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A couple, Mr. Isaac Kwame and Mrs. Alexandria Addo Antwi, has single-handedly constructed a magnificent church auditorium at a cost of GH¢ 2,500,000.00 for the Nchiraa Assembly in the Kintampo Area of The Church of Pentecost.

The 700-seater auditorium, with a children’s auditorium, is fitted with modern chairs, LED TV screens, a full set of electronic and musical equipment, offices, washrooms, and storerooms.

They also supplied all the security doors, POP ceilings, tiling, and installation of air conditioners for the construction of the district mission house.

Mr. Kwame Antwi, a native of Nchiraa, handed over the keys to the building to Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh, the Chairman of the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC), during the dedication of the church building which took place on Friday, October 30, 2020.

According to him, the Lord laid it on his heart to construct the building for the assembly considering the sorry state of their former place of worship. Though it was difficult for him to build the auditorium, he was full of praise to God for granting him the resources and strength to put up the edifice within a year.

In a sermon on the topic, “Taking a step of faith,” Apostle Mark Obeng Andoh challenged all to demonstrate strong faith in God no matter the obstacles, impossibilities, and challenges that come their way. Using Hebrews 11:1-6 to explain his point, he mentioned that the Christian’s walk with God is based on faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God.

“Christianity loses its importance when it is not based on faith in God, for faith is the currency for purchasing things from heaven and also a legal document to claim title deeds from God,” he emphasised.

Explaining the different types of faith, he stated that there is natural faith given to all no matter one’s religious background; intellectual faith that is gained from the acquisition of knowledge; and the gift of faith that is solely given by God.

On behalf of the leadership of the Church, Apostle Andoh expressed great appreciation to the couple for their strong faith to put up the beautiful edifice for the Church at Nchiraa, and that their names will surely be recorded amongst the heroes of faith.

He concluded by admonishing all to take a bold step of faith and be motivated by the kind gesture of the couple to do more for the Lord.

He commended the Kintampo Area Head, Apostle Gideon Obeng-Darko Debrah, and the District Minister of Subinso, Pastor Fredrick Doh-Bodzra, as well as the District Executive and Estate Committees for their selflessness, commitment, and the supervisory role they played in the construction of the edifice.

The Chief of Nchiraa, Nana Tabiri Yaw III, was full of appreciation to the couple and The Church of Pentecost for building the beautiful auditorium in the community. He disclosed that the magnificent auditorium would go a long way to draw many people to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

In attendance were Apostles Samuel Berko, William Edzorhoho, Pastors Daniel Frimpong Manso, Shadrack Ohene-Asah Otu, traditional leaders from the Nchiraa Traditional Council, among others.

Report by Overseer Prince Augustine Ababio.

The Cape Coast Area of The Church of Pentecost has launched its ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign aimed at raising awareness on the need to maintain peace before, during, and after the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana.

The event which took place on October 24, 2020, started with a float from Abura and Mfantsipim School, through the principal towns of Cape Coast.

Scores of members of the Church clad in branded caps and T-shirts including pastors and their wives marched through the principal streets preaching the message of peace before finally converging at Chapel Square for the launch of the event.

Chaired by the Oguaa Manhene, Osabarima Kwesi Attah ll, the event received collaboration from the Ghana Evangelism Committee, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) churches, and the Local Council of Churches in the Cape Coast Metropolis. There was a good representation of Muslim youth who participated fully in the float and the launch.

Speaking at the launch, the Cape Coast Area Head and Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, admonished the people to pursue peace even as they go into the December elections.

According to him, “without peace, we cannot do anything as a nation and hence we must not allow tension and violence to destroy the peace the country has been enjoying as we go into the December polls.”

He indicated that, “an election is not a ‘do or die’ affair,” adding that, “all seeking political power must remember that leadership is for service and that should be our motive ahead of the 2020 elections.”

Apostle S. Y. Antwi urged Ghanaians, especially political parties, to carry the message of peace to all aspects of society.

The Deputy Central Regional Minister, Hon. Thomas Agyei Baffoe, thanked The Church of Pentecost for such an initiative and pleaded with her to carry out this all-important initiative across all the districts in the region.

He subsequently called on all, especially the youth to avoid violence and also charged them not to allow themselves to be used as a vehicle for violence by any political party or person ahead of the elections.

He pledged the Central Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to ensuring peace before, during, and after the December 7 elections.

The Oguaa Manhene, Osabarima Kwesi Atta ll, charged residents of the municipality to reflect on the attitude of Christ and show love to all as they go to polls.

“Love is one of the key commandments Christ gave us and we must all pursue it. Where there is love for each other, violence will have no place in society. Hence we must not engage in fighting and violence but rather live as agents of peace in our homes, workplaces, schools, etc. before, during, and after the elections.”

