Do Not Force Members To Accept Your Culture – Apostle Bekoe Tells Missionaries

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The International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, has admonished missionaries to eschew forcing their native countries’ cultures on the members of the nations they serve as missionaries.

According to Apostle Agyemang Bekoe, the only permissible are the policies and doctrines of the church, which are the main foundation of the church, saying, “Don’t force them to accept your culture, rather engage with theirs.”

Apostle Agyemang Bekoe said this on Monday, July 4, 2022, during the Orientation Course for Missionaries of The Church of Pentecost held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh. The orientation was being organised by the International Missions Directorate of the church.

Addressing the missionaries on the topic, “Missions That Defies Theories: A Case Study Of The COP,” the International Missions Director said that missionaries must learn to appreciate and embrace the indigenous culture of the resident nations, stressing that a good heart and mind must be developed towards this feat.

Reading from Hosea 2:14-15, Apostle Agyemang Bekoe stated that the people of Israel wandered in the desert and were punished when their hearts had strayed away from God. Nevertheless, he noted, the judgement of God became a symbol of new opportunity for them.

“God continually shows love amid judgement…there is reassurance, encouragement, and comfort,” he asserted.

He revealed that many emerging missionaries do not engage their missionary guides, and they fail to ask questions on their appointments for fear of being unnecessarily tagged as being too inquisitive.

Explaining the realities of being a missionary of The Church of Pentecost, he said that many begin the journey with complaints rather than the urge and the resolve to fix the challenges within their nations or areas of assignment.

“When your complaints exceed growth, you become a liability to the organisation,” he stated.

He urged the missionaries of the church to be agents of change, because they are being sent not to go and ‘party’ but to fix broken systems and structures, trigger growth, and to set things right.

He charged them to break grounds by breaking through genuine contacts while building solid administrative systems and structures.

Present at the orientation were Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary of the church), and Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Asamankese Area Head of the church).

PENTECOST NEWS

Rely Solely On The Power of The Holy Spirit – Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin To Missionaries

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The Evangelism Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Amos Jimmy Markin, has admonished ministers of the church called into missions to endeavour to depend entirely on the Holy Spirit.

This, he noted, will help demonstrate the power of the gospel of Christ in possessing the nations.

According to the Evangelism Director, The Church of Pentecost, from sub-Saharan Africa had been able to take its spirituality into its own hands and, driven by the Holy Spirit, successfully grew its indigenous denominations across the globe.

“The Holy Spirit is the chief actor of missions,” Apostle Dr. Jimmy Markin said, adding that the extraordinary growth of the church is due to the thorough transmission effect of the Holy Spirit’s work in missions.

He said this on Monday, July 4, 2022, during the opening of the Missionaries Orientation, underway at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.

Speaking on the topic, “Power Evangelism (Evangelising With The Aid Of Gifts And Fruit Of The Spirit),” with Acts 1:4. 8; Galatians 5: 16, 22-25; 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-11, as scripture references, Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin said that power evangelism is the role and influence of God, the Holy Spirit in Christian evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

“Power evangelism essentially employs the use of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit in an effective church planting,” he stated.

He noted that power evangelism was demonstrated through the ministry and life of Jesus Christ, the chief evangelist, and subsequently the early disciples including Peter, Philip, and Paul.

The Evangelism Director advised the missionaries to focus on their salvation since their spiritual state was delicate to their evangelistic ministries.

According to him, to become credible witnesses, two ingredients were required. These are sound character and a charismatic power which have been adequately provided to the missionary through the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry (Gal. 5:16).

“Whereas the fruit of the Holy Spirit provides the relevant godly character of the missionary (Gal. 5:22–24), the gifts of the Holy Spirit become the manifestation of his power source for the work (1 Cor. 12:4–11),” Apostle Dr Markin said.

He entreated missionaries to implore the gifts of the Holy Spirt in demonstrating the power of God in their various nations assigned. These gifts are the Gifts of Revelation or the eye (the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and discerning of Spirits); the Gifts of Power or the Arm of God (faith, working of miracles, and gifts of healings); and the Vocal Gifts or the Mouth of God (prophecy, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues).

