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‘Pastor Jonathan Kofie Sick Bay’ Commissioned

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With GsTop Stories

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on Sunday, October 24, 2021, commissioned and dedicated a sickbay constructed by the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Odorkor (PIWC-Odorkor) at the Church’s premises.

The facility, described as a first of its kind in The Church of Pentecost, is one of the three legacy projects undertaken by the Church as part of its week-long 10th-anniversary celebration.

The facility, which comprises a consulting area, nurses’ station, and a dispensary, has been named the ‘Pastor Jonathan Kofie Sick Bay’ in honour and memory of the late former Resident Minister of the Church.

Commissioning the facility, Apostle Kumi-Larbi commended the leadership of the Church for the project and encouraged other churches to emulate the laudable initiative. He said that the facility would provide medical care for members and also serve as a place where first aid could be administered before an ailing person is taken to the hospital.

The wife of the late minister, Mrs. Regina Kofie, who was also present to witness the ceremony, expressed gratitude to God and the Church for making the project a reality. She also thanked the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for the tremendous support her family has received since the demise of her husband.

Speaking on the topic: “Building Glorious Gates for a Glorious Church” during the Sunday Service before the commissioning, the General Secretary stressed on the need for Christians to examine their lives and repair any ‘broken gate’ that would oppose the collective goal of building a glorious church.

Using Nehemiah 3:1-32 and Nehemiah 12:39 as scripture references, Apostle Kumi-Larbi explained that when the time came for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem after years in exile in Babylon, they came in three batches. The first batch was led by Zerubbabel, who helped to build the temple of God. The second was led by Ezra, who restored the worship of the Lord, whilst the final batch was led by Nehemiah, who saw to the rebuilding of the 12 gates of Jerusalem.

He, therefore, inferred that in building a glorious church, Christians must first understand that their bodies are temples of the Most High God and refrain from ungodly acts that do not bring glory to Him. He further noted that, just like Ezra, Christians must also restore their worship life by ensuring that the relationship between them and God remains cordial at all times.

Dwelling more on the rebuilding of the 12 gates, the General Secretary said that broken gates expose an individual to the attacks of invaders (the devil and his cohorts). For this reason, every Christian must be conscious about repairing any ‘gate’ in their life.

He further noted that Nehemiah was able to mobilise his comrades towards a common goal, and together, they were able to construct all the 12 gates in a record time of 52 days. This, according to him, was because everyone was involved in the work.

“To build a glorious church and be able to accomplish what God has planned for us, there must first be the mobilisation of the people, then ensure that everyone understands and catches the vision, and also, we must all be prepared to put our hands to the wheel,” he charged.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi noted that the first gate to be repaired by the Israelites was the Sheep Gate. He explained that it represents the altar of sacrifice, stressing that, the Christian journey is a life of sacrifice. “The Church we see today is a result of the sacrifices made by our forebears. On the other hand, the sacrifices we are making today would be assessed by future generations,” he noted. He, therefore, urged believers to first offer themselves as ‘living sacrifices’ to the Lord and be willing to offer their resources (time, money, skills etc.) in advancing the Kingdom business.

The next gate to be fixed was the Fish Gate, which, he said, represents evangelism (soul winning). He said that the evangelistic aspect of the church is needful because God has called believers to make them “fishers of men.”

Expounding on the old gate, also known as the Jeshanah Gate, which was the third to be repaired, Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that Christians must hold on to the sound biblical doctrines that the forebears have bequeathed to the church and not allow themselves to be swayed by false doctrines.

According to the General Secretary, the Valley Gate, which represents suffering and humility, also signifies that the Christian life comes with suffering. In view of this, Christians must be prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel and also humble themselves to serve each other.

The Dung Gate, on the other hand, represents sin and self-cleansing. This, he explained, stresses the need for Christians to do away with sin, and strive to work on their weaknesses.

