The Church of Pentecost Commissions New Health Facility At Abesewa web

The Church of Pentecost Commissions New Health Facility At Abesewa

A special ceremony was held today, March 12, 2024, to commission the newly constructed health facility of The Church of Pentecost at Abesewa in the Ahafo Ano South District of Ghana.

The facility, commissioned by the General Secretary of the Church, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, will serve the people of Abesewa and over 20 surrounding villages.

The edifice is a single-level health facility with a fully furnished Outpatient Department (OPD) with an emergency unit, Male and Female Wards, Delivery Ward, Dispensary, theatre, washrooms, laboratory, public health unit, and consulting rooms.

The project started 36 months ago and was completed within 24 calendar months from commencement.

Addressing the gathering of ministers, traditional rulers, health professionals, public officials, members of the Church and residents of Abesewa at the event, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi said that the construction of the facility was in response to the urgent need to provide a health facility that can serve Abesewa and surrounding communities in helping reduce maternal and child mortality in the Ahafo Ano South East District.

“Our response was further triggered by the alarming statistics revealed in the District Medium-Term Development Plan, 2018-2021, published by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), which indicated that the District’s Doctor-Population Ratio was 1: 31,581, the Nurse-Population Ratio was 1:971, and the Midwife-Expectant Mothers Ratio was 1: 1,072,” he said.

He said that this intervention, like the many others, is in line with the “Possessing the Nations” agenda (Phase 2), which is the five-year strategic vision of The Church of Pentecost, dubbed “Vision 2028,” a direct follow-up to Vision 2023.

To ensure sustainable delivery of quality healthcare, the Pentecost Clinic, Abesewa, shall be operated as a full-fledged CHAG facility and managed by the Pentecost Health Services under Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS), he further revealed.

“It is our prayer and hope that whoever enters the corridors of this Clinic will receive divine healing,” Apostle Samuel Obuobi said.

In a brief sermonette on the topic: “A People Of God Unleashed Wholistically,” Apostle Isaac Nii Kotei Djani, the Techiman Area Head and Executive Council Member of the Church, stressed the need for churches to engage in initiatives that meet the plight of the communities in which they operate.

Using 1 Thessalonians 5:23 as his foundational text, he explained that it is an undeniable fact that God created the human physically first.

“The Bible says He formed the body of man with the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils, and he became a living soul. This affirms that God first created us physically before the Spirit came,” he said.

Apostle Kotei-Djani, who also serves as the Coordinator for the Bono, Bono-East, and Ahafo Regional Coordinating Committee, further noted that Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example of Christians, also lived a holistic life and pursued a holistic ministry.

He said that the construction of the health facility and other social interventions of the church are ways through which the Church is meeting the physical needs of the community.

“If we are being unleashed, then we must go holistically. We must not only focus on the spiritual needs of the people. We cannot be in the community and be unconcerned about their plights.

“This will rather make the Church lopsided, but when we pursue holistic ministry, then the church becomes balanced,” he said, emphasising that: “You must give the bread of loaf and the bread of life together.”

The Techiman Area Head also noted that by undertaking such social interventions, the Church is emulating and demonstrating Christ’s ministry of the Gospel and compassion.

“As the Body of Christ, we are Jesus’ presence on earth continuing the mission and love that He inaugurated,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr. Peter Yeboah, commended The Church of Pentecost for another significant milestone and for once again proving their commitment to providing quality healthcare for the people of Ghana and championing the healing ministry of Jesus.

He said that the health facility has been strategically placed as Abesewa serves as an entry point into three regions, the Ashanti, Bono, and Ahafo regions.

He also noted that since it is located by a major highway, it would serve as a prime health centre to attend to accident victims.

Dr. Yeboah called on traditional leaders, the District Assembly, to own the facility and support its growth and development.

He also advised The Church of Pentecost to continue to support the facility to grow and expand to serve a greater number of people.

The CHAG Executive Director also advised health workers to uphold the highest level of professionalism, ethics, and empathy in the discharge of their duties.

He assured the Church of CHAG’s continued support in providing the human resources and technical support to the facility.

Oheneba Yaw Owusu Ansah (Abrenyasehene) expressed gratitude to the Church for the honour done to the people of Abesewa by putting up such a facility in their town.

He assured the Church that he would do everything in his power to ensure the growth of the facility. He also advised his subjects to support the facility by patronising it and promoting it.

The District Chief Executive, Hon. Thomas Owusu Ansah, who also graced the event, thanked the Church for taking part in the burden of the government and assured them of the District Assembly’s support.

