The Home and Urban Missions of The Church of Pentecost has donated school uniforms and stationery worth GHC 4,000 to deprived pupils of the Adumasa Amangoase D/A Primary School in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
The items were presented to the pupils on behalf of the ministry by Pastor Thomas Ayamboya, the Kumasi Sector Home and Urban Missions (HUM) Pastor of the Church, during a short ceremony on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
According to Pastor Ayamboya, the gesture was undertaken to promote cohesion among learners, improve study ethics, and encourage parents to enroll their wards in school despite the economic challenges.
Following the establishment of a local assembly at Amangoase through the ministry of HUM, Pastor Ayamboya revealed that it was discovered that most children were not schooling as a result of parent’s inability to cater for their children.
He asserted that the HUM Coordinator, Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, was engaged on how the Church could help provide the basic needs for the children.
Pastor Ayamboya defined the moment as a fulfilment of the existence of the Home and Urban Mission, observing delight from the faces of the children and their parents.
“After we have discovered that most of the children are not schooling, especially from the new assembly, we decided to come to their aid.
“By the grace of God, we have spoken at length to other people, including our National Coordinator, to help provide the basic necessities for the children. We have distributed the items to all the children, and the parents are giving glory to God for what He has done and continues to do,” he said.
The beneficiaries, numbering 25, received school uniforms, exercise books, slates, pens, pencils, etc.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr. Ampofo Gilbert Addison, commended The Church of Pentecost for the support, which he described as first of a kind in the community. He remarked that the establishment of the local assembly has resulted in the enrolment of more children of school-going age.
He further called on the Church to assist them in making the school environment conducive for better teaching and learning.
“The teachers are doing their best to build the children for better future, yet lack of classrooms, especially the JHS Block, is affecting better teaching and learning. We are pleading with The Church of Pentecost to lend a helping hand to the community to empower our students,” he said.
Parents of the pupils thanked God and expressed delight for the honour done them.
A deaconess of The Church of Pentecost, Mercy Twenewaa, has donated a set of musical instruments worth GH¢69,350.00 to the North Asuakwaa Assembly in the New Dormaa District of the Sunyani Area of the Church.
Presenting the set of instruments to the church, Deaconess Twenewaa disclosed that she had a dream and conviction that her name was boldly written on a set of instruments that were being used for a crusade.
This, she noted, contributed to the generous gesture to advance the kingdom of God.
Receiving the items, the New Dormaa District Minister of the Church, Pastor Michael Osei Appau, expressed his sincere gratitude to Deaconess Twenewaa for her thoughtfulness and urgent response to the dream she had. He stated that the items will be very beneficial to the church.
The “2023 National Bible Reading,” a week-long initiative of The Church of Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), in collaboration with the Ghana Bible Society and Local Council of Churches, was officially launched on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Sophia McKeown Temple (SMT), near the Church’s General Headquarters, La, in Accra.
The event, was chaired by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe. He was assisted by the PEMEM Director, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, who doubles as an Executive Council Member of the Church.
This year’s “Bible Reading Week” is under the theme, “God’s Unchanging Word, Hope for all,” with Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:24-25 as key scriptures.
The National Bible Reading exercise is scheduled to take place at the studios of Pent TV from Monday (February 7) to Friday (February 10).
Delivering the welcome address at the event, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh explained that the rationale behind the Bible Reading Marathon is to encourage the public reading of scriptures, stressing that everything about our lives revolves around the Word of God. which is completely reliable and accurate.
The PEMEM Director noted that the increasing spate of social and spiritual challenges in the world seem to scare godly people and cause them to doubt whether there is a place for Kingdom values and principles in the emerging world.
He, however, assured that “there is hope for us because God’s Word is infallible, unchanging, and faithful for anyone who depends on Him.”
“The Bible does not need to be recast, modernized or amended to compromise its standards in the face of societal challenges. God’s Word, rather needs to be understood, believed and practised in all spheres of our lives,” he added.
Apostle Anane Denteh is optimistic that as the Bible is read aloud in public, it would inspire the reading of God’s Word in homes and society, urging, “It is our earnest desire to expose our community to the powerful words of the Creator with an open heart of understanding.”
