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History was made on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at the Kwashieman Chief’s Palace in Accra, following the inauguration of the first-ever church in a palace in Ghana.

The colourful service which took place at the forecourt of the Chief’s Palace was attended by the Chief of Kwashieman, Nii Awuley Ahiaku VI, and members of his traditional council, including the Kwashieman Manye, Naa Larteley Wayewuhu III, and the Chief Fetish Priestess, Naadu Lartey, among other royals in the palace.

The novel assembly has its Presiding Elder also being a chief in the person of Nana Afrifa Yamoah, who happens to be the Chief of Kwahu Oframase.

The Kaneshie Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, together with Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, the National Co-ordinator of the Chieftaincy Ministry of the church who also doubles as the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), inaugurated the new assembly and the local presbytery.

Apostle Asante thanked the Kaneshie Area Chieftaincy Ministry Executives and his predecessor, Apostle Mike Etrue, as well as Pastor Emmanuel Dzemekey Agbeko (Kwashieman Official Town District Minister) for the yeoman work done in putting the structures of the new assembly in place. The Area Chieftaincy Ministry Executive Committee Members are Overseer Anthony Kwadwo Obeng (Co-ordinator), Nana Impraim VIII (Chairman), Elder Nana Afrifa Yamoah (Vice Chairman), Elder Nana Odiasempa Agyemang (Secretary), Elder Alex Oppong Peprah (Financial Secretary), Elder Emmanuel Kissiedu (Deputy Financial Secretary), Elder Ofosu Agyekum Sarfo (Organiser), Elder Peter Akwasi Akotuah (Deputy Secretary) and Deaconess Afia Bonsu (Treasurer).

He stated that the inauguration of the palace assembly was in line with the Vision 2023 agenda of the church which seeks to among things possess every sphere of society, including the palace with godly values and principles.

According to him, God being a king works through chiefs and God is using the palace to extend His saving grace to many people.

Apostle Asante disclosed that two more palace churches would be opened soon in the Area.

In a sermon on the topic, “The Sacredness of Royal Majesty” based on Proverbs 16:10-15, 1 Timothy 1:17, Psalm 103:9, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh described the event as historic since it was the first to be opened in the country.

Relating the move of the Kwashieman chief to some chiefs in the colonial era who opened their doors to missionaries who sailed through to the Gold Coast to sow the seed of Christianity in Ghana, he said that those chiefs are still remembered for their good works. Likewise, he said, Nii Kwashieman will be remembered by generations to come for turning the palace to the seat of God.

The PEMEM Director indicated that royalty emanates from God, and that nothing prevents Christian royals from becoming kings in their traditional areas.

He, therefore, called on chiefs who are Christians to rule with the Kingdom principles and values so that God will take prominence in their kingship and thereby secure them the needed protection, peace, prosperity and long life.

The Chief of Kwashieman, Nii Awuley Ahiaku VI, who was so excited about The Church of Pentecost coming close to his doorstep and that of his people, pledged his unflinching support for grounding the new assembly. He indicated his resolve to join the evangelistic drive of the church to fill the new church with more members.

Also present at the service were members of the Kaneshie Area Chieftaincy Ministry, monstly chiefs and royals in the church and some ministers and officers within the area.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The New Combine District Women’s Ministry in the Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with the District Committee for the Ministry to Persons With Disability (MPWDs), has initiated monthly church services for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the Asuogyaman Constituency of the Eastern Region.

The first meeting took place on September 18, 2022, at Akosombo Complex School. It recorded an attendant of over 300 people, out of which 80 were PWDs.

The District Minister, Pastor Martin Berko Kesse, indicated that the meeting will be held every month for all PWDs in the constituency.

According to him, the church intends to give full attention to the PWDs by giving them the right atmosphere to fellowship and worship God since most of them do not go to church on Sundays due to their condition.

He reiterated that the monthly church service is strategically designed to suit the interest of the PWDs.

He added: “We are created by God and in His image and so there is the need to express the love of God to all people living with disability.”

Mrs Esther Kesse (wife of the District Minister), in her exhortation, assured the PWDs that God can use them for greater works no matter the condition they find themselves.

She based her sermonette on 2 Kings 7:1-7, where God through the four lepers fulfilled the prophecy that was given by Prophet Elisha.

