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The mortal remains of Mrs Victoria Ama Baawah Paintsil, the wife of the first General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Joseph Egyir Paintsil (of blessed memory) was today, November 18, 2023, laid to rest after a memorial and burial service held in her honour at the Sychar Prayer Grounds, Ogbojo – Madina, Accra.

The service which was officiated by Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), and assisted by Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (General Secretary), Apostle

Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (International Missions Director), and Apostle Martin Seth Appiah (Madina Area Head), was well attended by many ministers in active service, retired ministers, officers of the church, family members, friends and loved ones.

Mrs Victoria Paintsil, 93, was called to glory on 23^rd August, 2023 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre. She is survived by her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

SERMON

Delivering the sermon at the memorial service, the Tema Area Head of the church, Apostle Emmanuel Ofei Ankrah-Badu, highlighted the importance of remaining steadfast in the Christian journey.

Basing his sermon on Acts 1:10-11, Apostle Ankra-Badu recounted the cautionary tale of Mr. William Miller, an American Baptist Minister, whose followers became fixated on predicting the exact date of Christ’s return, only to be left waiting.

Highlighting the absence of a specific date for Christ’s return, Apostle Ankra-Badu emphasized Jesus’ admonishment for believers to persevere in holiness, as stated in Matthew 24:35-36.

He outlined four essential actions for believers as they wait on the second coming of Christ.

He noted that purifying one’s spirit and body was a crucial aspect of preparation for the second coming.

This purification, according to Apostle Ankra-Badu, extends beyond individual benefit to the sanctification of the entire Church.

He added that believers are to be vigilant and watchful in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ, adding, “The promise of a crown of righteousness was presented as a reward for those who patiently await Christ’s return.”

Apostle Emmanuel Ofei Ankra-Badu reminded the community of believers that waiting for Christ’s return requires a combination of hard work, self-purification, vigilance, and worship.

He advised believers to actively engage themselves in God’s work (Luke 19:13).

“Believers are to diligently carry out the work entrusted to them by Jesus, using their talents, time, and treasures responsibly,” he said, adding, “The exemplary life of Mama Vic served as a motivating example.”

TRIBUTES

The children described their mother as a “strong shelter, a towering pillar and a comfort” in their lives. They said that she demonstrated to them how to overcome the challenges that life.

Her ‘Home Church’ the Egyir Paintsil Memorial Worship Centre, described her as evangelistic in nature, even in her old age.

“She was a warehouse of hymns, such that she would sing all the stanzas without reference from any hymn book,” they disclosed.

The General Council described her life as a “testament to contentment, godliness, discipline, selflessness and hard work.”

The tribute acknowledged her role in the life of the First General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, the late Apostle Joseph Egyir Paintsil. It noted that she worked together with her husband continuously for twenty-nine years as the General Secretary of the Church.

It read: “Mrs. Victoria Paintsil has paid her dues being the wife of a founding member of this great church, standing by her husband through thick and thin, contributing significantly to the establishment and growth of churches, ensuring they stood firm on their faith in Jesus Christ.”

“The General Council of The Church of Pentecost honours this versatile woman who sacrificed selflessly for the church and humanity. She indeed lived a well-deserving and fulfilling life,” it said.

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Victoria Vivian Ama Baawah Akosah Paintsil was born at Otumi in the Eastern Region on 28^th March, 1930 to Opanyin Kwame Akosah of Otumi and Madam Afia Tawiah Pokuwaa of Akyawkrom in the Ashanti Region. Both of them are now deceased. 

She started her primary education at Otumi Presby School and completed her middle school education in 1948 in Kumasi. She furthered her education in secretaryship at Pitman’s Commercial School in Cape Coast from 1948 to 1951.

After her secretarial course in 1951, she was employed at the Chief Commissioner’s Office as a Stenographer Secretary in Kumasi, where she met her husband, Apostle Paintsil.

After the sudden home-call of her husband on 22nd March 1981, she settled with her children at Madina. She greatly encouraged herself in the Lord, and worked hard to cater for herself and the children.

