Posts in category: Top Stories

The Savannah region is one of the warmest parts of Ghana with an average daily high temperature of 34 degrees centigrade. It is yearlong warm (hot) and often experiences its rainy season from April to mid-October.

This is why it was quite unusual to suddenly see the clouds gathering by mid-morning yesterday at Sawla, a community in the Sawla-Tuba-Kalba district of the region, only to be followed by a heavy downpour for about 20 minutes.

Needless to say, having to endure high temperatures of up to 42 degrees, the sight of rainfall at any time of the year is always welcome news and a great relief to residents of Sawla and its environs.

However, for the indigenous members of The Church of Pentecost who had converged at the Changbalyiri Assembly auditorium for the “Sawla for Christ” crusade at the time, the rainfall was very “symbolic” and a confirmation of the prophetic declaration made by the Kasoa Area Head, Apostle James Asare, during his ministration.

In his sermon titled “The Spirit Without Measure, based on John 4:1-14” the Kasoa Area Head said that there is a massive outpouring of the Lord’s spirit on the Sawla land and that life in the community would not be the same again after this visitation of the Lord.

He further stated: “The visitation of the Lord is both spiritual and physical. When the Lord visits a land, He comes first in the spiritual realm, before it later manifests in the physical. So today is raining day and a day of abundance.”

He said that the Holy Spirit is given to believers by God through Jesus to guide, counsel, teach and strengthen them to live up to the purpose of God for their lives.

“God has given us a helper, in the person of the Holy Spirit, to help us through our life’s journey. If we neglect Him, we would miss our providential way, but if we hold on to Him, He will ensure that everything the Lord has said concerning our lives, which we call destiny, would come to pass,” he said.

He explained that the believer encounters the Holy Spirit in three ways; the first encounter, he noted, is the “Well Encounter” (John 4:1-14), which symbolises the beginning of one’s salvation.

“To experience the Well Encounter, one must repent from their wicked ways and accept Christ as Lord and Saviour” he highlighted.

The Kasoa Area Head explained that having the Well Encounter is not enough, rather every believer must yearn to have a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit. The next encounter, he mentioned, is the “River Encounter” (John 7:38), symbolising the giftings of the Holy Spirit. The final encounter, according to him, is the “Rain Encounter,” which brings life back into any dead situation.

As Apostle Asare elaborated on the “Rain Encounter,” suddenly the clouds started to gather and it began to rain heavily.

The sound of rainfall on the roofing of the church auditorium and around the building was greeted with a spontaneous cheer by the members who could easily link the Word being preached to the downpour.

The scene also confirmed what the Evangelism Ministry Director, Apostle Dr. Jimmy Markin, had earlier told the Chief of Sawla (Sawlawura), Abdullai Iddrisu, when he led a team to pay a courtesy call on him at his palace on Tuesday.

Addressing the Chief, Apostle Dr. Markin said that wherever the gospel message of Jesus Christ is received, the blessing of the Lord rests on the land and transforms the lives of its inhabitants.

He, therefore, assured the Chief of a special visitation of the Lord in the land during and after the mega crusade.

“My dear Chief. Please mark every single word of my mouth: This event will be historic and it shall be said that, after this crusade, Sawla land was never the same again,” he said.

From all indications, Sawla land has received a mighty visitation of the Lord these few days. Although, there are still two more days to go, the “Sawla for Christ” crusade has been a huge success.

In addition to the thousands of souls led to Christ through various evangelistic outreaches, several spectacular events have been recorded since its opening on Tuesday to the glory of God.

The event, which is under the theme: “In the Name of Jesus” (Acts 3:6), is expected to end on Saturday, March 19, 2022, with a medical outreach at Changbalyiri, a community also within the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of Ghana.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Suhum Local Council of Churches, in collaboration with the office of the Akyempim Hene and the Suhum Municipal Assembly, has launched an environmental campaign exercise as a way of creating awareness on the need to take good care of the environment.

The campaign, dubbed “Operation Clean your Backyard” was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, with a float within the principal streets of Suhum.

In an interview, Pastor Anthony Eghan Kwesi Ekuban, the Suhum Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, who also doubles as Chairman of the Suhum Local Council of Churches, said that the campaign was in response to the government’s initiative for cleaning and greening the environment.

