Invest In Your Name To Make It Great - Pastor Oduro Advises Christians

Invest In Your Name To Make It Great – Pastor Oduro Advises Christians

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The Yennyawoso District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Charles Oduro, has advised Christians to work on their names and make them great because names are very important.

According to him, Jesus even worked to have a name that is greater than any other name conferred on Him (Philippians 2:5-11).

Pastor Oduro gave this exhortation during the climax of the New Tafo Area week celebration on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the Yennyawoso Central Assembly auditorium.

The week-long event, held at the district level, was under the theme: “Stoking the Fire of the Holy Spirit in the Local Church for Maximum Impact in the Nations (John 7:37-39; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; Acts 1:8).

Speaking on the topic: “What Is Your Name?” the Yennyawoso District Minister noted that a person’s glory is vested in their name. He explained that those with minimal names make infinitesimal impact.

“Great or good name brings blessings and favour to the bearer of the name and even those associated with them,” he stated.

Reading from Proverbs 22:1, Pastor Oduro explained that though money is good, it cannot do everything in life, saying, “Money cannot buy life, good health, peace, wisdom, power of God and good name.” He, therefore, urged the congregants to always prioritise a great or good name over everything.

He further explained from Genesis 12:2 that God’s promise to Abraham to make his name great is for all believers because any individual who believes in Christ Jesus becomes a descendant of Abraham and shares in his blessings.

Giving meanings of some biblical names, the clergyman noted that everyone lives to fulfil their name. He said that the name ‘Jesus’ means ‘Saviour,’ and this is exactly what He (Jesus) lives for (Matthew 1:21).

Pastor Oduro also noted that though the roles the Holy Spirit plays in the life of a believer are numerous, they all sum up being the Comforter whose mission is to make life comfortable for believers (John 16:5-7). He said that any Christian who is genuinely baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit is blessed with all kinds of blessings, both spiritual and physical.

“With the advent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, who were fugitives became rulers of the land. So, when the Holy Spirit baptises you, you must have a name,” he said, adding, “The Spirit came to take the disciples out from darkness, obscurity and their hiding place in the upper room to limelight and bestowed on them a great name.”

On how to stoke the fire of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Charles Oduro charged Christians to uphold the virtues of praises and worship, fasting, and faith in God.

“One of the emblems of the Holy Spirit is water (Psalm 46:4). So, if He comes into your life and your land is even arid and infertile, He waters it and makes it fertile for fruitfulness,” he stated.

Present at the service was Mrs. Gladys Oduro, wife of the District Minister.

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah

Apostle Afrifa & Wife Fete Over 120 Widows

Apostle Afrifa & Wife Fete Over 120 Widows

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The Dunkwa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa, and his wife, Mrs Juliana Awuah Afrifa, have feted more than 120 widows in the church, as part of their annual donations to the less privileged.

The feast, which took place at the Area Mission House during the Christmas festivities, was patronized by widows and widowers from the Dunkwa municipality.

Apostle Awuah Afrifa disclosed that the gesture was to share in the goodness of God with the widows and to remind them of the love of God in their lives.

Quoting from James 1:27 and 1 Timothy 5:3-16, he mentioned that widows are key players in the intercession of the church.

According to him, widows’ devotion to the things of God is important as that could bring them closer to God.

He urged them to use the gifts of God deposited in them to support the work of God, while encouraging the young ones among them to open up to remarry when the right persons approach them.

The Area Head also entreated them to try as much as possible to raise their children in a godly manner, saying, “Remain steadfast in the Lord though you may be in difficult times with the demise of your spouses. God will never leave nor forsake you.”

The widows expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Area Head for the kind gesture.

Sharing their stories, one of them who lost her husband about 30 years ago, indicated that widowhood is noted with difficulty and loneliness due to the negligence of their families and the entire society. She encouraged her colleagues to engage in skill-based trades to avoid being burdens on their families.

The widows were treated to varieties of local cuisine dishes, made merry, and danced to God’s glory.

In attendance were Pastor Emmanuel Ansah and wife (Dunkwa District), Pastor Christian Nimoh (Kadadwen District), Pastor Barnabas K. Nortsu and wife (PIWC, Dunkwa), and Pastor Edward Fosu and wife (Atechem District), as well as the Area Women’s Leader, Deaconess Mariam Mensah.

Report by Pastor E. A Ayaabah-Willington.

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Do Away With ‘Entitlement Mentality’ Agenda – Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah To Christians

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The Co-ordinator of the Volta and Oti Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) for The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Oliver Dela Quampah, has challenged Christians to do away with what he terms as ‘entitlement agenda card,’ but rather develop a heart of gratitude and be appreciative to God and the people they encounter in life.

