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A three-day orientation programme was organised for newly appointed Area Heads, Ministry Directors and other new appointees of The Church of Pentecost

The event, which took place at the Pentecost Pensions Guesthouse, Gbawe from September 8 to 10, 2020, was aimed at equipping and preparing participants for their new roles.

Present at the event were the Principal Officers of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle ANY Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary) and Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo (International Missions Director), as well as Prophet David Kankam (Executive Council Member and Ashaiman Area Head), Apostle Dr Daniel Walker  (Executive Council Member and Chancellor for Pentvars) and Apostle Dr Dela Quampah (PIWC-Odorkor and Executive Council Member)

Addressing participants on the first day of the event, the Chairman reminded church leaders that they have been called to a holy life and should therefore live as such. (Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:7)

He also said that for the authority bestowed on them to be effective it must be backed by divine power. To achieve this, he urged them to always wait upon the Lord and seek His knowledge through the consistent study of His word.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye urged them to seek to learn of Jesus, drink on the Holy Ghost and feed on the Word and work hard at increasing their capacity.

The Chairman explained that authority is given by a higher authority (Numbers 27:20), and for this reason, the leader to which the authority has been given is always accountable to the source of his or her authority. He, therefore, cautioned them to exercise their authority within its remit because just as it is given, authority could be taken away (Daniel 4:31, Ezra 7:24).

The participants were taken through some of their administrative responsibilities and what is expected of them by the General Secretary.

Pastor Dr Nicholas Darko (the outgoing Finance and Administration Director) and Elder Samuel Mantey (Acting Human Resource Manager) also took their turns to take the participants through the administrative structures, financial controls, labour act, administrative manual and the conditions of service for staff of the Headquarters.

The Senior Statistician of the church, Elder Daniel Tetteh pointed out some of the challenges in data collection and proposed some basic functional skills to help them supervise and monitor the collection of reliable Church data to enhance data credibility in the church.

In the course of the event, the immediate-past Youth Director, Apostle David Nyansah Hayfron, Apostle Francis Ofori Yeboah (Rtd.) and Apostle Anthony Ahalivor (Rtd.) were invited to share some practical and personal experiences in ministry with the participants.

Other topics treated were: “The Pastor/Director Leader” and “Managing Meetings (Mobilising People to Achieve)” by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, as well as, “Enhancing Your Supervisory Role – The Church of Pentecost Context” by Apostle Francis Ofori Yeboah (Rtd.)

The event ended on Thursday, September 10, 2020, with a clarion call on participants to apply all the knowledge gained for an effective ministry so as to accelerate the church’s vision of “Possessing the Nations.”

PENTECOST NEWS

The Takoradi Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Joseph Kwame Assabil, on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, dedicated a brand new Toyota Coaster Bus purchased by the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) – Takoradi.

Speaking at the event, the Resident Minister, Pastor Daniel Okyei Boakye, indicated that the acquisition of the bus in the midst of the economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to His Church.

“The willingness with which members offered cheerfully towards the acquisition of the bus was indeed evidence of God’s great provision in the midst of difficult times and circumstances,” he affirmed.

In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, Elder Kweku Kum, the Estate Committee Chairman of the Centre and former Area Deacon, said that the bus was acquired to address the transportation challenges that some members faced in coming to church. He added that the bus will be used for other welfare purposes.

Present at the ceremony were the Takoradi Area pastorate, the Presiding Elder of the Centre, Elder William Kweku Takyi, the Transport Committee Chairman, Elder Joel Arhin, the Area Women’s Leader, Deaconess Dr. Gladys Quartey, as well as some officers and members of the Centre.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare, Assakae District.

The Sefwi Wiawso Area of The Church of Pentecost continues to construct and dedicate more infrastructural projects such as church buildings and mission houses to advance the cause of the gospel.

At Patakro District, two church buildings at Nyamebekyere and Ackomkrom have been completed and dedicated to the glory of God. The buildings were dedicated by the Area Head, Apostle John Obeng Kesse, on August 7, 2020.

