retreat

Maiden Global Ministers & Wives’ Retreat Underway

The first virtual Global Ministers and Wives retreat of The Church of Pentecost took off on Monday, August 10, 2020, with the call for a great revival in the church despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening event, which was held via ZOOM, hosted over 1,500 ministers of the church including Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman), Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary), and Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo (International Missions Director).

Speaking during the session, the Chairman said that ministers and their wives have been called to partner with God to advance His kingdom on earth. “Ours is to make sure that the kingdoms of the earth become Kingdom of our God. Our job as ministers is to ensure that evil does not rule over righteousness,” he explained.

He, therefore, called on them to be always conscious of the fact that as Ministers of the Gospel they are in a constant battle with the enemy – the devil – whose primary goal is to thwart their efforts. 

“We are in God’s army and as such, we need to put on the whole armour of Christ in spite of the times, because are expected to battle in season and out of season. As we put on the whole armour of God, we also need to have the consciousness that as Soldiers of the Cross, there is no good day; there is no bad day, there is no good year and there is no bad year. So, let us put on our strength and do battle for the Lord,” he charged.

He commended the ministers for the great work done during the first half of the year despite the obvious challenges they faced for the majority of the period. He, however, added that although the challenges persist, they should be prepared to do more, especially as the impact of the pandemic lessens.

“I want us through this prayer and fasting to take the lead. If we are witnessing a pandemic in our lifetime, then we must also see a revival in our lifetime; for no great revival of religion has taken place without a revival of Satan’s opposition.

“This reminds me of Isaiah 59:19 which says that ‘when the enemy comes in like a flood, then Lord will raise a standard against him.’ So, soldiers let us rise. The opposition is indeed tough. But it also means that when we arise the revival will be great,” he said.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye noted that the world is experiencing great trouble all around and this is causing many to despair.

“We cannot deny that our world is in trouble. We are facing financial challenges, and it is threatening our security; there is civil disorder, disturbance and conflict, political troubles, labour troubles, apparent difficulties and annoyance. We are frustrated by all the theories and conspiracies of this pandemic. There is worry and fear; we are distressed and agitated. Certainly, we have been put in a state of inconvenience. However, we need to climb over the wall of this pandemic and still build a glorious church. COVID-19 should not stop us!” he reiterated.

He said that prayer remains a potent solution to the current opposition that the church is facing in current times. “So, let us bring God into the situation and let us expect a revival in the world. But this revival should begin with the awakening of the church, and The Church of Pentecost must take the lead,” he added.

The Chairman advised ministers not to hide in fear when under threat, like Gideon (Judges 6), but stand up and be counted, by crying unto the Lord for grace to navigate the pandemic.

He also urged them to refrain from complaining but to solicit divine help to meet the demands of the current dispensation. “We need not be complaining but come out to confront the times in the company of the Almighty God,” he charged.

The Global Ministers and Wives Retreat dubbed “GMWR” is being held from Monday, August 10, to Friday, August 14, 2020.

PENTECOST NEWS

Agormanya Elder Alfred

COP Elder Rescued From Unknown Assailants

Elder Alfred Kingsley Emad-Louis Nyhiraba Quaicoe, a member of the Nuaso Assembly in the Agormanya District of The Church of Pentecost, has escaped death after he was attacked by unknown assailants on his way home after a dawn broadcast in a nearby village at Kpong on 11th April, 2020.

Narrating his ordeal, he said that he usually goes for dawn broadcast on Saturdays during his leisure time to preach the gospel message in the communities around the Kpong Water Works.

However, on that fateful day after the dawn broadcasting, while he was returning home, just about 200 meters to his house, he saw two men on a motorbike who passed by him, during which one of them said in pidgin English: “That be the guy.”

After the attack

In the process, the two men rode back to where he was standing and stabbed him at the abdomen.

It took the grace of God to save his life after some people rushed him to the St Martins Hospital for medical attention.

We give glory to God for saving his life.

Report by Agormanya Area Media Team.

idol 2

Idol Worshipper Accepts Christ

Mr Kammu Kassibe, a 35-year old idol worshipper, has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour.