Apostle Kumi-Larbi also noted that the Fountain and East Gates represent the Holy Spirit and the second coming of Christ, respectively. Explaining further, he said that Christians must rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in all their endeavours and must also be mindful that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is to make it to heaven.

The historic service, which climaxed the 10th-anniversary celebration of PIWC-Odorkor, was attended by Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe, who represented the Odorkor Area Head, Pastor Felix Okyere Anti (Resident Minister, PIWC-Odorkor), Mrs. Roberta Aseyoro (Wife of the Odorkor Area Head) and Mrs. Gifty Anti (Wife of the Resident Minister)

The service also had some past members of PIWC-Odorkor present, including the Director for the Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), Elder Richard Amaning.

The weeklong anniversary celebration, which featured a Prayer Marathon, Music and Drama Night and a Time with Uncle Ebo Whyte, was under the theme: “Building Glorious Gates” (Nehemiah 3:1-32).

PENTECOST NEWS

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Teshie-Nungua Women’s Ministry Organises Girl-Child Sensitisation Outreach

by with No Comment Church NewsTop StoriesWomen's Ministry

As part of activities to mark the 2021 International Girl Child Day, the Teshie Nungua Area (TNA) Women’s Ministry undertook a sensitisation outreach at the Teshie-Gonno Cluster of Schools. 

The Teshie Lekma 4 Primary and Kindergarten pupils were on the afternoon shift when the Area Women’s Leader, Deaconess Sophia Nana Arthur, and her team visited the school. The delegation also included Deaconess Harriet Owusu Agbenya (Assistant Area Ministry Leader) and some district leaders from the Area. 

In line with the theme for this year’s celebrations, the Area Women’s Leader sensitised the girls on menstruation and the benefits of menstrual hygiene. 

She mentioned that menstruation is unique to females, and access to the proper knowledge on the use and disposal of sanitary pads was necessary for the girl-child. 

Deaconess Arthur also stressed the importance of digital literacy and the safe and effective use of digital technologies. “Digital literacy is not taking selfies and updating WhatsApp statuses but understanding the ubiquitous technologies available to us and using them appropriately,” she said.

The ministry also donated exercise books, pencils, erasers, reading books, liquid soaps, sanitary pads, and food items to the pupils. 

The headmistress of the school, Mrs Ernestina Markine, received the items on behalf of the pupils. Together with some teachers at the school, they expressed gratitude to the church for the kind gesture. 

Mrs Markine shared some of the challenges school authorities had to deal with due to parental neglect, for which reasons she considered the items timely and necessary to meet the needs of the 21st-century girl-child.

In all, about 200 pupils from classes 1 to 6 participated in the event.

The United Nations has declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. The day is observed to create awareness on the importance of adolescent girls and attempts made by society to empower and identify their potentials by providing opportunities for them.

PENTECOST NEWS

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La Area Unveils ‘Nation Possessors’

by with No Comment Church NewsHUMTop Stories

The La Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle John Osei Amaniampong, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, launched the “Nation Possessors” group at the Dr. Thomas Wyatt Memorial Temple, in Accra New Town.

Speaking at the event, Apostle Amaniampong said that the church seeks to raise missionaries in their numbers to hit the ground running with the vision and mission of Possessing the Nations. He, therefore, indicated that the launch of the Nation Possessors in the Area is to gather momentum to win more people for Christ.

He quoted Acts 13:36 and said that the church must work hard to ensure that there is always a generation to continue the work of God. “The ‘Nation Possessors’ the church seeks to raise, shall be trained to properly understand the vision, own it and through fasting, prayer, and intentional mentoring be released to run with the agenda by influencing every aspect of the world they find themselves,” he stated.

The Nation Possessors, an initiative of the Home and Urban Missions (HUM), is expected to zealously whip up morale among the church populace to passionately run with the vision of the church.

The team inaugurated by the Area Head to run the group in the Area consist of Pastor John Addo Brown (Coordinator), Elder Courage Bedzo (Leader), Elder Emmanuel Abrokwah, Elder Emmanuel Asante Gyansih, Elder Sampson Badzie and Deaconess Emma Afelete.