Pastor Ekuban made a clarion call to all Christians to get involved in the ‘operation clean your backyard’ exercise which will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

“It is important that as Christians, we take good care of our environment as we possess the nations,” he said.

Among others, the operation clean your background will focus on the planting of trees and desilting of gutters within Suhum and its environs.

Report by Samuel Danso

The CP-Down District in the Kasoa Area of The Church of Pentecost has constructed a new mission house to house the district minister and his family.

The Area Head, Apostle James Kwabena Asare, assisted by the District Minister, Pastor Thomas Tete Asare, and other ministers in the Area, dedicated the six-bedroom manse with an office recently.

Delivering the sermon at the dedication service which took place at the Salem Assembly, Pastor George Timinca of CP District, spoke on the topic: “Whatever You Do, Do It To The Glory Of God.”

Quoting from Colossians 3:23, he admonished Christians to always remember that it is God who strengthens them to do what they are able to do, saying, “So, at the end of it all, we should give all the glory to God.”

The CP-Down District was created out of the CP District in 2015 with Pastor Alexander Kwabena Abrafi as the first district minister.

The land for the project was acquired in 1998 during the time of Pastor W.W. Asamoah (now retired), then pastor of Kasoa District. The Headquarters initially planned to put up a 3-bedroom apartment for Apostle Buenor Apedo (Rtd), an Executive Council Member of the church who was then retiring as a Missionary from Togo.

The construction of the building started under the supervision of Apostle Albert Amoah (now retired), the then General Secretary of the Church, and it was completed within four months.

Upon completion, the intended usage of the building changed when the Headquarters decided to put up a new building for Apostle Apedo in Togo since his family wanted him to settle there after his retirement.

The building being vacant, became temporary accommodation for church members. Later, the Construction Pioneers (CP District) was created and it became the official residence of the First District Minister, Pastor James Mensah, now of blessed memory.

Other Ministers who occupied the building included Pastors Charles Boadi, Alexander Kwabena Abrafi, and their families.

Upon the creation of the CP-Down District, it became necessary to reconstruct the old mission house with modern facilities.

The current District Minister, Pastor Thomas Tete Asare, who was transferred into the district in August 2021, continued with the project in earnest. By the grace of God, he completed the building in about five months after the assumption of office.

As part of the reconstruction, four new bedrooms were added to the old building, whiles one of the old bedrooms was demolished to make room for the expansion of the main hall and the dining hall.

Pastor T. T. Asare was full of appreciation to one Elder Paapa Asmah, officers of the district, and the members, for generously donating various amounts to finish the project on time.

He also commended the Area Head for releasing a grant to support the project  

PENTECOST NEWS.

The wife of the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Mrs. Mary Nyamekye, on Wednesday, March 16 2022, paid a working visit to the Teshie-Nungua Area Women’s Ministry.

The meeting which was held at F. S. Safo Memorial Temple at Nshorna, Nungua, was attended by women from the 26 districts of the Area. The meeting was also part of the National Women’s Prayer and Fasting Chain programme under the theme, “Equipping women for everything good to do the will of God,” taken from Hebrews 13:20-21.

Reading from Ephesians 6:10-14; Mrs. Mary Nyamekye admonished women to live righteous and devout lives which encompasses putting on the full armour of God in these perilous times.

She also urged the women to raise and train godly children to be responsible adults as well as live at peace with their neighbours, and help maintain family altars or devotions.

“Set godly examples for your children at home, at your workplace and wherever you find yourselves.” she admonished.

According to Mrs. Nyamekye, God has endowed women with so many weapons such as the Sword of the Spirit; which is the word of God, and prayers which they can use positively to affect their lives and that of their families, hence they should not be oblivious of the schemes and works of the devil which can distract them.

“Christianity is not an easy journey. However, I pray that we will all be well dressed from the top of our heads to the soles of our feet so that the devil will not have a foothold in any aspects of our lives,” she said, adding, “the challenges we face should not make us despair in life.”

Mrs. Mary Nyamekye also encouraged single ladies to hold on to the word of God without wavering and to offer their bodies as living sacrifices unto the Lord. She further encouraged them to take their schooling and studies seriously so they can influence society positively.

The Chairman’s wife was of the view that women need to be agents of spreading or evangelizing the word of God at their workplaces, in their neighbourhoods, and also teach it to their children and family.