At Afere District, the newly constructed Benumsuo Assembly was dedicated by the Area Head on August 16, 2020.

Apostle Obeng Kesse on August 19, 2020, also dedicated the Ahwiaa District Mission House. The dedication of the facility, which was estimated at GH¢ 146,411.00, was graced by the Chief of Ahwiaa, Nana Kofi Nkuah II, and his elders.

The Area Head, on August 28, 2020, dedicated the Boinzan District Mission House. The mission house was constructed at the total cost of GH¢ 133,439.44.

Speaking at the various dedication services, Apostle John Obeng Kesse called on Christians never to stop praying because prayer is a weapon to defeat the devil. He read from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Jeremiah 33:3, and spoke on the topic, “Prayer, a Duty of a Glorious Church.”

According to the Area Head, the Church has been called to the duty of prayer and that prayer should be seen as a work of every Christian. “Prayer is the work and the work is prayer,” he stressed.

He, therefore, admonished Christians to pray incessantly without getting tired because the enemy does not get tired. He also said that the prayers of believers can travel where they cannot go, saying, “Whatever Christians want to do or achieve, they can do that through prayers.” 

Report by Overseer Alex Ansah–Nyarko, Sefwi Wiawso.

The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on political parties to strictly adhere to the roadmap adopted to help eradicate political vigilantism from the country.

A member of the Governing Board of the NPC, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, advised political parties that were still engaging the services of vigilantes to disband them before the December 7 elections.

“We use this opportunity to call on political parties which are still harbouring any vigilante groups or their remnants after the ban through the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) to take immediate steps to complete the disbandment process before the December 2020 general election,” he said.

Apostle Onyinah made the call at a workshop organised to increase the campaign on the eradication of political vigilantism from Ghana at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region yesterday.

The workshop, which was organised by the NPC, was funded by the Danish Embassy and brought together stakeholders in the electoral process, including officials from the Electoral Commission (EC), the political parties, and the security agencies.

Preparations

Apostle Onyinah said although the NPC was aware of the preparations by key stakeholders, including the EC, the political parties, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), civil society organisations (CSOs), and the security institutions, towards peaceful elections, there was the need to totally eradicate vigilantism from the political process.

He said it was germane for all stakeholders with competing ideas to engage in open discourse and express their opinions that shape the process towards “achieving the results that we all desire.”

For instance, he said, the political parties must always express their opinions on national issues with decorum, provide practical solutions for the many challenges that confronted the country, and respect one another in their deeds and utterances to ensure the preservation of Ghana’s peace.

Roadmap

The roadmap to eradicating political vigilantism sets out the norms and principles to guide the elimination of politically related violence or vigilantism.

The document is a comprehensive outline of the goals and overall objectives of all relevant stakeholders, especially the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the elimination of political vigilantism.

It also reflects the strategic thinking of stakeholders concerning how to achieve the goals.

For instance, at the outset of Phase One of the roadmap, “the parties shall reject all forms of violence as a mode of political expression.”

In that regard, the leaders of the NDC and the NPP are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure that their members refrain from vigilante activities.

The parties are also expected to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies, especially by way of refraining from protecting their members who violate the laws governing vigilantism.

They are also expected to affirm their commitment to the code of conduct on political vigilantism and sign the code during a public function organised by the NPC, with the media in attendance, and continuously sensitise their members to and educate them on the dangers of vigilantism.

Commitment

For her part, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, Mrs. Lucille Hewlett Annan, encouraged political parties to stay committed to their own resolution and ensure that the roadmap was fully utilised to ensure peace during the December 7 elections.

She recalled the fact that all vigilante groups had been banned and so they could not operate under the laws of the country.

Consequently, she said the parties must ensure that vigilantism was not associated with their activities, as that was punishable by law, attracting not less than 10 years and not more than 15 years’ imprisonment when found guilty.