The event ended with the General Secretary, with assistance from Apostle Nii Kotei-Djani and other ministers present, dedicating the facility and leading all gathered to inspect the various departments in the facility.

The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Apostle G.O.D. Debrah (National Estate Committee Chairman), Prophet Fred Antwi (Duayaw Nkwanta Area Head), Pastor James Agyin (Projects, Estate, and Development Manager), Elder Richard Amaning (PENTSOS Director), Elder Alexander Frimpong (Pentecost Health Unit Coordinator), Mrs. Priscilla Sarkodie (Ahafo Ano South District Health Director), ASP Prosper Kwao Agyei (Ahafo Ano District Police Commander), among several others.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Unmasking The Good And Bad Enemies Of Vision 2028 web

Unmasking The Good And Bad Enemies Of Vision 2028

INTRODUCTION

In 1990, I read a story from a Twi book called “Nimdeɛ kwankyerɛ.” The story’s title was “Akuafo atamfo,” meaning “The Enemies of Farmers.” The headline caught my attention because my parents were farmers. Therefore, I ensured I read the entire passage. At the end of the passage, squirrels, grasshoppers, and other animals that destroy farms were enumerated as enemies of farmers, among other things. To the farmer, the squirrel is destroying the palm nut, but to the squirrel, it is having dinner. This means not all enemies know they are being enemies by their actions or inactions.

Many Christians, by their dispositions, make themselves enemies of the church. Likewise, some folks of The Church of Pentecost tend to be enemies of Vision 2028 (Possessing the Nations: Unleashing the Whole Church to Transform the World with the Values and Principles of the Kingdom of God). Since many do not know they are enemies, I term them good enemies for the write-up. The paradox is that some people murmur approbation when the slogan is raised. These may also include members of the clergy, officers of the church, and members alike. Others may also be local, district, and area office holders. Most of these seem to attend church regularly. Unfortunately, they, by their actions and inactions, hate the Vision. Few may be deliberate about it, but many may not be aware that their attitude is tantamount to being enemies of the Vision. You may even be one without knowing. Thus, this write-up aims to unmask specific actions and inactions that seem innocuous but highly detrimental to Vision 2028. As you go through this article, may you become a lover and not an enemy of the Vision.

ENEMIES OF VISION 2028

  1. THOSE WHO DO THINGS TO SATISFY THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE VISION

These are those who undertake activities to fill the columns in the report format. So if they organize forty-five (45) rallies and even win no soul, they are not bothered because they know they will get some marks for the rallies. Five (5) rallies with a soul are better than fifty (50) rallies without a soul. Of course, I would prefer fifty rallies with fifty souls. Moreover, some people’s reports appear better than those of their church. For some, the number that received Holy Ghost Baptism on the report far exceeds those that received it on the grounds. For others, the number recorded in the report for attendance to evening services, midweek services, communion services, etc. far exceeds the actual number who attended those services. Why are these enemies? In a visual field test (an eye test), we call such values ‘false positive values.’ People who give you false positives are like people who okay your car reversal until you fall into a ditch. Rather than giving false positive reports, we should work hard to get true positives Since true negatives are also not the best option.

  • THOSE WHO FAIL TO GIVE TIMELY FEEDBACK

Where a program is implemented, monitoring and evaluation must be performed. In The Church of Pentecost, reporting is one of the avenues used in monitoring and evaluation. Reporting is done weekly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or end of the year. Sadly, some leaders of committees and ministries, some presiding elders, ministers, and others fail to submit their reports or, at best, submit them late. This attitude has persisted for far too long. By the grace of God, I have been a local Leader, a District Leader, and an Area Leader, and I can say that at every level, the Leader comes face to face with this attitude from those who are to submit reports. Let us know that the Vision is time-bound, so timeliness in submitting quality reports is critical.

  • THOSE WHO MARK TIME WITH THE VISION

When we were in JSS, whenever a lesson was boring, we would pray the period had just elapsed. We often checked to find out the number of minutes remaining. This is called ‘time marking’. Such time markers will say that the Vision will pass in five years. They count days, weeks, and months. If you are relaxed, praying the Vision expires, you are either consciously or unconsciously being an enemy of the Vision.

