Posts in category: Top Stories

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Numbers 13:30 – 33, Act 1:8, Heb. 13:6, Philippians 1:6

Self-confidence, an inner belief in one’s abilities and worth is a pivotal force that has the potential to transform not only individual lives but also the world around us. Unleashing self-confidence in an unleashed people of God suggests the idea of empowering God’s people who are already connected to a higher power (God) with self-confidence to bring about transformation in their surroundings. It implies that when such people have a strong belief in themselves and their abilities, they can make a significant impact on their world. The people of God, when unleashed, are connected to God and have the potential to bring about transformation. Being unleashed means they are set free from limitations and barriers, and when equipped with self-confidence, they can transform their world with ease.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical passage, Caleb displayed great self-confidence in Numbers 13:30-33. Despite facing opposition and having to confront giants in the land of Canaan, he remained steadfast and resolute in his belief that they could conquer the land. His unwavering faith in himself and in God’s promise gave him the courage to stand tall and face their challenges head-on. He had in focus the task and the promise of God for them, regardless of the bad report spread across the Israelites by the men who had gone up with him. The transformation of the world comes with its own opposition and push-backs, but the unleashed people ought to stand head-on to push back the push-backs. God might have promised us the power and will to transform our world, but He demands our self-confidence for actualization. There are some people possessing the power and the grace of God on their lives but lack self-confidence. “The coming of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is accompanied by God’s power for works, but the moves depend on self-confidence (Act 1:8). We found this from Peter’s actions on the day of Pentecost. We can as well say with Confidence: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Heb. 13:6). The transformation of the world can be made possible when the unleashed people of God realize their inner strengths and abilities.

THE NEED TO UNLEASH SELF-CONFIDENCE IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Do you think self-confidence can impact the abilities of the unleashed people of God to bring about transformation in their world? Yes, it plays a crucial role in their ability to bring about the transformation we are aiming at, for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Philippians 4:13).

In Numbers 13:30-33, we see the mention of two groups of people that God through Moses unleashed them to explore the land of Canaan: The Caleb group and the Caleb escorts group of unleashed people.

THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

The Caleb group consisted of Caleb and Joshua, who were among the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. They were known for their self-confidence and faith in God’s promises. Despite the majority of the spies giving a negative report about the land, Caleb and Joshua remained confident in God’s ability to give them victory. This group of people is what we look forward to seeing in the current generation of the unleashed people of God. A people who are ready and energetic to make a positive difference, filled with power in action, and always move with the avowal “We can certainly do it” as in the case of Caleb and Joshua. They are bold and fearless.

THE CALEB ESCORT GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

The Caleb escorts group, on the other hand, refers to the rest of the spies who gave a discouraging report. They lacked the same self-confidence as Caleb and Joshua and allowed fear and doubt to cloud their judgment. This lack of self-confidence led to a negative outlook on the situation and caused the Israelites to lose faith in God’s promises.

Despite being spiritual or unleashed with God’s direction, it is another thing to have belief in oneself and one’s abilities. Caleb and Joshua’s self-confidence allowed them to see the potential for success, even in the face of challenges. On the other hand, the lack of self-confidence among the other spies hindered their ability to see beyond their fears and limitations.

THE IMPACTS OF SELF-CONFIDENCE ON THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE

• Taking Initiative
• Overcoming Challenges
• Inspiring Others
• Effective Communication
• Building Relationships

WHEN SELF-CONFIDENCE MEETS SPIRITUALITY; THE CALEB GROUP OF UNLEASHED PEOPLE OF GOD

Self-confidence can have a significant impact on spirituality, as it involves having faith in oneself and in a higher power. In the story of Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 13:30-33, their self-confidence played a crucial role in their spiritual journey.

Caleb and Joshua teach us that self-confidence, when grounded in faith and a higher purpose, can strengthen our spirituality. It enables us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and have the courage to face challenges and pursue our spiritual journey. It reminds us that with belief in ourselves and in a higher power, we can overcome obstacles and fulfill our spiritual potential.

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of individuals who transformed their world through their self-confidence. One such character is David, who, despite being a young shepherd, defeated the giant Goliath with nothing but a sling and a stone. His unwavering belief in his abilities and trust in God’s guidance enabled him to achieve the impossible.

