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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

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.

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 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.

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 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

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

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

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.