Chief, Essipon) and Deaconess Nana Kyerew Akenten II (Queen Mother, Mamponteng).

PENTECOST NEWS

The Men’s Ministry Director of The Church of Pentecost, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the church, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, has charged the clergy to prioritise visitation to members in the church since they have been commissioned to take care of God’s flocks.

According to the PEMEM Director, Christian visitation is a divine responsibility that has been mandated by God to Christian leaders to shepherd the members.

“There is a divine responsibility on church leaders to shepherd the flock of God. You are to feed the flock, care for them, guide and guard them so that they will not go astray,” Apostle Anane Denteh stated.

Apostle Anane Denteh made this charge on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the 2022 Heads’ Meeting of The Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana.

Speaking on the topic, “Christian Visitation in the Local Church,” he said that godly fellowship, caring for one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and an expression of genuine brotherly love in Christ must always be the hallmark of the local church.

He stressed that Christian visitation is conducted with the understanding that the church as the body of Christ is a family, and the local church is the basis on which the values of the family are developed and espoused, saying, “The local church has always been the focus of church growth because that is where church members meet for fellowship, training, and deployment for ministry.”

Defining visitation, he mentioned that it is an intentional direct encounter by an individual with another person or persons for the purpose of getting to know them, understanding and addressing their felt needs, providing encouragement and assistance in the name of Jesus, and expressing constant love and care of God through words or deeds.

“The visitation ministry is about making a conscious effort to have a direct encounter with another person or group of persons with the view of fellowshipping with them and offering them the needed care, where possible,” he noted.

Continuing, he iterated that the concept and principles of visitation are visible in the ministry of the early church, which can be well understood as a practice under pastoral care ministry rather than a theological exposition.

According to him, what transpires in visitation, whether house-to-house or wherever it takes place, must be godly in nature and devoid of pursuing any rebellious behaviour against God’s church or a group of people, especially in the case of the leaders in the local church who are to shepherd the flock.

He urged church leaders to make it an obligation to visit their members, because God is the one who initiated visitation first, and as ambassadors of Christ, they must carry this task at heart.

On the importance of visiting members in the church, he said that it deepens the love and makes members feel a sense of belongingness (2 Cor. 5:14), promotes unity among church members, enhances the spirituality of the local church (Ps. 133:1-3), and promotes genuine interpersonal relationships in the church.

Apostle Anane Denteh further pointed out that lonely church members such as elderly persons, persons with disabilities, the sick, widows, and orphans feel a sense of belonging to the larger Christian community when they are visited (Mark 1:40-45), and it helps to minimize backsliding and restore lost souls to the body of Christ (Gal. 6:1-2; James 5:19-20).

To ensure the success of visitation in the local assemblies, he advised ministers to form local visitation teams, create intentional follow-up teams, involve the local presbytery, encourage virtual churches, have home visitation schedules and guides; utilize home cells and Bible study groups, and establish systematic pastoral care ministry.

Concluding his presentation, the PEMEM Director stated: “Every person in the church must nurture the desire to visit other persons just as he may want others to do unto him bearing in mind that Jesus enjoins Christians to do unto others as we may want them to do unto us.”

PENTECOST NEWS

The Tamale Area of The Church of Pentecost, led by Apostle Sylvester Arhin, has inaugurated a seven-member Area Chieftaincy Ministry committee charged with providing chaplaincy services to the palaces. 

The committee members are Pastor Mark Alhassan Muhammad (Chairman/Leader), Pastor Salasie Amedeka, Elder Peter Baaba, Elder Malgunaa Haruna Alhassan, Elder Joseph Kumah, Elder Adam Nabila, Mr. Moses Nteche, and Pastor Isaac Deku (Coopted).

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, the National Coordinator of the Chieftaincy Ministry, who is also the Director for the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) and an Executive Council Member of the Church, inducted the committee during a colourful event, which took place at the Tishegu Assembly auditorium on October 31, 2022.

Delivering a sermon titled “The Divine Order for Kings” at the event with Proverbs 16:10-13 as his Bible reference, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh emphasised that God is “a King and The King” whose reign is eternal has no boundaries. 

According to him, God, out of His benevolence towards mankind, bequeathed part of his rulership to kings of the earth and has established ordinances within which they are to exercise their authority.

The PEMEM Director further stated that God has given the kings dignity and power, therefore, they must endeavour to walk in the ordinances of the Lord so that they do not soil their dignity.

