Groom A Teen Today, Raise A Leader For Tomorrow

Groom A Teen Today, Raise A Leader For Tomorrow

by with No Comment ArticlesTop StoriesYouth Ministry

One delightful observation I made during the just-ended National Youth Ministry Week celebration of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) was the active involvement of the teens. Watching videos and seeing pictures from various assemblies across the nation filled me with excitement.

I remember telling a colleague youth ministry leader that if we had this level of engagement when we were growing up, many of our teens would have been properly grounded in Christ and the Church and would have played active roles at various levels in the church. In the past, there was no proper structure established to effectively coordinate the activities of teens in the CoP. If you were fortunate as a teen to find yourself in an assembly with leaders who believed in the potential of teens, then you were blessed. I count myself as one of those teens who, while growing up, was fortunate to have leaders who gave us room to learn and grow in the faith.

I was only 17 years old when I was appointed District Secretary for the Children’s Ministry in the Elmina District of the Cape Coast Area, right after graduating from Senior High School. Again, I was appointed as the local leader for the Youth Ministry of SSNIT Flats Assembly, also in the Elmina District. At the age of 18, I was ordained as a Deacon by Apostle Kwesi Ackah Baidoo (Rtd.). The Lord made all these opportunities possible through Elders Samuel Michael Boham and Francis Freeman. They gave me many opportunities as a teen to learn, and though I made some mistakes along the way, they were very patient with me. I remember the many preaching assignments they both gave me, the opportunity to represent them at meetings, and, most importantly, how they disciplined me in love.

Around the same time that I had the humble privilege of serving the Lord and His church in these capacities, many of my peers in other assemblies in the same district were struggling to fit into the church. Some, out of frustration, left the church. Those who stayed did so only because their parents were active members and could not leave, but their visible frustration was evident. The truth is, some of these teenagers in other districts were far more talented than me, but they simply did not have the opportunities I had.

In 2015, I was appointed as the District Youth Ministry Leader for Abossey Okai Worship Centre. One of the key areas I focused on as a leader was the Ministry to Teens. These teens became like family to me and my team. We were very intentional in how we nurtured them, providing them with opportunities to express themselves and grow both in the Lord and in the church. Today, as I reflect, I see many of them doing remarkable things in the house of the Lord, and I bless God for their lives.

In January 2023, I was reviewed as the Youth Ministry Leader, and the young man who succeeded me, Deacon Philemon Otoo, happened to be one of my students in the teens class. Prior to becoming the District Leader, he served as the PENSA President for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). During the recent Youth Week, I witnessed how the Lord used this young man, and I was amazed at how he led both the young and the old to observe the week successfully.

I have witnessed firsthand what the Lord can do with teens when given the opportunity. I am a living testimony, just like Philemon, my predecessor. In the COP, as of December 2022, we had 762,190 teens in Ghana alone. The decision by the church’s leadership to relaunch the Ministry to Teens is a very strategic one. What I witnessed during the National Youth Ministry Week is enough to demonstrate that when our teens are provided with the right opportunities and an enabling environment, they can serve the purpose of God in their generation exceptionally well.

Written by Elder Yaw Asamoah Akowuah (Ministry to Teens Coordinator, Kaneshie Area)

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Agona Swedru Area Supports Internal Missions

by with No Comment Church NewsMissionsTop Stories

To boost the mission enterprise of The Church of Pentecost, the Agona Swedru Area of the Church, under the leadership of Apostle Derek Kwaning Mireku, has donated 100 pieces of cloth to three districts in the internal mission areas of the Church.

The beneficiary districts are the Tolon District in the Tamale Area, Wellembelle District in the Tumu Area, and Kparekpare District in the Nkwanta Area.

Making the presentation on behalf of the Area Head, Pastor Edward Asamoah Antwi, an Area Executive Committee Member and Area Evangelism Ministry Leader, said the gesture is in line with the Church’s strategic vision of “possessing the nations” (Vision 2023).

He indicated that one of the ways to win souls for God’s Kingdom is to show care and affection towards meeting needs.

Pastor Antwi further noted that one of the basic necessities of life is clothing and that some souls won had failed to partake in church services and meetings because they feel left out in terms of what to wear.

He said that the area leadership is, therefore, confident that the clothes will foster the warmth of brotherly fellowship among the brethren.