Report by Daniel Tetteh, La Area Reporter.

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PENSA Ghana Holds Leaders’ Retreat

by with No Comment Church NewsPENSA InternationalTop StoriesYouth Ministry

Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Ghana has organised a 3-day retreat for more than 700 PENSA leaders of various educational institutions in Ghana.

The retreat, which took place from 24th to 26th September 2021 at Atonsu Worship Centre in Kumasi, was under the theme: “Wisdom to lead, Treasures of old to tap, Nations to possess.”

Among the speakers were the Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye; the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi; former Chairman of the church, Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy and Youth Ministry Patron, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante.

Others were the Youth Ministry Director, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan; Deaconess Faustina France and Deaconess Eunice Johnson.

The speakers shared powerful messages on the theme of the conference. The participants were groomed on how to be effective leaders in their various capacities.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in his presentation, charged PENSA leaders to make the organisation home to all groups of people on campus. He urged them to be soul-winners and create a conducive church atmosphere for people from all walks of life by being contemporary in their way of worship as the campus is filled with youth who are inclined to the changing sceneries of the world.

The former Chairman, Apostle Dr. Ntumy, on his part, spoke on ways to obtain wisdom. He stated that the fear of God – reading and studying the word of God, praying continuously, staying at the feet of Jesus, and walking with the wise – were sure ways of obtaining wisdom.

The second day of the retreat was climaxed with an intensive prayer time where the power of the Holy Ghost was manifested. There were prophecies, visions, and various giftings of the Holy Spirit.

The retreat ended with a word ministration by the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, who spoke on the tenets of the church.

All Travelling Secretaries and Campus Pastors and their wives were present as well as some pastors and officers in Kumasi.

The PENSA leaders were equipped and fortified and unleashed to their various campuses to take and possess them for Christ.

PENTECOST NEWS.

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Pentecost University Matriculates 126 Ministerial Students

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The School of Theology, Missions and Leadership (STML) of the Pentecost University has held its 13th Matriculation ceremony which ushered in 126 ministerial students into the University for their 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. The event was graced by many dignitaries from the church and academia.

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Chancellor of the University and Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Kaneshie Area Head of the church, Apostle Michael Etrue, congratulated the students for what he described as a “glorious call” to serve the Lord.

He encouraged the students to prepare to go the extra mile and work with all integrity to the glory of God. “Ministry is not a joke, so please do not take ministry for granted,” he said.

Speaking on the topic, “Knowing our individual assignment; standing on the Holy Ground” using Moses as a case study, Apostle Etrue said when God met Moses in the wilderness, He told him to remove his sandals for where he was standing was holy ground. This, he said, signifies that when one meets God he takes off his old nature and lives a new life that suits the holiness of God. It also means a total surrender unto God to commence a new life, he stressed.

The Kaneshie Area Head admonished the students to surrender their all unto God for Him to work through them mightily as He did to Moses.

He urged the students to have a heart of a good leader. He said Moses was a shepherd-leader, which means he was selfless, patient, calm, and served his people with love. “As a leader, Moses did not create wealth for himself at the expense of his people,” he said.

He added: “Ministry is not for the creation of wealth, but God has called us to succeed in His purpose for us. God is looking for humble, diligent, and honest people to call into the ministry. So, you must not disappoint Him.”

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, challenged the ministerial students to engage in vigorous studies and prayers.

Prof. Agyapong-Kodua assured the students that they have not joined a mere university, but a university that has set itself up to be unique among all institutions. “We observed a spiritual gap in modern education and an intellectual gap in present-day spirituality. This observation is the pivot of our University A+ agenda,” he stated.

According to him, the agenda of the university is to ensure that every minister trained at the university will become a truly spiritual, intellectually outstanding and a recognised problem solver; ministers replicating Christ in his full-time ministry.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the students to learn from the attitude of the four Hebrews who found themselves in Babylon – they studied and gained knowledge to transform the King and governance. He also revealed that those four young men also succeeded because of their spirituality – reverence towards God and their serious attitudes towards learning. “They took their relationship with God seriously and did not joke with their studies. Their results were ten times better” he revealed.