The event was graced by personnel from the NCCE, Prisons Service, Police Service, Central Regional Peace Council, National Security, political parties representatives, Office of the Regional Chief Imam, and sister churches.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Suame Area of The Church of Pentecost has launched its Agent of Peace campaign in an effort to ensure peace in the run-up to the 2020 general election.

The event, which took place on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, was held at the Tetelestai Temple at Suame under the theme, “Seek Peace and Pursue It,” based on Psalm 34:14.

The agent of peace campaign is a special initiative of the leadership of The Church of Pentecost to promote peace before, during, and after the elections. It aims at educating and challenging members of the Church and all well-meaning Ghanaians to be agents of peace in this year’s election.

In his opening address, the Suame Area Head, Apostle Michael Collins Asiedu, who chaired the occasion, said that the agent of peace campaign was a conscious effort by The Church of Pentecost to make the peace of God fill the hearts of all Ghanaians to help them desist from violence and promote peace as they go to the polls.

“This campaign is a clarion call by the Church to ensure that peace prevails before, during, and after the December 7 polls,” he reiterated.

He added: “We should stand for peace and bear in mind that an eye for an eye would make Ghana go blind and we must all remember that election is about ballots and not bullets.” 

The well-attended event, saw many stakeholders from within and around the Suame Municipality pledging their support for peace in the upcoming elections.

In a virtual presentation, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said: “Peace must be sought and pursued because peace is a foreign material to this fallen world.”

He added: “Let us be content with our one vote in this election because we all have one vote. So go out and cast your vote peacefully.”

Also speaking at the event, the Municipal Chief Executive for Suame, Hon. Dr. John Bobie Boahen, stated: “We should cherish the peace we have and do all within our power to maintain it by guarding our tongue against speaking evil.”

Representatives from sister churches, traditional leaders (chiefs), and the political parties present took turns to pledge their commitment to a peaceful.

The event was climaxed with a float through the principal streets of the Suame Municipality, with the members carrying placards displaying peace messages.

More than 700 people attended the launch.

Report by Overseer Anthony Apedido (Suame Area Reporter).

A retirement service was held in honour of the Teshie District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Osei Kwame Asamoah Omono, and his family at the Samuel Kwadwo Osei Memorial Temple in Teshie on Sunday, October 25, 2020, after successfully serving for 28 years in the full-time ministry.

The service, which was officiated by the Teshie-Nungua Area, Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, was attended by the pastorate in the Area and their wives as well as family and well-wishers from all parts of the country.

In a sermon on the topic, “Finishing Well as a Minister” Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah quoted various Bible texts including Ecclesiastics 7:8; 2 Timothy 4:7. Colossians 4: 14-17 and Philippians 1:1&2, and urged ministers to strive to bring their ministerial service to a close in dignity. He said that Bible characters like Solomon, Judas Iscariot, and Demas did not finish their roles on good notes. He urged them to finish well like Jesus and Apostle Paul.

He cautioned Christians against distractions that can cause them to stray off a good path and their vision. “We must watch out for money, women, frustrations, and bitterness,” he said, adding, “Rather let’s embrace prayers, respect for Bible authority and respect for all people.”

Pastor Asamoah Omono was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1991. After his training at the Bible school, he was stationed at Nsesreso in the Sunyani Area from 1992 to 1998. He served in five other stations including Asuboni Rails District in the Nkawkaw Area (1998-2003), Dwenho in the Agona Swedru Area (2003-2006), Apedwa in the Suhum Area ((2006-2012), Fan Milk District in the Anyaa-Ablekuma Area (2012-2017) as well as Teshie District (2017-2020).

As a Mechanical Engineer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Pastor Asamoah Omono served in various committees and held many positions at various levels.

The Teshie District described Pastor Asamoah Omono as a faithful servant, a great pastor, and a friend to everyone.

The Area Pastorate in their testimony of his good work stated: “He is very sociable, calm and humble. He is also a man of prayer, always encouraging his colleague ministers to make quality time for prayer and meditation and a lover of music.”

The Women’s Ministry also paid a glowing tribute to Mrs. Margaret Akosuah Akyaa Asubonten Asamoah Omono, saying, “She always has good thoughts which radiate her face; she is not biased and treats everyone equally.”

In response, Pastor Asamoah Omono and his family were grateful to God Almighty for his protection and guidance. They were also grateful to the Executive Council of the Church for their good counsel and the opportunity to serve the Lord as a minister.

He thanked Apostle Patrick Kingsley Ennin (his former Area Head) for his support during the difficult years in ministry when his wife, Margeret was sick to the point of death. He was full of appreciation to the Teshie-Nungua Area Head, Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, as well as the Area pastorate for their support in his last days in ministry.

He was also grateful to Elder Alfred Quainoo and family who have also ensured that they have a restful retirement.

Report by Issabella Gyau Orhin.