“We are here to educate you on the Vigilantism and other Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999). It is the mandate of the Commission to educate everyone on his or her rights and responsibilities and, therefore, bringing the contents of the Vigilantism Act to you is required of us,” she said.

She said it was important to keep educating the public on Act 999 and the roadmap to increase awareness among the public of the dangers of engaging in vigilantism.

“In as much as we want to support one another along the way, other miscreants would also want to capitalise on the down sides of the pandemic to recruit people to engage in violent attacks on political opponents and innocent people,” Mrs. Annan said.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

The Yennyawoso District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Charles Oduro, has admonished believers to make a conscious effort to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to live as a delight to the Lord.

Pastor Oduro was speaking at the climax of the District Lord’s Supper and Tithes Prayer Week on Friday, September 4, 2020. The week-long event, which took place at the Central Assembly auditorium under the theme, “Cultivating the Presence of God” (1 Samuel 18:14; Genesis 39:1-3), was in two sessions: morning and evening with an impressive turnout.

In a sermon on the topic, “Excellence,” the District Minister charged Christians to know and understand the power of excellence.

He explained how Jabez, who was born in pain, got to know and understand the power of excellence and prayed to the Almighty God and eventually became prosperous and the most respected member of his family.

“Until the knowledge of God penetrates you, demons will continue to deceive you,” he said.

Reading from Psalm 8:1, Pastor Oduro noted that excellence is one of the communicable attributes of God, and that God expects His people to exhibit excellence in every aspect of their lives, saying, “Those with an excellent spirit are pacesetters.”

He indicated that whoever is filled with the Holy Spirit has the power of excellence. Such persons, he said, excel in everything they do and nothing bars them from achieving their goals. He mentioned Daniel, Joseph and others in the Bible, who excelled in all their endeavours because the Spirit of God (Daniel 6:3; Genesis 41:38).

He, however, pointed out that having an excellent spirit comes with a lot of persecutions and challenges. He, therefore, urged Christians to remain resolute and not to be perturbed by the challenges they might encounter because they will eventually excel.

Pastor Oduro revealed higher productivity, riches, and promotion as some of the benefits of excellence. “Excellence makes all things possible; it establishes one’s sonship with God and makes one indispensable,” he added.

“As an excellent spirit brings goodies, a life devoid of an excellent spirit results in mediocrity and struggles. Hence, an excellent spirit should not be taken for granted,” he added.

He finally advised believers to be faithful to the Lord in tithing and model righteousness as they seek to excel in life, saying, “There is always a price to pay for greatness.”

Report by Emmanuel Nana Nsiah.

The Takoradi Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Joseph Kwame Assabil, on Sunday, August 30, 2020, commissioned and dedicated the Takoradi Air Force Worship Centre Mission House. The magnificent edifice was constructed at the total cost of GH¢ 725,717.15.

The Worship Centre was carved out of Takoradi District in 2018. In 2009, the then Air Force Base Commander, Air Vice Marshall Maxwell Mantsebi Tei Nagai (Rtd) gave the parcel of land to the Church to construct a church auditorium, part of which has been used to construct the mission house.

The sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of the project took place on February 4, 2018. It was performed by the then Area Head, Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, supported by Pastor Augustine Dorman Kantiampong, the then Takoradi District Minister, and Pastor Lt. Godswill Gatorwu, the Resident Minister.

Speaking at the service on the topic, “The Resilient Church, A glorious Church to Possess the Nations,” Apostle Lt. Col. B. G. Kumi-Woode, Deputy Director Religious Affairs – Ghana Armed Force, admonished Christians to be tough in pursuing the mission of Jesus Christ to possess the nations.

Reading from Acts 4:29-33; 2:42-47, he explained that the early church as a resilient church was able to hold themselves together amidst the challenges of their days.

“If the church is resilient no matter what they go through they will hold together,” he affirmed.