  • THE HUMAN SIGNPOSTS OF THE VISION

They are experts in directing people to perform what is in the Vision document, but they hardly partake in any of those actions. Some of them preach virtues and practice vice. They trumpet the Vision publicly and swallow it privately. They are slogan champions and not solution champions. As I intimated in my introductory remarks, such people are not bad. To them, they are helping. I advise such people that he who knows what is right and does not do it may even be worse than the one who does not know. Do not be a spectator, but be a participant. Be active in ministries, committees, etc. Be part of prayer meetings, evangelism programs, and other programs. Give your best physically, spiritually, financially, etc.

  • THOSE WHO STARVE THE VISION

One way your enemy can punish you is to starve you, in other words, to deprive you of resources. The Syrians used this method when they captured Samaria in the days of the four lepers. Vision 2028 will need many resources to thrive. Critical ones are human and financial. Human resources in this context include individuals’ gifts, skills, talents, strengths, time, and abilities. Hence, anyone who refuses to use his or her potential to advance Vision 2028 is literally starving it. That person is an aspiring enemy of the church if not an incumbent one. Financial resources come in tithes, offerings, donations, etc. We are not talking about giving any amount with any heart but giving according to your ability and doing so cheerfully (1 Cor 9:7). We are talking about not being stiff-necked but allowing the leaders’ words to inspire you or allowing a colleague giver to inspire you with their amounts or attributes so you also give bountifully. When you do not give or give grudgingly, you are akin to the nurse who has taken the oxygen from the patient whose oxygen saturation (Sp02) is 30% or the teacher who seizes the student’s calculator and demands that he solves complex mathematical equations in the examination. Make your body, time, gifts, abilities, resources, and family readily available to help the Vision see the light of the day.

  • THOSE WHO DO NOT ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE DETAILS OF THE VISION

One usually will not worry about things that border on their enemies. Those who hate snakes will hardly major in the anatomy of snakes. The Vision must be read, understood, owned, lived, and taught. Refusing to carry any of these roles stifles it and breaks the chain. Every lover of the Vision must not take things for granted. Those who love a particular football club can give you a lot of information about that club, including when it was formed, its past laurels, its current players, its position on the league table, etc. If you love the Vision, know where it is coming from, where it is going, and the key stakeholders.

THE BAD ENEMIES

All the above enemies are good per my definition, but the last group I will discuss is the people who deliberately defame the church. They are bad enemies. They have allowed Satan to use them as conduits to draw people from heaven. When we bring people in, they open the back door for the people to go out. They are primarily found in social media insulting the Leadership of the Church at all levels. They take one unfortunate action and blow it out of proportion. They never highlight the good works of the church. Unfortunately, just as Absalom got some of David’s close associates to his side, these evil enemies get people to support them. They deliberately tear what people have painfully built for many years. For such enemies, the full wrath of God awaits them if they do not repent.

CONCLUSION

The Bible says that Pilate and Herod were at loggerheads, but when Jesus came in, they were reconciled (Luke 23:12). No matter how much you have consciously or unconsciously hated the Vision, you have the opportunity to be reconciled. Show interest in it, make yourself available, and offer your skills, talents, and gifts. Also, offer your money. Work hard to achieve something and submit genuine reports on time. To the evil enemies, I warn them to repent because it is difficult to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5).

Written by Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka (Tema Greenwich Meridian)

Fulfill Your Prophetic Call - Apostle Daniel Sey Tells Christian Leaders web

Fulfill Your Prophetic Call – Apostle Daniel Sey Tells Christian Leaders

The Dansoman Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Daniel Kodjoe Sey, has encouraged Christian leaders to consciously seek the face of God for direction and understanding of their prophetic mandate.

He made this assertion on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, when he ministered to the Aflao Area pastorate at PIWC English Auditorium during the Area’s 2024 all-officers Apostolisation.

Speaking on the topic “The Three-Dimensional Walk of Jesus” based on John 4:1-29, Apostle Sey stated that God’s prophetic plan was to bless the nations through the seed of Abraham, who happens to be Christ Jesus. Jesus’ ministry on the earth was a fulfillment of God’s prophetic call to unleash the good news to all the nations.

“Like Christ Jesus, any minister called by God has a prophetic assignment, and it is through faith in God that we can understand this link as revealed throughout the Scripture,” he said.

According to the Dansoman Area Head, God’s revelation on His divine purpose for mankind has been prophetically linked and interwoven throughout the written word of God.

“Knowledge of these links is key to understanding God’s purpose and mission on the earth,” he explained, adding that every step Christ took in His ministry was not by chance but rather in relation to His prophetic assignment.

Expounding the background to the main scripture passage, Apostle Sey recounted how Christ Jesus decided to pass through Samaria to Galilee even though there were hostilities between Jews and Samaritans.

