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.

new GS story web

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.

A New Generation Of Members Has Emerged In The Church web

A New Generation Of Members Has Emerged In The Church – Chairman Nyamekye Reveals

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Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), has revealed that a new generation of people has emerged in The Church of Pentecost.

According to him, this new generation of church members has been re-circumcised to impact their spheres, just as the Lord used the early fathers of the church to make a significant impact in the nations.

Speaking on the topic, “Repositioning The Local Church For Maximum Impact In the Nations” at the 2nd Global Elders’ Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, Apostle Nyamekye stressed the need for a holy zeal to claim every available space for the Lord and a desire to fulfil the purpose for which God called out the church.

Elaborating on the concept of the second circumcision to make maximum impact in the local church, the Chairman mentioned that as the generation of Moses passed, a new era, represented by Joshua, needed to be circumcised to secure their place in the promised land.

“If we do not re-circumcise our members in The Church of Pentecost, we will not be able to achieve much,” he pointed out.

Drawing from the biblical account in Joshua 5:2-8, Apostle Nyamekye recounted how the Lord commanded Joshua to make flint knives to circumcise the Israelites once again.

He explained that this action was necessary because all the men of military age who had come out of Egypt had died in the wilderness during their journey. Consequently, the subsequent generation born in the wilderness had not undergone circumcision as stipulated in God’s covenant with Israel.

“God is re-circumcising The Church of Pentecost and propelling us to greater heights. The world will take notice of us because we have circumcised our hearts,” he stressed, emphasising the transformative impact of the circumcision of the new generation within the church.

Apostle Nyamekye described ‘repositioning’ as carefully preserving and transmitting established landmarks.

He explained that the church intentionally teaches its members the core values, culture, and principles to pass on to the next generation to ensure continuity and relevance.

He envisioned the local church becoming prayer homes where young people would come to devote themselves to continuous prayer.

He entreated church members to remain strong in their faith, avoiding fear and worry, saying, “God will use you mightily in this generation.”

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, however, cautioned both church leaders and members against becoming complacent with the praise they receive from the public, warning them not to let it become a hindrance to their growth.

PENTECOST NEWS

Sustain The Presence Of God In The Local Church web

Sustain The Presence Of God In The Local Church – Apostle Amartey Anim

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Presiding elders and church leaders have been charged to do everything possible to ignite the fire of God and sustain God’s presence in the local church.

This is to make the local church a centre of prayer where people come to be transformed, reformed and empowered to go all out to be agents of transformation in their spheres of life.

Apostle Isaac Amartey Anim, the Atebubu Area of The Church of Pentecost, said this when speaking at the 2nd Global Elders’ Retreat held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

Speaking on the topic, “His Presence for Maximum Impact in the Local Church,” Psalm 27:4-5; 26:8; Exodus 33:14-22; 2 Chronicles 6:41; 7:1-2, among other scriptures, Apostle Anim said that although King David was a great warrior, a skilful musician, a man who had power, fame and great wealth, he stilled desired the presence of God.

He explained that what made King David always desire the presence of God was to gaze on the beauty and the glory of the Lord.

“We know, according to the scriptures, that the glory of God is the representation of the presence of God, as in the case of Moses and the presence of God in Exodus 33:14-22, also, in the case of Solomon, during the dedication of the temple, in 2 Chronicles 6:41; 7:1-2,” he pointed out.

He revealed that David desired the presence of God more than his gifts, talents, skills and successes, knowing that all these things are temporal and would fade, saying, “But the presence of God is permanent and unfading; it is permanent because it is here and there. Over there, we shall see him face to face.”

However, he was worried that society today seeks things like fame, riches, and power at the expense of the ultimate – the presence of God.

According to Apostle Anim, the local church is the house of the Lord, where God’s presence dwells.

He touched on three key factors in experiencing God’s presence in the local church: leadership, attitude and lifestyle of church members, and its activities.

The Atebubu Area Head mentioned that presiding elders and local presbyters (elders, deacons and deaconesses) of the church and other leaders should always set the fire on the altar burning and never allow it to go out (Leviticus 6:13). He indicated that as long as leaders of the church continue to stoke the fire, the presence of God will manifest in the church (Exodus 30:7-8).

He also entreated officers to ensure that the attitude and lifestyle of the people in the local church do not push out the presence of God in the local church (Ezekiel 8:6).

Apostle Isaac Amartey Anim concluded his presentation by cautioning presiding elders and church leaders not to overcrowd the local church with a series of activities at the expense of prayer.

PENTECOST NEWS

IMD Urges Church Leaders To Transform Local Churches Into Prayer Movements web

IMD Urges Church Leaders To Transform Local Churches Into Prayer Movements

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The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, called on ministers and elders of the Church to transform the local churches into vibrant prayer movements.

Speaking to participants of the Global Elders’ Retreat gathered at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) in Gomoa Fetteh and others at various satellite centres, Apostle Bekoe emphasised the vital role of prayer in the local church.

He explained that by embracing the vision of making the local church a powerful prayer movement, ministers and elders would usher in a transformative era of spiritual growth and impact within their congregations.

Drawing from James 5:13, Apostle Bekoe proposed that every local church service should feature a prayer session where congregants engage fervently with God in prayer.

He, therefore, urged church leaders to take the responsibility of leading their members in prayer by making the church a dedicated Prayer Centre, stating that when people are dissatisfied with the prayer life within the church, they often seek prayer elsewhere.

He acknowledged that some church members maintain membership in The Church of Pentecost while engaging in prayer fellowships outside the church premises.

To address this, he urged church leaders to satisfy their members’ spiritual needs by cultivating a robust prayer culture within the local church.

Quoting Ephesians 6:18, Apostle Bekoe noted the different types of prayer that should be practised in the local church, including the prayer of thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4), confession (1 John 1:9-10), intercession (Ezekiel 4:4), and supplication (James 5:13).

He urged Church leaders to ensure that intercession and supplication are integral to every local church gathering.

Apostle Bekoe presented four critical aspects of the local church as a prayer movement. Firstly, he described it as a Salvation Centre where people come for redemption and deliverance.

He emphasised that every church service should be seen as a deliverance service, as prayer plays a crucial role in bringing about lasting transformation.

Secondly, he described the local church as a Solution Centre, where answers are provided to complex problems. He encouraged church leaders to actively seek divine solutions to the challenges faced by their congregations.

Thirdly, Apostle Bekoe portrayed the local church as a Salvaging Centre where broken and battered individuals can find restoration and healing, saying that the church must be a source of redemption and wholeness for those in need.

Finally, the IMD highlighted the local church as an Encounter Centre, stressing that it should be a place where people genuinely encounter God rather than a mere entertainment venue.

“When people come to Church, they must encounter God, or God must encounter them. Whichever way, there must certainly be an encounter,” he said.

Apostle Bekoe urged church leaders to prioritise prayer over administrative tasks and ensure that the church remains a sacred space for encountering the presence of God.

“As Church leaders, let us all rise in prayer and protect the spiritual boundaries of the Church,” he charged.

PENTECOST NEWS.