Mr Kassibe responded to the gospel on 3rd August 2020 during a house-to-house evangelism outreach undertaken by the Adubrim District of The Church of Pentecost.

According to him, he had been practising idolatry with his late father since he was about 12 years old. He also confessed to using the amulets and charms against many people, especially unbelievers, and also for others who came to him for assistance.

After surrendering to Christ, Mr Kassibe handed over all his amulets and charms to the Adubrim District Minister, Overseer Bismark Amoah, to be burnt.

Mr Kammu Kassibi, who lives at Dump, a small community near Adubrim, now fellowships with the Dump Assembly. To God be the glory!

PENTECOST NEWS

IMG-20200804-WA0003

Pentecost Hospital Refurbishes OPD & Emergency Centre

Pentecost Hospital, Madina, has dedicated its newly renovated Outpatient Department (OPD) and Emergency Centre to boost healthcare delivery at the facility.

The event, which was officiated by the International Missions Director of the church, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, took place on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Also, in attendance were Apostles Martin Seth Appiah (Pentecost Hospital Board Chairman and Madina Area Head), Emmanuel Ofei Ankra-Badu (PEMEM Director), Apostle J. O. Amaniampong (La Area Head) and Fred Tiakor (Children’s Ministry Director) as well as other ministers of the church.  

Others were the Municipal Director of Health Service, La-Nkwatanang-Madina, Mrs Priscilla Anima Siaw, the President of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Dr Mrs Abigail A. Kyei who also doubles as the Head of Department for Nursing and Midwifery at the Pentecost University, Board members of the Hospital, and some elders of the community.

Speaking on the theme, “Deliver Us From Evil,” Apostle Gyesi-Addo explained that the manifestation of evil comes in many forms including diseases and sicknesses.

He said that health workers have become God’s hand on earth to deliver people from all kinds of sicknesses. He, therefore, urged them to rise to the occasion and not to disappoint God in the discharge of their duties.

Dr Mrs Abigail Kyei, who is also a Board Member of the Hospital, in turn, admonished personnel of the facility to adequately use the provided social amenities to serve the best interest of the people, the church and the nation at large.

She also expressed her profound gratitude to the leadership of the church and all stakeholders for their immense support and contribution towards the successful renovation of the facility.

The Pentecost Hospital in Madina is one of the three major health facilities of The Church of Pentecost. The other two are the Pentecost Hospitals in Tarkwa and Ayanfuri.  

PENTECOST NEWS.

2

Sefwi Wiawso Area Dedicates Area Office, Ordains Ministers

It was all joy when the ultra-modern office complex of the Sefwi Wiawso Area of The Church of Pentecost was dedicated on Friday, July 31, 2020, at the total cost of GH¢ 388, 135.03.

The dedication of the storey facility with five offices, washrooms and two conference rooms, coincided with the ordination of two Overseers as Pastors of the Church.

The newly constructed Area office is situated at the premises of the Area mission house.

The newly-dedicated Sefwi Wiawso Area Office

The Area Head of Takoradi and Executive Council Member, Apostle Joseph Assabil, officiated the ceremonies, assisted by the Sefwi Wiawso Area Head, Apostle John Obeng Kesse, and the Essam-Debiso Area Head, Apostle Robert K. Andoh.

Delivering a brief sermon titled, “Ordained for Service” (Ephesians 4:7, 11-14), Apostle Assabil advised ministers as well as officers of the Church to attach much importance to ordination service.

According to him, people should not focus only on the outward or physical aspect of the ordination but rather the spiritual impartation and transformation that a person undergoes during the process.

“Ordination endows someone with more potential from God to operate in another dimension,” he stressed. He, therefore, admonished ministers and officers of the Church never to see ordination as a calling into a new position or status but a higher-level dimension of responsibility entrusted to a servant of God to build the body of Christ and the Church in order to train them to reach the full knowledge of Christ Jesus.

The newly ordained Pastors were Michael Osei of Sui District and Kwaku Owusu Boadu of Bopa District.