Present at the service were Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin (Evangelism Ministry Director); Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh (PEMEM Director); Apostle Samuel Osei Asante (Kaneshie Area Head); Apostle Isaac Nii Kortei Djani; Apostle Mike Etrue (Koforidua Area Head); Apostle Dela Quampah (Ho Area); Apostle Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng (Kwadaso Area Head), Apostle A. N. Y Kumi Larbi (Ashaiman Area Head), all Executive Council Members.

Others were Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (rtd), former Chairman, among others.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Avoeme District in the Aflao Area of The Church of Pentecost on Monday, October 30, 2023, donated a boat valued at GH¢ 3,000.00 to the Viepe-Kpotame communities within the district.

The commissioning and presentation ceremony of the boat saw the presence of the Aflao Area Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Ophelia Agyen Brefo, Mrs. Hannah Aba Ewool Henanaopeh (Avoeme District Minister’s wife), and various leaders and members of Avoeme District.

Pastor Daniel Teye Gyan Henanaopeh, the Avoeme District Minister, emphasized the meticulous effort invested in constructing the boat to address the urgent transportation needs of the community. He highlighted the challenge posed by the rising water level at Viepe-Kpotame, hindering the commute of both locals and church members to nearby communities.

“As part of the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda of The Church of Pentecost, it has always been the desire of the church to transform every sphere of our society with the values and principles of the kingdom of God. The construction of this boat is to complement the efforts of the government and contribute to the community transformation agenda of the church at large,” he stated.

Following the commissioning and dedication of the boat, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo commended the Avoeme District for this commendable act of generosity toward the community.

He urged the community leaders to ensure the boat’s proper maintenance for longevity and its intended purpose.

A committee, headed by Elder Paul Klutsey of Avoeme District, has been assigned to oversee the responsible usage and management of the boat on behalf of the community.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey (Aflao Area Reporter)

The Aflao Area of The Church of Pentecost, led by the Aflao Area Head, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo, has successfully organised the second edition of its 40-day fasting and prayer event, dubbed Rehoboth.

This year’s edition, themed “Repositioning the Local Church for Greatness” (Genesis 26:12, 22), took place from Wednesday, October 4, to Sunday, November 12, 2023. The program commenced on Tuesday, October 3, starting at the local assembly level, progressing through ministries and districts, and concluding at the Area level.

Throughout the 40-day period, various topics were covered, including “Re-Digging Our Wells of Spirituality,” “Holy Spirit Empowerment,” “Sacrificial Giving and Tithing,” “Marriage & Family Life,” “Covenant Renewal” (Assurance of Salvation), and “Enough Room to Prosper.”

In his closing message shared on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Aflao PIWC-English auditorium during the climax of this event, Apostle Michael Agyen Brefo explained Rehoboth as a place of abundance, prosperity, greatness, and enlargement. He added that Rehoboth is the place where destinies are transformed, and grace and favor abound.

“As we have entered Rehoboth, we are to note that it is the place where man receives God’s divine revelation and visitation. Constant fellowship with God and true worship are the means by which one can experience this divine visitation,” he stated.

He encouraged Christians to learn from Isaac’s experience, emphasizing that the patriarch forgave his enemies and reconciled with them even though he was unjustly treated in the land of the Philistines. “Even though Isaac’s enemies troubled him, he was determined to maintain hard work and commitment to his vision, which brought him success,” he stated, stressing, “We must, therefore, speak positively to our situations with the assurance that God is with us to bless.”

He admonished the congregants to pray for God’s grace to locate them wherever they are to enjoy His favour continually.

The Area was blessed to have seasoned men of God and Spirit-filled speakers such as Apostles Johnny Peprah (Assistant Registrar, STML, Pentecost University) and Anthony Ahalivor (Rtd.) among others gracing the programs.

Members in the Area were ushered into a season of refreshing, with many sharing countless testimonies about God’s blessings and deliverance in their lives throughout the fasting and prayer period.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey (Aflao Area Reporter)

Apostle Dr. Col. Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, the Board Chairman of the Chaplaincy Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, has emphasised that every Christian has a mandate to model Christ-likeness in their personal, public, and professional lives. 

Exhibiting a Christlike lifestyle, according to him, is what would challenge the hearts of the unbelieving world and bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ, thereby leading to the transformation of the world.