Apostle Lt. Col. Kumi-Woode indicated that the church was commissioned by Jesus Christ to be resilient even in hostile territories trusting that they will be victorious amidst every challenge they encounter.

He noted that a resilient church brings glory to God and pursues the mission that Christ has given to believers, stressing that despite the challenges that the church will be confronted with, they should not lose focus on the kingdom agenda.

“The early church grew and pursued kingdom agenda even in crises, they kept growing and increasing. In the midst of COVID-19, the church must continue to grow and the spirituality of believers must continue to enhance,” he indicated.

Touching on the principles that held the early church together, he indicated that strong bond of fellowship, demonstration of practical love by meeting the needs of one another, strong prayer life, evangelizing unreached territories through the sharing the word of God, upholding leadership and holding on to sound doctrines were the principles that held the believers together in challenging situations.

He used the opportunity to challenge Christians to emulate the lifestyle of the early church and strategize to work along their lines of resilience to possess the nations.

Reading a speech on behalf of the Base Commander, the Wing Commander Felix Kattah commended the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye and the Executive Council for releasing funds to construct the project.

“Amazingly, this building represents the effort of Air Force and The Church of Pentecost to ensure continuity and shared vision of the military and religion and it is my hope that this effort would be emulated by other military churches in the barracks,” he indicated.

He admonished the church leadership to guide and nurture their members to develop a good maintenance culture for the mission house to have a longer life span to serve future generations.

Present at the ceremony were: Reverend Captain (GN) Paul Adjei Djan (The Director of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Force), Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Walker who is also the Garrison Commander of the 2 Garrison, Reverend Major Francis Obodai Lokko (Chaplain, Western Naval Command), Wing Commander Felix Kattah (OC Flying Wing of the Air Force Base, Takoradi), Squadron Leader Yaw Nsiah-Boakye (OC Admin Wing, Air Force Base, Takoradi, Mrs. Rebecca Assabil (Wife of Takoradi Area Head of the Church), as well as Ministers and wives of the Church in Takoradi Area.

Report by Pastor Ernest Perbi-Asare, Assakae District.

The Asokwa Area of The Church of Pentecost on Sunday, August 23, 2020, honoured the memory of the late Apostle Emmanuel David Aninkorah by naming the newly constructed Esreso Central Assembly church building after him.

The Area Head, Prophet James Osei Amaniampong, in his remarks at the dedication of the building, recalled that it was the late Apostle E. D. Aninkorah who baptised him in water during his student days at the Tamale Technical Institute.

He added that he was privileged to also work under Apostle Aninkorah as the Ashanti Regional Head at his first station. He acknowledged the late apostle and Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (immediate past Chairman of the Church) for mentoring and training him in the ministry.

According to him, ministers who worked with and adhered to the instructions of Apostle Aninkorah excelled in the ministry.

Delivering the sermon at the service, Pastor Benjamin Kwarifah of Kaase District challenged Christians to build their lives on Christ. His exposition was based on the topic,“Build a Glorious Life on the Ancient Rock.”

He noted that the ancient rock in the Old Testament was the Lord Jesus Christ. “This rock is our hiding place so when Moses wanted to see God, he was kept in the cleft of the rock so that he wouldn’t be consumed (Exo. 33: 21),” he explained.

According to him, the rock refreshes believers as the Israelites experienced in the wilderness when God satisfied their thirst by causing fresh water to gush out of the rock (Exo. 17:6).

He concluded the sermon by urging Christians to build their marriages, finances, education, families and nations on Christ the solid rock.

Present at the ceremony was the 96-year-old wife of the late Apostle Aninkorah. Also in attendance were members of the Aninkorah family, Ministers and wives of the Asokwa Area, representatives of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bosomtwe Constituency, Hon. Dr Yaw Osei-Adutwum (Deputy Education Minister), and the Esresohene.

Report by Pastor Franklin Kumi Lartey (Travelling Secretary, Asokwa Sector) & Pastor Samuel Nii Engmann (Esreso District).