Receiving the items on behalf of the beneficiary districts, the Chairman of the Area Missions Committee, Pastor Frederick Tetteh, expressed his joy and promised that the clothes will end up with the right beneficiaries.

He thanked members of the Church in the area for their unrelenting support of missions in diverse ways. He also disclosed that this year’s donation will be sent to three districts in internal missions, pastored by men of God called into ministry from the Agona Swedru Area.

This, according to him, is to encourage them and serve as a reminder to them that their brethren back home fully support their ministry.

Report by Agona Swedru Area Media Team.

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Bumpata District Receives 70-Seater Boat

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The Bumpata District in the Afram Plains Area of The Church of Pentecost, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, received a 70-seater boat valued at GH₵ 50,000.00 to facilitate the movement of members across the Volta Lake.

The project, which had been a vision for the district since its inception, was made possible through a generous financial donation from Elder Dr Kofi Amoah, a resident of the United States of America (USA).

At a short dedication ceremony held at the shores of Ekyeamanfrom, the Afram Plains Area Head, Apostle Victor Asamoah, stressed the need to prioritise the great commission and winning souls for Christ.

He was hopeful that the boat would aid in reaching hard-to-reach communities and spread the message of Christ.

According to the Bumpata District Minister, Overseer Isaac Essuman, the boat will facilitate transportation for district members attending Area programmes and support evangelism initiatives.

Overseer Essuman extended his profound appreciation to God and Dr Kofi Amoah for their contributions to making the vision a success.

Present at the event were ministers and their wives in the Area and members and officers in the district. Bumpata District was created out of Agyata District in September 2022.

Report by Overseer Benjamin Appiah

A Lesson Of Integrity web

A Lesson Of Integrity

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Something happened two weeks ago, and I believe it’s a lesson that will bless many young people.

I needed money urgently for a transaction, so I went into my Standard Chartered Ghana bank app and transferred some money into my Mobile Money (MoMo) wallet. It usually takes three to five seconds to receive the transfer in my MoMo wallet, but somewhat unusually, the transfer delayed.

After about 30 minutes, I called the StanChart helpline to register my complaint, but the agent told me they were having challenges, so I should wait 24 hours for the transaction to be reversed. As I contemplated what to do next, I saw that my MoMo wallet had been credited in about an hour, so I thought the issue had been resolved.

Two hours later, I got an alert from StanChart indicating that my transaction was unsuccessful and had been reversed. Indeed, I checked my balance, and the transaction had been reversed. Meanwhile, the amount in my MoMo wallet, too, was intact – The “accounts people” will say double credit.

I waited for some days to check if it would be corrected, and when it wasn’t being corrected, I called the helpline again to let them know the mistake. Meanwhile, I needed money to sort some things out, so that extra GHS 2,000.00 credited to my StanChart account would have been a “cool chop” for me.

A day later, after I called to let them know what had happened, I got a call from a lady from StanChart who was very nice. I explained what had happened, and I could tell she was quite surprised, so I told her, “Please, I’m doing this for integrity purposes just to clear my conscience that I’ve not cheated the bank.” She told me the Digital team would resolve it and get back to me.

Now this is the crux of this testimony. After I told the lady about the issue, I felt so happy in my spirit. I was happy I had done the right thing. I mean felt unspeakable joy within. I walked around the house with a feeling of accomplishment. I had promised myself that GHS 2,000.00 belongs to StanChart, and nothing would make me spend it even if I am broke to the last pesewa until it is resolved.

Now hear me, young man and woman, how much integrity do you carry in you? Sometimes people mistakenly send into our MoMo account, and some of us are happy to withdraw and spend the money which doesn’t belong to us. Are you a person of integrity?

Integrity is being able to stand before men and God in secret to account for the minutest of issues. Some of us claim to be Christians, yet when we find people’s missing items, we keep them and say God has given us a gift. God is not a thief, and He doesn’t encourage thievery.

I want this thing that happened to me to teach young people a lesson. I could have kept the money without reporting it; perhaps no one would have noticed it, including the bank. Maybe they would have recorded it as a loss at the end of the year, but God would have realised that this guy couldn’t be trusted.

Dear Reader, God loves honest people. I pray that you will be a man and woman of integrity. Do the right thing even if it will cost you, and God will honour you.