The Women’s’ Director of The Church of Pentecost, Deaconess Philomina Mireku, led prayers for the entire church and its leadership as well as the leaders and members of the Women’s Ministry at all levels. Prayers were also said for families and the nation.

The meeting was attended by the Teshie-Nungua Area Head, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, and his wife, Mrs. Grace Nkrumah Agyeman, ministers in the Area, Deaconess Vivian Amfo (Deputy Women’s Ministry Director), Deaconess Cynthia Siaw Agyepong (immediate past Teshie-Nungua Area Women’s Leader), and some queen mothers in the Area.

The Area Women’s Ministry Leader, Deaconess Sophia Naana Arthur, was grateful to the Chairman’s wife and the Women’s Ministry national leadership for their visit.

Report by Yaa Asantewaah Adu Boahene.

Madam Larwaa Sortie, a peasant farmer at Sawla, came to the “Sawla for Christ” Crusade limping on one leg, but left the grounds dancing after she was instantly healed of a leg pain which had persisted for over a year.  

The mother of five shared this testimony of her healing with the thousands gathered at the Modern Ghana Park yesterday on the second day of the mega crusade.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS in an interview, Madam Sortie said it all happened when she returned from the farm one evening carrying a pan of firewood for domestic use.

According to her, as she dropped the pan from her head, she felt a sharp pain in her left leg. The pain was so severe that she could no longer walk without an aid. All medications she tried did not improve her condition.

So, when she heard that The Church of Pentecost was holding a crusade in Sawla she knew it would be an opportune time to seek a divine intervention.

“I used to be a member of The Church of Pentecost, but I joined the Catholic church after I got married to my husband. So, I have a fair idea how powerful these crusades are,” she said.

Madam Sortie said she came to the crusade ground with an expectation to be healed; she is, therefore, very happy that the Lord has answered her prayer.

Testifying of her healing to the massive gathering, an elated Sortie could not help but dance (something she could not do before) to further prove the divine healing she had received.

In addition to the many souls led to Christ, several spectacular events like Madam Sortie’s have been recorded since the opening of the crusade two days ago with some patrons being healed of various ailments and conditions. To God be the Glory.

The “Sawla for Christ” crusade, which is under the theme: “In the Name of Jesus” (Acts 3:6), would end on Friday, March 18, 2022 and would be climaxed on Saturday, March 19, 2022, with a medical outreach at Changbalyiri, a community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of Ghana.

PENTECOST NEWS

Hagar Dortiery, 19, was instantly healed of a chronic eye condition on the first day of the “Sawla for Christ” crusade being organised by the Evangelism Ministry, in partnership with the Sawla Area of The Church of Pentecost.

The spectacular event took place yesterday during a healing session held to climax the opening day of the mega crusade at the Modern Ghana Park, Sawla.

Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS on the sidelines of the event, Hagar, a Senior High School graduate and a member of the Changbalyiri District of the Church, said that she had been suffering from a strange eye condition which had persisted since her early childhood.

According to her, anytime it recurs, her eyes begin to itch terribly and swells for weeks before it comes back to normal.

She said that every effort to remedy the condition had proved futile so she had resigned to the fate of living with it for the rest of her life.

Narrating her miraculous experience, Miss Dortiery said that she came to the crusade ground with a “normal” eye and took part in every aspect of the service.

Later in the service, the Evangelism Ministry Director, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, invited all persons seeking divine healing to step in front. He further directed them to put their hand on the part (area) of the body where they had the problem as he prayed.

Hagar was one of the hundreds of people who responded to the apostolic call in faith by stepping forward and she covered both eyes with her palms.

“Although, it was not time for the condition to recur, as the Evangelism Director began to pray, suddenly my eyes started to itch intensely,” she said.

Hagar said that this time the itching was worse than she had ever experienced. But it totally stopped after Apostle Dr. Jimmy Markin had finished praying, she recounted.

“Why I call this a miracle is that, usually when my eyes begin to itch, it does not stop until it swells for weeks; this time it has completely stopped, yet my eyes did not swell,” she said.

Hagar is confident that the Lord has healed her of her condition and is grateful to Him for confirming His word with signs and wonders.

