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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost (CoP), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has advised ministers of the Church to be Kingdom-minded and to look beyond the CoP fraternity in order to influence their brethren in other denominations.

This, he claims, will ensure that they “possess the nations” by instilling the values and principles of God’s kingdom in every sphere of society.

Apostle Nyamekye said this during the opening session of this year’s Officers’ Retreat at the Tarkwa Worship Centre today.

“If we truly desire to possess the nations, we must strengthen our fellowship as a Church, look beyond our horizons, and strive to connect with and influence our brethren in other denominations,” he said.

In his sermon, he stated that the 2022 theme, like the Church’s previous three themes, aims to provide members with a better understanding of the Church as a people of God’s kingdom in the ‘possessing the nations’ agenda. He claimed that Jesus introduced the kingdom as a Seed in the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32).

Using Genesis 3:16, Genesis 13:14ff, Galatians 3:15-19, John 12:24, and 1 Corinthians 2:8, the Chairman established further that Jesus Christ is the eternal Seed that was “ignorantly” sown by the devil but has now grown into a vine tree with many branches that continues to bear much fruit.

According to him, the various church denominations are thus branches connected to Jesus, the true vine.  The Chairman, on the other hand, explained that no single church organization can cater to everyone’s tastes and preferences, and that every denomination, in any generation, should decide what kind of church it wants to build, develop, and maintain.

“We should not make comparisons between The Church of Pentecost and other churches. Rather, let us develop what we have, make it a brand, and stick to it, because no church denomination, no matter what you do, can meet the tastes and preferences of all people,” he stated.

In light of this, Apostle Nyamekye added that ministers of a particular church denomination should not regard themselves as superior to others, but rather as one body born of the same spirit.

He urged ministers to regard their colleagues in the CoP and other denominations as brothers, coworkers, fellow soldiers, and fellow prisoners (Philippians 2:25. Colossians 4:10). The Chairman urged ministers to love one another and work together to keep the body of Christ united (Ephesians 4:1-7).

“We need to collaborate and win together. We must support and protect one another,” he charged.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, the Finance and Administration Director (FAD) at The Church of Pentecost (CoP) Headquarters, has disclosed that, one of the factors that could enable church leaders to excel in their ministry is their ability to withstand pressure.

He stated that pressures from followers (members) and other co-workers could cause leaders to make poor decisions in times of crisis, stressing that, the leader must be able to maintain a “cool head” and calm composure at all times.

Apostle Otu-Nyarko said this when he preached this morning on the topic: “Equipping the Saints to Watch Over Their Ministry and Complete It” at the Ministers and Wives’ session of the ongoing 2022 Tarkwa Area Apostolisation.

Using scripture references such as Ephesians 6:11-12, Hebrews 13:20-21, and Colossians 4:17, he stated that, in keeping with this year’s overarching theme, church leaders have a mandate to equip members for greater impact.

He defined equipping as “committing resources to an institution or a person in order for that person or institution to execute an assignment, duty, task, or responsibility.”

Apostle Otu- Nyarko stated that Christ has appointed ministers for the equipping of the saints, and thus they must carry out this mandate effectively until the end of their calling.

He stated that the equipping process necessitates girth because it will take more grace to build church members up to stand in the Lord and withstand the schemes of the evil one.

He did, however, assure them that if they were able to complete this mandate, they would receive a large heavenly reward for their efforts.

Apostle Otu- Nyarko mentioned arrogance, discouragement, over-ambition, covetousness, weariness, the Love for the Flesh, success pressure, and distractions as other factors that could prevent church leaders from “completing their ministry.”

The Finance and Administrator Director of The Church of Pentecost advised ministers and wives to remember that it is the Lord who has called them (1 Thessalonians 5:24) and that He has a hand in every ministerial assignment they receive in order to keep and discharge their ministry to the end.

He also advised them to fix their gaze solely on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), to be content and relaxed, to praise God in all circumstances (2 Peter 1:3), and to stand firm in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-11).

The Ministers and Wives’ session was held ahead of the official opening of this year’s Officers’ Retreat also referred to as Apostolisation.

The Officers’ Retreat (Apostolisation) is an annual capacity-building and training program established by The Church of Pentecost to equip and empower church leaders to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

This year’s event is under the theme: “Equipping the Church as an Army to Possess the Nations” (Hebrews 13:20-21, Ephesians 4:11-12, Ephesians 6:10-11),” which is the overarching theme of the Church for 2022.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Elder Steve Owulaku of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC)-Tarkwa and his family have single-handedly funded the construction of a church building at Gmantendo in the Gbungbalinga District of The Church of Pentecost.