He mentioned that the divine order for kings is to delight themselves in righteousness, truth, justice, and wisdom and lead their subjects skillfully (Proverbs 22:29), adding that “it is was ordained that royals should be accountable to both God and his people.”

Apostle Anane Denteh, therefore, called on royals to subject their kingship to the rulership of God, whose reign is limitless and whose authority is endless.  

He also advised Christian royals not to turn down the opportunity to serve as kings or chiefs in their communities since it is a leadership role through which they could positively influence and transform society.

“Kingmakers in the nation should allow Christian royals who prefer to rule by and with the principles of the Scriptures to become kings, unlike other positions that are by appointment or elections, royals are born and nothing can change that identity,” he said.

He also urged kings to be dutiful and to serve their subjects well by seeking their interests at all times.

“Thus, it was imperative o know God ND have his mind in order to enjoy peace and satisfaction,” he added.

Apostle Sylvester Kofi Arhin, also an Executive Council member of the Church, advised royals to surrender their ways, lives, and rule to Jesus Christ, the eternal King of all kings, stressing that “this is the wisest way to rule in power and glory.”

The well-patronised event draws some National Executive Committee (NEC) members of PEMEM, namely Elder Oubor Augustine Nigarim Poyari (NEC Member, Chieftaincy Committee), Pastor Benarnd Aziz Mohammed Abogorago. 

Amongst the royals that graced the programme were Mohamadu Yusif Chief of Salamba, Gewendy Yusif, Mohinaa Moshie Chief, Nii Titibiku (Ewe Chief Odikoro), Mohamadu Issahaku (Tishegu Kpanalana), Adam Abdulai (Tishegu Kpehigunaa), other royals from Tamale, a cultural troupe also from Tamale, the Tamale Area pastorate and their wives, and the members of the Church.

Other dignitaries present were; Mrs Regina Arhin, wife of the Tamale Area Head and Mrs Martha Boakyiwaa Denteh, wife of the PEMEM Director. 

Report by Tamale Area Media Team.

A team from the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Ghana, led by Enimil Ashon, National Director of Public Affairs, has paid a courtesy call on the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh.

The purpose of the visit was to engage with and inform the church about the National Christian Men’s Week Celebration scheduled to be held in November this year.

Welcoming the delegation, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh lauded the FGBMFI for its immense commitment and contributions towards mobilizing men for the church.

“It is not easy to organise men. However, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship have consistently organised men to make impact in the society,” Apostle Anane Denteh said.

He disclosed that the four-year strategic vision of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry focuses on “Sharpening Men to Possess the Nations” (Proverbs 17:27), urging all men to sharpen each other to build purposeful men in the church.

Apostle Anane Denteh further urged them to consider investing in Ministry to Men. This, he noted, would help safeguard the society from bad influence, since men are leading most institutions in the country.

“Invest and resource them with the kingdom principles for a formidable future,” he stated, adding, “We should be intentional and conscious of creating Men’s Ministry in our churches.”

On the National Christian Men’s Week celebration, the PEMEM Director encouraged the fellowship to inculcate programmes that resonate with the spirits of the men in the various churches and admonished that they should be activity-driven to win the interests of men towards the ministry.

The Head of Department for Church Relations of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, Kumi Appiah, mentioned that as part of preparations for the celebrations, the leadership would be organising seminars, prayer meetings and evangelism to commemorate the week.

“We are expecting about 300 to 400 people from various churches to participate in the celebrations,” he explained.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS, Enimil Ashon said that men are considered to be comfortable without any support from people. He, however, noted that men need to be taken care of to take care of the home, saying, “A home without a man is often not complete because children go astray.”

Present were Jones Opare Badu (immediate past Chairman of Association of Methodist Men, Ghana), Elder Samuel Danso Agyarkwah (PIWC Atomic Men’s Ministry, COP), Kwasi Bonsu Asante (Programs Coordinator, Anglican Diocese), Deacon Samuel Tettey (National Baptist Men’s Coordinator), Elder Kaakyire Kwaku Asante (Pentecost Men’s Ministry, COP), and Edmond Ametofe (Church Relations, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship).

Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International(FGBMFI) is the world’s largest Christian business men’s organisation, networking thousands of members in more than 85 nations through over 7,000 local chapters.

PENTECOST NEWS.

