The Teshie-Nungua Area Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has held a day’s training seminar for 153 youth workers in the Area.
The training programme took place on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at the Agnes Boahemaa Gyimah Memorial Temple at Nungua C5, Accra.
Speaking at the event, the Area Youth Pastor, Ebenezer Korankye Agyapong, called on the youth to hear from God for themselves and not always listen to what others say concerning their lives.
“Find out what God is telling you; find out what God wants you to do for your district. Don’t simply follow what others are doing,” he said.
Using the story of the young prophet in 1 Kings 13:1-32, he said that the young prophet who was given clear instructions from God was deceived by an older and experienced prophet leading to the loss of his life.
Pastor Agyapong, who is also the Resident Minister of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Graceland said that although old people have experience, personal instructions from God should be taken seriously,” he said, adding, “The young prophet could have saved his ministry if he had followed the original instructions from God.”
He urged young people to accept challenges and new opportunities such as doing their national services in remote areas where they could support the work of the kingdom and get the opportunity to do ministry work.
He added that it is important to pray and consider a lot of things before taking major decisions in life. According to him, the desire and appetites of people have brought sin into their lives. “If we have eaten wrong things, we pray that God almighty who is rich in mercy should forgive us our sins,” he prayed.
He also urged youth workers to be wholly dedicated to the things of God once they accept the responsibility of leading the youth.
Pastor Ebenezer Korankye Agyapong also used the Dilemma Bible Discussion method to discuss the issues in the Bible verse.
The Resident Minister of Bethel Worship Centre, Pastor Kwasi Asante Annor, also spoke on the topic, “Excelling as a Youth Leader in a Glorious Church.”
Pastor Annor, who is also the General Manager of Pent TV, quoted several Bible texts including 2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 5:27; Isaiah 40;31; Ecclesiastes 10:10 and 2 Timothy 20:21, and listed four types of leaders, namely passive, parasite, prodigal and productive leaders.
“Passive leaders are post-conscious and do not do the required work while parasite leaders make good use of the influence associated with the position, taking advantage of the post to manipulate the members,” he stated.
According to Pastor Annor, prodigal leaders are a waste in the system as they do not produce results as expected of them.
“Productive leaders serve whole-heartedly. They learn, help and develop with the work,” he explained, adding, “They are also faithful, available, and teachable. They make conscious effort to develop others.”
He stated that good leadership is a daily gradual discovery of self, stressing that “champions are made on the training ground, not on the field.”
Pastor Kwasi Annor urged young leaders to imbibe the qualities of the eagle; have great vision with fortitude, be self-disciplined, carry themselves well, be responsible, think clearly, be resourceful, and well-grounded in their faith.
The Twifo Agona District mission house in the Twifo Praso Area of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated to the glory of God.
The facility was dedicated on November 13, 2020, by the Dunkwa Area Head, Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa, assisted by the Twifo Agona District Minister, Pastor Sampson Dzefe.
The district used to be under the Dunkwa Area until the creation of the Twifo Praso Area in 2020.
The 4-bedroom manse with an office (study room), which was built at the cost of GH¢178,481.00, was funded by grants from the Headquarters, Dunkwa Area, La Area, District offering and donations from individuals.
Speaking on the theme, “The Glorious Church is Built According to God’s Pattern” (Exodus 25:39-40; 40:16), Apostle Jones Awuah Afrifa called on Christians to follow the principles of God if they want to be victorious in life.
He continued that members of the early church devoted themselves to prayer, fellowship and the study of the word of God, and those things made them unique people. “That was the pattern of God. The members of today’s church must do likewise to enable them possess the nations,” he said.
Apostle Awuah Afrifa concluded by calling on Christians to do whatever they can so that the power of God would be manifested in this present age with the demonstration of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Chief of Twifo Agona, Nana Benkye Awuah II, in showing appreciation to The Church of Pentecost for its numerous contributions towards the development of the community, promised to donate 5,000 pieces of blocks to support any future project that the church would embark on.
Present at the ceremony were Apostle John and Mrs. Mary Osei-Amaniampong (La Area Head), Mrs. Evelyn Dzefe (wife of the District Pastor), ministers of the church and their wives, chiefs and elders of the community, among others.
The Evangelism Ministry in the New Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost has embarked on a seedling planting project at the catchment area of Lake Bosomtwi as part of the Environmental Care campaign.