He, therefore, advised the students to take learning seriously and at the same time have an intimate relationship with God.

Report by Alex Nana Owusu Nkrumah.

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Dunkwa Area Organises 3-Day Retreat For Church Leaders

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

The Dunkwa Area of The Church of Pentecost, under the leadership of Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa, has organised a three-day retreat for ministers and their wives, as well as officers in the Area. 

The well-attended event was under the theme: “A Glorious Church Leader: Are You Revived to Possess the Nations?”

The event, which took place from October 12-15, 2021 at the zonal level aims to renew the spiritual strength of the church leaders in the Area and also to whip up their passion towards the work of God.

Preaching on the topic: “Beware of Shishak as we possess the nations,” Apostle Afrifa admonished ministers and their wives to do their best to maintain the glory of the Lord in the Church.

According to him, when the reign of Rehoboam was established, he abandoned the law of the Lord in his fifth year, adding that, because he was unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the house of God.  He said King Rehoboam replaced these treasures of gold that were in the house of the Lord with bronze and committed them into the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house.  

He explained that Rehoboam started well as a good and faithful king who sought the face of the Lord but later became unfaithful and complacent and turned from the Lord. 

Apostle Afrifa, quoting from 2 Chronicles 12:1-4 and 1 Kings 14:25, advised pastors not to turn away from God but stay connected to Him and be obedient to His word.

“Most ministers start well but relax later on and become complacent and unfaithful as they journey in ministry,” he said while advising them to maintain a pure life and heart before God and seek Him wholeheartedly. 

“Rehoboams’ unfaithfulness opened the door for Shishak to come for the gold in the temple. Gold represents glory and honour and must not be replaced with bronze,” he said.

He advised Christian leaders to beware of things that take away the glory of God in the Church, since they are the gatekeepers that God has placed in His Church to guard the gate and maintain the glory of the Church. 

He cautioned church leaders against power struggle, sin, and idolatry and advised them to be united in the work of the Lord.

Apostle Afrifa pointed out that Shishak is not just a name of a person, but represents any character, policy, laws, and government that will take away the glory of God in the Church and cautioned Church leaders to be on high alert against the glorification of immorality, deviant and fake lifestyles, LGBTQI+, and the notion that the current generation lives in the post-Christian era.

Apostle Afrifa charged church leaders to fast and pray, preach the tenets and doctrines of the Church so that the members will be grounded in Christ. He also admonished the officers to remain in the four square gospel and hold fast to the core values of the Church, while dwelling on the Holy Spirit and staying in Pentecostal worship.  The session ended with intercessory prayer for the church and the nation.

Report by Pastor Twene Adane Justice, Dunkwa Atechem District.

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GMB’s Sarfoa Pays Courtesy Call On The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With ChairmanTop Stories

The winner of the 2021 edition of Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) pageant, Benedicta Sarfoa Asamoah, today, paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, at the Church’s General Headquarters in Accra.

According to the newly crowned queen, the visit was to thank God for the great victory chalked and express her heartfelt gratitude to the leadership and the entire church membership for the tremendous support she received before and during the 14-week period of the competition.

Sarfoa, as she is widely known, was in the company of her parents, Apostle Victor Asamoah, the Afram Plains Area Head of the church, and his wife, Rebecca. 

Addressing the Chairman, Sarfoa said, among other things, she owed her victory to the training, teachings and doctrines that were imbibed in her as a member of the Church. This, she said, helped her to hold on to her Christian values throughout the competition. 

She explained that, as a church member, she desired to contribute her quota to the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda of the Church (Vision 2023) and, for this reason, she always prayed to God for the opportunity to do so. She later identified the beauty pageant as an area of interest and consulted her parents and church leaders to counsel her on its propriety for Christians. 