Another example is Esther, who displayed immense self-confidence by risking her life to approach the king and save her people from destruction. Despite the potential consequences, she believed that she had a purpose and that her actions would make a difference. Through her courage and self-assuredness, she transformed the fate of an entire nation.

Possessing self-confidence cannot be overstated. It allows individuals to overcome self-doubt, take risks, and pursue their dreams. Self-confidence breeds resilience and perseverance, enabling individuals to bounce back from failures and setbacks. It empowers people to step outside their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unleash their full potential.

In addition to its impact on individuals, self-confidence plays a significant role in societal and global transformations. When individuals believe in themselves, they are more likely to take initiative, lead, and inspire others. Self-confidence fosters innovation and creativity, as individuals are willing to explore new ideas and take calculated risks. This, in turn, leads to progress and positive change in various aspects of society.

Self-confidence is a pivotal force that has the potential to transform our world. By understanding its meaning and strength, and by drawing inspiration from biblical characters who displayed remarkable self-confidence, we can realize the importance of possessing this attribute in our own lives. Let us strive to embrace self-confidence, overcome our fears and insecurities, and become catalysts for positive change in our world. Let’s position ourselves among the Caleb group of unleashed people of God, for we can certainly do it.

Written by Elder Confidence Assan (Nyamenle Kwagyina District, Axim Area)

The unveiling of the Vision 2028 document of The Church of Pentecost came with nine new special initiatives. One of the special initiatives introduced in the five-year working document is the Ministry to Celebrities. A celebrity is a person who has achieved a high level of fame, recognition, and popularity in a particular field, such as entertainment, sports, politics, or other areas of public interest. Celebrities often attract attention and admiration from the public due to their accomplishments, talents, or contributions to society. The word “celebrity” is a broad term and can encompass individuals known for their positive achievements as well as those who gain fame through controversy or scandal. A ‘Slaybrity’, on the other hand, refers to individuals known for their stylish appearance and influence on social media. In this article, I will walk you through the rationale behind the vision, scan through some celebrities in the Bible, celebrity by choice or chance, and how the church should prepare to receive these people in the church.

RATIONALE OF THE VISION

The Church aims to reach out to celebrities with the gospel and disciple and mentor them for societal transformation. Most celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ have thousands and millions of followers whose lives are being influenced by the content posted on social media handles. Reaching out to celebrities with the power of the gospel to transform their lives, and they, in turn, can also reach out and transform the lives of their followers through social media handles.

CELEBRITIES IN THE BIBLE

The Bible contains accounts of many prominent people who could be termed as celebrities due to the number of times their names were mentioned in the Bible and the continuous lessons drawn from their lives in our contemporary times. A few of these people include Adam, Eve, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Esther, Daniel, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, and many more. However, the greatest celebrity the world has ever seen is Jesus Christ. From over two thousand years ago till now, all generations have known about Jesus Christ; millions of books have been written about Him, and countless songs have been composed and sung about Him. His name is always mentioned in sermons; we pray in His name, talk about Him, cast out devils and heal the sick through His name. His name and fame never die and fade from generation to generation. For all other celebrities and slaybrities, you are only relevant and acknowledged while still alive, and you keep on influencing society to keep you as a celebrity, but the celebrity status of Jesus Christ is everlasting.

BECOMING A CELEBRITY – BY CHOICE VS CHANCE

In our world driven by social media and the power of the internet, anyone at all at any moment in time could become a celebrity. While some people make deliberate and conscious efforts to become celebrities and ‘slaybrities’, others meet fame by chance and become popular through the unsolicited efforts of individuals that made them trend for something worthy of public attention. Until the body of Christ arises to the task of making efforts to reach out to celebrities, a lot may need spiritual nourishment and growth in Christ but may not be attended to because they have been cut off from religious gatherings.

HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH PREPARE?

• Avoid discriminatory and unguarded comments: Sometimes, a lot of efforts are made to win souls, but we lose them through the backdoor of discriminatory and unguarded comments. The very things we say about people, the ‘holier than thou’ attitudes we put up, and the comments made about people and celebrities can signal a friendly and welcoming spiritual atmosphere or a hostile one. Let your tongue draw all men to Christ but not drive them away.