About a hundred participants took part in an Entrepreneurial Skills Development workshop organised by the Ho Area Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) and Star Entrepreneurship on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

 Participants comprised members and non-members of the Church drawn from the Volta regional capital, Ho, and its environs. Also, present were a cross section of the Ho Area pastorate and their wives, and facilitators.

The event was held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Ho Dome Central Assembly auditorium, in the Volta Region of Ghana.

In a brief address, the Ho Area PEMEM Leader, who doubles as the District Minister of Ziave Dzogbe, Pastor Michael Edjouku Arthur explained that the purpose of the training is to help equip the participants with skills to start their businesses.

“There is a high unemployment rate in the system and this skills training programme would alleviate some of these situations and challenges,” Pastor Arthur said.

He further iterated that the Pentecost Men’s Ministry has an objective to develop the man spiritually, physically, and socially, among others.

Moreover, he noted that the training is also, geared at providing financial development skills, adding that the Ho Area was ready to provide financial support for some start-ups.

Facilitators from Star Entrepreneurship took the participants through the production of Brown Sugar, washing powder, weedicides, ice cream, shoe polish, and Bio-digester. Others were 3D Epoxy installation and fixing of CCTV Cameras.

Deacon Prosper Ewoenam Ametefe, a facilitator, advised the participants to rely solely on God because He is the one to open avenues for them to develop what they have been trained to practice.

Participants expressed their appreciation to the organizers and the church. However, they were presented with certificates and pen drives with practical videos for references.

Report by Enyomedia Dormevenu Enyomedia, Ho

Elder Kojo Korankye, the Leader of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) in the Ogua-Abura District of The Church of Pentecost, has donated educational items worth GHC 50,000.00 to 13 schools within the Efutu and Lower Denkyira Hemang Municipality. 

The items include mathematical sets, wall maps, and textbooks for the following subjects: Integrated Science, Religious and Moral Education, English Language, Mathematics, Mfantse Language, Social Studies, Supplementary Readers, Student’s Companion, French, and Basic Design and Technology.

The donation was made during a short presentation ceremony at the Efutu Basic Primary School as part of this year’s PEMEM Week celebration held in June.

Speaking at the ceremony, Elder Korankye said that the gesture, which is in line with the five-year strategic vision of the Church, dubbed Vision 2023,” was made to support school children within the municipality. He was, therefore, hopeful that the items would go a long way to aid their studies.

He also encouraged the students to study hard, take their relationship with God seriously, and lead godly lives.

Receiving the items on behalf of the schools, Mrs. Evelyn Efua Panyin, Headmistress of Efutu Basic Primary School, thanked Elder Korankye and The Church of Pentecost for the generous act. She also promised to ensure that the students make good use of the textbooks and other educational materials donated.

The beneficiary institutions include Akokokrom Zion Basic School, Achiase Basic School, Dehia Basic School, Mould Basic School, Watreso D/A Basic School, Krobo Basic School, and Efutu Mampong School. 

The rest are Abrem Essiman School, Abaasa M/A Basic School, St. Peters Anglican School, Mempeasem Zion School, and Social Welfare Girls’ Vocational Training Centre, Cape Coast.

Present to witness the donation were Pastor Enock Nii Akrashie (Oguaa Abura District Minister), Pastor Alhassan Kara (Jukwa District Minister), and the various heads of the beneficiary schools.

Report by Pastor Daniel Appiah

The Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) of the Doblo Gonno District in the Achimota Area of The Church of Pentecost has visited the Nsawam Medium Security Prison and donated assorted items to the inmates.

The donation was made recently as part of the activities marking this year’s PEMEM weeklong celebration.

According to the District Minister, Pastor Kwabena Darko-Mensah, since the climax of the week coincided with Father’s Day, the church decided to show love to the inmates.

Assorted items donated by PEMEM to the facility included washing powders, sanitary diapers, bags of gari, bags of sugar, packs of toilet rolls, packs of toothbrush and toothpaste, packs of boxer shorts, bags of sachet water, boxes of guardian soap, loaves of bread and packs of milo.

Led by Pastor Darko-Mensah, the team comprised of an Area PEMEM Executive Committee Member – Elder Charles Adu, and the District PEMEM Executive Committee Members made up of Elders Abraham Ayertey, Delali Dekutse, Moses Ofori, Deacon Emmanuel Lantey and Mr. Francis Tweneboah. Some of the Local PEMEM executives and deaconesses also joined the team.