A colourful service was held at the Kokoben Central assembly auditorium on Sunday, October 25, 2020, as many people came from far and near to witness the farewell service of Pastor Isaac Anane Babae and family who retired after 37 years of active ministerial service.

The memorable service was officiated by Apostle John Budu Kobina Tawiah, Kwadaso Area Head.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “Have The Attitude Of A Finisher,” based on 2 Timothy 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Apostle J. B. K. Tawiah explained that there is a prize to be received for every work done for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

He noted that everyone who works in God’s kingdom, works as a hired labourer for a duration or period, after which a reward is given based on the quality of work performed by the labourer.

He stated that every minister of the gospel must work as a soldier, an athlete and a farmer. According to him, a minister must be a soldier in God’s kingdom, ready to endure any hardship. “As athletes, we must keep training to be able to compete and must compete according to the rules,” he said, adding, “As farmers, we must eschew laziness, make God’s vineyard fruitful in order to nourish God’s people.”

Apostle Tawiah advised that all ministers and workers in God’s kingdom should work with this mindset to receive the perfect prize prepared for God’s labourers.

Giving their testimony about Mrs. Margaret Anane Babae, the District Women’s Ministry commended her generosity and her desire to offer a helping hand to others. “The well-being of other people is of great concern to her. She does not want to see anyone in any form of distress without helping,” they said, adding, “She has a great skill in mobilising women in the district and always comes up with new and interesting ideas and activities to revive the ministry.”

The Ahenema Kokoben District described Pastor Anane Babae as a humble man who is blessed with diverse spiritual gifts. “He is a defender of the faith and a crusader of the tenets and policies of the Church,” he added.

The General Council also described Pastor Isaac Anane Babae as a man of prayer whose prayer ministry has helped broken new grounds in his ministry and brought a lot of breakthroughs to so many people.

“He is also a good expounder of the Bible who teaches the word of God with finesse. His in-depth knowledge in the Scripture is clearly seen anytime he presents sermons,” the testimony stated.

Profile Of Pastor Isaac Anane Babae

Pastor Anane Babae was born on July 3, 1955, at Assin Foso in the Central Region and had his basic education at Assin Foso Roman Catholic Primary School and completed at Assin Dompim Local Authority Middle School and obtained the Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) in 1974. However, due to financial difficulties, he could not go to secondary school at that time. He studied privately at home and had the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (O’ Level Certificate) in 1990. He also had a Diploma in 1999, B.Th. 2005 and M.Th. in 2008.

After middle school, he was employed at Mr. Akomaning Clinic. He later joined the Assin Foso Mobil Filling Station as a Pump Attendant from 1975 to 1979 and later employed as a Pupil Teacher by the Ghana Education Service from 1979 to 1983.

He was called into the full-time pastoral ministry in 1983 at Assin Foso and ordained as a pastor in 1988.

In ministry, he served in the following stations; Kwahu Apradang now Pra River (1983-1986), Kwahu Praso (1986-1992), Swedru (1992-1996), Abura Dunkwa     (1996-2001), Suhum (2001-2007), Maamobi (2007-2011), Wiamoase      (2011-2015), Trede (2015-2017), and Ahenema Kokobeng            (2017-2020).

PENTECOST NEWS  

The Anyaa-Ablekuma Area of The Church of Pentecost, under the headship of Apostle Samuel Kojo Gakpetor, has organised a day’s Statistical and Financial Seminar for Ministers, Presiding Elders, District Secretaries, District Finance Committee Members, Local Secretaries and Local Financial Secretaries.

The event, which took place on October 23, 2020, at the Anyaa Central church building, was in part, a replication of the national training organised by the National Records, Archives and Statistics Committee (NRASC) in August.

It was aimed among others to equip statistics handlers with the requisite knowledge and skills in reliable church data collection; highlight some common errors, challenges and concerns in report writing, and to proffer some solutions; strengthen adherence to all church financial policies at all levels and to offer participants the opportunity to share their concerns in respect of the report writing process and financial administration of the Church.

The Area Head, Apostle Gakpetor, in his welcome remarks on Ecclesiastes 10:10, hinted that training is very important for church leaders and likened it to the sharpening of the blade of an axe. He explained further that periodic training builds the capacities of church workers so they become more efficient in their service deliveries.

The Area Secretary, Pastor Samuel Acheampong, who presented a paper on church data collection and report writing, focused his presentation on the Essence of Data Collection, Data Collection Process in The Church of Pentecost, Effective Church Membership Management, among others, while the Area Deacon, Elder Emmanuel Edusa-Eyison, handled the financial policies of the Church as well as some auditing concerns.

During the open forum session, participants raised some pertinent issues such as literature debts, and the use of church registers. The presenters together with the Area Executive Committee members provided suitable answers.

In all, there were 297 participants.

Report by Pastor Samuel Acheampong (Area Secretary).

