Bompata Area Donates to Missions

Bompata Area Donates to Missions

by with No Comment Church NewsMissionsTop Stories

The Bompata Area of The Church of Pentecost has made a generous donation to the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Navrongo (PIWC-Navrongo).

The donation, comprising a brand new motorbike, a megaphone, a bicycle, and a bag full of new clothes and footwear, were mobilised by the Area during the McKeown’s Missions Week held in March.

The Bompata Area Missions Committee Chairman, Pastor Joshua Kwabena Donkor, made the donation on behalf of the Area.

Upon receiving the items, the Bolga Area Head, Apostle Emmanuel Kwesi Acquah, expressed his appreciation to the Bompata Area Head and Executive Council Member, Apostle Yaw Adei-Kwarteng, and the entire membership of the Area for their generosity.

The PIWC-Navrongo Resident Minister, Pastor Eric Asante, also expressed his gratitude for the timely gesture, saying, “Your kindness shall be an everlasting memorial.”

He added that “the motorbike and the bicycle will help us to effectively reach out to more schools in our weekly schools’ outreach, whereas the megaphone will enable us to speak to wider audiences.”

PENTECOST NEWS

You Are Made For Good Works – Mrs Juanita Nuekpe Tells Women

You Are Made For Good Works – Mrs Juanita Nuekpe Tells Women

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesWomen's Ministry

Mrs Juanita Nuekpe, the wife of La Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, has said that before one could make any meaningful impact in society, they must be truly and genuinely born-again Christians, with Jesus being the Lord of their lives.

Mrs Nueke made this remarkable statement at the La Area Virtuous Ladies joint service held at Dr Thomas Wyatt Memorial Temple on April 22, 2023, on the theme: “Repositioning the Virtuous Lady in Contemporary Times for Maximum Impact in her Career, Social and Spiritual Life.”

She noted with scriptural references to Ephesians 2: 10; Matthew 5:14-16 and said every individual is unique in their make-up with gifts and talents. She stressed that they must become conscious of it and utilise it well before they can impact society.

She said every individual had been created for good works and as the light of the world.

“Just as Dorcas had a tremendous and positive impact in her community and came back to life when she died due to her good works, so must all virtuous ladies have maximum impact in the communities where God has planted them,” she pointed out.

She indicated that salvation is one key factor and genesis of impact-making.

“One should be genuinely repented and have the seal of God. Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus highlighted the importance of being born again (John 3: 3),” she said, adding, “Beyond being born again, one must become a true disciple of Jesus Christ by loving, serving, imitating, denying yourself and making Him the Lord, husband and master in all aspects of your life.”

She continued with scripture reference to Colossians 3: 16 and said that to do greater works and make a maximum impact, believers must be filled with the word of God since it can save, heal and deliver. Also, they must spend time in prayer and fasting, have integrity and be mindful of how they interact with others.

Mrs Juanita Nuepke further noted that to make maximum impact, one needs to be hard working, saying, “Whatever you find yourself doing, work at it with all diligence as working for the Lord and not a man to obtain the reward thereof” (Colossians 3:23 and Proverbs 6: 6).

She advised the ladies to avoid time wasters such as spending a lot of time on social media and unprofitable conversations, which does not add value to their lives.

“Wear the garment of humility and avoid bad company, which will corrupt your life. Dissociate yourself from dream and vision killers,” she said, adding, “Be a solution to someone and not the problem.”

Mrs Juanita Nuekpe concluded by calling on members to be agents of change in their generation and generations yet unborn, just as was the case of the four daughters of Zelophehad who changed the law of inheritance in Israel.

“Until you reach the point where your absence is felt, you are not making any impact,” she averted.

The Area Head, Apostle Dr Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe, a cross-section of pastors and their wives, and the Area Women’s Ministry Executives were in attendance.