The exercise was aimed at boosting the Asante Kingdom Landscape Restoration Programme initiated by the Overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, where 3million trees have been targeted on 4,000 hectares of land around the Lake Bosomtwi over a five-year period.
As part of the “Possessing the Nations” agenda of the church, the Environmental Care campaign was introduced to enlighten Christians on the need to be concerned about the environment.
The Area Evangelism Ministry, led by the Aboaso District Minister, Pastor Martin Kyeremeh, on May 15, 2021, planted 500 seedlings to support the initiative by the Asantehene.
According to Pastor Kyeremeh, it is the responsibility of every Christian to protect God’s creation since creation reveals God’s divine nature and absolute authority and ownership over all things.
He disclosed that the Area is embarking on the exercise in fulfillment of God’s word, preserve and restore lost forests, repair damaged ecosystems and mitigate climate changes.
“It is our mandate as believers to protect the creation of our Father and make sure that the water bodies and plants are safeguarded. Therefore, per The Church of Pentecost’s mandate, we were directed through the Chairman to take this step as part of the Environmental Care campaign to keep our environment green,” he said.
He entreated other ministries of the church to get onboard to combat global warming as trees help to absorb carbon dioxide, remove and store carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.
“We are entreating other organisations, churches, and NGOs to support the Otumfuo’s afforestation project to help preserve God’s creation.
The Amakomhene, Nana Adu Mensah Asare, who represented the Asantehene, commended The Church of Pentecost for the gesture and encouraged other churches in the region to come onboard.
“We are grateful to The Church of Pentecost for helping to fulfil the dream of Asantehene to plant trees to sustain Lake Bosomtwi.
“It’s a good step the church has taken and we commend them. They have planted 500 seedlings at their own expense and we believe this will help to sustain the lake.
“Through this medium, I am calling on other churches, NGOs, and individuals to participate in this project,” the chief said.
All is set for The Church of Pentecost to plant and nurture one million (1 million) trees across the country as part of the church’s Environmental Care Campaign.
The Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, on Thursday, May 27, 2021, ceremoniously planted some trees at the General Headquarters of the church at La in Accra to officially mark the beginning of the national exercise.
The ambitious initiative of the church is in line with the Greening Ghana Project of the Government of Ghana, which aims at planting 5 million trees in June this year.
Beginning Saturday, May 29, 2021, all males in the church, under the auspices of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), will plant 50,000 seedlings across the country. It will be followed by the Evangelism Ministry who will plant 100,000 seedlings on Saturday, June 5.
The Women’s and Children’s Ministries will together plant 500,000 seedlings on Friday, June 11, while the Youth Ministry will mobilise all young persons in the church to plant 350,000 seedlings on Saturday, June 12.
Explaining the rationale behind the project, Apostle Nyamekye indicated that tree is life and, therefore, there is the need to safeguard the forest cover of the country.
He bemoaned the indiscriminate felling down of trees and the surge in the galamsey activities (illegal mining), especially in river bodies and forest zones which is posing a serious threat to both human and aquatic lives. “By planting trees, we are giving more life to the nation because the tree is life,” he said.
He disclosed that the church’s vision to green Ghana has been given an impetus following a decision by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to mobilise Ghanaians to plant 5million trees across the country.
The Chairman was hopeful that the intention will help transform lives in Ghana as the environment gets better.
According to him, though planting one million trees is an ambitious project, with the grace of God and the numbers that the church has, it is feasible.
The General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, on his part, thanked all stakeholders for supporting the vision of the church.
He entreated all members of the church to actively involve themselves in the exercise by planting and nurturing at least one tree.
The Coordinator for the project, Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, on behalf of the committee, thanked the leadership of the church for entrusting the project in the care of his team.
He disclosed that The Church of Pentecost is planting 20% of the 5million trees that the government intends to plant.
He encouraged members of the church and all local churches to ensure that trees are planted in the streets, schools, market places, church premises, and every available space to make the environment safe for all.
Mr. Benjamin Torgbor, an official of the Forestry Commission responsible for the project, expressed the Commission’s joy in partnering with The Church of Pentecost to make the Government’s vision a reality.
According to him, the objectives of the project among other things are to beautify the environment, protect water bodies, and mitigate climate change.
He commended the church for putting in place proper structures to ensure that the trees are nurtured and grow to realise the objectives for the project.
Mr. Torgbor disclosed that apart from The Church of Pentecost, other churches like the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Apostolic Church are planting 1million and 500,000 seedlings respectively, saying that the three churches are together planting 2.5million out of the 5million trees that the government plans to plant.