He commended the Heads of churches and the Chairman of the Bible Society of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Torto, for the support towards the programme and called on Church leaders to intentionally promote both public and private reading of the Bible among their members.
In a keynote address, the incoming General Secretary of Ghana Bible Society, Very Rev. Dr. Kwasi Addo Jnr, expressed that it is always a delight when people gather to read the scriptures, saying, “with the word of God dwelling in our hearts, we are guided.”
He said that in a world where everything appears uncertain and systems are crumpling, the Word of God is the only unchanging thing that can be relied on.
“Contemporary Christians are hooked on to the English versions of the Bible, and survey shows that many lack reading in the mother language. We want to encourage reading the Bible in our mother tongue,” he stated.
He further noted that reading the Bible in the native languages brings out the cultural interpretation that would help to make reading better and take away the strangeness in culture to bear. He, therefore, encouraged Christians to make Bible reading a habit and not only an annual event.
“Indeed, we go to church, carry the Bible, but the light of the Word appears not to guide us as a people. We are still dominated by corruption, deceit and lies. As a people of the Word, let’s allow the light of God’s Word to guide us as a country and transform our lives as a people,” he appealed to the Christian community.
Among those who read the scriptures were, Nii Afotey Anokwafo II (Antweregono Mantse, Teshie), Eld. Nana Ampim (Chief of Ekumfi Eyisem & Twafohene of Ekumfi), Nana Adjoah Tanah II (Bogoso Queen mother), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Chief of Defence Staff), Hon. Moses Anim (MP Trobu Constituency & Deputy Minister for Fisheries), Hon. Elizabeth Sackey (Accra Mayor); and Dr. Francis Omane-Addo (Representative for Director of Prisons).
Others were Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare (Director General, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission); Rev. DOII I. K. Erzoah Amihere (Rep. for Chief Fire Officer of Ghana National Fire Service); Rev. Andrew Jackson T. Odjawo (Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Director for Ecumerical and social Relations); Rev. ADO II Samuel Mireku Addo (Chaplain, National Headquarters, GNFS); Rev. Derek E. Koomson (The General Director Scripture Union).
Also in attendance were Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe (La Area Head); Apostle Col. Benjamin Kumi-Woode (Chaplain, Ghana Armed Forces & Resident Minister, Burma Camp Worship Centre); Elder Dr. Nana K. Gyasi (CEO Nana K. Gyasi Company Limited); Elder Dr. Nana Amo Tobin (CEO. Tobinco Group of Companies & Chief of Apinto Traditional Area), Elder Dr. Ebenezer Asamoah Nyarko (Deputy Director, PEMEM), and PEMEM National Executive Committee Members.
The “Bible Reading Marathon” initiative was initiated six years ago during the tenure of Apostle Emmanuel Ankra Badu (now Tema Area Head) as PEMEM Director. To commemorate this significant milestone, some churches with television broadcast channels have also offered to join Pent TV in transmitting the programme live to the church and general public.
A-Lang Worship Centre in the Odorkor Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a special get-together event for widows, widowers and members aged 60 years and above in the Church.
The historic event, which was graced by the Odorkor Area Head, Apostle Isaac Tetteh Judah, took place at the church premises on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Resident Minister, Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe, said the Pensions Committee of the Church first mooted the idea of organising an end-of-year party for aged members in 2021, but the event was suspended due to financial constraints. He was, therefore, grateful to God that the vision has now materialised.
Apostle Dr. Tsekpoe praised Deaconess Georgina Gyasi and Mr. Fred Selby for singlehandedly funding the event.
Exhorting the gathering with Proverbs 16:31 and Isaiah 46:4, the Resident Minister advised participants to be joyful in old age and to count themselves blessed to have attained this age because it is a blessing from God.
Apostle Dr. Tsekpoe also assured them of God’s protection and providence and encouraged them to remain resolute in the faith.
“It is our prayer that through this event, the Lord would grant you long life with good health, and also bless your children and descendants,” he said.