“These gifts are very powerful equipment which makes the work and function of the evangelist effective and easy,” he pointed out.

The Evangelism Director charged the clergy to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit; be filled with the Spirit, and be led by Him. He also urged them to spend more time in the presence of God through prayer in faith.

“What singles you out as a missionary is grace, and what brings you out is favour. Until then, what brings you power is faith,” he stated.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Elder Dr. Siaw Agyepong Donates 49-Seater Bus To PENSA-Legon

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Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Presiding Elder for the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Graceland (PIWC-Graceland), has donated a brand new 49-seater Zhongtong bus, worth US$ 160,000.00, to the University of Ghana (UG) branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA-Legon).

Elder Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, surprised the students with the donation when he fellowshipped with them last Sunday.

According to renowned businessman, he had not initially planned to donate a bus to PENSA-Legon because of the huge amount involved, which he had not budgeted. However, while praying in the morning, he was directed by the Lord to donate a bus to the students. So, without hesitating he quickly arranged for the bus to be sent to them on campus.

Exhorting the students on the topic, “Excelling In Your God-Given Potentials: Lessons from King Solomon” with 1Kings 3:3-10 as scripture reference, Dr. Agyepong said that King Solomon offered a higher sacrifice to the Lord that was unmatched in the history of Israel. This, he noted, earned the King an encounter with the Lord. He, therefore, urged Christians to make great sacrifices for the Lord, stressing that it is only then that they would receive such a divine encounter.

Among other things, Dr. Siaw Agyepong said that King Solomon, during his reign, prioritised the interest of his subjects over his personal gain. He urged Christians not to be selfish but lead a selfless life. 

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Pastor Kwadwo Obeng, the UG Campus Minister of The Church of Pentecost, said that PENSA-Legon had long been raising funds to purchase a new bus to commute students to and from church. He, therefore, considers the donation an answered prayer and is grateful to the Lord for meeting their need through Elder Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong.

Report by PENSA-Legon Media Team

Carry Yourselves Well – Apostle Nyamekye To Christians

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has advised Christians to carry themselves well to protect their godly reputation (good name) as followers of Christ.

“Live by the principles of love and faithfulness, while you bind them to your neck; then you will gain favour with God and man,” Apostle Nyamekye stated.

Apostle Nyamekye said this on Sunday, July 3, 2022, during a visit to the Tema Joint Church in Ghana.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Authority in the Name Jesus,” Apostle Nyamekye said that in the Garden of Eden, God named the first man Adam and gave him the authority to name all things on earth. (Genesis 2:19)

He stressed that all a person is worth is vested in their name; hence, names given to individuals are not only for their identification.

“All that Jesus is, is seen in his name; He does not need to be there physically,” he noted, adding that, “when you destroy a person’s name, you destroy the person.”

Reading from Psalm 23:3, the Chairman iterated that God hallows His name; therefore, He wants Christians to lead a life of righteousness for His name’s sake. He, therefore, urged every believer to renew their minds and be careful how they relate with others.

Apostle Nyamekye explained that certain things are better than money. These, he noted, are good health, peace, wisdom, etc. but the greatest is a good or great name.

“A good name does not only assure security, but it is a purchasing power. When your name is great, it does many things for you,” he added.

He further said that a great name is earned; as such a person needs to invest in his name to make it great, stating, “the authority of Jesus’ name was not just conferred on Him, He earned it.”

“When you are talking about the name Jesus, demons bow. This is because He earned a crown which is ‘the name above all names,’” he said.

Apostle Nyamekye then urged believers to avoid comparing the name of Jesus to others when they go to their various churches. 

He intimated that the authority in the name of Jesus is above all and independent of all, and it transcends all boundaries, limits, and thoughts, 

The Chairman mentioned that authority is the mandate to perform and power is the ability to perform. He further pointed out that names have power, so the name of Jesus is not only vested with authority but has power.