I have keenly observed some opinions from some individuals in connection with the Ejura ultra-modern Correctional Centre (prison camp) built by The Church of Pentecost.
There have been divergent views as to whether the church had set its priorities right or not. Many people are also bashing the church, lamenting that the church should have catered for the needy among them before embarking on this project.
Well, these are all opinions. I think the church has done no wrong. I was expecting Ghanaians to praise God for a church like The Church of Pentecost, which is helping to transform the nation.
The church is not just building only prisons, as some people may think, but there are several other national interventions that the church has done over the past few years, and continues to do to help develop the country.
I would therefore like to give seven (7) reasons why we should not lambast the church for the good work done, but rather praise and encourage them to do more if they have the means:
THE CHURCH IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY; NOT A FRIEND TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONLY, BUT “SINNERS”AS WELL.
Following the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His precepts, we should not reject sinners but show some love to them and win them for Christ. Jesus said, “He did not come on earth because of the righteous, but because of “sinners.”
(Mark 2:17 KJV) “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” What I am trying to say is that the church has done a lot for its members and will continue to do more. However, it cannot ignore those outside the church, especially, the less privileged. Taking care of the privileged and the less privileged makes the generosity of the church balanced and unbiased.
2. OUR LORD JESUS COMMANDED US TO GO TO THE WORLD TO PREACH TO ALL, INCLUDING PRISONERS, AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST.
(Matthew 28:19, KJV) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” This is the great commandment. It is obligatory for every believer to do this. There are many ways of doing this, but the most important thing is to have a good heart for the one you want to win for Christ. You must love him and show him kindness as the Lord has done to us. Apart from giving them the word of God, if you are capable of assisting them in any way, do it. Do not just say, “God bless you” and leave him to suffer! (James 2:15-16 KJV) “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” This is what the Lord says.
We must always help a brother who is in need. There is no doubt that prisoners in Ghana really need help. We cannot just preach to them without helping them, especially if the church has the means to help. Sinners are our clients, so we must serve them well so that we can win them for Christ for a better and a transformed life.
THE CHURCH BELIEVES THAT ANY GESTURE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IS A GESTURE FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus demonstrated this in Matthew 25:31-45, NKJV: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”
This clearly tells us not to care for only the righteous, but “sinners” as well. This does not mean if the church builds ultra-modern prison facilities for prisoners, they are promoting criminality. It is A BIG NO; the church is just doing what the Bible tells them to do.
IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE CHURCH TO LEAD SOULS TO CHRIST, IT IS GOD’S BUSINESS TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.
Responding to comments such as, “there are some needy individuals in the church…,” I wish to set the records straight. The church leads the members by (1) Preaching the Word to them. (Romans 10:14, KJV): “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” This is why God has called us from the world, sanctified us, and empowered us to go to the world, preach the gospel to them and tell them the goodness of Him. (2) Those that believe, we must teach them what Christ has taught us. (Matthew 28:20, KJV): “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” If we preach to them and teach them well, they will practice what is right, then God will transform their lives and give them all they want. (Matthew 6:33 KJV): “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” In connection to the above quotations, the bitter truth is that the church is not a business venture for creating businesses or wealth for members, but the church gives biblical directions that will lead the members to Christ who will eventually transform their lives and give them their heart desires.
Obviously, there will be needy individuals in the church, because there are people that the church will be discipling at any given point in time. We believe that God will see to their needs in His own time, even though the church is doing its part to help such people. That does not mean that the church should not consider the less privileged.
TRANSFORMING A SOCIETY IS A GRADUAL PROCESS, AND MUST START FROM SOMEWHERE.
Most churches in Ghana, including The Church of Pentecost, are poised to transforming every sphere of the society with kingdom principles and good standards of living. For this reason, The Church of Pentecost alone has achieved the following:
Built 96 Basic Schools across the country; 2 Senior High Schools in Kumasi and Koforidua; 2 Skills Development and Learning Centres; 1 Vocational Training Institute; 8 Healthcare Facilities (3 Hospitals & 5 Clinics); Provided financial support to some needy but brilliant students at the National, Area and District levels.
The Church also has:
1. Spent GHS 2,716,112.36 on educational scholarships to support needy but brilliant members at various levels in 2018.
2. In 2020, 74 Street children, 298 drug addicts, 38 sex workers, 101 street dwellers and 48 others were enrolled in schools, put into trade, and given vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
3. Handed over the Pentecost Convention Centre, a multi-purpose conference facility, to the Government of Ghana to host Covid-19 patients, costing the church a total of GHS 39 million during the period.