He believes that whatever is appreciated increases in value and, therefore, expects Christians to always express appreciation and thanksgiving to God and fellow humans.

According to him, some Christians overlook the value of gratitude and appreciation because of their ‘entitlement agenda card’ and some cultural nuances, saying, “It takes the grace of God to give thanks to him always,” he said. He added: “Don’t play the entitlement agenda card with God.

Be grateful to God always, be grateful to your pastors, family, and your members. They owe you nothing. In fact, the ‘entitlement agenda’ is a killer of relationships and should be done away with, he noted.

Apostle Dr. Quampah who is an Executive Council Member and doubles as the Ho Area Head of the Church, made these remarks when he addressed the Heads’ Session of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference of The Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa, on Monday, January 23, 2023.

He spoke on the theme, “Overflowing with Thanksgiving” with scripture references from Colossians 2:6-8, Psalm 118:1, and Luke 17:11-19.

He pointed out that gratitude is a universal language and must not be taken for granted, stressing that believers have more to thank God for than to complain about.

“In fact, our thanksgiving list should be longer than our shopping list,” he said, adding, “We set high standards and expect people to deliver, and we fail to commend and show appreciation should they fall short of our expectations.”

PENTECOST NEWS

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The Church Of Pentecost Is Respected Brand – General Secretary Observes

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Members of The Church of Pentecost (The CoP) have been advised to uphold and jealously guard the Church’s core values and rules of conduct to help safeguard the goodwill of the CoP brand.

The General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, gave this advice on Monday, January 23, 2023, in a presentation on the topic: “The CoP Brand – Rules of Conduct and Core Values of the Church” at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Addressing the Heads’ session of the 2023 Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference (GMWC’23), Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that churches and denominations are known by key distinctive attributes and core values. 

According to the General Secretary, the Church, being of divine origin but composed of humans, is characterised by Biblical ethics and ethos, which it is later identified as its culture.  

“Like every other Church, The Church of Pentecost has her own culture. Our foundational beliefs are at the heart of our theology. Over the years, The CoP has built a Christ-centred brand with our core values, culture and rules of conduct handed to us as a legacy from our forebears,” he said.

He noted that the distinctive character of The CoP was steadfastly created by the forebears through selfless service, sound biblical teaching, good leadership and succession, evangelism and discipleship, sacrificial giving, and fellowship and discipline. 

“It thus behoves this generation to know, uphold and jealously guard these time-tested Pentecostal distinctive attributes as we seek to reposition the local church for maximum impact,” he stated.

He further noted that these attributes do not only give The CoP an identity but also shape people’s perceptions about the Church, which greatly impacts her influence in society.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi mentioned evangelism, church planting, discipleship, mentoring, trustworthiness, practical holiness, prayer and fasting, punctuality, respect for authority, discipline, and the expectancy of the second coming of Jesus Christ, among others, as some of the long-cherished core values and practices of The Church of Pentecost that members must be taught to uphold.

To preserve the authentic Pentecostal experience of the Church for posterity, Apostle Kumi-Larbi advisedchurch leaders to emphasise to members the importance of manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, as well as participating in the Holy Communion.

“The CoP is a respected brand in the world and these are the various variables that affect The CoP brand,” he stressed.

The General Secretary revealed that in the spirit of preserving and promoting The CoP’s brand, the leadership of the Church, through the National Discipleship and Leadership Development Committee (NDLDC), has come up with Bible Study lessons for the first three months of the year (January to March) based on the core values to educate and instill these time-tested values in the members. 

He, therefore, called on ministers of the Church to actively participate in these sessions and ensure that they are effectively organised.

Commenting on the presentation, the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, posited that the core values and practices of The CoP are still relevant in the contemporary generation because they are premised on the unchanging word of God.

“In our bid to reposition the local church for maximum impact in the nations, it is incumbent that all Church leaders and members are taught and encouraged to uphold these core values and rules of conduct of the Church,” the Chairman added.

PENTECOST NEWS.

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Be Rooted In Christ – Apostle Etrue

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An Executive Council Member of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mike Etrue, has admonished Christians to be rooted in Christ and consider it a privilege in contributing to the kingdom work to which they have been called.