Report by Gina Akua Padi

Don’t Denigrate The Good Values Of Our Forebears – Apostle Tawiah To Church Leaders

Don’t Denigrate The Good Values Of Our Forebears – Apostle Tawiah To Church Leaders

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The Kwadaso Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle J.B.K. Tawiah, has advised Church leaders to be careful not to neglect the good values handed down to them by their forebears in the name of post-modernism.

Apostle Tawiah made this passionate appeal during a special program dubbed “Time with the Fathers,” organised by the Kwadaso Area from April 19 to 21, 2023.

He said that it was expedient for the present generation of The Church of Pentecost not to ignore the foundations that their forebears built through the leadings of the Holy Spirit with values and principles that, by conviction, they held in high esteem to sustain the growth of the Church.

To this end, he advised that church leaders strive to catch the Spirit of Pentecost captured in the saying “some things are taught and others are caught.”

Apostle Tawiah intimated that there should be a connection between the modern church and the fathers to bridge the gap and engender a smooth transition from the older to the younger generations.

He further opined that the fathers of the Church have given many reasons to believe in God through miracles, signs, and wonders, which were infallible proofs of the power and existence of God in the Church, like the twelve memorial stones that were gathered as evidential proof by the Joshua generation for their children. These stones, according to him, were to point the next generation to God’s visible presence as they journeyed through the Jordan River.

He, therefore, urged the current generation of leaders never to allow the values of the fathers to die in the name of post-modernism but to continually expose the younger generation to the history of the church (Psalm 78:1-8; Judges 2:10-15; Joshua 4:22-24).

Quoting from “Tell the Next Generation,” a publication of The Church of Pentecost, the Kwadaso Area Head revealed that the fathers knew the Holy Spirit, prioritised time with Him, and allowed Him to freely use them in the church.

He further stated that the fathers were known for demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit, and sacrificial giving, as evidenced in the life of Mama Christiana Obo and others who freely offered all they had to support the then Church, and these should never be compromised in their time.

“Because of the covenant God has with the church, The Church of Pentecost will continue to grow through sacrificial giving as members continue to be blessed financially,” he stressed.

The first day of “Time with the Fathers” was climaxed with a passionate prayer led by the Pakyi District Minister, Pastor Peter Akabere.

The three-day historic event, which took place at the Central Auditorium of the Kwadaso District, sought to draw from the rich legacies, lifestyles, and experiences of the early leaders of the Church and the impact they made in their generation.

Other speakers included Apostle J.O. Kesse (Suame Area Head) and Apostle G.O.D. Debrah (Atonsu Area Head).

Report by Kwadaso Area Media

Cape Coast Area Dedicates 4 Church Buildings e

Cape Coast Area Dedicates 4 Church Buildings

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The Cape Coast Area Head and Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, has dedicated four newly-constructed church buildings in the Cape Coast Area.

The buildings, two of which were funded through the Community Based Church Building (CBCB) initiative of the Church, are Suhyen Assembly (Ekutuase District), Peniel Assembly (Domama District), Emmanuel Assembly (Ahrem Agona), and Kyiase Assembly (Kissi District). They were dedicated at separate events held from March 17 to April 20, 2023.

Apostle Antwi, who also serves as the Coordinator for the Central Regional Coordinating Committee, delivered a sermon titled “The Church as a Family of God,” with reference to 1 Timothy 3:14-16 during one of the dedication services.

In his sermon, he encouraged members to see themselves as belonging to the family of God, which was made possible due to their adoption and redemption by Jesus Christ.

He, therefore, urged all and sundry to accept Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour since becoming part of God’s family only comes by being born again.

The Area Head further stressed that, as members of  God’s family, there are rules and responsibilities that Christians ought to fulfil.

Some of these he mentioned are: loving each other, praying for one another, bearing and supporting each other, eschewing selfishness, and payment of tithes and sacrificial giving.

“Those who are born into God’s family must be shaped to conform to the family norms, and trained to be responsible members of society, and these are what are taught as Core Values and Rules of Conduct of The Church of Pentecost,” he said.

Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi praised the various leaders and members of the districts for the judicious use of the Church’s funds and for their communal effort in completing the projects.

Present at the dedication services were a section of the area pastorate and their wives, some members of the Area Executive Committee, and the Area Women’s Ministry Leader, among others.

Report by Cape Coast Area Media Committee.

Trinidad & Tobago Organises 3-Day Evangelism Crusade WEB_11zon

Trinidad & Tobago Organises 3-Day Evangelism Crusade

by with No Comment Church NewsPENSA InternationalTop StoriesYouth Ministry

The external branch of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) in Trinidad & Tobago, under the leadership of Pastor Dr. E. Otu-Nyarko, recently organised a three-day evangelism crusade and medical outreach in San Juan Barataria, Trinidad.

The event was held in collaboration with the Youth & PENSA Ministry of CoP-USA.

The CoP-USA delegation, led by Apostle Dr. Michael Portuphy, Director for Youth and Pensa Ministry, included 15 medical professionals, his wife, Dr. Mrs. Cynthia Portuphy, and Pastor Fidelis Mensah of Kansas District.

Medical screenings were performed by doctors and nurses from the Pensa Ministry before the evangelism crusades, which were held in the evenings.

All services were offered free of charge, and donations of glucose monitors, blood pressure machines, eyeglasses, and other medical monitoring equipment were distributed to participants.

The Pensa Ministry also donated NIV Bibles and Tracts to aid in the evangelistic outreaches of the local church.

The presence of the Holy Spirit was felt throughout the event as musical performances and powerful gospel messages were delivered by Pastor Mensah and Apostle Dr. Mike Portuphy.

The sick were healed, demons were cast out, and 19 souls were won to Christ.

In another historic moment, six officers were ordained as Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses of the Church by Apostle Dr. Michael Portuphy, assisted by the National Head, Pastor Dr. Ebenezer Otu-Nyarko.

The ordination was the first of its kind in the Church.

PENTECOST NEWS

11 Trainees Graduate From Pentecost Skills Learning Centre

11 Trainees Graduate From Pentecost Skills Learning Centre

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Eleven trainees have completed their three-year apprenticeship training at the Pentecost Skills Learning Centre, a vocational training centre constructed by The Church of Pentecost, through the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), at Temaa in the North-East Region of Ghana.

The trainees, who were trained in dressmaking, pastry making, beads making, and hairdressing, graduated at a special ceremony held on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

In his speech at the event, the Walewale Area Head, Apostle Norman Appiah-Danquah, who chaired the ceremony, said that the skills-training project began under his predecessor, Apostle Francis Yaw Adu, with approval from the Church’s leadership and supported by the PENTSOS Directorate.

Apostle Norman Appiah-Danquah expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the members of the Executive Council for giving the project their full support.

He also congratulated the graduands for completing their training and encouraged them to demonstrate the skills acquired with integrity and hard work.

The Area Head further noted that the Church is very relevant and essential since it is the shining light that repels the darkness of the world and the salt of the earth given the mandate to correct the ills of society.

According to him, for the church to make a maximum impact in society, there is a need to mobilize all skills, talent, and ideas from every community to provide solutions to meet the challenges of the current generation.

“This can be done as persons allow themselves and reflect the beauty of Christ in the work they do,” he said.

The Walewale Area Head ended his speech by quoting Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

In an exhortation titled “Repositioning Artisanship to Possess the Nations” with Ephesians 2:10 as scripture reference, the Kpangal District Minister, Overseer Aaron Annum, encouraged the graduands to depend on God, who is the master artisan, in order to excel in their respective fields. He also urged them to be truthful and work hard with all diligence in their trade as artisans.

In her remarks, Mrs. Sandra Asiedu, the Principal of the Centre and wife of the Temaa District Minister, assured the graduates that God is the first artisan. She encouraged them to reflect Christ in their work, ensure that they work hard, and put all the skills acquired into practice.