In line with the Church’s initiative of ensuring a peaceful election 2020, the Assin Foso Area of The Church of Pentecost, headed by Apostle Sylvester Arhin, has launched the ‘Agent of Peace’ campaign.

The programme, which took place on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Foso Habitat Prayer Grounds, brought together dignitaries in the Assin Central Municipality, such as a representative of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the Divisional Police Commander, traditional leaders, the Chaplain of Immigration Training School, Chairman of the District Peace Council, sister churches, political parties, among others.

In a keynote address, a Deputy Coordinating Director at the Assin Central Municipal Assembly, Mr. Charles Lartey, who represented the MCE, applauded The Church of Pentecost for the wonderful initiatives the Church has embarked on such as the Environmental Care campaign and the Agent of Peace campaign geared at making society better to live.

He noted that Ghana is ranked 6^th and 43^rd peaceful country in Africa and the World respectively. He encouraged all to jealously guard the hard-earned peace the country was enjoying.

Speaking on behalf of the Municipal Imam, Deputy Imam Borhan Salifu reechoed the need for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the religious bodies since all religions are founded on peace, love, and equal rights. He was so grateful to The Church of Pentecost for involving the Moslem Community in all her flagship initiatives.

Other dignitaries present took turns to pledge their commitments to ensuring peace and order before, during, and after the 2020 General elections and encouraged all to do same.

Launching the campaign on behalf of the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Sylvester Arhin called on all present to seek and pursue peace in all their dealings ahead of the December 7 elections and beyond. He said that every Ghanaian has a role to play in achieving the peace of the country at all times. “Peace cannot prevail unless we make it our responsibility to work at it. Peace is a commodity that does not just fall from the skies but an important element in our lives that takes a collaborative effort of groups and individuals to attain,” he stressed. 

Apostle Sylvester Arhin, therefore, charged all participants to be agents of peace in their homes, communities, workplaces and wherever they may find themselves, and resist selfish individuals who may scheme to use them to perpetrate violence.

Concluding his address, he read from Psalm 34:14: “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” and led the gathering to make a personal commitment to achieving the peace agenda.

Various patriotic songs that communicate peace, unity, and tolerance were sung to consolidate the campaign.

Report by Pastor Samuel Avornyo, Area Reporter.

It was all joy as people of all walks of life trooped to the Central Auditorium of the Jumapo District in Koforidua Effiduase Area of The Church of Pentecost to bid Pastor Joshua Asante farewell as he retired from active service after 23 years of service.

The retirement service, which took place on Sunday, October 25, 2020, was officiated by the Koforidua Effiduase Area Head, Apostle Daniel Yeboah Nsaful.

Pastor Joshua Asante was born on 18^th July, 1955 at Berekum in the Bono Region. He attended Fetentaa Primary School and completed middle school in 1972 after which he attended Drobo Secondary School and completed in 1977.

After teaching at Buni Roman Catholic Primary School for some years, Pastor Asante embarked on cocoa farming.

Pastor Joshua Asante got married to Mrs. Susana Asante in 1976 at Berekum. They are blessed with six children – two males and four females.

He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour in 1986 and was baptised by the late Pastor J. K. Prah. He was ordained as a deacon in 1990 and later as an elder before his call into full-time ministry in 1996.

He served as District Pastor in Jirapa, Nadowli, Bogoso-Kokoase, Dompoase, Fayiase, and Jumapo. He also held several ministerial appointments and attended four courses.

In a sermon on the topic, “God Bless You” based on Numbers 8:22-26, Apostle Daniel Yeboah Nsaful said that blessing involves the total well-being of a person. “Blessing is a gift of God and necessary for Christians because it is the blessing of God that makes one prosper,” he said, adding, “Some of the causes of the blessings of God are when one acknowledges God and comes before Him, and do His work.”

He commended Pastor Asante for his dedication to the ‘Ghetto Ministry’ and praised him for not using his age and years in service to bully his fellow pastors.

Concluding, Apostle Nsaful prayed that the Lord will keep and make His face shine on Pastor Asante and grant him peace.

In a testimony read by the Kade Area Head, Apostle Lawrence Otu-Nyarko, the General Council of the Church said: “Although calm and unassuming, Pastor Joshua Asante is a principled and visionary leader who served the Lord wholeheartedly. His output in ministry was very significant. He has distinguished himself as a hardworking soldier of the cross.”

The Koforidua Effiduase Area Pastorate described Pastor Asante as a major contributor to the Area, having joined the Area just two years after its creation from Koforidua in 2013, adding: “He is approachable, humble and comforting to be with.”

In attendance were Apostle Obiri Yeboah (Rtd.); Elder Nana Kwasi Sompreh, Bogosohene; some retired ministers, pastors from other Areas, representatives of Local Council of Churches, chiefs, among others.

Report by Koforidua Effiduase Area Media Team.