He noted that His walk-through Samaria with His disciples and His encounter with a Samaritan woman by the well that Jacob gave to his son Joseph were in line with God’s plan to unleash the gospel message to all nations, including the Samaritans.

At the core of Jesus’ dialogue with the Samaritan woman was the former’s promise to satisfy her thirsty soul with the Living water, he noted.

Apostle Sey further relayed that the encounter between Christ Jesus and the Samaritan was not a mere coincidence but rather the manifestation of God’s proper timing. He explained time as any chronological turn of events that occurs in everyday life. However, there is another time called the ‘kairus’ time. This time is determined by God. It is called the right time.

“At her kairus moment, this woman transformed and went back to the city with the good news. The Living water Jesus gave to her was the Gospel. After receiving this water, she became an evangelist,” he stated.

He asserted that the woman’s encounter, call, and the message she received from Christ are all prophetic in nature.

“Even though her old ways of life were nothing to write home about, she became totally transformed after she met Christ Jesus at the right time. She did not need her jug to fill water. She was fulfilled by the encounter,” he stressed.

Apostle Sey, therefore, encouraged Christian leaders to be sensitive to God’s timing and allow the Holy Spirit to lead them in their prophetic mandate. “Do not be envious of positions or statuses in ministry but rather envy grace. Pray that the Lord will lead you to places where your ministry will blossom and have the maximum impact. This is because your call is prophetic in nature,” he concluded.

Report by Pastor Francis Lamptey (Aflao Area Reporter)

Elder Albert Dwumfour Earns Top Appointment web

Elder Albert Dwumfour Earns Top Appointment

The President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Dwumfour, who is an Elder of The Church of Pentecost, has been elected to the steering committee of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the largest organisation of African journalists.

This took place during FAJ’s recently-held congress, which saw the election of Omar Faruk Osman of Somalia as its new president.

Elder Albert Dwumfour will be serving on the Steering Committee alongside Mr. Zied Dabbar from Tunisia (Vice President), Ms. Marie Luisa Rogiero from Angola (Honorary Treasurer), Erik Oduor from Kenya (Member), Mr. Jean Claude Koulibaly from Cote D’Ivoire (Member), Sadiq Ibrahim Amed Ibrahim from Sudan (Member), Mr. Mohammed El-Talbi from Morocco (Member), and Ms. Obam Mejo Marion from Cameroon (Member).

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) is a regional organisation that serves as a collective voice for IFJ affiliates in Africa. It plays a crucial role in advocating for the social and professional rights of African journalists, a mission that aligns with its commitment to defending freedom of expression and the right to information.

Founded in 2007, FAJ provides support and solidarity to unions and associations with a mandate to promote trade union development in the media industry in Africa. It addresses professional issues, protects and defends freedom of expression and the right to information, as well as journalists’ human rights, as laid down in the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa.

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We Need More Christian Stations Like Pent Radio To Speak Truth To Power – GJA President web

We Need More Christian Stations Like Pent Radio To Speak Truth To Power – GJA President

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Dwumfour, has emphasised the crucial role of Christian media in speaking truth to power and transforming society.

Mr. Albert Dwumfour, an Elder of The Church of Pentecost, made this assertion during his address at the official commissioning ceremony of Pent Radio in Kumasi today at the McKeown Temple in Asokwa, Ashanti Region.

Quoting Romans 10:17, the GJA President highlighted the transformative potential of Pent Radio, stating that “faith comes by hearing, and through Pent Radio, many are going to hear the gospel and have their lives transformed.”

Expressing his delight in being part of the Pent Radio story, Mr. Dwumfour underscored the need for religious bodies to actively engage in the dissemination of truth.

“The time has come for Christian bodies to lead the charge and not leave ownership of radio stations to only politicians and businessmen,” he said, adding that radio has proven to be a results-driven medium and is now the leading arm of the media.

The GJA President stated that under his leadership, the media is assuming its rightful place as the fourth estate of the realm and a force to be reckoned with.

“The media serves as a link or bridge between the government and the people. We are the voice for the voiceless and watchdogs for people’s rights,” he said.

As tensions rise in an election year, Mr. Dwumfour deemed it timely to have stations like Pent Radio urging the station to uphold high standards and professionalism.

He expressed his outfit’s readiness to support Pent Radio in achieving its stated vision to propagate the gospel (truth), transform society, and emerge as the leading radio station in the Ashanti Region and beyond.

