Posts in category: Top Stories

The National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee (NDLDC) of The Church of Pentecost has held a two-day consultative forum on the mandate of the committee in Vision 2028 for the church.

The committee, chaired by Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, is tasked with discipling the church and training leaders for the church at all its facets. The two-day consultative forum teased out all issues outlined in Vision 2028 that relate to the committee’s mandate and carved out a strategic plan aimed at running with the vision.

The forum was under the theme: “The Repositioned Local Church as a Discipling and Unleashing Centre.”

Opening the forum, Apostle Gakpetor took the participants through the second chapter of 1 Peter (the main text for the 2024 theme) in a group expository discourse to serve as the bedrock for deliberations.

Apostle Gakpetor revealed to the participants that at the core of Vision 2028 lies the mandate of NDLDC.

“It is the discipled member that is unleashed to transform society,” Apostle Gakpetor observed, adding that “social services alone won’t change Ghana but social action and social change, and we must equip and unleash the members to lead that agenda in their worlds.”

He charged the participants to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them to come up with practical strategies aiding the implementation of the committee’s mandate in the light and direction of Vision 2028.

Touching on the leadership development mandate of the committee, Apostle Gakpetor mentioned that one challenge consistently running through reports from the grassroots church, especially from internal mission areas, has been the lack of leaders.

Apostle Gakpetor explained that it is not because there are no people there but because the people could not read and write.

He mentioned that through the Pentecost Literacy Project, there’s a need to equip the indigenes, especially those who have established there, to aid in raising leaders to drive the vision at the grassroots.

The participants, after a collective brainstorming period, later went into three cohorts to discuss components of Vision 2028 that were continuity of Vision 2023 in Vision 2028, new directions for the NDLDC under Vision 2028, strategies to aid in the specific implementation of Bible Study groups for discipling members, Home Cell for fellowship, pastoral care, and community impact, lay leadership training school for equipping church workers, Pentecost Literacy Project to empower members to read and write, community impact initiatives to transform the communities, and a mentoring framework for a succession plan.

Other issues touched by the forum were team formation and mandate to push the task of NDLDC, identify collaborators and strengthen their role or cultivate new ones, strategy for social media use to accelerate the implementation of the vision by the committee, amongst others.

The 17-member consultative panel was made up of members of the National Executive Committee of the NDLDC, representatives from various sub-teams of the committee, and some prominent members and ministers of the church, including two retired ministers, Apostle Peter Ayerekwa and Pastor Henry Ako-Nai.

At the end of the forum, the NDLDC drafted a strategic framework with timelines and assigned responsibilities tailored to ensure a successful implementation, evaluation, and monitoring towards achieving the dictates of the vision. This shall be pursued after further consultation with the top leadership of the Church.

Report by Pastor George Osei-Asiedu

A four-day retreat was organised for ministers and wives in the Tamale Area of The Church of Pentecost from November 28 to December 1, 2023.

This retreat, initiated by Apostle J. B. K. Tawiah, the Tamale Area Head, aimed to equip ministers and their wives for effective service. It also served as an orientation for newly posted ministers and wives and an avenue to introduce the Church’s theme for 2024 to them.

Addressing the participants, Apostle J.B.K. Tawiah introduced the 2024 theme, emphasising its focus on empowering and unleashing the entire church to transform their world with the values and principles of the kingdom of God.

Drawing inspiration from 1 Peter 2:9 and Acts 1:8, he described the church as a people of God carrying the Holy Spirit as their source of power for extraordinary exploits.

Quoting Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Apostle Tawiah rechoed the call for a revival, stating, “What the church desperately needs is not just another new denomination or branch of the church, neither is it conferences and seminars nor better machinery and organisations. What the church needs now is fire – fire to awaken itself from its sleep.”

To achieve this, the Tamale Area Head urged ministers and wives to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit, acknowledging God’s faithfulness for the first phase of the “Possessing the Nations” agenda.

In the face of attempts to sideline God from human affairs, Apostle Tawiah asserted that the church must be portrayed as a credible community reflecting Christ’s radiance everywhere. This portrayal, he said, would help the church serve its dual purpose: being called out to God and sent back to transform the world.