Miss Dortiery was not the only one to receive the supernatural touch of the Lord. Mrs. Lydia Torso, a mother of four and a member of the Nyange District of the Church, who suffered a hearing impairment was instantly healed as well.

According to her, about a week ago, she felt a sharp pain in her ears and could no longer hear with both ears. She quickly reached out to a Deacon of her assembly to pray with her. After the prayer, Mrs. Torso could partially hear. But, after the healing session, she testified that both ears have opened and she can now hear clearly.

Other spectacular events were also recorded on the opening day of the crusade. Among them was Cynthia Darlara, who testified of being instantly healed of a chronic stomach condition. Hannah Amoah, who had a heart problem and also suffered from a recurring abdominal pain, was instantly healed of her ailments.

Linda Gandaari complained of some pains in her leg, for which reason she was unable to stand for more than ten minutes. However, after she was prayed for, she could stand for a longer period without feeling any pain.

Anastasia, an epileptic who always suffered an embarrassing attack whenever she was around people said that, for the first time in her life, she did not have an attack despite being in the midst of the thousands of participants gathered at the Modern Ghana park for the event.

To God be the glory.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Evangelism Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, today, led a delegation of ministers of the Church to pay a courtesy call on the Chief of Sawla (Sawlawura), Abdullai Iddrisu, at his palace.

The visit was to formally greet the Sawla Chief and to invite him and his elders to the upcoming mega crusade, dubbed: “Sawla For Christ,” set to take place at the Modern Ghana Park, Sawla later in the evening.

Among the delegation were Apostle James Asare (Kasoa Area Head), Pastor David Amankwaa (Sawla Area Head), Elder Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI (Paramount Chief, Kpassa Traditional Area), and some National Executive Committee members of the Evangelism Ministry.

They were warmly received by the Sawlawura, who also had in his company other chiefs, namely; John Kipo (Chief of Bandodi), Albert Iddisah (Chief of Bojibito), Afitiri (Chief of Fashi), Awudu Jebuni (Chief of Guruyiri) and Dramani (Chief of Bodi).

Addressing the Chief and his entourage, the Evangelism Ministry Director said that it is a common practice of The Church of Pentecost to move from nation to nation, as well as community to community, heralding the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

He said that wherever the gospel message is received, the blessing of the Lord rests on the land and transforms the lives of its inhabitants.

He, therefore, assured the Chief of a special visitation of the Lord in the land during and after the mega crusade.

“This event will be historic and it shall be said that after this crusade, the communities within the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district have been transformed for the better,” he said.

Elder Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI also took the opportunity to share a testimony of his encounter with Christ and how He saved him from the terror of death that was hanging around the Kpassa paramountcy stool at the time of his enstoolment.

According to him, all his predecessors, including his own biological father, were unable to last more than five years on the throne.

“My father was a very powerful sorcerer, yet with all his powers, he could only last four years on the throne. However, because I gave my life to Jesus, He has preserved my kingship since my enstoolment in 2011,” he said.

The Kpassa Paramount Chief said that, as a result of this, he had made it his lifelong duty to encourage all other Chiefs to surrender their lives to Christ because in Him is life, glory and honour.

“If I was not sure of this, I would not have left my throne and travelled all the way to this place to share this with you as colleague chiefs,” he added.

In response, the Chief was very grateful for the visit and the message they had shared with him.

“Indeed, I consider myself blessed today, because some people have served many years as chiefs and have never had the privilege of hearing such a message,” he said.

He also wished the team well and expressed his optimism that the lives of all his subjects in Sawla and its environs would be positively impacted by the event.

To climax the visit, the Sawla Area Head, on behalf of the team, presented a box of Bible, three boxes of drinks, seven packs of bottled water and a cash donation to the Chief.

The meeting, which was held under a pleasant atmosphere, came to a close after Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin had said a word of prayer for the Chief and his elders.

The “Sawla For Christ” crusade, which is under the theme: “In The Name Of Jesus” (Acts 3:6), is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, March 15 to Friday, March 18, 2022, with Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, Apostle James Asare and Pastor David Amankwaa as the main speakers for the event.

Other speakers include Elder Evans Ayim (Deputy Director, Evangelism Ministry), Elder Dr. Ken. Aboah (NEC Member, Evangelism Ministry), Elder Seth Peasah (NEC Member, Evangelism Ministry), and Elder Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI.

PENTECOST NEWS