He also pledged the commitment of the GJA to provide safety and security to all media practitioners from external harm or attacks, allowing them to fearlessly speak the truth and engage in progressive work.

Reading from Philippians 4:8, the GJA President set a standard for the newly-commissioned radio station, urging them to church content that is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.” This, he stressed, is the expectation for the station as it embarks on its journey to become a transformative force in the Ashanti Region and beyond.

Pent Radio (100.1MHz), the Christian radio station fully owned by The Church of Pentecost, has begun full operations following its inauguration in Kumasi on Friday, February 8, 2024.

The Christian radio station, located at the Pentecost House in Asokwa, envisions being the leading Christian radio station in the Ashanti Region and beyond with the mission to propagate the gospel, transform society with Kingdom values and principles, and bring unique and spiritually uplifting content to the different spectrums of people.

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Pent Radio Begins Operations web

Pent Radio Begins Operations

Pent Radio (100.1MHz), the latest radio station in Ghana to hit the airwaves, has begun full operations following its inauguration in Kumasi on Friday, March 8, 2024.

The Christian radio station fully owned by The Church of Pentecost, is located at the Pentecost House in Asokwa.

Pent Radio envisions being the leading Christian radio station in the Ashanti Region and beyond with the mission to propagate the gospel, transform society with Kingdom values and principles, and bring unique and spiritually uplifting content to the different spectrums of people.

The station aims to keep enhancing its programming, expanding its reach, and deepening its impact in the nation while upholding Christian values.

With its goal to uplift, inspire, and unite the hearts of Ghanaians through the power of radio, Pent Radio intends to be a conduit of positivity, a catalyst for spiritual growth, a unifier of communities, and a transformative entity committed to instilling Kingdom values and principles in societies.

Since it began test transmission early this year, Pent Radio’s coverage now reaches the whole of the Ashanti Region, parts of Bono, Ahafo, Western North, Western and Central regions.

Commissioning the new radio station, the International Missions Director (IMD) of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, on behalf of the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said both Vision 2023 and Vision 2028 of the Church have made ample space to capture the media space with the gospel.

The IMD indicated that the commissioning of Pent Radio is another milestone of the Church’s commitment and dedication towards media participation and engagement in its quest to transform every sphere of society with Kingdom values and principles.

According to him, the Church plans to saturate the media space with the fragrance of Pentecost to transform spheres and societies with the gospel. 

In his welcome address, the Board Chairman of Pent Media Board, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, who is a former General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), said that the grand launch of the radio station not only marks a new chapter in the annals of Pent Media Centre and The Church of Pentecost as a whole, but also represents a milestone in the Church’s shared journey towards creating a more informed, inspired, and interconnected society through the power of media.

“As the Chairman of the Pent Media Centre Board, it is a remarkable honour to witness the culmination of vision, dedication, and collective effort that has brought us to this pivotal moment. The inception of Pent Radio is a testament to what can be achieved when faith, innovation, and community come together for a common purpose. We stand on the threshold of an exciting new endeavour, one that promises to extend the reach of our message, uplift the spirits of our listeners, and forge stronger bonds within our community and beyond.

“Today, as we gather to celebrate this remarkable achievement, we are reminded of the transformative power of media – not just as a platform for communication, but as a catalyst for societal change,” he said.

He added: “Pent Radio is poised to become a beacon of hope, enlightenment, and unity, broadcasting content that enriches the mind, nurtures the soul, and fosters a deeper understanding of our faith and values.” 

The Asokwahene, Nana Fe Baanoah II, commended The Church of Pentecost for setting up a radio station in Kumasi to sanitize the airwaves

The event was attended by the clergy, traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region, including Nana Ansah Baffour – Otumfuo Nkonyasuafohene, members of the media, represented by the National President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, among others.

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THE SPIRIT BLOWS WHERE HE WILLS web

The Spirit Blows Where He Wills: The Enchanting Missionary Effort Of The Church Of Pentecost Through The 10/40 Window