Written by Pastor Emmanuel Kyei Boate (Pentecost International Worship Centre, Bolga)

56 Slaves In Pakistan Run To Jesus Christ WEB

56 Slaves In Pakistan Run To Jesus Christ

by with No Comment Church NewsMissionsTop Stories

On May 28, 2023, 56 enslaved people from the brick line factory in Shakhopura, Pakistan, surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and allowed themselves to be baptised in water.

The Church of Pentecost, Pakistan, which led the outreach, presented Urdu Bibles to the new converts to help them learn more about Jesus Christ. The Church also gave them meals.

The Church of Pentecost team often visits the brick line factory to worship with them. The people have been enslaved for generations since their forefathers had a debt that was becoming unbearable for them, and the outcome was slavery.

The Church provides them with access to basic education, weekly worship services, and a tent at their workplace where they may attend church services and eat.

We pray that our faithful Lord will set them free so they can do other work, live a healthy life, and be free from their slave masters.

PENTECOST NEWS

Kpetoe District Organises ‘Young Scholar’ Competition web

Kpetoe District Organises ‘Young Scholar’ Competition

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesYouth Ministry

The Youth Ministry in the Kpetoe District in the Ho Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a ‘Young Scholar’ Competition. 

The grand finale of the maiden competition, held in collaboration with the Children’s Ministry, took place at the Central Assembly Auditorium on Sunday, June 11, 2023. 

The competition covered reading and comprehension as well as spelling. As part of the entry requirement, children from upper primary to JHS 2 submitted an essay titled “The Effects of Broken Homes on the Development of Children,” where eleven finalists were selected to partake in the finals.

In his opening remarks, the District Minister for Kpetoe, Overseer Eric Sitsofe Akude, the brainchild behind the novel competition, indicated that the event was the church’s way of whipping children’s interest in reading. 

According to him, pupils’ performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Agotime Ziope District has recently declined, especially in the English Language. 

He advised all the children present to take an interest in reading since it helps broaden their scope of knowledge. 

He concluded by announcing the church’s intention to open a library for schoolchildren in the community.

On his part, the Agotime Ziope District Director of Education, Mr David Besah, the Special Guest of honour, commended the district minister and The Church of Pentecost for organising the event. 

According to him, it is important that the church helps members to grow in other areas of their lives and not only dwell on their spiritual development. 

Mr Besah encouraged the pupils to learn hard to excel in school and make maximum impact in their spheres. 

Miss Phoebe Afeti won the fiercely contested competition for the senior category, while Master Edmund Kwawudade won the junior category.

The winners were presented with stationery and cash prizes. All the contestants were also presented with learning materials such as exercise books, notebooks, pens, pencils, and mathematics sets.

Report by Overseer Eric Sitsofe Akude

The Church of Pentecost Member Receives ICAG Top Honours web

The Church of Pentecost Member Receives ICAG Top Honours

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesYouth Ministry

Miss Rose Bawuah, a member of the English Assembly of Danquah Worship Centre of The Church of Pentecost, has been awarded the Overall Best Student and Overall Best Female Student among the 2022 graduating class of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG).

Miss Bawuah was honoured with these prestigious awards at the 41st ICAG Graduation ceremony held on June 3, 2023, at the University Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

The event, which celebrated the accomplishments of both the 2022 and 2023 graduating batches, recognised Miss Rose Bawuah’s outstanding academic achievements.

As a member of The Church of Pentecost, Miss Rose Bawuah has demonstrated not only her commitment to her faith but also her unwavering dedication to her studies.

Her exceptional academic performance in the field of accountancy is a remarkable feat that deserves commendation and serves as an inspiration to others.

Miss Bawuah currently works at Ernst & Young (EY) Ghana, a multinational organisation that provides consulting, assurance, tax and transaction services.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Abossey Okai Worship Centre Supports Young Entrepreneurs web

Abossey Okai Worship Centre Supports Young Entrepreneurs

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesYouth Ministry

The Abossey-Okai Worship Centre Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has provided equipment and financial support to young artisans in the Church to help them establish their own shops.

To equip youth members and support budding entrepreneurs within the Church, the ministry donated equipment to several artisans and also presented cash donations to some individuals as seed capital to kick-start their businesses.

The presentations were made during last Sunday’s climax service for the recently-held National Youth Ministry Week celebration, which began on Monday, June 5, 2023.

Explaining the rationale behind the gesture, the Resident Minister, Pastor Michael Peasah, who also serves as the Kaneshie Area Youth Pastor, emphasised that the donation was not only meant to provide immediate support but also to encourage self-sustainability, promote entrepreneurship, and foster economic independence among the youth.