4. The Areas, Districts and local Assemblies of the church also assisted the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic to the tune of GHS 5, 412, 653.20 in providing relief support to the vulnerable members and non-members alike.
5. The church spent GHS 2,313,859.09 on health care to support members.
6. Drilled 44 boreholes in rural communities across the country.
7. The church launched the ‘Environmental Care’ campaign to take care of our environment and to fight against sanitation issues in the country.
8. The church has started a process of building 1,000,000 trees in the country.
9. 37 active Credit Unions referred to as Pentecost Cooperative Mutual Support and Social Services Societies (PENCO) providing financial assistance to members of the Church. These and many more are what the church is doing to assist humanity, aside the core mandate of winning souls and discipling people for Christ.
Many other churches are also doing great things to help develop the nation. The Church cannot do everything at once, not even the government, so it has to start from somewhere according to its strength. Looking at what the church has done for both its members and the country, I think we must praise them instead of criticising them.
THIS PRISON WILL HELP SOLVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE DUE TO OVERCROWDING.
Looking at the rate at which our prisons are congested, no one needs a prophet to tell us that there can be an outbreak of diseases. Again, some conditions at the prisons are detrimental to human dignity.
In order to solve these challenges (both health and human right issues), I would personally commend The Church of Pentecost for taking the initiative to find a better place for our brothers and sisters behind bars. In this case, the church did not just visit Christ when He was in prison, but rather secured a better place for Him.
THE ULTRA MODERN PRISON WILL SERVE AS A FACILITY TO EQUIP INMATES FOR A BETTER FUTURE AFTER THEIR PRISON SENTENCE.
We must thank God for the vision given of The Church of Pentecost. This project is not just to keep prisoners, but to train them to unearth their God-given talents as they serve their prison terms. This is equipped with facilities that will help them to learn a vocation of their choice that would help them to establish themselves after serving their prison terms.
It is worthy to note that, such a gesture will help transform the prisoners and lead them to live a better life.
CONCLUSION
We must see this corporate social responsibility of The Church of Pentecost as God-given. Let us encourage the church so that other churches will follow suit. Criticising someone for doing something good may not encourage him to do more. However, acknowledging their good gestures and showing appreciation can bring out better things from them.
As a country, we must not criticise blindly, rather, we must be circumspect in our criticism.
The Tarkwa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, has paid a working visit to the Pentecost Hospital-Tarkwa, to familiarise himself with the operations at the facility.
Apostle Dr Walker, an Executive Council Member and Coordinator of the Western and Western North Regional Coordinating Committee of the Church, was at the facility on March 4, 2021. He was joined by Pastor Charles Owusu Mpiani, District Minister for Adieyie, who also doubles as the Area Media Pastor.
He was welcomed to the facility by the General Manager, Pastor Dr. Suleman De-Graft Issaka, and Elder Isaac Ofori Adom, Head of Finance.
Apostle Dr. Walker was taken round the facility where he interacted with the staff.
Addressing a section of the staff, the Area Head urged them to uphold the vision and mission of the church and the hospital. He further entreated them to continue to hold clients who patronise the facility in high esteem.
He ended by encouraging the staff to work as a team, saying, “If you travel alone, you will go fast but if you travel together, you will go far.” He assured the staff of the church’s unwavering support to the hospital to become a preferable facility in the area.
As part of the visit, Apostle Dr. Walker donated two nebulizers to the hospital.
The General Manager, Pastor Dr. Suleman De-Graft Issaka,thanked the Area Head for the visit. He assured him that the nebulizers will be used for the intended purpose.
Pastor Dr. De-Graft Issaka disclosed that in 2020, the Head Office of the Church gave the facility GHS 250,000.00 to complete a disability-friendly ramp and a link at the hospital.
He added that the hospital received financial support from the Tarkwa Area for the construction of a new Outpatient Department (OPD). According to him, a good amount of money was also donated by Ardent Fire Protection Limited, a company belonging to Elder John Arthur, the Tarkwa Area Deacon, to the facility.
The General Manager expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Executive Council, the PENTSOS Directorate and members of the Church for their support to the hospital.