“Let us not flood our churches with fear of demons, rather build on the name of Jesus which has authority and power,” he stressed.

Present was Apostle Emmanuel Ankra-Badu, Tema Area Head of the church, and his wife, Mrs. Rosina Ankra-Badu.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Ghana Needs Righteousness: Not Churches, Leaders – Apostle Nyamekye

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has said what the nation needs are not leaders and churches but righteousness exhibited by the citizenry through faith.

He noted that although there were many churches and leaders in the country, righteous living was still an issue.

The Chairman added that the change the country sought for from its leaders could only materialise through righteous living and building a righteous brand

Leadership not showmanship

Apostle Nyamekye was speaking at a thanksgiving service held for the new leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by its President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in Accra.

The Apostle said leadership was not about showmanship and accessing power to lord it over subordinates but rather a huge responsibility that hinged on righteousness.

“What we need as a nation are not more leaders and churches. Churches don’t change nations; the only thing that brings change to a nation is righteousness,” he said, and quoted Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

The service at the Church of Pentecost, Alajo Central Assembly, was attended by some of the elected members of the national executive of the GJA and other personalities.

The GJA President was joined by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah; the Treasurer, Audrey Dakalu; the Organiser, Dominic Hlordzi, and the Greater Accra Chairman of the association, Charles Benoni Okine.

The personalities included the Editor, Graphic, Kobby Asmah; the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah; the President of the African Chamber of Mines, Kwame Addo Kufuor; the Chief of Alajo, Nii Armah Ajoor II, and the families and friends of the members of the GJA executive.

Exemplary

Apostle Nyamekye admonished all leaders to live exemplary lives that pleased God.

He added that their main focus as leaders should be the ability to solve problems, answer needed questions and meet the needs of their followers.

“There is nothing private about a leader; everything a leader does is in the open and so a leader must strive to live a life that pleases God. A leader solves problems, meets the needs of the people and has the ability to respond to the needs of his people,” he said.

He specifically advised Mr Dwumfour to be truthful and allow God to use him to be the light in journalism and bring about the difference the profession needed.

The Resident Minister of the Burma Camp Worship Centre of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lt Col Kumi-Woode, also urged the GJA executive to live lives of legacy and carry the presence of God wherever they found themselves.

“Once you identify as a Christian, your mission is to let God reign wherever you are, and if, indeed, journalism is the Fourth Estate of the Realm, may we do good and impactful journalism, so that from that angle we can build a strong nation,” he added.

New media

Mr Dwumfour thanked God and all who supported him and promised a new media and Fourth Estate that was ready to play its role in the affairs of the state.

He pledged to be committed to the cause of the association and use his Christian principles to chart a path for the GJA.

He urged all journalists to come together to perform their gatekeeping role in the country’s democracy.

“We are charting a new path. In the next three months, I will unveil a policy document that will lay stress on the policies I have mentioned earlier, with their timelines. I believe with a united front, we can go places,” he added.

For the third time since his victory speech and inaugural address, Mr Dwumfour called on those with whom he contested the GJA Presidency to come on board for them to work together to build the new media they all anticipated.

Advice

When reached for her thought after the service, COP Addo-Danquah urged journalists to rally behind the new executive to help build the country.

“I urge all journalists to rally behind Mr Dwumfour, put the past behind them because when they move on, the country will move on; when they work well, the country will also work well.

“I urge all journalists to support him to achieve whatever he has set himself to achieve with the position,” she said.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

Atomic Hills District Donates To Afram Plains Area

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The Atomic Hills District in the Haatso Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated a Sonik Motor Bike, worth GHS 5,900.00 to the Afram Plains Area of the church.

The donation was made on Friday, July 1, 2022, at the General Headquarters in La, Accra.

Receiving the item on behalf of the Missions Office, the International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, thanked the leadership of the Atomic Hills District of the church for the kind gesture.