Apostle Tetteh Judah, in a brief remark, commended the leadership of the Church, the sponsors and organisers of the event for the great work done and for fulfilling scripture (James 1:27) by caring for widows and widowers in the Church.
The participants, over 50 in number, were treated to live music by the Classical Revival Band of the Ghana Armed Forces and assorted food and drinks.
They also participated in various activities such as dancing and “Pick and Act,” among others.
Also present at the event were Mrs. Olivia Tsekpoe (Wife of the Resident Minister) and Deaconess Owu Ankrah (Odorkor Area Women’s Ministry Secretary), and the District Executive Committee members, among others.
The Akorabo District in the Suhum Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised its maiden Royals Conference to equip traditional rulers to rule with godly values and principles to possess the nations.
The conference which was held recently was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, among other royals in Akorabo and its environs.
Speaking at the event on the topic, “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you and you will turn into another man” – 1 Samuel 10:1-7, Overseer Maxwell Ataamoah, the Akorabo District Minister, indicated that God instituted kingship. He, therefore, admonished royals to reflect the virtues of Christ to bring changes in their communities.
In his submission, Elder Nana Odame, Dwantoahene of Pano-Kyebi, who also doubles as the Chairman of Suhum Area Chieftaincy Ministry, encouraged royals to rule with the fear of God to transform their communities.
Nana Odame admonished the royals to always seek God’s wisdom and direction in their reign as Solomon did.
The Chief of Jato, Nana Barfour Teitey Adjewi, on behalf of the royals expressed his gratitude to The Church of Pentecost for organising the conference.
The Mankessim District of The Church of Pentecost has organised a retirement service for 16 officers in the Edumadze Assembly of the district who have diligently and wholeheartedly served God and the Church for many years.
The gallant soldiers are Elder Anthony Kyidom, Elder James Nyarkoh, Elder James Baidoo, Elder Herbert King Owoo, Elder Joseph Kofi Paintsil and Elder Anthony Quainoo.
The others are Deacon Grace Gordon, Deacon Daniel Azanu, Deaconess Paulina Tawiah, Deaconess Juliana Amoako, Deaconess Elizabeth Acquah, Deaconess Beatrice Krampah, Deaconess Mary Appiah, Deaconess Rebecca Amonoo, Deaconess Elizabeth Donkoh, and Deaconess Dora Bentsil-Enchill.
The glorious service, which was held on January 20, 2023, was chaired by the Mankessim Area Head, Pastor Isaac Annan, and also had in attendance Pastor Benjamin Kufordjie (Mankessim District Minister), Pastor S.B Paintsil (Rtd.), members of the Area Executive Committee, and a cross-section of the area pastorate.
In his remarks at the event, Pastor Isaac Kofi Annan advised the retirees to continue to serve Lord even in retirement, stressing that being on retirement does not necessarily mean ending one’s service to the Lord.
As part of the service, the retirees were presented gifts, citations and an undisclosed cash amount in recognition of their commendable service to God and the district in particular.
Among those present to witness the service were Elder Emmanuel Essiam (Presiding Elder, Shiloh Assembly), relatives of the retirees as well as officers and members of the district.
Forty-six inmates of the recently-commissioned Nsawam Camp Prison have surrendered their lives to Christ.
The multifaceted camp prison, which was constructed by The Church of Pentecost and handed over to the Ghana Prisons Service, received the first batch of 50 inmates on January 8, 2023.
To the glory of God, 18 of the inmates accepted Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour during the first church service organised at the camp on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and were baptised in water.
Twenty-eight others rededicated their lives to Christ. An intensive prayer session during the service saw some inmates renouncing their old way of life, fetishes and plans of exacting revenge on some targeted persons upon release.
The Nsawam Camp Prison is one of two correctional facilities constructed by The Church of Pentecost for the Prisons Service to support the efforts of government in reforming prisoners.
In the facility is a chapel, which focuses on refining prisoners with the word of God. The church building also serves as a classroom where prisoners receive formal education.