Pentecost Hospital-Tarkwa started as a mobile clinic in 1984. It became a static clinic in 2005. It has 141 permanent staff and 21 temporary staff. The Hospital has been fully accredited by both the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) as a Primary Hospital.
The Okorase District Mission House in the Koforidua Area of The Church of Pentecost has been dedicated to the glory of God. The 4-bedroom manse with an office and a garage, was constructed at the cost of GH¢ 324,953.65.
The Koforidua Area Head, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, an Executive Council Member, who dedicated the mission house on May 16, 2021, commended the District Minister, Pastor Paul Odai Laryea, the District Executive Committee Members, District Presbytery, and the entire membership for the great work done.
The Okorase District was carved out from the Adweso District in 2017, with Pastor Paul Odai Laryea as the first District Minister.
On March 2, 2018, the then Area Head, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, now Chairman of the Church, delegated Pastor John Lovelace Baidoo, assisted by Pastor Paul Odai Laryea, to cut the sod for the construction of a district mission house. The foundation stone laying ceremony was performed by Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, the current Area Head, on August 16, 2019.
In a brief sermon on the topic, “Who is on the Lord’s side” based on Exodus 32:26 and Judges 17:12-13, Pastor Samuel Amankonah of Two Streams District, said that the people of Israel sinned against God by worshipping a golden calf even though Moses left them in the hands of Aaron when he went for the Ten Commandments.
He identified three reasons which accounted for their sin. For the reason of fear/ anxiety, he said that the people of Israel could not wait for Moses just as the virgins slept when the bridegroom delayed (Matthew 24). He also identified the lack of respect for the Man of God (Moses) and the disobedience to the Word of God as the other reasons.
Pastor Amankonah said that those on the Lord’s side have a peculiar way of life. According to him, people on the Lord’s side separate themselves from the world, make a declaration by letting people know that they are part of the church, render services to God as the Levites were asked to kill their own brethren who were not on the Lord’s side. He further elaborated that people who are on the Lord’s side show great sense of commitment and integrity in their service to the Lord.
He concluded the sermon by saying that people who are on the Lord’s side are rewarded and blessed and thereby admonished all present to separate themselves for the Lord.
In attendance were Mrs. Elizabeth Osei Asante (wife of the Area Head), Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ghartey (Assemblies of God – Okorase), Rev. John Bentsil (CAC – Okorase), Rev. Appleton (Perez Chapel – Okorase), the queen mother of Ewe community in Okorase, and the Koforidua Area pastorate and their wives.
The Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) – Kwadaso Sector, in collaboration with the Manso Atwere, Akropong, Abore, and Antoakrom Districts, all in the Ashanti Bekwai Area of The Church of Pentecost, has won a total of 1,134 souls, 795 being adults, and 339 children through the maiden 2021 Sector Missions Outreach. Out of the 795 adult souls won, 409 were baptised in water, while 116 received Holy Spirit baptism.
The Sector, in line with the vision of the Youth Ministry, “Grounding young people in Christ and unleashing them to possess the nations,” mobilized 58 committed PENSA members from five tertiary institutions within the sector, namely Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AMMUSTED), Akrokerri College of Education, Fomena Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Obuasi Campus, and Kwadaso Agricultural College, to embark on an Aggressive Rural Evangelistic outreach in the Ashanti Bekwai Area.
The week-long programme commenced on Monday, 10th May, and ended on Sunday, 16th May, 2021, under the theme: “Repent! The Great Day of the Lord is Coming (Joel 2:11;31).
In an interview with PENTECOST NEWS, the PENSA Travelling Secretary for Kwadaso Sector, Pastor Isaac Donkoh, revealed that the 2021 Sector Missions team were stationed at Manso Atwere Central Assembly for the first three days for a retreat to equip them as they sought the face of God in fasting, prayer and teachings before embarking on the outreach.
“We decided to start Aggressive Evangelistic operations on Thursday, May 13, 2021, but the way our student missionaries were charged after the 3rd day of the retreat, we had no option than to release them for the task of soul-winning, and to the glory of God souls began to surrender to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” he affirmed.
Pastor Donkoh further stated that the student missionaries stationed in villages and towns in the selected districts engaged in personal evangelism, dawn broadcasting, and cinema evangelism, among others during the period.
The Ashanti Bekwai Area Head, Apostle Fred Tiakor, highly commended the student missionaries for their relentless effort, passion, and commitment that led to this great harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.