He encouraged other districts and individuals to emulate the gesture to advance the work of God in the mission areas.

The Atomic Hills District Minister, Pastor John Viscount Arkoh, noted that the motorbike has been donated to support the work of missions in the Afram Plains Area.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Sepe Buokrom Women’s Ministry Donates To Orphanages

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The Sepe Buokrom District Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost in the New Tafo Area on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, donated assorted items to the Kumasi Children’s Home and the All Nations Charity Home in the Ashanti Region.

The items were packets of toilet rolls, cartons of soft drinks, gallons of cooking oil, bags of rice, mineral water, and many others.

Receiving the items, Mrs Mabel Pinamang, Manager of Kumasi Children’s Home, appreciated the kind gesture made by the Women’s Ministry of the church to the children.

She called on the churches to remember the children and the centre in prayers.

“The women have demonstrated what holiness is all about by visiting the children in the home,” she stated, adding that “they have defined our welfare by bringing us foodstuff and gifts.”

At the All Nations Charity Home, Rev. Philip Nyamkye, Founder and Manager of the orphanage, received the items on behalf of the children.

Rev. Nyamekye acknowledged the efforts of the leadership of The Church of Pentecost in supporting the needy and orphans in the church and beyond.

Deaconess Esther Acheampong, District Women’s Leader of Sepe Buokrom District of the church, hinted of the ministry’s continuous support to the Home.

“The children are our hope. We pray that the good God will keep them and touch the heart of people to continuously visit here,” she said.

She further thanked the New Tafo Area Head of the church, Apostle Samuel Antwi, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Antwi; the Sepe Buokrom District Minister of the church, Pastor Frederick Sarfo, and his wife, who were instrumental in the donation.

Report by Owusu Dennis.

Marriage Was Instituted For Humanity – Apostle Nyamekye Declares

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has asserted that marriage was ordained for humanity, and not for Christians alone.

In a live televised sermon on PENT TV during a Special Evening Service on Sunday, June 26, 2022, as part of his series on “Family – An ‘Endangered’ Institution,” Apostle Nyamekye explained that marriage predates Christianity, and that one does not necessarily need to be a Christian in order to have a successful or fulfilling marriage experience. He said that all married couples living by the rules of love and understanding can make their marital union glorious.

“It is an understandable fact that marriage was instituted before the onset of Christianity,” he said, adding, “Marriage is not a Christian ordinance per se; it was ordained for humanity.”

Reading from Genesis 2:21-25, the Chairman indicated that when God created the woman, He directly gave her to Adam as a wife. He mentioned Noah, Moses, Abraham and other biblical personalities who all married before the advent of Christianity to back his message, stressing that “even when two unbelievers marry God is interested in the marriage.”

He further noted that marriage is a covenant, a three-way relationship in which the couple is accountable to God who acts as a principal witness to the covenant. 

Touching on Christian marriage, Apostle Nyamekye stated: “It is no ordinary union.” According to him, Christian marriage is a sign that speaks to the world about the mystical union of Christ and the Church with its foundation upon God Himself (Ephesians 5:23-25).

“Therefore, for the Christian, our marital lives should not only succeed, but must speak of the goodness of God,” he pointed out.

Quoting from Malachi 2:13-16, the noted theologian explained that when two Christians walk to the altar to be joined in matrimony, heaven rejoices because their union is strategic, and God expects from them godliness and godly offspring. 

Chairman Nyamekye mentioned that the relationship between husband and wife is more than a commitment between two persons. This, he said, is because God adds the spiritual dimension to the marital life and transforms the relationship into a powerhouse of strength.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye charged married couples to be faithful to their partners, saying, “Spousal fidelity is inextricably linked to spiritual well-being.” 

He also advised prospective couples against extravagant weddings.

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

PIWC-Tesano Youth Ministry Donates To Bostal Senior Correctional Centre 

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 The Youth Ministry of Pentecost International Worship Centre, Tesano (PIWC-Tesano), has donated some items worth GHS 7,000.00 to inmates of the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra – a detention centre for people under 18 years convicted of criminal or civil offenses.