The facility also has a workshop where the prisoners are trained in skills acquisition so that they would be able to work to support themselves and become responsible members of society when reintegrated.
The Youth Director of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, has advised young Christians to promote the kingdom of God in every aspect of their lives.
He charged the youth to stand up for God and set good examples in order to promote the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda.
He said this on January 22, 2023 during a visit to the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) – Legon Sunday Service held at the Mensa Sarbah Hall.
Speaking on the topic, “Repositioning God’s Faithful Ambassadors in Babylon,” Pastor Hagan explained Babylon as a strange land in which a Christian may find himself.
Using Hosea 11:1-3, and Genesis 19:30-38 as scripture references, he mentioned that when the Israelites went into captivity, they strayed from the Lord and worshipped other gods, cautioning them not to joke with the power of a strange environment.
The Youth Director, therefore, admonished Christian youths to stand on their grounds anytime they find themselves in a strange land.
“Have a wide understanding when walking with God. If you want to be successful as God’s ambassadors in Babylon, you must stand. Let them know that you are a child of God. Bear the consequences.”
Expounding on the features of Babylon, Pastor Hagan noted that it has unfavourable conditions with antichristian leadership figures.
“They bring decrees against the practice and growth of the Christian faith,” he said, adding, “The demands of Babylon are destroying young Christians. If you are God’s faithful ambassador in Babylon, you are not there to serve, but rather to manage. Any Christian who does not affect lives around him is not a good Christian.”
Pastor Hagan revealed that in Babylon, the pleasures of the world are unlimited. This, he said, can cause believes to lose their spirituality.
“Babylon contains the things we eat and enjoy. The pride of life, the lust of the eye, sex, occultic power, and the war against God’s faithful ambassadors. But as a Christian in Babylon, you need wisdom; be the guy on top of the bar, an excellent guy who does the work and brings in results,” he admonished.
Citing Daniel 6:1-3, Pastor Hagan noted that Daniel was a man of excellence who worked with professionalism, saying, “Your professionalism will take you high even when your enemies are against you.”
He ended his sermon with a charge to young Christians to provoke the interest of God anytime they find themselves in a strange land.
“When the Lord raises you up in the land of Babylon, provoke the interest of God. Use your office to promote the interest of God. Let the kingdom of God benefit from you. That is the meaning of possessing the nations,” he stressed.
In attendance were the campus Pastor of The University of Ghana – Legon, Pastor Kwadwo Obeng, Elder Emmanuel Agyei (President, PENSA UG – Legon) Elder Ransford Arthur Cole (immediate past PENSA President, UCC), and the student body.
“The Church of Pentecost (CoP) should be our greatest treasure in life as ministers of this great Church. We need to love her dearly and cherish her in our hearts. This is why everyone in the Church should be respected and deeply loved.”
These were the words of the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, to ministers of the church, during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference on Friday, January 28, 2023, held at Pentecost Convention Centre, (PCC), Gomoa-Fetteh, near Kasoa.
Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Loyalty,” Apostle Nyamekye said that the people purchased by the blood of Christ are God’s possession.
“If these people are God’s special possession, then they should be our greatest treasure. For it is in their talents, gifts, and treasury that we would find the strength of the Lord,” he said.
Reading from 1 Chronicles 11:9, Apostle Nyamekye iterated that David became powerful because the Lord was with him. He, however, said that David did not succeed alone but had support from his team.
“Great leaders do not succeed alone, behind them is a great team that support them. People talk of the leader because he is the face of the institution but behind a good leader is a team supporting his mandate,” he stated.
He disclosed that one way of showing loyalty to the church is to have a strong love for the church. He admonished the clergy to keep faith in the church that brought them into full-time ministry.
Explaining the pattern of the local church in the New Testament, he pointed out that Apostle Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:21 won many people who became disciples of Christ. In the same vein, he said, in establishing the local church, elders are appointed to take care of the church.
“The elders are appointed as leaders of the local church; we need to respect and close the gap between the clergy and the officers,” he said.
The Chairman called on ministers to avoid despising members who do not have certain skills or talents. This, he noted, is because not all can preach, rather some can teach, serve, and give to help make the church great.