The Pentecost Skills Learning Centre was initiated by the Temaa District Minister, Pastor George Asiedu, and his wife, Sandra, to equip members, especially the youth, with employable skills in line with the community transformation agenda of the Church’s five-year strategic vision (Vision 2023: Possessing the Nations).

The centre currently has fifteen apprentices training in dressmaking, pastries, beads-making, hairdressing, and weaving, who are being trained by four instructors.

Report by Temaa District Media Team

Stephen Ofori Amo Wins US Embassy's Photography Contest

Stephen Ofori Amo Wins US Embassy’s Photography Contest

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Stephen Ofori Amo, a member of the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Odorkor (PIWC-Odorkor), has won the prestigious “Capture the Change” photography contest organised by the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) in Ghana.

The “Capture the Change” photo contest is an initiative aimed at giving young Ghanaians a platform to showcase the impacts of climate change on their communities.

The contest received over 100 submissions from both professional and amateur photographers and was screened to ensure compliance with the competition’s rules. All photos had to have been taken in Ghana during 2023, depicting the effects of climate change and Ghanaians’ innovative adaptation approaches.

The top 15 images were shortlisted by six judges, including celebrated Ghanaian photographer Yaw Pare. The judges weighed photographic quality, relevance of the photo to the theme, storytelling, and the submission’s individual caption.

These images were posted on social media to assist the panel of judges in determining the top five images, from which they selected the ultimate winners.

Stephen Ofori Amo’s winning photo depicts a young child surrounded by the stark impacts of climate change, venting the frustrations of a generation yet seemingly ready to take action.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer, who announced the winners ahead of Earth Day commemorations, expressed her delight at the quality of the submissions and the passion shown by the young Ghanaians for environmental issues.

The “Capture the Change” photo contest was part of the US government’s commitment to partnering with Ghana to tackle the climate crisis.

The initiative is a step towards raising awareness about the effects of climate change and the need for innovative adaptation approaches among young Ghanaians.

The winning photos and others from the contest can be viewed on the embassy’s official website and social media platforms.

Ofori Amo is a conceptual/documentary photographer and an art director who portrays different perspectives in his visuals with compelling meaning.

It is also worth mentioning that Stephen was the first runner-up in the “Documentary of the Year” category of the AGORA global awards hosted in Spain last year.

Report by Emmanuel Atsu Djissenou

117 Women In Sefwi Afere District Given Free Skills Training

117 Women In Sefwi Afere District Given Free Skills Training

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesWomen's Ministry

The Juaboso Area Women’s Ministry of The  Church of Pentecost has organised a day’s Skills Training for 117 women in the Sefwi Afere District as part of efforts to empower women in the Area.

Thirty-seven of the beneficiaries were women from other churches in the community.

The women were taken through the preparation of bar soap, liquid soap, shower gel, and power zone, among others, at no cost.

The facilitator, Mrs Beatrice Dede Ohene-Asa Otu, CEO of Shabee Enterprise, who is the wife of the Juaboso Area Head, in collaboration with the leadership of the Juaboso Area Women’s Ministry, visited 12 out of the 15 districts in the Area, taking the women through free skills training as a way of creating wealth.

On his part, the Afere District Minister, Pastor Daniel T. Gyan Henanaopeh, admonished the beneficiaries to do well to implement the skills they have acquired.

Present at the occasion were the wife of the Area Head, the wife of the District Minister, the Area Women’s Leader, the District Women’s Ministry Executives, and some elders in the district.

Report by Pastor Daniel T. Gyan Henanaopeh, Sefwi Afere.

Imitate The Faith Of The Early Fathers - Apostle Kesse Tells Church Leaders

Imitate The Faith Of The Early Fathers – Apostle Kesse Tells Church Leaders

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The Suame Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle John O. Kesse, has advised Church leaders to imitate the faith of the early fathers of the Church to make maximum impact.