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of Christ is breath-taking. It has crossed barriers, unprecedented. It has defied all odds. This Christian evangel has demonstrated that it can penetrate anywhere, notwithstanding the resistance it may encounter. Bringing people to the saving knowledge of God has had a global orientation, even from the Old Testament. Although in the biblical narratives, we discover that he chose the nation of Israel as his peculiar people, his focus has been to reach out to all people and tongues despite their religio-cultural stance. Consequently, the mission of God is flourishing among non-religious people, primal religious people, and people who belong to the world religions, among others that may be. The Holy Spirit, who is the chief facilitator of missions, is by nature able to make entrance into every religio-cultural context, including the extremely difficult one. Some contexts have been rendered hopeless insofar as the Christian Gospel is concerned, but today, they have become places where Christianity is growing in leaps and bounds. The mission effort of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) has touched all continents of the world today. Beginning from Ghana and then to neighbouring nations, including Togo, Benin, La Cote d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, the CoP established churches. The work of missions to all continents continued. Today, the CoP is present in 170 nations of the world, including countries located between latitudes 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator, where most of the unreached people groups with the Gospel lie. That rectangular part of the globe has come to be known as the 10/40 window in mission studies. It is marked as a hard ground for the Christian Gospel. Some demonologists claim that there is a strong demonic stronghold in that area, and as such, that zone of the world remains largely not evangelised. Notwithstanding, the CoP is breaking through the Window. With the understanding that the 10/40 Window is a place that is largely occupied by world religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, among others, this essay shall proceed to point out the inspiring progress of the CoP within the Window. It will touch briefly on how the Christian faith spread in a strictly Judaist context in the Acts of the Apostles narrative to draw lessons. A cursory look at how Jesus Christ compares to Hinduism will also be done. It will be concluded by briefly considering the Gospel, who is Christ, in the light of Islam, another major religion within the 10/40 Window.

THROUGH THE 10/40 WINDOW AND INTO THE WORLD RELIGIONS

The term 10/40 Window was coined by Luis Bush, a missiologist. It spans northern Africa into Southern Asia, including the European part of the western hemisphere. It must be stated again that the countries that have been least evangelised are within this Window. Most of the unreached people groups of the world dwell there. Meanwhile, this window is home to most of the world’s population. It is difficult doing open evangelism there. This was known as the “resistant belt” in terms of resistance to the Gospel. Anti-Christian religious and governmental policies are rampant. As such, Christians suffer much physical persecution in these areas. The nature of the countries within the 10/40 Window concerning the spread of the Gospel has revealed the importance of missionary geography. Consequently, more mission effort is needed in this geographical area. Considering that the Great Commission encourages Christians to make disciples of all nations suggests that Christian missions must necessarily go on there.

In going through the 10/40 Window, the CoP has reached the United Arab Emirates, specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Missionary incursion has been made into Pakistan, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Jordan. Other 10/40 Window countries that have been reached include Senegal, Japan, South Korea, Mali, Burkina Faso, China, Bangladesh, and Malta. Tunisia, India, Libya, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Thailand, The Gambia, Greece, Israel, Benin, Chad, Nepal, Niger, Cyprus, and Lebanon are also nations that lie within the Window to which the CoP has extended its missions effort. This is inspiring.

Extending its reach to these nations means that the CoP is navigating resistance from world religions, strict governmental laws, socio-economic challenges, folk religion, and atheism to bring the Gospel and Christian fellowship to indigenes and expatriates alike. It is of utmost importance that Christians are acquainted with how Christ stands among other religions.

REFLECTION ON THE SPREAD OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN THE HEARTLAND OF JUDAISM

When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, he indicated to the early disciples that the work of missions, as it were, would take off from their immediate dwelling, Jerusalem, and spread out to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Meanwhile, Jerusalem is the heartland of Judaism. Invariably, missions work will encounter world religions such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, among others. Per religious studies, Christianity is classified among the world religions. But Christ is unique indeed! He is the hidden desire of all persons despite their religious orientation. A conversation between Christ and other religions will show that there are pointers to Christ in them that Christian missions must capitalise on in preaching the Gospel to all people.

We see from the Acts narrative that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the early disciples made great strides in Jerusalem and beyond. However, the resistance to the preaching of Christ was enormous. The early Christians were held to be a messianic Jewish sect since, by that time, all of them were Jews who were preaching about Christ. They were considered as wanting to rise against established religion. This is because the early Christians preached that Jesus, who was crucified, was the Messiah the Jews had been expecting. They referred to the Jewish beliefs and practices as pointing to Jesus Christ so that Jesus becomes the desire of that world religion, though the religion is searching for Christ through a distorted lens. They announced that Jesus had resurrected from the dead and would eventually come to execute judgment on the world. This contradicts the messianic eschatology of the Jews, where a Davidic Messiah is being looked forward to come and execute judgment on the enemies of Israel. From where the Jews stood, the early Christians flouted the Mosaic covenant and respected the Temple worship. Consequently, the early Christians were sorely persecuted.