“After making the needed background checks, we realised that GMB was different because, unlike the others, it aimed at promoting Ghanaian cultures and values,” she said.

Sarfoa further stated that her decision to embark on the prisons project, which she describes as scripturally based (Hebrews 13:3), was also fueled by her desire to contribute to the five-year vision of the church (Vision 2023). She is, therefore, looking to collaborate with the Church in the quest to promote the welfare of prisoners and the less marginalised in society.

In response, the Chairman congratulated the GMB queen on her great win and for making The Church of Pentecost proud. He revealed that he was keenly interested in the competition because of Sarfoa and was rooting for her to emerge victorious. He was, therefore, grateful to God for her victory.

Apostle Nyamekye advised her to use her capacity to effect the needed changes in her sphere to change the face of pageantry in the country by promoting the cultural values and beauty of the Ghanaian people, and not for advertising nudity and other unchristian virtues like other beauty contests.

“The purpose of the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda is to change spheres. So, we want to enter every sphere and effect change. We pray that you become an inspiration to many people, especially those in The Church of Pentecost; as young people who are poised to possess the nations,” he said.

Apostle Nyamekye also commended Sarfoa for nursing the desire to be part of the church’s agenda, which, according to him, has led to the Lord granting her this space (capacity) to contribute to the vision. 

“It is my prayer that this spirit would catch up with every youth of the Church so that everyone would understand that the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda is what happens outside the Church, so we need to get involved in every sphere of society and change the place,” he added.

The Chairman lauded her management team and all the people who contributed in diverse ways towards the victory. He also commended TV3 for organising the programme and encouraged the media station to champion more of such educative programmes.

Touching on the prisons project of the Church, Apostle Nyamekye said that he was happy that she has decided to come on board and for throwing more light on the project to the audiences of the show.

“Through your education, a lot of people who did not understand why the Church should undertake the prisons project have now come to understand it. Because of you, more young people now appreciate the project, and we want to thank you for that. You are a great ambassador of The Church of Pentecost,” he said.

The Afram Plains Area Head, in turn, revealed that when his daughter first told him about her desire to participate in the competition, he was a bit disturbed because he did not know whether it would be appropriate for a Christian to participate in such a contest. But after consulting, the Chairman, Apostle Nyamekye, consented, saying that, “it was in line with the Church’s vision.”

Apostle Asamoah was, therefore, grateful to the Chairman for giving his daughter the blessing to participate in the competition and supporting her to win the ultimate, adding: ‘A glorious church knows no defeat.’

The proud father was also grateful to the Youth Director, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, Apostle Prof. Peter Ohene Kyei (Rtd.) and his wife, Dr. Abigail Kyei, as well as Mrs. Christiana Asiedu and her husband, Elder Victor Asiedu, for the timely support, counsel, and encouragement.

The brief meeting had in attendance the General Secretary (GS), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, and the Evangelism Ministry Director, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markins.

Others present were some members of Headquarters Management, including Pastors Benedict Eghan (Personal Assistant to the Chairman), Felix Okyere Anti (Admin. Secretary to the GS), Frank Amoah (Admin. Secretary to the GS), Dr. Felix Dela Klutse (Media Ministry Pastor) and Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor (General Manager, Pent TV).

Benedicta Sarfoa Asamoah fellowships with the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Atomic (PIWC-Atomic) in the Haatso Area of the Church. 

Sarfoa, who represented the Ashanti Region in this year’s GMB, beat competition from 15 others to win the ultimate prize package comprising the queen’s crown, GH¢10,000 cash and a brand new 4X4 car from MG Auto Ghana Limited.

PENTECOST NEWS

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1000 Elders Enrolled At Pentecost University

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

One thousand elders of The Church of Pentecost drawn from the various areas of the church in Ghana have completed the first semester of the Elders’ Training Course at the Pentecost University.

The training programme, which is an important component of the five-year strategic vision of the church (Vision 2023), aims at equipping the officers of the church with the requisite theological and pastoral knowledge to lead the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda at the local levels of the church. 