Providing the rationale of the “Possessing the Nations” Agenda (Phase 2), Apostle Tawiah explained that the rationale for Vision 2028 aims to build the Church as Christ’s beautiful bride and God’s end-time militia, fully prepared and unleashed into enemy territories.

Emphasising the strength of the church, which constitutes over 10% of Ghana’s population, its solid spiritual foundation, strong governance, administrative structures, and its broad reach spanning over 150 nations, Apostle Tawiah intimated that it was time for the church to unleash its power for national and global transformation.

After outlining the thematic areas of the theme, Apostle Tawiah concluded his message by placing particular emphasis on the term “Unleashed,” signifying becoming an unrestrained, strong, and unstoppable force. To be unleashed as a church means releasing the tremendous power within for the transformation of nations (2Cor. 10:2-4), a call for every member of the church to engage in a form of ministry to contribute to the transformation of nations for God.

Various topics were covered during the four-day event, and prayers were offered for the Tamale Area, the leadership of the Church, and the nation. The meeting was attended by ministers and wives from the 36 districts of the Area.

Report by Tamale Media Team

The Great Commission Movement of Ghana (GCMG), a Christian organisation that aims to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations, has donated some evangelism equipment to The Church of Pentecost (CoP), one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Ghana.

The donation was made on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the CoP headquarters in Accra.

The equipment included a projector with a microphone that can reach over 3,000 people, a table for the projector, a generator, a backpack with a projector and a battery inside, a tablet with a speaker and a solar panel that can reach up to 10 people. The equipment is meant to be used for film evangelim and one-on-one evangelism on the field.

The delegation from GCMG was led by Evangelist Kumah Doe, the Director of the organisation.

He expressed his appreciation to the CoP for the partnership and the impact they have made together in advancing the kingdom of God.

He said they have worked with the CoP over the years, especially with the Youth Ministry, and have witnessed the fruits of their collaboration.

He cited the example of the first donation of equipment that GCMG made to the CoP in 2021, which resulted in over 3,464 souls won and over 30 local assemblies opened.

The General Secretary of the CoP, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, who received the donation behalf of the Church, thanked the GCMG for the visit and the generous gesture.

He said he was grateful to God for the partnership and the progress they have made in fulfilling the Great Commission. He commended the GCMG for upgrading their technology and enhancing their evangelistic methods.

He affirmed the CoP’s commitment to evangelism and discipleship, which are the core of their vision of possessing the nations.

He said he believed the donation would go a long way to help the evangelistic work of the Church and lead to more souls being won to the glory of God.

He assured the GCMG of the CoP’s cooperation and support in strategising to make sure the kingdom of God is well established.

The ceremony was attended by other officials from both organisations, including Apostle Amos Jimmy Markin (Evangelism Director of the CoP), Pastor Emmanuel Appah (Finance and Administration Director of the CoP HQ), Apostle Ebenezer Hagan (Youth Ministry Director of the CoP), Pastor Dr. Felix Dela Klutse (Media Ministry of the CoP HQ), Pastor Alexander Nyame (Coordinator of MPWDs), Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor (Pent TV Manager), Deaconess Angela Peasah (Board Chairman of the GCM), Elder Samuel Addo Mantey (Human Resource Manager for the CoP HQ), Deaconess Comfort Attah (Executive Assistant of the GCM) and others.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Kaneshie Area of The Church of Pentecost has ordained 72 new officers to serve as elders, deacons and deaconesses of the Church.

The ordination took place at the Pentecost Convention Center on Friday, December 1, 2023 during the Area’s annual end-of-year prayer meeting, dubbed “Divine Encounter.”

The newly ordained officers, comprising 22 elders, 18 deacons, and 32 deaconesses, were draw from three districts of the Area, namely; Kaneshie, Abeka, and Darkuman Nyamekye.

The ordinands received guidance and instructions from Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, the Kaneshie Area Head and Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, based on the word of God and the Constitution of the church.

Apostle S.O. Asante expressed gratitude to God for providing the church with qualified and dedicated personnel for leadership positions.

He also urged the church members to respect and honour the ordained officers as they carry out their duties.