The recipients, who were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the ministry and the Church for the generosity.

The Youth Ministry Week, a highly anticipated event worldwide, attracted a large gathering of young people and the elderly alike.

The week-long festivities featured talks, breakout sessions on mentoring and identifying opportunities in the digital space, panel discussions, school outreach programmes, house-to-house evangelism, and culminated in a grand closing event yesterday.

This year’s event was a resounding success as it again showcases the unwavering dedication and passion of the leadership of the Abossey-Okai Worship Centre Youth Ministry in fostering the holistic development of their members.

Moreover, the ministry has set a remarkable example for others to emulate by promoting empowerment and the welfare of its members.

Report by Abossey Okai Worship Centre Media Team

Families Of Overseer Owiredu & Wife Construct Church web

Families Of Overseer Owiredu  & Wife Construct Church Building At Gbingbamoni

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Elder Kweku Annan, Elder John Okofo Dartey, and Deacon Clement Atta-Dwomoh, along with their wives, all based at Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, have jointly constructed a 150-seating capacity church auditorium at Gbingbamoni, a community within the Walewale Area of The Church of Pentecost.

The edifice, which belongs to the Ebenezer Assembly in the Sakogu District of the Church, is furnished with 100 plastic chairs, a set of Yamaha Jazz drums, and a full range rechargeable speaker at a total cost of GH¢134,139.00.

During the dedication ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2023, Apostle Norman Appiah-Danquah, the Walewale Area Head, expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for inspiring individuals to display such a generous act of benevolence towards the Church of God.

He also expressed appreciation to the donors, who happen to be relatives of the District Minister, Overseer Samuel Owiredu, and his wife, Mrs. Abigail Dede Owiredu, for their kind gesture and invoked divine blessings upon them.

Report by Walewale Area Media Team.

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Accountability Is A Key Aspect Of Leadership – Apostle Gyau Obuobi Avers

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Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, the General Secretary-Elect and Asamankese Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, has underscored the importance of accountability in effective leadership.

In his presentation on “Leadership and Accountability” today at the Global Elders’ Retreat held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) in Gomoa Fetteh, Apostle Obuobi explained stated that accountability is a vital characteristic for leaders to be effective.

He highlighted the need for leaders to take responsibility for their actions, inactions, and decisions.

He defined accountability as the state of being answerable for the outcomes resulting from entrusted responsibilities, emphasising that it is synonymous with answerability.

Apostle Obuobi mentioned integrity and transparency as the two factors that significantly influence leadership accountability.

To promote accountability in leadership, Apostle Obuobi offered practical steps such as involving others in the decision-making process, welcoming auditors during visits, and establishing accountability partners who can provide honest feedback and correction.

Apostle Gyau Obuobi underscored the crucial role of wise and accountable leadership in the progress and well-being of any organisation. Within the local church context, he highlighted the significance of Elders as part of the leadership structure. Their responsibility, he emphasised, is to create an environment that nurtures spiritual growth and Christian maturity among the congregation.

Highlighting the weight of leadership, Apostle Obuobi stressed the inherent connection between wise leadership and accountability. He warned that weak leadership could result in complete failure and jeopardise spiritual lives.

He further emphasised the need for leaders to exhibit wisdom, carefulness, and honour in their roles, recognising that leadership is fundamentally about responsibility.

Apostle Obuobi outlined two entities to whom leaders are accountable. Firstly, leaders are responsible to God, who calls them into leadership.

He urged Church leaders to remain answerable to God, knowing that nothing escapes His watchful eye. Secondly, leaders are accountable to their superiors, supervisors, or appointing authorities, following the hierarchical structure established by God.

Apostle Obuobi identified various areas in which church leaders should be held accountable, including their speech, teachings, actions, the spiritual well-being of their congregation, and the resources entrusted to them.

He emphasised that leaders must be accountable for their words, the doctrines they teach, their conduct, and the responsible management of resources such as facilities, gifts, and finances.

He cautioned that leadership should not be pursued for personal gain, social recognition, or exerting control over others. Instead, leaders should focus on serving those under their guidance.

In concluding his presentation, Apostle Gyau Obuobi iterated that responsible and accountable leadership creates an environment conducive to spiritual growth, Christian formation, and the well-being of the church and its members.

PENTECOST NEWS.