Posts in category: Top Stories

In many cities across Ghana, most auditoriums of The Church of Pentecost host two church services each day. The first service is usually in English, while the second is Twi (local language). This practice has led to a significant increase in attendance and overall growth. However, it has also raised sanitation concerns, specifically the cleanliness of the church auditorium after each service.

Typically, the responsibility of cleaning the auditorium and church premises falls on the shoulders of deacons, deaconesses, caretakers, and a handful of dedicated members. 

My first day at Rose Hill Assembly in the UK was eye-opening, which inspired me to write this article. Immediately after the service at Rose Hill Assembly, all members come together to arrange the chairs and other items meticulously. They use their cleaning equipment to tidy up the auditorium within 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring it is properly set for the next activities.

Recently, The Church of Pentecost has introduced an annual environmental care campaign in which every member and assembly collaborates with stakeholders to clean their communities. In light of this, it is only fitting that the church auditorium is clean right after service. This raises a pertinent question in Ghana, where many big assemblies run two services back to back – how can the auditoriums be cleaned before the commencement of the second service, not to mention the washrooms?

This issue has often been overlooked or neglected, especially when the first service runs late, leaving no time for preparations before the next service. It is essential to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:26, “Clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and the outside will also be clean.” 

Cleaning our auditorium after the service is crucial to prevent embarrassing situations, especially during emergency meetings, where presiding elders and Women’s Ministry leaders are often held accountable.

As the adage goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It is my heartfelt desire that all members will take inspiration from the example set by Rose Hill Assembly to ensure our auditorium remains clean and a fitting place for the glory of God.

Article by Elder John Boateng Asante (Photographer)

Rose Hill Assembly, Croydon District, UK

Happy smiles, beautiful feet, adorably dressed little angels march in, bustling with energy and joy, eager to hear what the Sunday school teacher has for them today. “Will we learn a new song? Will we sing some action songs? Oh, I know! Who was Jesus’s father?” Several questions pique their curiosity. Their thoughts are, however, interrupted with the popular slogan, ‘Jesus!’ and they, in unison, respond gleefully, ‘friend of children!’

Christian parents have adapted to the culture of dressing their kids up as early as possible for Sunday school. This culture may be due to a myriad of reasons, among which will be to relieve mothers and afford them the space to complete their chores before attending service. The question that weighs on every mind is, ‘Is that really the purpose of Sunday school? Is it to act as a mere stress relief for parents?’

The Children’s Ministry, like every other ministry, recognizes the importance of the faction of the church that has been placed in its charge. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the game” (Psalm 127:3-5, ESV).

This scripture brings out the weight of parenting and the responsibilities that have to be fulfilled. Children are a gift from God, His very heritage. Parenting may be defined within the context of bringing up and raising to maturity through care and education. It is not limited to birthing children. Parenting is the extent to which efforts are put into intentionally raising holistically groomed young ones who can be independent, and in our case as Christians, young ones who can stand in worship before God and be intercessors for their generation. It is a noble yet herculean task to assume the role of being a parent – it is a whole ministry.

Ministry is doing what God wants us to do. It is fulfilling our divine mandate in whichever sphere of our lives we find ourselves in, including our role as parents. The Children’s Ministry is not left out of this parenting ministry. Sunday School teachers are second parents to these little ones. The ministry’s efforts are geared towards complementing that of parents in bringing up the young in the love of the Lord and grounding them in sound doctrine.

It is often said that children are the future, but brethren, they are both the present and future. Children are the future manifestations of present-day deliberate efforts. They will reflect all that was spent on them in the Sunday School days and how grounded they are in the near future, all things being equal. How do we match up to expectations? “And you must commit yourself wholeheartedly to these commands that I’m giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-9, NLT).

Repeat and talk about them: Children are a part of the Christian community – the very center of it. As the future of the church, it is imperative that they are socialized in the ways of the church through constant teaching. We are to diligently impress the beliefs and doctrines of the church upon them. “Train up a child the way he should go, and when he is grown, he will not depart from it,” says the Holy Bible. Our kids are not supposed to be alien to the foundational beliefs of the church. Teach, oh Sunday School teacher, teach! Dear parent, do not neglect the teaching of the word. Have biblical conversations with your children!

Tie them to yourself: The words we repeat to our kids should be seen in our lives daily. They should be translated into actions. Children are the best imitators of behavior. Bind the biblical principles to your very being and imbibe the church’s culture such that we will be literal living books to our younger ones.

Write them on your doorposts: Children are visual learners. They are able to better assimilate that which they see daily like “the doorpost and gate”. The children and all who enter the gate must know that as for this house, we serve the Lord.

Children thrive in welcoming environments. Jesus, our perfect example of a lover of children voiced “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.” Dear Sunday school teacher, do not hinder the children. You are a parent to these ones. Teach them with all diligence, rebuke them in love, and gather them into a warm embrace.

Inclusion is key. All praise to God for the Intergenerational Service initiative. In the church, we learn through observation which the Intergenerational Service affords. The children are able to merge what they are told about the church’s culture with what they observe.

The importance of the children’s ministry cannot be overemphasized! I reminisce my younger days when I would be sent to Sunday school neatly dressed. It was all joyous, especially when the snacks came. The childhood innocence of waiting upon snacks even as the teacher tirelessly tried to catch our attention with action songs and beautiful Bible stories disappeared as I grew. I then fully came to appreciate the efforts of the Children’s Ministry as a training ground for grooming young ones who will stand for God in such a perverse world.

Parenting as a ministry is helping children love and live for Jesus. God cares about how children are raised and nurtured. Parents, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Teachers and leaders of the children’s ministry should, therefore, make conscious efforts to help these young ones build a positive self-image and nurture them in the holy fear of God. This will help them to accept God’s promises and experience His benefits personally.