In a related development, the twin babies of Pastor Paul and Mrs. Paulina Mahama of Bodi District, and the newborn of Overseer Prince and Mrs. Jemima Brako Okyere of Patakro District, were dedicated.

The ceremonies were attended by the Pastorate, Officers, family members and loved ones, among others.

Report by Overseer Alex Ansah-Nyarko, Sefwi Wiawso.

Dunkwa 1

Ordination Service Organised For Two Ministers In Dunkwa Area

Overseers Joseph Assumaning Walker of Twifo Kyebi District and Mark Owusu Ansah of Dome Asaman District, both in the Dunkwa Area of The Church of Pentecost, have been ordained Pastors of the church.

The two Overseers were officially called into the pastorate of the church during the virtual General Council Meeting held in June this year.  

Members of the church in the Area turned up in their numbers to witness the historic event which took place at Dunkwa Central Assembly church auditorium on Friday, July 24, 2020. It was officiated by the Sefwi Bekwai Area Head, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh, with assistance from the Dunkwa Area Head, Pastor Jones Afrifa Awuah.

Quoting from Psalm 101:1-7 and giving a short exhortation on the topic: “Rules for Godly Living,” Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh appealed with Christians to strive to obey the rules of God in all their endeavours.

According to him, God has His children rules for them to live by as salt of the earth, He said that as they apply these rules, they manifest the character of God.  

“The rules of God ought to be known, understood and obeyed,” he emphasised.

Apostle Anane Denteh also admonished church leaders especially ministers and their spouses to lead the flocks in accordance with the rules of God.

The first rule of God for Christian leadership, he mentioned, was that every church leader must be a servant. This, he explained, to mean that church leaders must not lord themselves over the people entrusted to their care, instead, they must emulate Christ by serving them.

He also stated that every church leader ought to be humble, stressing that “People who are not humble cannot serve.” He, therefore, admonished church leaders to demonstrate the godly character of humility in their service to God and the church.

The newly-ordained ministers and their spouses being prayed for at the event.

The Sefwi-Bekwai Area Head urged ministers to show genuine care for the flock they are leading. He said Jesus cared for all manner of persons, including the sick, aged, the less privileged, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in society. Likewise, he urged church leaders to do the same by showing concern for the welfare of their members.  “No one can be effective in the work of God without caring for the people he leads,” he added.

On the issue of integrity, he advised church leaders to have clear motives that do not contradict the tenets of the Kingdom and despise dishonest gains. “When appointing people to take up a leadership position, we must choose faithful men who have the fear of God and the wisdom of God in them to lead God’s people,” he added.

Concluding his message, Apostle Anane Denteh charged Christian leaders to demonstrate integrity in all their dealings and be diligent in their service to God and the church.

Report by Pastor Twene Adane, Dunkwa Atechem

yendi

Four Ministers Ordained In Yendi Area

Overseers Isaac Berko (Tatale District), Michael Kofi Arthur (Zabzugu District), Samuel Amponsah Mensah (Juo-Nadundo District) and Sinsah Noah Dari (Chereponi District), all in the Yendi Area of The Church of Pentecost have been ordained Pastors of the church.

The ordination service, which took place on Friday, July 24, 2020, was officiated by Aps Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyemang (Bolga Area Head) and Pastor Emmanuel Kojo Aidoo (Yendi Area Head).

As part of the event, 130 officers were ordained to serve as Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses of The Church of Pentecost.

Speaking on the topic “Divine Appraisal”  based on Mark 5:1,43; Daniel 5:27; 2 Corinthians 8:20-21), Apostle  Nkrumah Agyemang encouraged ministers in general, and the newly-ordained ministers in particular, to act prudently and rightly in the sight of God and honestly in the sight of men.  He stressed that a good conscience is a prerequisite in ministry.

Drawing lessons from the scriptures concerning Jesus’ encounter with the mad man of Gadara, Apostle Nkrumah Agyemang noted that the men in the town who lost their pigs would have disapproved of Jesus, but the mad man had been healed and thus God would give Jesus a hundred per cent, emphasising that what God says matters.