According to him, most of the early fathers of The Church of Pentecost had little or no formal education, but they carried Great Grace, which propelled them to do exploits for the Lord Jesus.

Apostle Kesse said this when he ministered at the “Time with the Fathers” programme organised by the Kwadaso Area. Reading from Jeremiah 6:16 and Hebrews 12:7, 17, Apostle Kesse stressed the need for the current generation of church leaders to remember the forebears, consider the outcome of their lifestyles, and imitate their faith.

Apostle Kesse revealed that the early leaders were able to do greater works because, among many other things, they knew Jesus intimately and saw his glory in various ways. “They had personal encounters with Jesus through personal devotion and consistent fasting and prayer life,” he said.

The Suame Area Head added that the early leaders demonstrated the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit through miracles, signs, and wonders at all times and in various ways in the church.

Drawing from several personal encounters with some of the early fathers of the church, he said that the founding leaders of the Church were very focused on preaching the Gospel in power, leading members to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and demonstrating practical humility despite the great Grace of God upon their lives.

According to him, Prophet M.K. Yeboah, a former Chairman of the Church, once said that the highest demonstration of Christian maturity is humility.

“This indicates that our fathers had a deep concern for the welfare of members as shown in their passion for visitation and the art of mentioning individual names during intercession,” he said.

He further stated that the founding leaders of the church were very prayerful, as evidenced in this mantra of the founder and first Chairman of the Church, Pastor James McKeown: “The work is prayer, and prayer is the work.”

Apostle Kesse noted that these ‘paths,’ although ancient, are responsible for the great impact the forebears of the Church made. He, therefore, urged the current generation of Church leaders and members to walk in their footsteps and also teach their children to have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus.

Report by: Kwadaso Area Media

Your Faith & True Love Is Tested Through Trial

Your Faith & True Love Is Tested Through Trial

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As Christians, we often speak of our love for God and our unwavering faith in Him. But when trials and challenges come our way, do we still maintain that same level of love and faith? It is in these moments that our true love for God is tested.

In the book of James, we are reminded that trials will come our way, but they serve a purpose in our spiritual growth: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3, NIV). Our faith is not meant to be stagnant, but instead, it is to be strengthened through trials so that we may become more steadfast and mature in our walk with God.

The story of Job in the Old Testament is a powerful example of how trials can test our faith and love for God. Job was a righteous man who feared God and shunned evil, yet he faced unimaginable suffering when he lost his wealth, health, and family. Despite all this, Job did not curse God, but instead, he remained faithful and continued to praise Him. In the end, God restored Job’s health, blessed him with more children, and doubled his wealth (Job 42:10-17).

Another example is that of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-40. They were imprisoned and beaten for preaching the gospel, yet they continued to worship God through singing hymns and praying. Their love for God and faith in Him did not waiver even in the midst of extreme hardship. Their unwavering faith led to a miraculous deliverance from their prison cell.

Do not see the situation, see Christ incthe situation and focus on him.

Trials can come in many forms: physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual. But it is how we respond to these trials that reveal our true love for God. We must remember that God does not abandon us in our trials, but instead, He walks with us through them. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). It is through trials that we can experience God’s faithfulness, provision, and comfort like never before.

There is the need to put God’s word in his presence as the ultimate source of truth and challenge him in time of trials. If there is a second nailing of Christ, the nail, the cross, and the situation should be his word.

In conclusion, our love for God is tested through trials, but it is in these moments that we can grow in our faith and become more steadfast in our walk with Him. As we face trials, let us hold on to the promises of God and trust in His goodness and faithfulness. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV). Let us remain faithful and continue to love and serve God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Written by Justice Tsormana

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Tsormana, J. (2022). Faith: Biblical Examples & Personal Experiences.

2. The Holy Bible.