The District Minister, before the presentation of the items, shared the word of God with the inmates. He quoted from Romans 8:28 (ESV), “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

According to him, God can work out things to benefit His children irrespective of how hopeless the situation or circumstances may be, saying, “All we need to do is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and might.”

Pastor Darko-Mensah encouraged them to fully trust in God and serve Him at all times. He ended by praying for the inmates.

The items were gladly received on behalf of management by the Chaplain for Nsawam Prisons, Pastor (ASP) Thomas Owusu Brefo.

The elated inmates requested the church to visit again.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, has asserted that the scope of contemporary missions now covers the ‘six continents’ of the world, not on a particular destination as was in the past.

“The Mission to Six Continents concept was developed by the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) under the auspices of the World Christian Council (WCC) conference held in Mexico City in 1963,” the PEMEM Director stated.

The PEMEM Director made this assertion on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, during a presentation at the Orientation for Missionaries at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

Apostle Anane Denteh, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the church, spoke on the topic, “Contemporary Issues In Missions.”

Quoting from Matthew 24:14, Apostle Anane Denteh said that the gospel of the kingdom of God is supposed to be proclaimed throughout the whole world, as a testimony to the nations.

“All those who matter in the kingdom are missionaries of Christ,” he said.

He explained that a missionary practitioner refers to all people involved in the activities of mission work. These, he noted, include the mission agencies, missionaries, donors, among others.

“Taking time to study the contemporary issues in mission is a critical exercise that every mission practitioner should take very seriously,” he stressed.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, who is also the Chieftaincy Ministry National Co-ordinator of The Church of Pentecost, further stated that there are six basic qualities of a good practitioner of missions. He stated that a good missionary should be a student of the Bible, a student of mission, a pastor or a teacher in the mission field, a Holy Spirit-filled or matured person, an epitome of sacrifice, and a missiological researcher.

“As a student of missions, research is needed into the culture and traditions of the people,” he mentioned, adding, “In missions, every missionary is a messenger, and the people must accept the messenger to accept his message.”

He, however, pointed out that the mission field is filled with several challenges, notably among them are religious fanaticism leading to persecutions and terrorism; ungodly ideologies, worldviews, and national policies; nationalism, xenophobia, ethnocentrism, and racism, among others.

He also charged the clergy to indulge in digital evangelism, where technology is implored in the proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh cautioned that while planting ethnolinguistic churches is a good missional strategy, care must be taken to manage those churches very well so that they would not turn into ethnocentric pressure groups in the church.

He further charged missionaries to allow the Holy Spirit to empower them, saying, “A mission practitioner may have the strategy or approach on the field but the one above all is the miracle of the Holy Spirit.”

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) of the Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost has held a Road Safety Campaign at the Kpong Lorry Station in the Eastern Region as part of the activities marking the 2022 PEMEM week-long celebration.

Speaking at the event, the Agormanya Area PEMEM Leader, Pastor Joseph Kwadwo Tawiah, stated: “As citizens whatever we do in our lives must be done to the glory of God. Hence, the road safety campaign is an activity to glorify God.”

Reading 1 Corinthians 10:31, Pastor Tawiah iterated that drivers and riders are key persons when considering road safety issues, hence the need to engage and educate all road users to be disciplined and safety conscious.

Pastor Tawiah advised drivers to always put on their seat belts whilst driving.

The Chairman of the Kpong Branch of Co-operative Drivers Union, Mr. Paul Kantey, commended The Church of Pentecost for organising the timely campaign. He entreated other churches to emulate the example.

The Akuse Police Commander, Chief Inspector Emmanuel Agbefe, noted that good drivers are those who always return safely from their trips.

Taking the drivers through basic road safety tips, Elder Samuel Teye (Kpong District PEMEM Leader), asked drivers to avoid drinking alcohol, ensure regular and proper vehicle maintenance, maintain concentration when driving, and comply to speed limits and other rules of the road.

In attendance were Chief Inspector Agbemabiese Joseph of Kpong Police Station, Pastor Samuel Dadzie, Pastor Samuel Malack Arthur, and Elder Felix Akonnor (Agormanya Area PEMEM Secretary).

The PEMEM Directorate of The Church of Pentecost led by Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh launched the National Safety Campaign in 2021.

Report by Agormanya Area Media Team.