Meanwhile, the politics at the time was also a challenge to surmount. Then, Palestine fell to the Romans. Earlier, the Greeks ruled Palestine. The war campaigns of the Greeks reached Palestine, and the Jews became part of the Greek commonwealth. The ripple effects of the Greek revolution catalysed by Alexander the Great are still felt today. Alexander the Great had the vision of spreading Greek culture, religion, and philosophy worldwide. The events that animated the Hellenization regime lie in part in cultural pride and the quest for power and glory. After the period of wars of Alexander, the Hellenization of the Jews became more pronounced, and Christianity, which emerged from within this context, became substantially shaped by the process of Hellenization.

Therefore, the work of missions within a world religious context had to deal with religion, culture, and political tensions. The early Christians were resilient. Consequently, the missionary zeal became equated to “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). This was how impactful their mission work was. Future generations have much to learn from them in the face of great resistance within the 10/40 Window.

JESUS CHRIST AND HINDUISM

One of the scholars who has been a strong voice in the call for a revised Christology (doctrine of Christ) was Stanley Jedidiah Samartha, the first director of the Committee for Dialogue with People of Living Faiths and Ideologies, a division of the World Council of Churches (WCC). In his book, One Christ⸺Many Religions: Towards a Revised Christology, he discussed extensively the place of Christ in other religions and calls for a rethinking of the historical Christology of the Christian faith by endorsing a theocentric Christology against a Christocentric Christology. By this, the uniqueness of Christ is sacrificed.

Samartha then delved into the Hindu context of India to find appropriate means for interreligious relationships. He established the significantly pluralistic context of India as a case for the necessity for a theology that fully accepts other faiths as salvific. He drew from principles in Hinduism to reject exclusivism and embrace pluralism. His point was that India, than any other country, “the claim for the uniqueness of one particular religious tradition . . . sound so rude, out of place, and theologically arrogant.” The Hindu context of India, therefore, becomes, significantly, the fountainhead of his concept of the “mystery of God” or theocentric theology.

Reflecting on God in the Hindu context to formulate a Christology that he is pushing down the throat of the entire Christian faith is uncalled for. Interestingly, he could not hide the fact that Jesus Christ permeates the works of art in India. This is not surprising. Jesus Christ is before all culture. That Christ is seen in the works of art among non-Christians is evidence of the uniqueness of Christ.

IN LIEU OF CONCLUSION: THE GOSPEL AND ISLAM IN A BRIEF CONVERSATION

From the backdrop of Islam being a main religion within the 10/40 Window. It is relevant we recognise pointers to Christ in that belief as well. These can be used as an important point of departure in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Many adherents of the Islamic religion take pride in the fact that they know more about the Bible and Christianity than an “average” Christian knows about Islam. Well, they are right. This is because, from a key point of view, there is a wide reference to Jesus (Isa) in the Qur’an. The family background of Jesus is key in the Qur’an. There is even a Qur’anic chapter named after Mary (Maryam), the mother of Jesus. The virginity of Mary was mentioned (Q21:91). The angelic visitation to Mary by angel Gabriel (Jibril) to announce that Mary (Maryam) will give birth to Jesus (Isa) was alluded to (Q19:17-19) as we see in Luke 1:26-38. Jesus (Isa) comes out in the Qur’an as a unique prophet (nabi) of God who performed some miracles. For instance, Jesus (Isa) spoke as a baby (Q19:3), and he created birds from clay by breathing life into clay models of clay, among others.

The Qur’an demonstrates that Jesus (Isa) is a messenger (rasul) of God who is the bearer of the Gospel (Injil). Just like in Matthew 5:17, where Jesus reveals that he has not come to destroy the Law to fulfil it, Q3:44 reveals that Jesus (Isa) came to announce the truth which has been said about him in the Torah or the Law. Jesus (Isa) is the Messiah (al-Masih) and the word of God (Q3:51) who speaks in God’s stead, as we see in John 1 as well. From the Christian perspective, Jesus Christ is the word of God. The Gospel is a person. This Gospel is translational or incarnational. As such, the Gospel can be translated into different contexts, unlike in Islam. Concerning Jesus as the Son of God, though Islam refutes his divinity and unity with God as demonstrated in the Bible, in the Qur’an, Jesus is referred to as being min at-Mukarrabin (close to the Lord).