He called on believers to approach Christian service with a deep sense of gratitude since it reflects the rootedness of the believer in Christ.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Being rooted in Christ as Leaders – A Prerequisite for the Repositioning of Our Local Churches’ on Monday during the ongoing Heads’ Session of the 2023 Global Ministers’ and Wives Conference, Apostle Etrue, who is also the Koforidua Area Head of the Church, opined that the mark of being rooted in Christ as a Christian leader is the ability to bear fruits and have it reflected in the lives of others.

“Being rooted in Christ is key to bearing fruits. How can we not be rooted in him and yet bear fruits,” he queried. Apostle Etrue said it is incumbent on leaders of the church to be connected deeply to the source of power and growth which is Christ as people spearheading the repositioning agenda.

He implored them to endeavour to influence and make an impact in the lives of the members. “Let us see working for God as a privilege and not a burden; there should be no murmuring while we discharge our callings and the Lord will cause a change through you,” he stated.

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Develop Attitude Of Gratitude – Apostle Nyamekye Advises

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has called on the clergy, and Christians in general to develop an attitude of gratitude.

According to Apostle Nyamekye, though the year 2022 was a tough one with several challenges, God has kept them through to another fresh year.

Speaking at the opening of the Heads’ Meeting ahead of the Global Ministers and Wives Conference of The Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh on Monday, 23 January 2023, Apostle Nyamekye revealed that Christians have a divine responsibility to give thanks always to God.

“As children of God, there is always the righteous requirement to give thanks to God because that is the will of God concerning us,” he said.

Quoting from Colossians 2:6-7; Genesis 29:32, the Chairman charged believers not to allow life worries and challenges to hinder their praise and thanksgiving to God.

“Try and detoxify yourselves of any worries so that you have the heart to praise God,” he advised.

Apostle Nyamekye called on Christians to fellowship and fraternize, adding that, through that, they can let go of some life issues which will free their minds to offer praise to God.

The Heads’ Meeting is part of the activities that form part of the Global Ministers and Wives’ Conference 2023. The Heads’ Meeting is being attended by Area Heads, as well as Directors of Ministries of the church. National Heads from external branches are joining the meeting via zoom at designated places.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Repositioning The Local Church Is Apologia Pro Vita Sua

Repositioning The Local Church Is Apologia Pro Vita Sua

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Introduction

Inherent in the history that animated the life and doctrine of the Church is a strong stance against teachings and practices that were deemed inimical to the progress of the Church. A rigorous step was taken, as it were, to safeguard the Church’s vitality. This occupation was to those who were actively involved, a defense of their own life─apologia pro vita sua (Latin: “defense of one’s life”). Indeed, there is a truth that is ever intrinsic to this stance of the early Christians who have gone ahead of us: the Church is integral in the process of laying hold onto the life that flows through Christ to people within and without the Church. It is ever true that extra Christum nulla salus (outside Christ there is no salvation). The nourishment for this salvation towards its fulfillment in Christ has the Church as its storehouse. The Church is the hub, if not the fountainhead, of the vitality which flows from Christ onto his people.

In this peculiar position of the Universal Church, the local church’s role need not be belabored. The local church is the focal point of the abundance of life ebbing from the Lord Jesus Christ to the partakers in “the faith which once delivered unto the saints.”  It is within the local church that the grace of Christ is concentrated. A decision to reposition the local church is indeed a move to draw attention to this great place of the local church in the workings of God. It is to make a decision to defend lives. Repositioning the local church is a defense of our lives─apologia pro vita sua.

The Local Church is Our Mother

To put things in perspective, it is relevant to give a definition of what the local church is. In simple terms, the local church connotes the immediate meeting or gathering of believers in the finished work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, after their translation into full fellowship, for worship, sharing in the word of God, partaking in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper among other Christian liturgies. A new believer in Christ is encouraged to join the local church in view of his or her nurturing in Christ. This suggests that discipling believers in Christ towards consolidation of their faith in Christ is done in the local church. The exhortation to “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2, NJKV) establishes the local church as the place of Christian growth, vitality and maturity.

In his discourse with Nicodemus, Jesus pointed out that his (Jesus’) concept of new birth is strikingly distinct from childbirth in the natural sense (John 3:3-7). In effect, one does not need to enter into his or her mother’s womb again to be born again. From natural knowledge, after birth, the newborn would have to be nurtured. The essence of motherhood is further appreciated here; providing warmth for the baby, food, healthcare, and teaching the young child basic life skills. Albeit, others apart from the primary mothers may contribute to this nurturing. The whole of the activities of nurturing is an act of motherhood. The nurturing role of a mother finds a resemblance with the role of the local church post-new birth. When one is born again in Christ, his or her upbringing lies strongly with the local church. When one imagines the nurturing of a newborn person in Christ, the motherhood role of the local church strikes.