With the story of Belshazzar, the people with him would have given him a hundred per cent approval but when God weighed him, he was found inadequate. He advised strongly that ministers should not follow the crowd to do what pleases men rather than God.

Before concluding his sermon, he advised that ministers should avoid being “bookmen;” who have knowledge of all matters of heaven but are disqualified by their lifestyle. Also, he cautioned ministers not to allow transfers nor the occupation of their wives define their ministries but focus on what God has placed before them.

Report by Yendi Area Media

Preparing the Bride

Preparing A Beautiful Bride For The Groom

Visions are crucial to the survival of every forward-looking organisation. It directs the course of the organisation and ensures that all decisions, actions and policies are aligned towards achieving the overall objectives of the organisation.

The Church of Pentecost as a religious organisation has a Vision Statement. Our Vision Statement is “to become a global Pentecostal church that is culturally relevant in vibrant evangelism, church planting, discipleship and holistic ministry.”

How then would the church become a leading global church and still maintain its unique Pentecostal identity and at the same time raise members to affect their world positively with godly values?

This indeed calls for visionary leadership and committed followers. This is what has guided the church over the years. Every leader (Chairman) of the church comes out with strategic vision that seeks to drive the ultimate goal or agenda of the church – to propagate the Good News to all people groups on the face of the earth and to equip them with godly values and principles that would help them to live transformational lives to influence their societies positively.

Roy T. Bennett, a renowned American politician, once said: “Good leaders have vision and inspire others to help them turn vision into reality. Great leaders create more leaders, not followers. Great leaders have vision, share vision, and inspire others to create their own.”

Sharing in the assertions of Bennett, we can attest to the fact that The Church of Pentecost has over the years produced good leaders who have come out with great visions. We know that the faithful God who has a covenant with the church will continue to nurture visionary and sacrificial leaders for the church at all levels in the years to come so that the church will continue to soar higher and higher and from grace to grace.

Upon assumption of office in 2018, the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in collaboration with the Executive Council came out with a 5-year strategic vision, dubbed ‘Vision 2023.’ The overarching theme of the vision is: “Possessing the Nations: Equipping the Church to transform every sphere of society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.”

The leadership of the church will in the next five years come out with annual themes in consonance with the vision. It was in this direction that the first of the five prospective annual themes, “I Will Build My Church” was chosen in 2019. It sought among others to concentrate on equipping ministers, officers and members of the church to transform every sphere of society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God and thereby turn many people to Christ.

The intention of leadership was to bring to fore the dual purpose of the Church; that is the church is called by God to Himself and sent back into the world as salt and light to serve God’s purpose and to transform it with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God. It is believed that having put all these measures in place to equip the members to be agents of Christ in their spheres of lives, we would have built a glorious Church.

To the glory of God, a second theme has been drawn out of the vision for next year, thus the year 2020. The 2020 theme of the church is: “A Glorious Church To Possess The Nations” – Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:27. The slogan still remains, “Possessing the Nations, I am an Agent of Transformation.”

From all indications, the Holy Spirit is at the centre of the affairs of the church. One can see a direct linkage between the first and the second annual themes. Indeed, God is progressively preparing His church to become a glorious one poised to fulfilling His purpose on earth for humanity.

The 2020 theme attempts to raise a glorious body of Christians with the ultimate goal of becoming a beautiful bride prepared for the Bridegroom, which is Jesus Christ.

Launching the theme at the 2019 Heads’ Prayer Meeting held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh from November 11 to 15, 2019, the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, intimated that God is always working in His church to prepare her as a glorious bride for Himself and to make her credible before the watching world, in order to make her witness to the nations easy and effective.

“To make the church’s witness credible and easy, we intend to focus on the goal of the church in the coming year. We will be looking into the church and focus a lot more on the goal of becoming the glorious bride of Christ, well adorned for the Bridegroom without spot or wrinkle or any of such things,” said the Chairman.

