Maiden Sign Language Interpreters Conference Held web

Maiden Sign Language Interpreters Conference Held

by with No Comment Church NewsMPWDsTop Stories

The first edition of the Sign Language Interpreters Conference, organised by the Ministry to Persons With Disabilities (MPWDs) of The Church of Pentecost, has been held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa-Fetteh.

The groundbreaking event, which was aimed to equip sign language interpreters, both psychologically and spiritually, took place from September 13-14, 2024. It was attended by 120 sign language interpreters.

In his opening address, Pastor Alexander Nyame (MPWDs National Coordinator), highlighted the challenges faced by the over two million Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana, according to recent statistics. He stressed the importance of Vision 2028, the church’s strategic agenda to possess the nations, which emphasises the inclusion of people with disabilities.

‘For people with hearing impairments, the only way to receive information is through sight,’ he stated, stressing the numerous barriers they encounter in a world that often makes it difficult for them to fully comprehend their surroundings.

According to him, the interpreters will return to their communities better equipped to communicate with and support individuals with hearing impairments.

The Vice-Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong Kodua, on his part, called on Christians involved in specialised ministries to serve with both spiritual depth and great character.

He stressed that the gap between the current world and the world to come is vast, and Christians must bridge this gap through their service.

He highlighted the dual message of the cross of Calvary: The power to heal and the grace to care through various interventions.

‘There is enormous healing flowing from the cross,’ he said, while encouraging believers to rely on the power of Christ while embracing the grace to support those with disabilities.

Apostle Kodua encouraged the participants not to let their current situations or perceived limitations define them, but rather see these as opportunities for mutual partnerships and better outcomes.

He concluded by reminding those in ministry that they may be the only Bible that some people can ‘read’ or the only representation of Christ that others can ‘see.’

Pastor Richard Atobrah, the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Campus Pastor at the University of Education, Winneba, also called on interpreters, especially those serving in the church to embrace their role as a divine calling, stressing the vital connection between their spirituality and the effectiveness of their interpretation.

Speaking on the topic, ‘The Spiritual Life of the Interpreter,’ Pastor Atobrah described the interpreter as both the ‘voice of God’ and ‘the ear of the people.’

‘All preachers or teachers of the Bible are interpreters,’ he explained, highlighting that the interest of listeners is sustained by the interpreter’s spirituality and demeanour.

Pastor Atobrah reminded them that sign language is a form of God’s communication, pointing to how God uses signs, such as the weather and celestial bodies, to mark times and seasons.

‘The first person to sign to human beings was God,’ he noted, underlining the sacred nature of the interpreter’s work.

The Campus Pastor also reminded interpreters to take their role seriously, saying, ‘See what you are coming to do as the work of God and put on your best.’

He added: ‘See yourselves as someone God has chosen to use at this time. You are a vessel God can use.’

Other notable speakers for the conference included Pastor Reuben Awuni (National Coordinator, Deaf Ministry) who presented on ‘Understanding the Deaf Community,’ Mr Clement Sam (National Association of Sign Language Interpreters – Ghana) who covered ‘Ethics and Rules of Conduct in Interpreting’ and Mr Emmanuel Lartey (Sign Language Interpreter, CoP HQ) who discussed ‘Interpreting Techniques.’

Also present at the event were Mrs Evelyn Nyame, wife of the MPWDs Coordinator; Pastor Joshua Semador (MPWDs Northern Sector Coordinator), and Pastor Isaac Aboagye (Godokpe District).

PENTECOST NEWS

Old Tafo Area Children’s Ministry Holds Funfair Games web

Old Tafo Area Children’s Ministry Holds Funfair Games

by with No Comment Children's MinistryChurch NewsTop Stories

The Children’s Ministry of the Old Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with Peace Specialty Hospital, has successfully held its annual fun fair games.

The fun games took place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Our Lady School of Grace in the Kwabre East Municipality.

This second edition of the event attracted over 2,800 children, creating an atmosphere filled with joy and excitement.

Under the supervision of their teachers, the children participated in a variety of games, including soccer, volleyball, bouncing castle, swimming, horse ride, and athletics. The ministry leaders also engaged with street children as part of their evangelistic efforts, leading many to embrace the teachings of Christ through the fun activities.

Pastor Bennet Ayisi, the Kumasi Sector Children’s Ministry Pastor, who was present at the event, praised the Area Leader for initiative aimed at fostering fellowship among the children. He encouraged other areas to replicate the effort to support the growth of young individuals.

Pastor Kenneth Akomea Koah, the Area Children’s Ministry Leader, stressed the importance of such activities, highlighting that the Church’s mission extends beyond spiritual guidance to encompass holistic development, positively impacting every soul.