Apostle Dr. Col. Kumi-Woode, who is the Director of Religious Affairs, Ghana Armed Airforces Headquarters, conveyed this message on Friday during his presentation on the topic: “Implications of the Church Unleashed for the Chaplaincy and Workers’ Guilds in the Church” at the Heads’ fasting and prayer meeting held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa in the Central Region.

Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 60:1, Matthew 5: 13-16, and 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Apostle Dr. Col. Kumi-Woode underscored the divine mission of the Church as a collective body, called to Christ, moulded into Christ-likeness, and destined to be sent out as disciples, anticipating the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He noted that the Chaplaincy Ministry and the Workers Guilds have a significant role to play in fulfilling the Church’s mandate of discipling nations for Christ.

Touching on the significance of the Chaplaincy Ministry as a marketplace ministry, he explained that the local church must be a place where members are trained and unleashed to offer pastoral, prophetic, and priestly ministry to draw people to Christ. 

“When this is done effectively, the church would have truly unleashed its members to be the salt and light of the world. The church will then be a city on the hill and the highest of the mountains, and the nations will flow to it,” he said.

He, therefore, encouraged church leaders to explore creative ways to send out equipped members for ministry in various organisations and institutions. 

Focusing on the Pentecost Workers Guild, he stressed the importance of fellowship, networking, and equipping to impact and transform various spheres with Kingdom values by forming various workers guilds in the local churches. These Guilds, he said, would serve as ethical compasses that would foster positive change in the workplace.

Apostle Dr. Col. Kumi-Woode further noted that the various professionals (workers) and chaplains would take up mentoring roles by providing godly counsel and insightful experiences with the younger generation. 

“In so doing, they will raise the next generation of professionals and young believers, enabling them to reach their full potential in career progression, societal impact, and their walk with God,” he added.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Flood Disaster Relief Committee of The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with the Women’s Ministry, has donated assorted relief items to areas along the Volta lake affected by the recent flood caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage.

The beneficiary areas are the Sogakope, Agormanya, Atebubu, Kete-Krachi, and Afram Plains Areas of the church.

The National Coordinator of the Committee, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah-Agyeman, together with other members of the committee, including Deaconess Philomina Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director) and Pastor Emmanuel Appah (Finance and Administration Director of the church) presented the items to the Area Heads of the beneficiary areas at the sideline of the ongoing Heads’ Meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre on Thursday for onward distribution to the affected persons.

The items worth several thousands of cedis comprised of toiletries, bags of rice, gari, gallons of cooking oil, and mosquito nets, among others, were donated from all Area Women’s Ministries across the country. Each area received a truckload of relief items.

It is worth mentioning that The Church of Pentecost on October 23, 2023, presented huge relief items worth several thousands of Ghana cedis to support flood victims at Mepe and Battor and adjoining communities in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam, when a church delegation led by the church’s Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the General Secretary, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, visited the affected areas.

The truckload of items included several bags of rice, gari, sachet water, sugar, mattresses, blankets, cooking oil, soaps, toilet rolls, mosquito nets, beverages, sanitary pads, and many more.

During the visit, it was revealed that 23 church buildings of The Church of Pentecost were submerged in water in the Volta Region due to the controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam. Additionally, various church facilities, including mission houses, notably in Mepe—one of the hardest-hit communities—have been engulfed by the floodwaters.

In the Sogakope Area, approximately ten assemblies in certain districts find themselves cut off from members’ accessibility. The impact of the floods is particularly severe in seven administrative districts within the Sogakope Area of the church.

These affected districts include Mepe District, where the church incurred the loss of six church buildings, including the official residence of the District Minister. Other impacted districts encompass Battor District (six church buildings submerged), Kpotame District (one church building submerged), Dedukope District (three church buildings submerged), Adutor (two church buildings submerged), Adidome (two church buildings submerged), and Tefle (three church buildings submerged).

The floods also displaced over 4,000 church members, with approximately 1,195 children among them, who have lost their homes, farmlands, and sources of livelihood due to this unfortunate incident.

PENTECOST NEWS.