The programme adopts both the virtual and in-person lecture model; four weeks of online lectures with three days of face-to-face lectures. The three-day in-seat lecture session was organised in two batches at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) campuses at Gomoa-Fetteh and Kumasi. The on-campus session for the first batch of students was held from September 17 to 19, while the second batch of students took their turn from September 24 – 26, 2021.

Courses treated during the first semester included Old Testament Survey, Church History, Pastoral Studies, Hermeneutics and Homiletics. The students were also taken through some highlights of Vision 2023. 

Facilitators for the course are Apostles Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, Dr. Alfred Koduah (Rtd.), Dr. Ben Ali, Dr. Samuel Ofori, M. C. Asiedu (Rtd.), J. F. Asante-Ayeh (Rtd.), M. M. Kopah (Rtd.), as well as the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua.  

The others are Pastors Joshua Yirenkyi-Smart (Rtd.), Henry S. Ako Nai, Jacob Asare, Nimako Boateng, Abraham T. Nortey, Emmanuel Ayisi Mensah, Ebenezer Hagan, Emmanuel Adjei-Nimako and Isaac Ayisi-Kumi.

At the closing ceremony at the Kumasi PCC Campus, the Vice-Chancellor charged the students to be true agents of transformation in every sphere of life. He also challenged them to be implementers of Vision 2023, saying that: “God seeks willing troops who will carry and fulfil the mandate given to the church.”

The Elders’ Training Course is made up of two blocks (terms) of four weeks each leading to the award of a Certificate in Christian Ministry. Beyond this, students who would be able to cope with the academic studies would receive a Higher Education Certificate in Theology and Pastoral Studies offering them the opportunity to pursue higher learning at the diploma and degree levels, where they will be awarded Diploma in Theology and Pastoral Studies and Degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies, respectively.

Report by Overseer Prince Augustine Ababio 

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Sunyani Area Chieftaincy Ministry Committee Inaugurated

by with No Comment Church NewsTop Stories

A nine-member Chieftaincy Ministry Committee has been inaugurated by the Sunyani Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle James Gabriel Quardson, to provide chaplaincy services to the Chieftaincy institutions in the Sunyani Area in line with Vision 2023 of the church.

The committee, led by Nana Osei Kyeretwie (Sunyani Adomakohene), was inaugurated on October 10, 2021, at the F. D. Walker auditorium in Sunyani. 

In attendance were His Royal Majesty (HRM) Odeneho Elder Dr. Afram Brempong III (Paramount Chief of the Suma Traditional Area and National Chieftaincy Ministry Committee Secretary), Nana Kyere Gyeabour (Nsoatre Mawerehene / Krotihene), Nana Adwoa Benewaa (Sunyani Gyaase Kontihemaa), Sunyani Area Pastorate and their wives and a host of chiefs, queen mothers in Sunyani.

Apostle J. G Quardson, in an exhortation titled “Searching To Know The Will Of God (2Kings 22:1-2)”, said that although King Josiah ascended the throne at the age of eight; he succeeded because he ruled according to the will of God. 

According to him, Josiah’s instruction to the priests of Israel to search into the scriptures and enlighten him on how God wanted the nation to be led, was a major contributory factor to his successful reign. He, therefore, appealed to chiefs and traditional leaders to emulate King Josiah’s example by relying on God for direction in their rulership. 

Throwing more light on the theme, the Sunyani Area Head quoted Hebrews 1:1-2 to reiterate that: “in the olden days, God spoke through prophets but in our time, He speaks through His son Jesus Christ.” He further explained that the only way that one could hear from the Lord is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour. He then called on the participants to surrender their lives to Christ so as to enjoy a successful reign.

Commenting on the national discourse on LGBTQ+, Apostle Quardson expressed the dire need for the chiefs, traditional rulers, and political leaders to seek God’s knowledge and wisdom in governing the nation. He said that God is always ready to offer His wisdom to anyone who asks (Matthew 7:7).