• Teach to prepare the minds of the church: As pastors and church leaders, we have a lot of work to do. It takes time for people to understand and fully embrace new directives and offer maximum support. A lot of teaching and orientations need to be done to ensure that the ministry to celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ will serve its purpose.

• Who handles the new members and new converts classes? As we aim for excellence in ministry, it is important to have a critical look at those assigned to handle new converts and new members’ classes. The caliber of people that handle these classes, as well as the level of their knowledge and expertise, is very critical. First impressions and the quality of knowledge given to people to ground them in Christ are very important. New and better ways of receiving new converts and first-time visitors should be explored and improved.

• All-Inclusive Gospel Agenda:Over the years, The Church of Pentecost has earnestly pursued an All-Inclusive Gospel Agenda to reach out to all people without discrimination, regardless of their background, race, social status, and past experiences. The Church of Pentecost operates with the belief that the message of the cross that brings salvation, love, and redemption is meant for all people. This concept promotes inclusivity and the understanding that the transformative power of the Gospel is available to all people. In Christ, everyone’s soul counts and matters in the Kingdom of God.

• Embrace the City Church Concept: Celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ may not feel comfortable worshiping with churches that meet in the classroom and churches without standard modern facilities and technological advancements. They will not be able to ‘slay’ and take quality pictures in beautiful environments for their social media handles. The City Church concept, when embraced, will not only pursue an aggressive evangelism agenda but can also sieve and cut off the excesses witnessed in local church settings, which could put off celebrities and expatriates. Most expatriates and celebrities have traveled widely and expect a certain standard of infrastructure and quality service to meet their needs and expectations. In the city churches, time management, standard church services, and ‘quality sermons’ from the pulpit will be the icing on the cake.

• Avoid and Manage Embarrassing Situations: It is important to note that the name and fame of some celebrities and ‘slaybrities’ are not commensurate with their wealth and financial status as projected on social media. Living a fake life got many people into the limelight, but one cannot fake when reality stares you in the face. Some of these people may not be as rich as they present themselves. The leadership of the church should be careful and led by the Holy Spirit to not put celebrities in embarrassing situations during fundraising. This could prevent them from coming to church so that they will not be exposed and become an object of mockery.

• Formation of Celebrity and Professionals Guild: In life, people love to flow and mingle with people of their kind. Forming celebrity and professional guilds will enhance a sense of belonging, foster proper networking, offer support to one another, deploy the skills of professionals when needed, plan for celebrity outreach programs and enhance spiritual growth and development among like-minded people. It may be an awkward feeling to visit any church, and you may not be able to find anyone of your status and level of education. ‘Big Boys’ love to be in the company of ‘Big Boys’ and Celebrities, and ‘Slaybrities’ also love to fellowship with their very own, for they easily understand themselves.

CONCLUSION

Vision 2028 is an all-inclusive vision and cuts across all spheres of life. As a church, let us extend our arms open to all people and keep our doors open to welcome and receive all who seek spiritual nourishment, guidance, and a sense of belonging within the body of Christ. It is our core mandate to reach out to everyone with the power of the gospel, disciple and mentor, and then unleash them to transform their world.

Written by Overseer Ernest K. Akorli (Kpasenkpe District)

It goes without an iota of equivocation that the 2024 Global All Ministers and Wives Conference, which was held from Monday, January 22 to Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Pentecost Convention Center, has been one of a kind, unapparelled and unconventional. The conference was historic because it was a “servant to two masters”. It was to unravel the mysteries within the church’s Vision 2023 document and prepare it for Vision 2028, the church’s five–year working document. These two assignments were discharged with dexterity and finesse.

One cannot easily forget the ministrations that dripped stupendously from the throne room down the throat of the evergreen Voice of Pentecost and through to the itching ears of all and sundry. To say that the presentations from the various speakers were cutting-edge is to understate what went on throughout the sessions. All our fathers and speakers executed their assigned roles to the admiration of all.

As it was to be, our dear Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, took his turn to present to the Lord’s flock all that the Lord had laid on his heart for the church in the coming year. Participants agreed session after session that our chairman’s is a gift to global Christianity. One of his presentations on the “City Church Concept” cannot easily go unnoticed. Reminiscing all the slides from the presentation, one thing struck my heart, which is the focal point of this article. I realised that if the church really would stay relevant in the cities, especially in Ghana, then we cannot keep doing things the old way, something which our dearest chairman addressed throughout his presentation.