The ordination service was graced by Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi Addo (Rtd), the former International Missions Director of The Church of Pentecost.

Also present at the service were Apostle Moses Ladejo, a former Executive Council Member, Mrs. Elizabeth Osei Asante, the wife of the Kaneshie Area Head, Pastor Paul Danso, the Area Secretary, and other pastors in the Kaneshie Area.

During the event, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi Addo delivered a sermon on the theme, “Encountering God for Divine Direction in 2024.”

He explained that when a person encounters God, he or she is empowered to perform tasks and roles that he or she has not been formally trained or appointed for.

He cited the example of David, who always consulted God before making any major decision, as recorded in Psalm 91.

He, therefore, encouraged the Christians to follow David’s example and seek God’s face through prayer about the ensuing year.

Report by Joshua Heizel (Kaneshie Area Media Team)

The Kaneshie Area of The Church of Pentecost has acquired new equipment worth $17,812.83 to boost its media efforts.

The new equipment comprises a Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera, an HDMI Video Switcher, a Hollyland Mars 4k Wireless Video Transmission System, a Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen, and other accessories, including tripods, camera bags, memory cards, flashlights, studio lights, and microphones.

The items were dedicated by the Kaneshie Area Head, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Pentecost Convention Centre during the Area’s annual prayer meeting, dubbed “Divine Encounter 2023.”

Apostle S. O. Asante expressed gratitude to God for providing the resources to purchase the equipment.

He also revealed that the Kaneshie Area Media Team has plans to set up a mini television studio at the Area Media Office for producing and broadcasting quality programmes that will promote the gospel message and the church’s activities.

He further stated that the Area has acquired a Zoom link that can host up to 1000 viewers, which will be used for various online events such as the Area Elders’ Monthly Zoom Prayer meetings. He added that the Area will also provide its members with access to its social media platforms, where they can participate in all online activities within the Area.

The Area also presented branded T-Shirts and Polo Shirts to the Media Team to motivate them and aid their work.

The Kaneshie Area Media Team, led by Pastor Frank Mensah Tandoh, pledged to use the equipment diligently and effectively to support the Area’s vision.

Report by Christiana Okyere (Kaneshie Area Media Team)

Seventy-five-year-old Elder Christopher Owusu Denteh and his wife, Madam Comfort Agyeiwaa, had their marriage blessed during the retirement service held in his honour by the Akontombra Nkwanta District of The Church of Pentecost.

Elder Owusu Denteh, touted as one of the greatest assets to the district, faithfully served the Lord and the church as an officer for 33 years.

The retirement service, officiated by the Dadieso District Minister, Pastor Louis Marthin Gaisie, took place on Saturday, November 25, 2023.

The event also served as a unique opportunity for the couple of 44 years to renew their marriage vows and have their marriage blessed.

Present at the event were Pastor Andrews Owusu (Downtown Ofaakor District Minister) and his wife, Mrs. Faustina Owusu, Pastor Yaw Adusei (Jema District Minister), and Overseer Enoch Tetteh (Akontombra Nkwanta District Minister) and his wife, Mrs. Rejoice Tetteh.

Pastor Andrews Owusu, who os the pioneer minister of the Akontombra Nkwanta District, delivered the sermon at the event on the topic: “Well Done,” with supportive scriptures from Matthew 25: 14-23 and Proverbs 18:22.

In his sermon, he emphasised that the journey to earning the commendation “well done” is not automatic, but a result of hard and profitable works.

“The reasons for the ‘well done’ are centered on the fact that Elder Christopher and Mrs. Comfort Owusu Denteh have kept their sincere faith in the Lord till now; they have also treasured themselves as suitable partners, their faithful services, and their great sacrifices in diverse means to ensure the progress of God’s Church,” he said.

During the service, Pastor Gaisie led the congregation to pray for the retiring officer and subsequently blessed their marriage.

Among those present at the glorious service were Apostle Osei Owusu (Goaso Area Head, Assemblies of God Church), Pastor Robert Mensah (Akontombra Nkwanta Continuation Church), the Chief and elders of Akontombra Nkwanta, relatives of the couple, as well as officers and members.

PENTECOST NEWS.