What seems to have necessitated this theme is the clarion call for Christians to take their rightful position in society as Salt of the Earth and Light of the World (Matthew 5:13-16). There is no better time to do this than now. We as Christians cannot salvage the fast-depraving world with our wrinkled bodies. We have soiled our garments with bribery and corruption, nepotism, backbiting, self-aggrandisement, selfishness, immorality, debauchery and what have you. 

It is absurd, however, to note that the Church rather appears to have failed society in correcting the wrongs. As a nation that boasts to have over 70% of its nationals professing to be Christians, Ghana should have been the shining star that shows the way to righteousness and a citadel of godly people. However, the contrary is what prevails in the country. Indeed, Churches do not build nations but righteousness does. As a result, the Church has lost its influence in the world and has been branded by the watching world as a “bunch of hypocrites who preach virtue but practice vice.”

That notwithstanding, the Church remains the only hope of the world and we cannot afford to fail God in rescuing the dying world for Christ.

We must, therefore, not be satisfied with just holding church meetings and assembling sizeable congregations, but rather be committed to practicing what we preach and upholding righteousness in all our dealings so that the Church would become spiritually potent and more attractive to the watching world.

In so doing, we would be realising the ultimate goal of becoming “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,” a “holy and blameless” bride to be presented to Christ, the bridegroom (Romans. 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Revelation 21:2 & 9, Revelation 19:6-9) on His glorious return.

Pentecost News/Editorial

1

Church Of Pentecost Donates Face Shields To Ghana Police Service

The Church of Pentecost, today (July 30, 2020), presented thousand (1000) pieces of face shields to the Ghana Police Service in fulfillment of the church’s social responsibility.

The items were presented to the service by the Administrative Secretary to the General Secretary, Pastor Frank Amoah-Owusu at a short ceremony at the Police National Headquarters in Accra.

As first responders interfacing regularly with the general public, the Church has decided to provide face shields to complement the face masks worn by the Police Officers in their line of duty.

Pastor Amoah-Owusu also used the occasion to urge the public to adhere to the rules and protocols necessary for containing the spread of COVID-19.

The Chief Staff Officer to the IGP, ACP Mr. Joseph Owusu-Ansah, who received the items, commended the Church for the great gesture. He said that the shields will be distributed among the Police MTTD officers currently deployed in the various towns and cities to ensure strict compliance of the face mask directive by the President.

Among the officials at the event was the Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service, ASP Sheila Abyie-Buckman.

PENTECOST NEWS

Finance Minister Praises The Church Of Pentecost’s Humanitarian Gesture

Finance Minister Praises The Church Of Pentecost’s Humanitarian Gesture

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, has lauded The Church of Pentecost for the timely release of the multi-purpose Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) to the Government of Ghana as an isolation centre to treat COVID-19 patients.

Delivering the 2020 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2020, Mr. Ofori-Atta stated: “Mr. Speaker, The Church of Pentecost, as a humanitarian gesture, and in keeping with recent social partnership arrangements, offered the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Fetteh as an isolation centre for infected persons.”

The Finance Minister also commended other faith-based organisations such as the Catholic Church for releasing their facilities for isolation centres. “Similarly, the Catholic Church released a host of its facilities located across the country to house and treat infected persons,” he said.

He added: “The 140-bed capacity Ghanaman Soccer Centre in Prampram, owned by the Ghana Football Association, also served as an isolation centre.”

According to the Finance Minister, the scale of the pandemic has deepened the strategic partnership between state and non-state actors, especially the private sector, saying, “The work of the traditional churches, Charismatic, Pentecostal Churches and our Islamic leaders continue to uphold our people.”

It will be recalled that the leadership of The Church of Pentecost, led by the Chairman, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in March this year released the PCC to government to help contain the pandemic in Ghana.

Aside this gesture, the Church also contributed in cash and in kind, to health facilities, various government institutions, as well as the needy and vulnerable during and after the lockdown.

Speaking to the media, Apostle Nyamekye assured that the Church will continue to support the government to give the best of care to patients at the centre.

“Pentecost Convention Centre is a holy place and I know the patients will be healed when they are brought there,” he added.