Akin to the New Wine and the Old Wineskin metaphor, as found in Luke 5:27 – 39, Matthew 9:14 – 17 and Mark 2: 18 – 22, we cannot keep applying what works in less endowed towns to ministry in the city. Jesus’ parable of the new wine and the old wineskin reveals an age-old challenge of how each generation attempts to preserve old traditions for posterity. One of the challenges Jesus dealt with during his earthly ministry was confronting archaic traditions and old Jewish ceremonial forms and practices, which were incompatible with His message about the Kingdom of God (Shenk 2005). Consequently, Jesus’ parable meant that new generations must have fresh reflections on their theological formulations and traditions. I think our dear chairman is making an equal appeal as far as the city ministry is concerned.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, 2022 represents a peak in Ghana’s share of Urbanization with a significant percentage increase to 58.62%. A population may be defined as urban, depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the town or city coupled with available social amenities and other infrastructural developments. Looking at the rate of increase, it is expected that Ghana will have not less than 85% of its population in the cities in the next ten years, barring any change in rural life.

THE WAY FORWARD

Coupled with the thoughts above and the fact that much of the church’s strength in all indicators is urban–driven, ministry in the urban centres must be given a second look. Among many things the revered man of God postulated, the under-listed could guide urban ministry to achieve its intended purposes:

• To improve quality pastoral care, we must downsize the number of Assemblies under a minister’s care. The bigger the district, the less the supervision
• City churches must be time–conscious. Many things could be done in a succinct yet Spirit–filled way. For example, we must control the number of announcements which flood every Sunday service. Hitherto, announcements alone could take a whooping one hour. One way to achieve this is to write the announcements in the announcements’ book and not give them extempore
• The citing of churches is also very necessary. Churches should not be situated too far from accessible roads and pedestrian visibility
• We must pay attention to the quality of our services and ensure that we put much training and rehearsals into each session. We must also give contextual relevance to whatever we do during church services
• The Music department must be well-resourced. They must also have time to pray so that they do not only come to the stage to “perform” but to “minister’ to specific needs as well
• The Media Ministry of the churches must be well–empowered to improve the visibility of our churches. As much as possible, messages should be projected on screens as well, and all digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and others should be explored for the church
• The district minister must, as a matter of urgency, visit these churches regularly and impact them positively
• Sermons preached on Sundays must be apt, sharp and straight from the throne room in order to have a lasting impact on the members, some of whom come to church only on Sundays for obvious reasons
• Leaders must pay attention to the protocol and hospitality department in our bid to keep old members as well as “Church – shoppers”. The age-old practice where New Comers are made to stand up to tell their mission of attending services is gradually becoming obsolete
• We must endeavour to livestream most of our services to enhance visibility
• Bible study and Home Cell leaders, as well as preachers for Sundays, must appear prepared for each session in order not to spark mistrust from the members, especially those visiting as first–timers
• Owing to the vast area of the city, we must keep proper records of members and newcomers in order to enhance pastoral care. In the city, the principle for owning a member is that “He who has the member on Sunday owns the member”. Many nominal members have only their names or ‘shadows’ in churches but owe allegiance to other churches
• The appointment of leaders to these churches must be well thought through, especially officers who will oversee the day-to-day administration of the church
• The principle of “The Discipleship” mantra should be relooked. Members could be divided into groups and given shepherds to supervise their movements in the pen. This would ensure that the “backdoor” is tightly shut
• The pastor and the laity must be all things to all people. The city is cosmopolitan in nature. Hence, leaders must, like Apostle Paul, become “all things to all people”. When necessary, they must be dynamic in nature and ministry. They should operate in all the five–fold ministry as the case may call for. They must become disciplinarians when needed and shepherds when duty calls. The needs of the members vary vastly, and a slight negligence would be catastrophic

CONCLUSION

Our dear chairman, through the instrumentation of the Holy Spirit, has intimated for the umpteenth time that the city holds a chunk of our strength. In view of this, the Pareto principle comes in very handy. This principle opines that, for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. In other words, a small percentage of causes have an outsized effect. Such is the case of the City Churches and, hence, a clarion call to give these churches a second look.

Written by Pastor Bright Amankwah (Dawhenya District, Tema Area)