The 75-seat auditorium, which cost GHS 20,053.00 in total, was dedicated recently by Apostle Emmanuel Kojo Aidoo (Yendi Area Head).

Speaking at the event, Overseer Jerry Ohene-Acquah, the church’s Gbungbalinga District Minister, who also serves as the Area Estate Committee Chairman, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Elder Steve Owulaku and his family for their generosity to the district.

He said as part of efforts to eliminate churches worshipping under trees in the Area, a building model had been designed to propel the said initiative.

After dedicating the structure, Apostle Emmanuel Kojo Aidoo praised Elder Owulaku and his family for their generosity. He also urged all Church members to emulate such selfless qualities, as these are the foundational church practices.

The event also included the commissioning of a mechanized borehole, which was generously funded by the Gbungbalinga District and supported by PIWC-Graceland of the Teshie-Nungua Area and Goaso Area, respectively.

Report by Overseer Jeremiah Boffour.

Teeming mourners involving relatives, prominent members of society, as well as ministers and members of The Church of Pentecost, paid their last respects to the former Finance Board Chairman of the Church, Elder Emmanuel Owusu Kissi (Retired), in a glorious funeral service held in his honour at Suhum on Saturday, February 5, 2022.

Unlike the typical funeral service, which is characterised by an overwhelming display of emotions and grief, this event was instead a celebration of the life of a faithful soldier of the Cross whose life could easily pass for a template (role model) for all Christians, particularly officers and members of the Church.

It was, therefore, fitting that after listening to the glowing tributes paid to Elder Kissi’s extraordinary life, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo (the immediate past International Missions Director and the conductor for the event), spontaneously led congregants to give a rousing round of applause to the late elder for a life well-lived.

Delivering a sermon based on Hebrews 11:32-40, Apostle James Smith Gyimah (Rtd.) further eulogised Elder Kissi by saying that he lived a life of faith.

According to him, although the former Finance Board Chairman endured a difficult life – losing both parents and other guardians at a very tender age – he held on to his faith in Christ to the very end of his life on earth.

The former Suhum Area Head said that, just like the “Heroes of Faith” in Hebrews 11, Elder Kissi was able to hold on to his faith because he looked forward to the hope of the resurrection.

He said that the outcome of his life is a testament that “Faith is not a bridge of troubled waters, but a pathway through them.”

Apostle Gyimah, therefore, urged Christians to be resolute in their faith and continue to hold fast to the hope of the resurrection.

The event, which was officiated by Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman of the Church), took place at the Suhum Senior High Technical School Park. The Chairman was ably assisted by the IMD, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe. Among those present were the immediate past Chairman, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (Rtd.), and some Executive Council Members namely, Apostles Samuel Osei Asante, Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, Yaw Adjei-Kwarteng, Isaac Nii Kotei-Djani, Sylvester Arhin, Dr. Dela Quampah, Vincent Anane Denteh, Mike Etrue and Prophet David Kankam Beditor.

In a brief remark, Apostle Nyamekye advised elders of the Church to emulate the extraordinary life of Elder Kissi by rendering faithful services to the Lord and living Christ-centered lifestyles.

Elder Kissi accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour in the then Apostolic Church at Suhum in 1951 and was baptised by the late Pastor K. Boateng. He served the Lord zealously with his strength and resources.

During the challenging times in the Apostolic Church, young Elder Kissi stood firmly behind the McKeown group, which later became The Church of Pentecost after the separation. He was also very instrumental in galvanising the Church from total collapse after the hard-hitting impasse between the Apostolic Church and The Church of Pentecost, which resulted in the latter losing most of its properties to the former.

The Church recognising Elder Kissi’s love and zeal for the Lord gave him various appointments and roles to play. Some of these were Witness Movement (now Evangelism Ministry) Leader at the local, district and regional levels, treasurer for the Witness Movement, Presiding Elder for the then Suhum Assembly, Area Deacon for the then Eastern Region “A” and the first Area Deacon for Suhum Area. He later served as the Finance Board Chairman of the Church from 1985 to 1998.

As Finance Board Chairman, Elder Kissi saw to it that the needs of ministers were well taken care of while ensuring that the resources of the Church were well accounted for. Under his able leadership, many key financial policies were introduced in the Church to help cushion the lives of ministers, especially those in the northern part of the country. He discharged his duty so well that it was hard to believe that he had no accounting background. Throughout his 13-year period of service, he proved utmost integrity and ensured prudent use of the church’s resources. He was known for his integrity, devoutness, and immense generosity.