Parents, love to send your little ones to Sunday school. The children’s ministry workers are ever ready to guide these young ones to a saving faith in Christ. Children’s Ministry workers, Ayekoo!

Written by Deacon John Anaman Essiam (Agona Ahanta District, Takoradi Area)

Have you ever wondered if parenting has a heart? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Parenting has its core, its essence, and its operational center. This vital aspect of parenting is understanding.

Parenting, the art of nurturing a child to fulfill their destined potential, becomes a more achievable and rewarding journey when we grasp its true essence – understanding.

To truly understand someone is to practice love in its most practical form. Many parents are adept at loving their children, but they struggle to put that love into practice. While loving your child is a crucial aspect of parenting, the pinnacle of fulfillment comes when you truly understand your child.

Understanding your child empowers you to nurture their dreams and unlock their hidden potentials. It helps you identify the resources needed for their successful future.

It’s essential to recognise that parenting doesn’t begin with love or providing for basic needs. Some parents shower their children with material comforts but remain absent from their lives. Giving birth is one thing; being a parent is another.

Have you ever wondered why there’s a rise in deviant behavior and a decline in peace? Mahatma Gandhi once said, “To reach real peace in the world, we will have to begin with the children.” The world suffers when children lack attention, especially when they aren’t understood.

Understanding your children is the key to successful parenting. Who is your child to you? What is their temperament? What are their likes and dislikes? These questions must have clear answers in your mind.

Did you know that some children don’t respond well to rebuke? For them, rebuke stifles their development. Instead, correction should be approached differently, as rebuke or insult rarely serves as a suitable corrective tool.

So, how can you understand your child?

1. Observe: Spend time with your child, observe their behavior, reactions, and interactions. This will reveal much about their personality.

2. Be Your Child’s Best Friend: Make your child feel secure, loved, and wanted. Encourage them to open up to you.

3. Spend Quality Time Together: Engage in activities like playing games, cooking, or cleaning together. Quality time strengthens your bond.

4. Praise Wisely: Praise your child for their accomplishments, but avoid overpraising, which can lead to arrogance.

5. Listen: Actively listen to your child to deepen your connection and understanding.

By following these steps and consulting a higher source, such as God, you can unlock the ability to truly understand your children. Remember, as a parent, you represent God to your family, and applying these truths in your home can lead to transformation.

Written by Tonnie Baffoe (Ekroful District, Agona Swedru District)

In a world characterised by its swift pace and constant distractions, it can be all too easy to lose sight of the core essence of the Gospel: compassion for the lost. As followers of Christ, we are beckoned to mirror His example. Jesus, whose earthly ministry radiated unwavering love and boundless compassion for those spiritually adrift, stands as our ultimate guide. In the pages that follow, we delve into the profound and transformative potential of cultivating a compassionate heart towards those who are lost.

This transformation, we discover, doesn’t just reshape our approach to evangelism, but it also reflects the profound and enduring power of the Good News. Compassion forms the very foundation of Jesus’ life and teachings. His interactions with society’s outcasts, the downtrodden, and those who had strayed were marked not only by empathy but by an ardent concern for their spiritual well-being.

The accounts of Jesus engaging with the Samaritan woman, encountering Zacchaeus, and warmly welcoming back the prodigal son beautifully illustrate a Savior whose heart overflowed with inexhaustible love. Through His compassionate actions, we unearth the genuine essence of evangelism – an act of love that seeks to mend and transform lives in ways that words alone cannot achieve.

When we embrace a compassionate approach, we redefine the very fabric of our evangelistic endeavours. No longer fueled solely by a sense of obligation, our outreach efforts become infused with genuine care and concern for the souls of others. Evangelism, once a task, transforms into an opportunity to forge deeper connections, enabling us to share the hope that has irrevocably changed our own lives.

Compassion infuses our outreach with a depth that goes beyond verbal communication; it metamorphoses into a lifeline of love extended to those who yearn for its healing touch. The journey to cultivating a compassionate heart begins with deliberate steps, deeply rooted in our relationship with God. The habit of immersing ourselves in His Word through consistent and prayerful Bible study opens our hearts to His divine concern for the lost.

Through Scripture, we catch a glimpse of God’s heart – a heart that beats with unwavering love for each individual. Furthermore, prayer becomes the bridge that connects us to His perspective, aligning our desires with His own and igniting within us an unwavering passion for souls. Indeed, prayer takes on a central role in the cultivation of compassion. In the intimate moments of communion with our Creator, our hearts are gradually molded into vessels of empathy and love.

As we fervently pray for those who are lost, our petitions are enveloped in the very compassion that propelled Jesus into transformative action. Through prayer, we learn to embrace the brokenness of the world and present it before a God who is both attentive and responsive. In these moments, we glimpse the contours of God’s own heart, pulsating with compassion for His creation.

Nurturing a heart of compassion for the lost isn’t a mere endpoint; it’s an ongoing and transformative journey. It’s a metamorphosis that infuses our approach to evangelism with unparalleled zeal, shifting it from an obligatory task to a fervent passion.

As we step into the footprints of our compassionate Savior, each interaction with others takes on new meaning – an opportunity to extend the love that was first extended to us. Through our evangelism, may our words be accompanied not just by eloquence, but by the boundless love we have been privileged to experience. In doing so, we become living embodiments of Christ’s compassion, offering a Good News that possesses the unshakable power to transform lives radically. In closing, let this exploration of compassion inspire and embolden us all.

May we view evangelism as a genuine act of love and not just a normal church activity, and may the love of Christ that resides within us shine brightly, illuminating the lives of those we touch with the radiance of His unending and transformative compassion.

Written by Elder Amos Atanga (Firestone Worship Centre, The Church of Pentecost)