In attendance were Pastors Joseph Kyei of Manso Atwere District, Jerome N. Cudjoe of Manso Akropong District, Clement Ampaako of Antoakrom District, Maxwell Ntow of Manso Abore District, the Ashanti Bekwai Area Youth Leader, Overseer Silas Awusi, and Mrs. Doris Donkoh, wife of the Sector’s Traveling Secretary.
The Women and Children ministries of A-Lang Worship Centre (ALWC) in the Odorkor Area of The Church of Pentecost have donated some items worth GH₵5,145.50 to the Nyame Dua Christian Home, an orphanage located at Madina, Accra.
The items, which included 15 bags of rice, detergents, diapers, baby food and wipes, drinks, cooking oil, sachet and bottled water, towels, tinned tomatoes, among others were donated during a visit to the orphanage on Monday, May 3, 2021.
The church delegation was led by Elder Ernest Asinor, the Presiding Elder of the Local Assembly; Mrs. Olivia Tsekpoe, wife of the Resident Minister; and Deaconess Theresah Boampong, the District Women’s Ministry Leader.
Other members of the team were the Assistant District Children’s Ministry Leader, Ruth Quainoo, and Deaconess Nora Amaning, the Local Assembly Women’s Ministry Leader.
The team was warmly received on arrival by the founder of the Home, Mr. Paul Anaba, and the 39 children of the Home, including two three-month-old babies.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Tsekpoe quoted James 1:27 (Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world) to stress the need for Christians to reach out to orphans and other destitute groups in society. She said that the visit was in line with the church’s “Possessing the Nations” agenda and is also in fulfilment of the aforementioned scripture.
Elder Asinor, on his part, encouraged the children to pray at all times and never give up for God has a purpose for their individual lives. He advised them not to forget their humble roots when the Lord blesses them in their adult life, saying, “You should always remember your home, where you come from.”
Deaconess Nora Amaning advised the children not to look down on themselves, while Ruth Quainoo urged them to be obedient, humble, and respectful.
Receiving the items on behalf of the children, Mr Anaba said that he has always prayed to the Lord for the Home to attract the attention and benevolence of The Church of Pentecost, and was, therefore, very grateful to the Lord for an answered prayer.
He thanked the church for the kind and timely gesture.
The team also refreshed the children with “Sobolo” drinks and pastries.
The Chieftaincy Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has launched a Bible Reading Project dubbed, “Thus Says the Lord” (Jeremiah 33:2) at the Ejura Palace in the Mampong Area. The project, which seeks to take God’s word to the palace was launched by the Area Head, Pastor Samuel Kwabena Asare, at the Ejura Chief Palace on April 24, 2021.
The Area Head thanked Nananom for the opportunity given the church to present the word of God to them. He said that if any community gladly receives the Gospel, it brings improvement and development to the people.
According to him, God created all things including humans, adding that if the things created will stand, then they must be kept by the Word of God, just as Prophet Jeremiah declared, “Thus says the Lord.”
He hinted that when Jesus was tempted, he said: “It is written” meaning life (in the area of marriage, family, governance, business) can only stand by the Word that comes from God. He opined that all spheres of life including the palace are part of the “Possessing the Nations” agenda of the church’s Vision 2023.
He said that the purpose of the visit was to distribute Bibles among Nananom to encourage the reading of the Word which reveals God’s mind to His people in order to bring development on the land.
The Area Head and ministers distributed Asante and English Bibles to the Chief and his elders. There were more than enough Bibles for all persons in the palace. Also, diaries and calendars were given to them.
Launching the project, Pastor Samuel Kwabena Asare read John 1:1-18 and introduced Pastor Stephen Obeng Asare as the Coordinator for the Chieftaincy Ministry in the Area.
The Ejurahene, Barima Osei Hwedie ll, who is an Elder of the church, shared his joy at receiving God’s word in the palace and also the honour done them. He appointed the Kurontihene, Nana Odiasempa Antwi Obugyei, as the Palace Chaplain who will liaise with ministers of the church to ensure that the project (fellowship) takes place every week.
The Kurontihene gladly accepted the responsibility and thanked the chief for the honour done him and the Area Head for bringing God’s Word to them.
Other persons present were Nana Akua Tiwaa (Ejurahemaa), Nana Benkumhene, Nana Nifahene, and other sub-chiefs within the Ejura Traditional Area.
Also in attendance were the wife of the Area Head, Mrs. Beatrice Asare, ministers and wives in the Mampong Area, and some church officers. The media was also well represented.