She said that God could have used the abled persons in Israel to have fulfilled the promise, but He used the four lepers who were disabled to drive away the Syrian army away from their camp so that the Samarians could have access to their foods, silver, gold, and clothing.

“This is a demonstration of the fact that the condition in which the disabled find themselves does not determine what they can do and what God can use them for,” she stressed.

Elder Kumi- Aboagye, an Area Executive Committee Member, encouraged the PWDs not to consider their situation as inability, instead, they should have achievable visions and press on to achieve their dreams.

He urged them to open up and make good use of the opportunity offered them by the church.

Mr Daniel Ofori Asare, the Chairman Elect of the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD), expressed his gratitude to the New Combine District of The Church of Pentecost for the gesture done members of his association. He appealed to other districts of the church to emulate the gesture and reach out to PWDs within their districts. 

The meeting ended with a dinner with the PWDs, and everyone present had enough to eat and drink.

To the glory of God, four of the PWDs gave their lives to Christ.

The programme attracted many people among them were all Assembly Members in the Asuogyaman District, Nana Addo Owusu I (Akan Chief, New Combine), Torgbe Kingsford Hahomene (Ewe Chief, New Combine), Mama Grace Kutto (Ewe Queen Mother, New Combine), Alhaji Salifu Abdulai (AMC representative, New Combine), Mr Gameli Mawuku (Opinion Leader, New Combine), among others.

Report by Pastor Martin Berko Kesse, New Combine.

Fifty-four persons surrendered their lives to Christ during the four-day “All Ministries Joint” rally organised by the Twifo Praso District of The Church of Pentecost at Twifo Afosua and Twifo Nuamakrom in the Central Region of Ghana.

The event, which was part of a nationwide evangelism drive initiated by the Church’s Headquarters from Monday, September 19, 2022, was spearheaded by the Women and Youth ministries of the district.

The Youth Ministry, led by Elder Joseph Tieku (District Ministry Leader), undertook house-to-house evangelism exercises on each day of the programme. The Women’s Ministry also contributed significantly to the soul-winning efforts resulting in a total of 54 souls to the glory of God.

Forty of the new Christian converts were baptised in water by the District Minister, Pastor Frank Larbi – the others are scheduled for water baptism by immersion on Sunday.

Report by Twifo Praso District Media Team

The Yennyawoso District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Charles Oduro, has urged Christians to view themselves as unique creatures of God with a special purpose to fulfil in life.

According to him, no human being is disadvantaged in society, community or location. However, he said, one could only be described and addressed as such depending on how they carry themselves.

“No one is born useless unless you make yourself one,” Pastor Oduro said in a sermon he preached on Sunday, September 18, 2022, when he fellowshipped with members of the Grace Assembly.

Speaking on the topic: “Knowledge of God,” based on Daniel 11:32, the Yennyawoso District Minister stressed that what Christians need most in these perilous times is the knowledge of God. He enlightened that whoever is filled with an undiluted Word of God is knowledgeable about God, saying, “He who knows God knows His word.” 

He added: “Being knowledgeable about God means having profound faith in Him and the insight of His Word.” He, thus, urged Christians to be full of God’s words since they are spirit and life (John 6:63) to avoid being filled with vain deceit based on human tradition and the elements of the world as nature abhors a vacuum.

Attesting to the current economic hardship, the Man of God urged Christians to be strong in the Lord to override things. This, he said, could only be done by being knowledgeable about God.

“Having the knowledge of God equips the believer to be strong and they are able to withstand and weather the storms of life,” he disclosed.

Pastor Oduro mentioned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refused to bow and serve King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, as well as David, who also killed Goliath as a result of their in-depth knowledge of God, as instances to affirm his assertion that knowledge of God is a panache for victory.

He also cited how Apostle Paul fought with the knowledge he had gained in the Lord and won victories (2 Corinthians 1:9-10), as further proof to buttress his point, saying, “Knowledge induces strength, and strength brings triumph.” 

As the knowledge of God brings victory, the Yennyawoso District Minister, however, said a life devoid of God’s knowledge results in absurdity. 

“Christians without the knowledge of God live their lives anyhow and they wander away from the faith,” he said, adding, “The Knowledge of God will help you to walk in righteous and in holiness to be able to override the devil and rule your world.”