Blessed are those who find themselves in a local church whose motherhood is impeccable. Such people, undoubtedly, grow most excellently and mature pleasantly in Christ. Their Christian vitality is admirable. Indeed, the local church is our mother. It is a training ground for people on whom the salvation of this world rest, significantly. I plea thus, “Dear local church, we have come to you our mother, nurture us that we may grow. Our vitality in Christ, even our very life, depends on you. Deny us your motherhood and we shall not be anything better than orphans.”

Repositioned in Defense of Our very Life

The tragedy of a local church comes to light when it is diagnosed that there is a shift in its position. Such a church loses its God-mandated stance in the world. It disturbs the flow of the life of Christ onto people and nations of the world. The principles of the Kingdom of God it is strategically positioned to reveal to the world are not seen. This church suffers loss. It is in the presence of this kind of church that societal decadence gets a field day. Such a church stands aloof in the face of social evil. The church forgets that it is a hub of hope for a dying world.

To bring back the local church to its locus of influence is an attempt to protect the life we have received from Christ. This life is supposed to ever flow onto eternal life. It is this life that gives us a dear position before God. It is a life that must necessarily be protected. The position must be defended; the life must be defended. This repositioning then becomes an issue of life and death. The search for the fountain of life that is flowing through Christ is appreciated primarily when one encounters a local church in its divinely appointed position. It is this position that enables the revival of people who are dead in sin back to life. This rightful place of the local church consequently nurtures these infant lives till they blossom, becoming a people of power and their impact felt within the larger society.

Concerning a repositioned local church, its members have genuine faith in God. This faith is nurtured by the sincere word of God. Their knowledge of God is deep-seated; their experience of God is authentic. In all, its spirituality is fervent. True worship and fellowship are witnessed. This church is a healing community. It promotes the wholeness of the life of the people therein. This church understands what it means to be saved in Christ and the peculiar responsibility that places on the redeemed people of God. The ministry of reconciliation which God has committed to his people is on point in this church since with joy it bears the burden of reaching out to the lost. This work of reconciliation finds expression in every facet of society, planting the principles of the Kingdom of God everywhere. The structures it puts in place to ensure its impact on the larger society are in a revived state. Such a church is to be desired.

Conclusion

The question remains, “what unit of a gathering of people has God strategically positioned to manifest his glory the world over?” Is it not the local church? It is within the local church that there is a first encounter with the revelation of who the Almighty is; his nature, and his work in the world in reconciling the world to himself. The local church is the embassy in which God dwells among men. The local church in the mind of God is a people that bear the mark of the Kingdom of God. Repositioning the local church is a survival mechanism for the Universal Church. To this end, to identify the reason for the decline of the Church in nations, regional blocs, and even continents, the compromise of the vital position of the local church would always be implicated. The local church in its rightful position is a life-giving gathering of people on whom the Spirit of God is resting. Repositioning the local church is a defense of the very life of nations.

Written by Dr. Stephen Ofotsu Ofoe

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The Church of Pentecost Adjudged “Most Impactful Church In Cape Coast”

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The Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost has been presented the ‘Osabarimba Royal Award’ as the most Impactful Church in the Cape Coast Traditional Area during this year’s Osabarimba Royal Awards ceremony.

The prestigious award was received on behalf of the Cape Coast Area by a church delegation made up of the Area Chieftaincy Ministry Chairman, Pastor Isaac Yamoah Bosompem, the Area Deacon, Elder Daniel Quainoo, and the Area Women’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Georgina Ashley, at a colourful event held at Oguaa Emintsimadze, the palace of the Osabarimba Atta II of Oguaa.

The Osabarimba Royal Awards is an annual Oguaa Traditional Council event initiated by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta in partnership with Ridge Royal Hotel, associated by all and sundry.

The awards scheme seeks to recognise and acknowledge individuals and organisations supporting the growth and development of Oguaa (Cape Coast).

Being the third edition of the annual award ceremony, this year’s event saw a rich display of royalty, prestige, togetherness, culture and tradition. It also brought together businessmen and women, technocrats, governmental and non-governmental organisations, old student associations, churches, representatives of various groups, sponsors, the media and all nominees.

Addressing the prestigious and royal gathering, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II revealed that: “We, are honouring persons and organisations in the metropolis who have distinguished themselves in their various places of work and those who through their efforts have to improve the face of Cape Coast or Oguaaman.”

The 2023 Osabarimba Royal Awards ceremony had 12 categories, including social development, education, health sector, religion, tourism, indigenous organisations and honourary awards.

The Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost took home the “Most Impactful Church in Cape Coast” award under the religion category.

The Area Deacon, Elder Daniel Quainoo, in an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, explained that the award was given to The Church of Pentecost because of the historic impact the Church had made in the lives of the people of Cape Coast in terms of evangelism in ghettos, donations to prisoners in Ankaful Prisons, visitation to patients at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Ewim Hospital, and educational support to brilliant but needy students in tertiary institutions, among others.

The awardees, on behalf of the nominees of the various categories, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II and the Planning Committee for the recognition and honour done them.

They said the award has greatly motivated them and promised to do more to “make Cape Coast great again.”

In attendance to witness the event were over 30 chiefs and queen mothers.

Report by Pastor Ebenezer Okoampah (Cape Coast Area Media Ministry).

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Sawla Area Organises Retreat For Pentecost Schools Staff

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A two-day retreat has been organised for managers, teachers and non-teaching staff of the Pentecost Preparatory schools in the Sawla Area.

The maiden event, which is a brainchild of the Area Head, Pastor David Amankwaa, took place at the Sawla English Assembly church auditorium on January 9, 2023. It was under the theme: “Repositioning Our Schools, the Role of Teachers.”

The purpose of the programme, according to Pastor Amankwaa, was to allow the participants to wait upon the Lord for fresh strength, take stock of the past year and plan for the New Year.

Addressimg the participants, the Sawla Area Head said teachers (educators) have a significant role to play in the Church’s vision of transforming society with Kingdom principles and values, dubbed “Vision 2023.”

He, however, noted that to be effective agents of transformation, they ought to be first transformed by having a personal encounter with Christ and building an intimate relationship with Him.

Using Acts 6:1-8, and Colossians 3:23-24 as Bible references, Pastor Amankwaa explained that the first-century church recorded tremendous growth in population within a short time because the leaders of the church – the 12 apostles – were spirit-filled and spirit-led.

He said that the apostles relied on the Spirit of God in every decision they took, including the appointing young men to wait on tables and meet the daily needs of the widows in the church.

He, therefore, urged the participants, particularly the managers of the schools, to always pray for divine direction and insight when taking decisions.

He also advised them to efficiently execute their administrative duties with diligence.

The Sawla Area Head cited the story of Moses and Jethro in Exodus 18:25-27 to stress the need for the leaders to delegate and share their workload.

“There is strength in diversified unity, and this must be effectively harnessed by the leaders to the advantage of the schools,” he advised.

The Area Head also encouraged the teachers to add value to themselves by striving to further their education, saying: “A man’s ministry is an outflow of himself, so you can only give what you know as a teacher.”

Ending his submission on a high note, Pastor Amankwaa commended the staff of the Sawla and Bole Pentecost Preparatory schools for recording a 100% pass in their first attempt at the Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE).

He, however, challenged them to aim at single digits in this year’s exams.

The participants, 53 in all, were also taken through bookkeeping and other administrative functions as part of the retreat.

Report by Sawla Area Media Team

HUM Poised For Greater Works In 2023 & Beyond

HUM Poised For Greater Works In 2023 & Beyond

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The Home and Urban Missions (HUM) of The Church of Pentecost held a National Sub-Committees’ Performance Review Meeting yesterday to take stock and strategise for the year 2023 and beyond.

The meeting, chaired by the HUM Coordinator, Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, brought together all heads and secretaries of the various sub-committees under the ministry at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

This year’s meeting was strategic as it aimed at finishing strong and well as the Church’s five-year strategic vision, dubbed “Vision 2023,” enters its final lap.

The sub-committees represented at the event  included the Expatriates, Secretariat, Literature, Fulani, Orality, Vulnerable Children, Rehabilitation and Nation Possessors. The rest were Cine Evangelism, Outreach, Training and Equipping Centre, Sports and the Production committees.

The various committees took turns to read their reports for 2022, and highlighted their achievements and projections for 2023.

Giving his closing remarks, Apostle Agyei Kwafo expressed gratitude to God for the amazing successes chalked by each committee in the previous year.

He also expressed appreciation to the house on behalf of the National Executive Committee, chaired by Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe, and prayed with the participants for God’s abounding grace.

The HUM Coordinator also encouraged them to put in their best this year, saying: “We are expecting greater works this year and beyond.”

Home and Urban Missions (HUM) is a ministry of The Church of Pentecost dedicated to reaching out to the unengaged and unreached people groups in the nations.

Report by Overseer Emmanuel Otchere Darko