Elder Kissi was called to glory on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at aged 91. He is survived by seven children, three of whom are in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost namely, Pastor Samuel Agyekum Kissi (New Achimota District), Mrs. Rose Dansoa Kumi-Larbi (Wife of the General Secretary), and Mrs. Joyce Adupong (Archway District, UK).

He also left behind 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

May he rest in perfect peace.

PENTECOST NEWS.

It was all joy and applause when Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP), Apostle James Teye Tetteh, the Chaplain General of the Ghana Prisons Service, donated the offering proceeds from his retirement service in support of an officer who had all his belongings burnt in a recent fire outbreak in Tamale.

ADP Tetteh showed this gesture on Friday, February 4, 2022, at his retirement service, held at the Prisons Inter-Denominational Church at the Prisons Headquarters in Accra.

Apostle ADP James Teye Tetteh joined the Ghana Prisons Service on December 2, 2002, and served for 20 years.

Before his call into full-time ministry, and subsequently into the Ghana Prisons Service, Apostle ADP James Teye Tetteh served as a Senior Programme Officer responsible for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), training programmes with Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) designated for the northern parts of Ghana.

Speaking at the ceremony, on the topic: “God is not unjust,” Apostle Lt. Col. Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces, said that God is just, righteous, faithful and good towards everyone.

He stated that if righteousness prevailed in society, then there was no need for justice. But if there was no righteousness, then God’s intervention was justice by men.

Reflecting on the Parable of the Master and his three servants, in Matthew 25:19-23, he noted that the two servants who worked diligently were rewarded, while the servant who failed to be productive, faced the consequences of his action.

He, therefore, congratulated and commended Apostle ADP Tetteh, for the good work done and in serving his generation dutifully.

In explaining why God is not unjust, Apostle Lt. Col. Kumi-Woode said that God kept records of everything people do, remembers everything and rewards every good work done by his servants.

“Beyond the profile, God has detail records of everything, keeps every good deed of stewards in remembrance and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him,” he added.

Apostle Lt. Col. Kumi-Woode, who doubles as Head of the Chaplaincy Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, appreciated the work done by Apostle ADP James Teye Tetteh, in reforming and contributing greatly to the development of the prisons in Ghana.

“The morality of any society is measured on how it treats the vulnerable,” he stated.

Prophet David Kankam Beditor, Coordinator of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Committee of The Church of Pentecost, who also doubles as Ashaiman Area Head and Executive Council Member of the church, who represented the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, congratulated Apostle ADP James Teye Tetteh and family for a meritorious work done for God, church and man.

A short prayer was offered on behalf of Apostle ADP Tetteh by Apostle David Tekper, Achimota Area Head.

The Evangelism Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, led by Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin and Elder Lawyer Ken Aboah, presented a plaque in his honour, for serving as the Coordinator for the Prisons Ministry.

In his response, Apostle ADP Tetteh thanked the leadership of the Ghana Prisons Service led by the Director-General of Prisons (DGP), Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir and the entire Ghana Prisons Service staff.

He then advised the officers to contribute their part in the development of the Service and to avail themselves wholly to their duties.

“Take the opportunities to avail yourself and do the work with diligence,” he urged.

Also present at the ceremony were Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko (Financial & Administration Director, CoP), Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anim (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pentecost University), Apostle Martin Seth Appiah (Madina Area Head), Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe (Director, Post Graduate Studies and Research Directorate, Pentecost University), Apostle Ekow Badu-Woode (Rtd), Apostle John Osei Amaniampong (La Area Head), Apostle Patrick Aseyero (Odorkor Area Head), Apostle Dr. Benjamin Ali (Downtown-Ofaakor Area Head), Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman (Teshie-Nungua Area Head), Apostle William Ohemeng-Kwakye (Anyaa-Ablekuma Area Head), and other ministers of the Church.

Apostle ADP James Teye Tetteh was born on August 4th, 1962 in the coastal town of New Ningo. As the 10th child out of 12 siblings, he strived to complete his education at all levels through to his Master’s programmes. He was called into full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in the year 2000 and trained subsequently at the Pentecost Bible Institute (now Pentecost University). 