Explaining further, Pastor Oduro noted that the major problem facing Christianity today is hermeneutics (interpretation of the Bible). He bemoaned the practice where some pastors interpret the Bible to suit their interests, which according to him, makes it difficult for many believers to come by the true knowledge of God. He, therefore, admonished the congregants to be perspicacious when it comes to the acceptance of teachings and doctrines, as such can make or unmake them, saying, “Doctrine received, believed and practised determines one’s character, attitude and destiny.”

He urged Christians to use the knowledge they have acquired in the Lord to solve problems, noting that knowledge which is vacant is of no value.

Pastor Charles Oduro further appealed to the congregants to graduate from childhood to adulthood to grow in the knowledge of God to avoid being spiritual dwarfs and become spiritual giants.

“Knowledge, wisdom, revelation, law, and the word of God are for adults (in Christ). So, you must graduate from childhood to adulthood,” he advised. He also encouraged Christians not to live in fear because they are divinely protected as their lives are hidden in the third heavens (2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Psalm 91) where the devil cannot traverse.

He led the congregants into the period of prayer after the sermon.

As part of the service, some children were dedicated to the glory of God.

Present at the service was Mrs. Gladys Oduro (Wife of the District Minister).

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

The Sawla Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor David Amankwaa, has advised ministers to contextualise and package the gospel message of Jesus Christ to suit the environment in which they find themselves.

Pastor Amankwaa said this during a two-day retreat for ministers and their wives in the Area. The event was held from Wednesday, September 14, to Thursday, 15, 2022, at the newly-constructed English Assembly auditorium. 

Speaking on the topic: “Equipped As A Bond-Servant to Possess the Nations,” the Sawla Area Head said that contextualising the gospel message would aid understanding and result in the realising of the Church’s vision of “possessing the nations.”

Quoting Galatians 2:20 and Deuteronomy 15:12-18, he said that Apostle Paul’s introductory greetings in most of his Epistles revealed his true identity in Christ, a bond-servant. 

He further stated that the ministers of God can only make impact when they see themselves as bond servants without aim, purpose, will, and feelings except that of the master, adding: “there could never be a bond servant without a master.”

Pastor Amankwaa also indicated that Jesus Christ, their ultimate example, became a bond-servant to God and humankind in serving the purpose of His (Master), the Father, by dying a humiliating and painful death on the cross to save humanity.

He, therefore, urged ministers to emulate Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul’s example in order to be adequately equipped to possess the nations.

The topics treated at the event include “Incarnational Ministry,” “Sharing, Knowing and Owning Vision 2023,” “Report Writing, ” “Personal Evangelism,” “Planning and Organising Events,” “Effects of Funerals on Church activities,” and “Practical Ministry,” among others. 

The Audit Team from Tamale also took them through value book writing and how to keep the good financial books. 

Intercessory prayers were also offered for the Church and the nation as part of the event.

All 25 ministers in the Sawla Area of the Church, together with their wives, expressed appreciation to God and the Area Head for initiating the programme. 

Report by Sawla Area Media Team

The Akorabo District in the Suhum Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a maiden graduation ceremony for teens who have migrated from the Children’s Ministry to the Youth Ministry.

The glamorous service, which was held on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the central assembly auditorium, witnessed 101 teens, comprising 45 boys and 56 girls graduating. As part of their package, all the graduands received certificates of migration.

The colourful event was graced by Nene Baffour Teitey Adjevi III, Chief of Jato, officers and parents of the graduands.

In an exhortation on the theme: “The Word of God as Light on Your Path,” with scripture reference from Psalm 115:105, Mrs. Caroline Dapaah, wife of Pastor Benjamin Dapaah of Aboyor District, admonished the teenagers to refrain from social vices such as betting, LGBTQ+, early sex and addiction to the internet.

The Akorabo District Minister, Overseer Maxwell Ataamoah, explained that the ceremony was organised to help bridge the gap in the transition from Sunday school to the Youth Ministry which has been a problem for the church. He, therefore, admonished the teens to integrate themselves into the church and its activities.

The Area Youth Leader, Overseer Isaac Baidoo, who also doubles as the District Minister of Amanase, described the ceremony as an eye opener for the entire Area and hoped that other districts would emulate it.

He admonished the District Youth Ministry leadership as well as the Ministry to Teens Co-ordinators to develop programmes and activities that would help properly integrate the teens into the Youth Ministry. Report by Samuel Danso.