About 500 children registered and renewed their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards, which was facilitated by Peace Specialty Hospital.

Report by Dennis Owusu

Evangelism Outreach at Yilo Krobo SHS Yields 108 Souls web

Evangelism Outreach at Yilo Krobo SHS Yields 108 Souls

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesWomen's Ministry

The Women’s Ministry Directorate of The Church of Pentecost, led by its Director, Deaconess Mrs. Philomina Mireku, embarked on an evangelism outreach at the Yilo Krobo Senior High School, resulting in 108 students surrendering their lives to Christ.

The outreach, which was part of the Director’s working visit to the Agormanya Area from Wednesday, 11th to Friday, 13th September 2024, took place on Friday, 13th September 2024. Deaconess Mireku was accompanied by her deputy, Deaconess Mrs. Vivian Amfo, and Deaconess Prof. Gladys Quartey, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). It was held in collaboration with the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) of the Agormanya Area.

The Women’s Ministry delegation that visited the school was led by Apostle Dr. Samuel Gakpetor (Agormanya Area Head), his wife, Mrs. Grace Gakpetor, and the Area Women’s Ministry leadership.

Addressing over 1,200 students and 48 parents on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, Deaconess Philomina Mireku admonished the students to put God first in all they do and to take their studies seriously. She called on the students to accept Jesus Christ and worship Him alone, as He is the only Savior of the world accredited by God to redeem mankind from the power of darkness.

The Deputy Women’s Director, Deaconess Vivian Amfo, took her turn to speak on the topic “Critical Choices.” She counseled the students to set achievable goals and to be determined to achieve them through hard work, diligence, and total reliance on God.

She also advised the students to avoid placing their trust in humans, as human beings are limited in capacity and will, and are prone to disappointment.

Among the crucial factors emphasised by the Deputy Women’s Director in making rightful choices were setting goals, maintaining focus, determination, hard work, and relying on God’s enabling grace. Deaconess Prof. Gladys Quartey then led an intensive prayer session.

At the end of the programme, over 108 students surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, with 200 other students rededicating their lives to God.

The delegation presented over 1,000 pens to the students and made a cash donation of GHC 1,500.00 to the school.

The Women’s Ministry Director took the opportunity to wish the students success in their upcoming WASSCE exams and also prayed for them.

Report by Agormanya Area Media Team

Sawla Area Holds 3-Day Pastorate & Wives’ Retreat web

Sawla Area Holds 3-Day Pastorate & Wives’ Retreat

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The Sawla Area of The Church of Pentecost has organized a three-day fasting and prayer retreat for the pastorate and their wives.

The retreat, which was held under the theme “Unleashed with the Holy Ghost to Transform Our World,” took place from Wednesday, August 11, to Friday, August 13, 2024, at the Sawla English Assembly Auditorium.

The Sawla Area Head, Pastor Frederick Obboh, who initiated the event, led the ministers and their wives through sessions on effective ministry and the need to partner with the Holy Spirit for excellence in ministry.

In a presentation entitled “Sowing Righteousness and Reaping the Benefits,” Pastor Obboh underscored the need for ministers to live righteous lives because it reflects the nature of God. Therefore, ministers must exhibit and practice this communicable attribute of God.

The Area Head further noted that in righteousness, Christians are established and grounded to impact their spheres as the salt and light of the world.

Referencing Hosea 10:12 and Galatians 6:7, Pastor Obboh stressed that a minister’s anointing is dependent on righteousness, which acts as a catalyst for receiving more oil than others.

According to him, righteousness means standing right with God and remaining right with Him at all times. The minister, as a messenger of God, must live and be clothed with righteousness, for it is the nature of the God the minister represents. Anything short of this is unacceptable.

Pastor Obboh admonished the ministers to watch their ways, love their wives, and be mindful of how they use mobile phones. He emphasized that a minister must be holy and righteous at all times, regardless of who is present or who can see them.

The ministers were also taken through pastoralia to help equip them to effectively carry out their unleashing and transformational mandate. New ministers who recently joined the Area were oriented on the work and their role as missionaries of God in the Area. The ministers and their wives expressed gratitude to the Area Head and his wife for the impact they made on their lives during the retreat.

Report by Pastor Jones Dwomoh Amankwah

Man Loses Everything In Fire, Only Bible Left Unburnt web

Man Loses Everything In Fire, Only Bible Left Unburnt

by with No Comment Church NewsTestimoniesTop Stories

David-Denise Kwasi Antwi, a member of The Church of Pentecost in the Sampa District of the Berekum Area, lost all his property in a fire that gutted his apartment in Sampa, the capital of Jaman North District in the Bono Region.