Apostle James Gabriel Quardson also assured the chiefs and the traditional leaders that the Sunyani pastorate would always be at their beck and call and that they should never hesitate to invite them to their programmes.

On his part, HRM Odeneho Afram Brempong quoted Mark 16:15 to emphasise the need for the church to extend ministry to the various palaces. He lamented that although Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to all creations, most church leaders have neglected the chiefs and traditional leaders.

He, therefore, appealed to the pastorate and their wives to run Chaplaincy Services for chiefs and traditional leaders in their respective districts. This, he said, would bring about revival among the church members, particularly Christian royals, so that they can overcome the schemes of the devil in this age.

Elder Dr. Brempong was grateful to the leadership of The Church of Pentecost for initiating the Chieftaincy Ministry and to the Sunyani Area Head for inaugurating the ministry in his jurisdiction. He further appealed to participants to fully embrace this divine vision in order to make it a success. 

He revealed that a practical handbook for Chiefs entitled “Guidance for Christian Royals” is in the offing and would soon be made available to Christian royals.

Report by Pastor Daniel Oppong, Sunyani Area Reporter.

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Dansoman Area COPCOM Holds Seminar For Ministers, Officers

by with No Comment Church NewsCounselling MinistryTop Stories

The Church of Pentecost Counselling Ministry (COPCOM) in the Dansoman Area has organised a five-day seminar for ministers and officers in the Area.

Speaking at the event which took place at PIWC Dansoman, SSNIT Flats in Accra, the Area Head, Prophet Ebenezer Kofi Appiah, stated that COPCOM will help deal with sensitive areas in life. He stressed the need to have counselors in the church to help address psychological issues and mental health affecting members.

Treating the topic: ”Basic concept and knowledge and skills in counseling,” Pastor Samuel Asante said the concept of counseling as defined by experts is “an intentional and professional helping-relationship that aims at providing adequate, relevant and timely information to aid a client in making informed decisions toward the restoration of sound mental health.”

He stated that the basic principles and practice of counseling include recognizing the dignity and the worth of the client, strictly observing ethical standards, recognizing the uniqueness of the individual, among others.  

Overseer Dr. Perez Sepenu in a presentation on “Marital Communication” said that 85% of divorce is caused by lack of communication in marriage. “Communication is the driving tool to keep the marriage alive. If it ceases friendship in a marriage dies. Good communication is an art or skill that must be learned,” he indicated.

Elder Eric Addo also spoke to the topic, “Personal Experience of Trauma.” He defined trauma as “wounds or hurt, unexpected threatening and severely distress situations that demand that one reacts in novel ways, in the way one thinks, feels and behaves. It results in shock and fear.”

According to him, cultures respond to trauma differently, while children also view trauma differently from the way adults do.

He said trauma can be caused by tragedies (calamities); natural disasters, diseases, and accidents.

It can also be caused by evil deeds (atrocities) such as bombings, rape, violence, crime, physical and mental abuse. This, he said, normally leads to far deeper and longer-lasting damage than tragedies.

Speaking on “Grief Counselling,” Deaconess Mercy Amoakohene said grief is very powerful and no one can master it. “It takes control of man’s nature. It is now experienced by every person as part of life,” she disclosed.

In his closing remarks, Prophet Appiah said that in life there are many challenges and God has given man the wisdom to tackle them. He said the church needs to identify individuals with such talents in counseling to handle them.

According to him, crises management is essential, and “as Christians, we must be ready to handle problems in life.”

He called on counselors to be ready to learn more, and allow the discerning spirit to function effectively in counseling. “God’s goal is to ensure peace in life while that of the devil is to inflame conflicts,” he said.

He added: “The devil sometimes steals the joy in marriage by creating misunderstanding. Remember God has an interest in marriage.”

The seminar was attended by 165 participants drawn from the various districts in the Area.

Report by Pastor Isaac Ennin Quaicoe.