The items, which included bags of rice, washing soap, cooking oil, bags of water, sporting wear (shorts) and stationery, were presented during a visit by the ministry to the centre last Saturday. The church delegation was led by Elder Joseph Obiri Yeboah (Presiding Elder, PIWC-Tesano) and Elder Jeffery Akurang (Youth Ministry Leader, PIWC-Tesano).

According to the Elder Akurang, the gesture is in line with the five-year strategic vision of the Church (Vision 2023), which seeks to influence and transform every sphere of life with values and principles of the kingdom of God.

In a brief exhortation titled “Having A New Life In Christ,” Elder Obiri Yeboah urged the inmates to surrender their lives to Christ so that He would transform them for the better. He said that regardless of their past mistakes that may have led them to their present state, Jesus is able to change their situation if they would believe and accept a new life in Him. An altar call after the sermon saw 26 inmates making a decision for Christ.

The Senior Correctional Centre, formerly Borstal Institute for Juveniles, is a facility for incarcerated youth below 18 years. The facility serves as a detention center to help these inmates to re-path their courses in life. Detention duration for inmates ranges from three months to three years, depending on the nature of one’s crime or good behaviour.

According to officials of the centre, each inmate lives on a daily amount of GHS 1.80pesewas, which is woefully inadequate and, thus, heavily relies on the benevolence of religious organisations and external individuals to support their operations.

Report by Mercy Mensah

PENTSOS Construct Weaving Centre To Provide Employable Skills For Youth

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The Bawku Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Gyambibi Boateng, has commissioned a weaving centre for smock making constructed by the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) at Zebilla in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

The project falls under the Economic Empowerment Programme (EPP) of PENTSOS, which seeks to economically empower members of the Church, especially the youth, by providing them with skills training so as to gain sustainable employment.

Apostle Gyambibi, in his address at the commissioning ceremony last Sunday, indicated that, two years ago, the Area birthed the vision to start the weaving centre due to the high unemployment among the youth and the frequent travel to the south to seek livelihood opportunities. 

“The centre was, therefore, established at the premises of the Zebilla Central Assembly church to train members with economic livelihoods and empower the women to support themselves and their families,” he said.

According to him, the project is in line with the Church’s strategic vision, dubbed “Vision 2023: Possessing the Nations,” which seeks to influence every sphere of society with the values and principles of the kingdom of God. He, therefore, thanked the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, and the Executive Council for the vision.

Elder Richard Amaning, the PENTSOS Director, stated that, beyond preaching the gospel message of Jesus Christ, Christians must seek to transform their communities. Hence, after discovering the centre during its routine monitoring exercise, his outfit decided to construct a suitable structure conducive for the training, he added.

He noted that the centre comprises a training area, an office and a storeroom for the vocations whose activities are affected by the vagaries of the weather. 

Elder Amaning further indicated that a similar project has been completed at Temaa in the Walewale Area (for sewing) and Daloagyili in the Tamale Area (for weaving, sewing and hairdressing). Meanwhile, the project at Kaleo in the Walewale Area is also ongoing.

It is also worth noting that PENTSOS, as part of its initial support to the centre, provided 15 weaving machines to the centre in 2021. 

The Bawku Area currently has three smock-weaving centres at Zebilla, Bawku and Garu, with a total enrolment of 192. The Zebilla centre currently has 76 apprentices, 37 of whom are due for graduation. It is the vision of the leadership of the Area to establish a vocational and technical school in the future. The Chief of Zebilla has donated nine acres of land to the Church for the school project.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS, Deaconess Comfort Tia, the trainer at the Zebilla centre, said that, since its establishment, the centre has provided hope and brought transformation to many teenage girls since they are no longer burdened with raising the “Masters fee” or buying weaving machine before gaining admission. This, she said, has contributed to reducing the migration of young girls to the south to engage in the head-porting (kaya) venture.

PENTECOST NEWS