Miraculously, the only items that survived the blaze were his two Bibles – one for himself and one for his son.

According to Antwi, the incident occurred on September 2, 2024, at around 4:00 pm while he was away. He lost all his possessions, including GHS 12,050.00, furniture, clothes, a television set, and more.

The whole Sampa community is particularly astonished by how the two Bibles, placed in different locations in the room, remained unscathed. Antwi explained that his personal Bible was on a bag placed on a table. Both the table and the bag were burnt beyond recognition, yet the Bible remained intact. Similarly, his son’s Bible was untouched, despite everything around it being completely destroyed.

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Antwi, though heartbroken, said the incident has strengthened his faith in the Bible, affirming it as truly the word of God. He noted that while one can lose all material possessions accumulated over many years, the word of God, as represented by the Bible, is indestructible.

Pastor Samuel Akuamoah Boateng, the Sampa District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, confirmed the incident to PENTECOST NEWS. He mentioned that a Muslim neighbour was so amazed by the survival of the Bibles that she now believes in the power of the Bible as the word of God.

Pastor Boateng has appealed to the church community to support Brother  Antwi, who is in dire need of assistance to rebuild his life.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire.

PENTECOST NEWS

WOMEN’S MINISTRY DIRECTORATE DONATES TO NANA AFRAKOMA ON HER 60TH ANNIVERSARY web

Women’s Ministry Directorate Donates To Nana Afrakoma On Her 60th Anniversary

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesWomen's Ministry

The Women’s Ministry Directorate of The Church of Pentecost, led by Mrs Philomina Mireku, visited the Akwamuman Royal Palace on September 13, 2024, to congratulate Nana Afrakoma II, the Queen of Akwamuman, on the 60th anniversary of her reign.

Nana Afrakoma became queen at the age of 18 and is recognised as the leader of all Queen Mothers in Ghana due to her extensive experience and peaceful leadership.

During their visit to the Agormanya Area of the church, the Directorate took the opportunity to visit the queen at her palace. The delegation included Apostle Dr Samuel and Mrs Gakpetor (Agormanya Area Head), the Area Women’s Ministry Executive Committee members, the Area pastorate, and members of the ministry in the Akwamu Zone.

Nana Afrakoma, who was extremely happy to see the leadership of the Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, warmly welcomed them to her palace.  

Mrs Mireku explained that the visit was in commemoration of the queen’s 60th anniversary. She praised Nana Afrakoma’s distinguished reign, noting that her 60 years as queen is a credit to womanhood. She added that the Directorate of the Women’s Ministry decided to congratulate her as part of its mission to make a positive societal impact, a vision championed by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

To mark the occasion, Mrs Mireku presented a hamper to Nana Afrakoma on behalf of the Women’s Ministry. The hamper included Vlisco Holland Cloths, rice, assorted drinks, other provisions, and Women’s Ministry cloth and scarf. The queen was draped in the Women’s Ministry cloth, symbolising love, acceptance, trust, and deep appreciation.

Nana Afrakoma expressed her gratitude for the visit and the donation. She thanked the Women’s Ministry Directorate for their thoughtful gesture and blessed the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for empowering its women to make a positive societal impact.

She advised the Women’s Ministry to take their church roles seriously and strive for excellence to receive the Lord’s blessings and recognition.

Reflecting on her own life, she shared that she became queen at 18 and, through dedication, hard work, and a peaceful nature, has become the longest-serving queen. She encouraged the Women’s Ministry Directorate to work hard and achieve great success during their tenure.

Report by Professor Mrs Gladys Quartey

Demonstrate God’s Power – Apostle Oboubi To Christians web

Demonstrate God’s Power – Apostle Oboubi To Christians

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With GsTop Stories

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Oboubi, has stated that Christians have been called to demonstrate God’s power.

He made the call on Sunday, September 15, 2024, when speaking at the Danquah Worship Centre in La Area to climax their District Week.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Unleashed With Power’ with scriptural reference to Luke 24:4; 4:20, Apostle Oboubi revealed that Christians have been called into the kingdom of God which is a kingdom of power, hence they carry power.

He emphasised that not only must Christians carry power, they must demonstrate it.

He indicated that the church’s Vision 2028, which is to possess the nations and transform it with the values and principles of God’s Kingdom, is similar to the Great Commission which Jesus gave to His disciples.

The General Secretary mentioned that two things are key in possessing nations – godliness and power.

He explained that godliness is important because Christians go out as ambassadors of God and are expected to demonstrate Christlike character.