He served at Mensah Dawa District, then in the Koforidua Area before his enlistment into the Ghana Prisons Service and in the capacity as Chaplain. While in service, he served as the Resident Minister at then Amasaman Worship Centre and Amanfrom Worship Centre. He was also the Resident Minister of Mount Olives Worship Centre at Gbawe, Accra and currently fellowshipping at Dzorwulu English Assembly.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has encouraged members of the International Legal Advisory Committee to be bold and come out with proposals that would help advance the missions enterprise of The Church of Pentecost.

Apostle Nyamekye was interacting with the team yesterday at their maiden meeting in Accra.

The Chairman thanked them for responding favourably to the invitation by the leadership of the church in pursuit of possessing the nations’ agenda.  

“We have many legal brains in the church. Having chosen you out of the many for this task is grace. We carefully selected you from the various global blocs, because we need the understanding of the issues at hand from a global perspective,” he said.

He noted that The Church of Pentecost which used to be in the fringes has now become a global church with many resources – both human and material. He added that the growth has come with its attendant challenges, stressing that, the dynamics have now gone beyond just being in Ghana and managing the affairs of the church.

“It is my prayer that God will use you to help The Church of Pentecost in achieving the possessing the nations’ agenda. I believe that by your inclusion, we will be able to get very far. The church has grown big and we need all of you to come on board to possess the nations,” he said.

Interacting with the Chairman, the team thanked him for the selection and the great strides the church is making in the nations.

The team, drawn from the various global regional blocs, comprising attorneys, barristers, and judges, constituted by the International Missions Board, had been meeting in Accra from February 1-3, 2022 to fine-tune the church’s various legal documents in connection with its missions’ agenda.

It is chaired by Elder Dr. Lawyer Ken Aboah, a Trustee of the church. Other members include Elder Lawyer Christian Ansah (USA, Americas bloc), Mrs. Rose Arthur (UK, Europe bloc), Pastor Stephen Agyei (Qatar, Middle East bloc), Attorney Caleb Larbi Asiedu (South Africa, SADC bloc), and Maxwell Ababio (Australia, Asia bloc).

The rest are Mrs. Maria Djaquite (Guinea Bissau, West Africa Anglophone bloc), Ms. Sharon Juliana Akinyi Otieno (Kenya, East Africa bloc), Mrs. Kegbero Rouki (Togo, West Africa Franchophone), Barrister Christopher Tabetando Takem–Agbor (Cameroun, Central Africa bloc), Mrs. Erasmina Danso Boadi (Europe, Schegen Zone), and Overseer Lawyer Daniel Essuman Koomson (Asuokor District, Berekum Area).

Among the issues they were working on were the Affiliation document of the church, registration of national churches, charter and constitution, condition of service and retirement age of ministers, finance and bank accounts and transfer of funds, conflict resolution, by-vocational policy of the church, and a constitutional amendment of the main constitution of the church.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Dr. Lawyer Ken Aboah, a renowned surgeon and legal practitioner, has attributed the exponential growth of The Church of Pentecost around the world to the fulfilment of God’s covenant with the church and its forefathers.

According to him, The Church of Pentecost is one of the few African churches that has managed to open branches in 135 nations, and still counting.

Dr. Lawyer Aboah, an Elder and Trustee of the church, said this on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, in Accra, at the maiden meeting of the International Legal Advisory Committee constituted by the International Missions Board of The Church of Pentecost to oversee all legal issues in the external branches of the church. The advisory committee is made up of barristers, attorneys, and judges selected from various parts of the world.

Elder Dr. Aboah noted that The Church of Pentecost was in 109 nations as of December 2021, adding that, the Missions Board has targeted opening churches in 40 new nations in 2022. 

He, however, noted with joy that in just about two months into the year, the church has been able to open new branches in 26 nations, bringing its global presence to 135 nations.

This growth, he said, shows that “there is life in the church.” 

He also attributed the growth to the support of PENSA International and the church in the United States of America, which have taken aggressive evangelism to the nations.

He indicated that God’s divine contract or covenant with The Church of Pentecost was first declared in 1931, which announced the coming of a white man (Pastor James McKeown) to the Gold Coast in 1937. He said the covenant was reaffirmed several times in 1937, 1944, etc. 

“We can see that we have a contract with God and as a legal people, we must recognise God’s will even as we draft the law,” he added.

Some of the key areas that the team has been tasked to work on include: Affiliation document of the church, registration of national churches, charter and constitution, condition of service and retirement age of ministers, finance and bank accounts and transfer of funds, conflict resolution, the bi-vocational policy of the church, and constitutional amendment of the main constitution of the church.