“The common good of The Church of Pentecost is that everyone is useful to the church of God. All of us together, that is the officers and pastors are co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard. One thing we need to fulfill this is to be loyal to the trust and task,” he noted.
He further admonished members of the church not to draw away from the Church when the battle become tough: stating, “Even when the leaders make mistakes, it is imperative for members and ministers to cover their shamefulness for the sake of the church.”
“Don’t you know that we represent the church and when you destroy us, you destroy the church?” he quizzed, adding, “Anyone who destroys the church of God will face the full wrath of God.”
He advised the leaders to uphold the policies of the church which, according to him, are the ligaments that hold the church firmly to stand. He said that if a minister drifts away from the policies of the church, he is breaking the ligaments of the church.
He explained that loyalty to the church means commitment, faithfulness, sacrifice, love going the extra mile, intercessory prayers, effective leadership, and defense.
“Loyalty is to make the body of The Church of Pentecost better. Therefore, we need to be careful of our attitude to the body of the church, so we do not send the members that make up the body away. Cherish it,” Apostle Nyamekye concluded.
Former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, has acknowledged the overwhelming love and support he has received from leaders and members of the Church over the years.
The revered minister of God, who retires from active ministry in September this year, expressed profound gratitude to the Church for the prayers, visitations and words of encouragement to him and his family when he addressed participants of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference (GMWC’23) today via Zoom.
“The Church has shown us great love and compassion. I am also very grateful to you, the Chairman, who is the face of the Church, for the love and prayers, and we look forward to seeing you in Hamburg God-willing 24th September [for the retirement service],” he said.
Remarking on the 2023 Theme of the Church: “Repositioning the Local Church For Maximum Impact In The Nations,” which he described as “Fantastic,” the former Chairman stressed the need for ministers to first reposition themselves to able to effectively reposition the local church.
Drawing lessons from the story of Balak and Balaam in Genesis 22, Apostle Dr. Ntumy explained that Balak, the king of Moab, who was exceedingly afraid of the people of Israel, hired Balaam a prophet to curse them so that he would be able to defeat them in battle. However, Balaam did the opposite and blessed them instead. In an attempt to remedy this, Balak sought to “reposition” the prophet at various locations to have a different view of the Israelites so that he (the prophet) would appreciate the threat posed by the multitude of Israelites camping in Moab.
“From the various positions, Balaam saw a different side of the Israelites and God gave him a corresponding Word. Likewise, as ministers, when we reposition ourselves, we would see the Local Church from God’s perspective,” he said.
Expounding further, he said that when ministers are repositioned, they would see the divinity of the Church as people called out by God and not just a mere gathering of people. “In this way, we will love and cherish them,” he added.
He further noted that when repositioned, ministers would appreciate the invincibility of the Church as a powerful institution and know that of a truth, no power, witches and devil can rise against the Church.
Apostle Dr. Ntumy also noted that when repositioned, ministers would also see the humanity of the local church.
“As we reposition ourselves, we see that, the local church, although a gathering of God’s people, is also made up of human beings, and in her humanity, we will see the weakness, the poor, the suffering and imperfect so that we will be able to minister to their needs by the power of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
As part of the repositioning process, he advised ministers to take an introspective view of their lives and ministry and realign themselves to the will of God.
“As ministers who have been repositioned, we would not do things because we have to do them, but we will do them from God’s perspectives,” he said.
Apostle Dr. Ntumy was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1984 at age 26, called to the office of an Apostle at age 34 and was elected the fourth Chairman of the Church six years later. After serving for two terms (10 years), he handed over to Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, the immediate-past Chairman of the Church. Apostle Dr. Ntumy also served as President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) for two terms (10 years)
He currently serves as the Director of Literary Works of the Church and has since overseen the production of over 15 church publications, such as God’s Power at Work (Volumes 1&2), God’s Faithfulness to The Church of Pentecost, among others.
Apostle Dr. Ntumy is set to retire from active ministry this year after having served God and the Church meritoriously for close to four decades.