Touching on power (from the Holy Spirit), he indicated that Jesus knowing the importance of this asked His disciples to wait until they receive the power of the Holy Spirit before they go out to undertake the Great Commission.

The chief scribe highlighted that the power to transform the world is not a reserve of any group of people but is present in anyone who has received the Holy Spirit, saying, ‘So long as the Holy Spirit abides in you, you carry the power of God.’

He revealed two effects of power as power to be and become what God wants one to become and power to perform supernatural acts.

He called on all to yearn for power because ‘the possessing the nations agenda will be successful when the children of God are unleashed with power.’

PENTECOST NEWS

ELMINA AREA INAUGURATED web

Elmina Area Inaugurated

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The newly created Elmina Area of The Church of Pentecost has been inaugurated by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe. The new area was created out of the Cape Coast Area.

The historic and glorious ceremony took place at the Elmina Central Auditorium on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

The service also welcomed the pioneer Area Head, Apostle Lawrence and Mrs Dr Cynthia Oduro-Nyarko and their family.

In his response, Apostle Lawrence Oduro-Nyarko thanked God for successfully seeing his family through two years of service in the Ibadan Area, Nigeria.

He expressed his profound appreciation to the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the Executive Council for their love and support. He also extended special thanks to the IMD, the immediate past Cape Coast Area Head, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (now retired), and the entire pastorate, officers, and members in the new area.

Apostle Oduro-Nyarko revealed that God has brought them to the Elmina Area to work. He called on everyone to come on board so that together they can build a glorious church to possess the area and its environs to the glory of God.

Report by Elmina Area Media Team

Nchiraa District Organises Free Vacation Classes For School Children web

Nchiraa District Organises Free Vacation Classes For School Children

by with No Comment Children's MinistryChurch NewsTop Stories

The Nchiraa District in Kintampo Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised free vacation classes for all children within Nchiraa, a community in the Bono Region of Ghana.

The initiative, led by the District Minister, Pastor Osei Tutu Amponsah, who doubles as the Kintampo Area Children’s Ministry leader, attracted close to 100 children from different denominations and religious backgrounds in the area.

As part of the programme, pupils were taken through their regular academic curriculum, as well as extracurricular activities, including playing the musical instruments.

Speaking on the motivation and impact of the initiative, Pastor Amponsah highlighted the opportunity the church saw in engaging students during the long vacation.

‘As has been the practice, children are normally left to wander with little care during their vacation holidays, while parents go about their daily activities,’ he said, adding, ‘In the spirit of possessing the nations and transforming our spheres, the church identified an opportunity to positively impact the lives of these children through such an initiative.’

According to the district minister, in addition to the academic knowledge the children gained, they were taught other skills, interacted with other children, and studied the word of God through daily devotions that were held before classes began.

At the end of the programme, the children and their parents shared testimonies about how they benefitted from it. They were optimistic that the initiative will be sustained to positively impact the academic, social and spiritual lives of children in the community.

Report by Kintampo Area Media Team.

Police Officer Donates Motorbike To Asikafo Amantem District web

Police Officer Donates Motorbike To Asikafo Amantem District

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Djan-Yeboah and his wife, Francisca, who reside in Tema, have generously donated a motorbike valued at GHS 18,000.00 to the Asikafo Amantem District, near Goka in the Berekum Area of The Church of Pentecost.

DSP Djan-Yeboah, an elder of the church and a native of the town, responded to an appeal made by his sister, Deaconess Janet Asum-Ahensah, due to the district’s inability to raise adequate funds for the motorbike.

On behalf of Elder DSP Djan-Yeboah and his wife, the motorbike was presented to the district on July 31, 2024, by Deaconess Janet Asum-Ahensah and Deacon Gyan Joseph.

The District Minister, Pastor Ebenezer Christopher Tetteh, his wife, Christiana, and the District Transport Committee Chairman, Elder Jacob Twene, expressed their gratitude for the generosity shown by the senior police officer and his wife.

Pastor Tetteh, on behalf of the church leadership, thanked Elder DSP Djan-Yeboah and his family for their timely intervention.

The district minister also acknowledged the support of Mr Emmanuel Ankamah (aka Kwaku Kesie), who had consistently made his motorbike available for the district minister’s use until the new motorbike was acquired.

Elder Jacob Yaw Twene, on his part, appealed for further support to purchase an official vehicle for the district to facilitate the district minister’s movements.

The Asikafo Amantem District, established in 2023, had faced transportation challenges, with the district pastor relying on the motorbikes of some members for his ministerial work.

Report by Brother Alfred Dabie, District Reporter.