Meanwhile, the 26 new nations that have been possessed by the church include Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Kuwait, Oman, Azerbaijan, Sudan, Barbados, Singapore, and Cambodia.

The rest are Macau, Fiji, Albania, Cayman Islands, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Djibouti, Algeria, Comoros, Colombia, Lichenstein, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle A. N. Y. Kumi-Larbi, together with the immediate past International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, met with the international legal advisory committee constituted by the International Missions Board of the church at their maiden meeting in Accra.

The legal advisory committee was established by the International Missions Board to manage all legal matters in the external branches as part of the missions enterprise of the church.

The team is in Ghana to fashion out legal documents that help streamline the operations of the church in all 135 nations that The Church of Pentecost has branches.

The committee is made up of barristers, attorneys, and judges. They were selected from the various regional blocs such as the West Africa Francophone, West Africa Anglophone, Southern African Development Community (SADC), East Africa, Central Africa, Schengen, Asia, Americas, and Europe.

In a short remark, Apostle Alexander Nana Kumi-Larbi commended them for availing themselves to be used by the church.

He urged them to diligently work to finetune the constitutions of the various nations for the effective running of the church.

The former International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, on his part, run the participants through the new affiliation/autonomy policy of the church.

He was happy that God has raised great men and women who can arise on every occasion to support the church.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Church of Pentecost, through the International Missions Board, has put together a global legal advisory team that will represent the church in all legal issues in the 135 nations where the church has branches.

The team which is made up of attorneys, barristers, and judges selected from various blocs across the world has met in Accra to develop a common legal document for the missions enterprise of the church.

Headed by Elder Dr. Lawyer Ken Aboah, other members include Elder Lawyer Christian Ansah (USA, Americas bloc), Mrs. Rose Arthur (UK, Europe bloc), Pastor Stephen Agyei (Qatar, Middle East bloc), Attorney Caleb Larbi Asiedu (South Africa, SADC bloc), and Maxwell Ababio (Australia, Asia bloc).

The rest are Mrs. Maria Djaquite (Guinea Bissau, West Africa Anglophone bloc), Ms. Sharon Juliana Akinyi Otieno (Kenya, East Africa bloc), Mrs. Kegbero Rouki (Togo, West Africa Francophone, Barrister Christopher Tabetando Takem–Agbor (Cameroun, Central Africa bloc), Mrs. Erasmina Danso Boadi (Europe, Schengen Zone), and Overseer Lawyer Daniel Essuman Koomson (Asuokor District, Berekum Area).

Opening the meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, under the theme, “Possessing the Nations Agenda: Legal Strategies for Mission,” the International Missions Director (IMD) of the Church, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, welcomed them on behalf of the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

He expressed his delight over the meeting, describing it as a dream come true. Giving the genesis of the formation of the team, the IMD said the Missions Board which is headed by the Chairman of the church, upon careful prayer and deliberations decided to come out with a legal committee of experts with a representation from all the regional blocs to battle every legal matter that comes up in the missions front of the church.

“As the church moves on, we cannot gloss over legal matters in the nations. We need experts to help us understand some of these legal issues. We pray that you will be able to fashion out something great for the church going forward,” he said.

Earlier, Elder Dr. Lawyer Ken Aboah in an exhortation supported with Acts 20:24; Romans 8:37-39; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13, 19; Isaiah 41:10, said that many things are happening in the world such as COVID-19, LGBTQ+, and other related issues. Some of these global happenings, he said, can move or change the faith of the Christian. He entreated them to stand firm so that nothing would shake their faith.

Dr. Ken Aboah noted that with the right hand of God, believers can stand amid the chaos in the world. 

“This is the time we must be strong in the Lord and say with Apostle Paul that nothing can move our faith as Christian legal practitioners. The worst things are coming because the Bible has predicted it. So, you better be strong and stand firm and say that nothing can move you,” he stated.

Also addressing the participants, the Finance and Administration Director (FAD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Lawrence Otu Nyarko, took them through the financial policies of the church. 

“We thank the Lord for the forum which emerged from the Missions Board. This is a very crucial meeting because we want to regularise a lot of things in the church,” he stated. 

The FAD urged them to bring on board their expertise to help in the advancement of the Kingdom business.

The guest speaker, Lawyer Minka Premoo, a Lecturer at the Ghana Law School, also took them through “The Ghanaian Law.”

The Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye; the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, as well as the immediate past International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, are expected to interact with the participants.

PENTECOST NEWS.