From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that the uniqueness of Christ abides. Even in this contemporary world of religious pluralism, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ cannot be denied. He is the one who permeates all that there is in the universe as far as our limited minds can fathom. He is the desire of the nations with their diverse religio-cultural emphases. In the face of cultural and political barriers, we must discover the unique Christ and preach him to the core within the parts of the world where other religions have taken root. The Holy Spirit, who inspires Christian missions, is not limited; he blows wherever he wills. May he continually grant the Church creative means of accessing these areas. This must inspire hope for the work of missions within the 10/40 Window. There is a lot of work to be done. The Great Commission must be on the go.

Written by Elder Dr. Stephen Ofotsu Ofoe

TNCACI Leadership Engages In Fruitful Discussions With The Church Of Pentecost web

TNCACI Leadership Engages In Fruitful Discussions With The Church Of Pentecost

A three-member delegation from The New Covenant Apostolic Church International (TNCACI), led by its Chairman, Apostle Emmanuel Elikplim Kwame Amemaxa, paid a courtesy call on the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, yesterday [March 7, 2024].

The delegation, which comprised Rev. Dr. Godwin Yao Amemakalor (General Secretary) and Apostle Dr. John Mensah Anku (International Missions Director), was warmly received by Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi at his office in the Church’s headquarters at La in Accra.

Apostle Emmanuel Amemaxa conveyed the purpose of the visit, emphasising the desire to fortify the existing relations between both ecclesiastical bodies and to glean insights from The Church of Pentecost, recognised as a leader in the ecumenical community.

Expressing gratitude for the courtesy call, Apostle Gyau Obuobi expressed sincere gratitude for their thoughtful visit and seized the opportunity to underscore the paramount importance of unity and collaboration in advancing the Kingdom’s work

He said that in recent years, The Church of Pentecost has been pursuing the Possessing the Nations agenda, which aims to transform every sphere of life with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.

Apostle Gyau Obuobi stressed that this requires a collective effort, as no single denomination possesses the resources to achieve this ambitious vision.

He, therefore, welcomed other church organisations to join hands in ensuring the realisation of this transformative vision.

During the meeting, the leaders engaged in discussions on various areas of mutual interest, further fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.

Both parties expressed optimism about the potential for strengthened collaboration, mutual learning, and shared endeavours to contribute to the broader mission of advancing the principles of faith and community service.

PENTECOST NEWS.

SHE HEARD SHE CAME SHE SAW AND SHE WAS TRANSFORMED web

She Heard, She Came, She Saw, And She Was Transformed:  Reflections Of The Church Of Pentecost Ministry To Celebrities

INTRODUCTION

It appears that the universal church and other para-church organizations, in all their ministry outlets, have often abandoned celebrities when it comes to fulfilling the great commission in their past ministry efforts. Though the church is blessed to have a handful of celebrities among its members, a dedicated and organized ministry effort geared toward reaching out to celebrities has not yet been deployed.

The influx of celebritism, a distressing social disorder where a person seeks to achieve celebrity status without work, has been a concern. Faith communities, especially the church and other para-church organizations, must develop a robust outreach ministry toward winning celebrities.

The Church of Pentecost, the leading Classical Pentecostal church in Ghana, recently unveiled a ministry outlet toward reaching and winning celebrities for Christ Jesus in their new vision dubbed Vision 2028.

Reflecting prayerfully on the vision document of the church and the presentation made by Pastor Michael Laryea Jnr during the Global All Ministers and Wives Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre, I chanced upon a passage from scripture in 1 Kings 10:1-13. I considered sharing the lessons I gleaned from the passage in this article.

This article will, therefore, attempt to give a brief background to the passage, providing some theological and personal reflections on the encounter between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. Proposed measures the Church of Pentecost and other faith communities must put in place to win and disciple these celebrities are interspersed within the article. In this piece, King Solomon represents the Church of Pentecost, and the Queen of Sheba represents the celebrity or celebrities.

A BRIEF BACKGROUND

Among all the queens in the Bible, none is as fascinating as the one who came from somewhere on the Persian Gulf to Jerusalem to prove for herself the profound wisdom of Solomon. What she heard from the king’s lips and saw of his wealth and power amazed her. We know nothing of her beauty, but she was certainly all that could be desired in this respect. While this queen’s name is not given in the Bible, Arab writers call her Balkis, and Ethiopian writers name her Makeda. The Abyssinians not only claim her as their ancient queen but also trace the descent of their present king from a son who, these traditions say, was born to her by Solomon. But such a contention is without any Biblical foundation. After her royal visit to Solomon, we read that she returned to “her own Country.”

WHAT SHE HEARD

From 1 Kings 10:1, the Bible says, “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.” She heard of the king’s fame and his relationship with God, prompting her to journey some 1,200 miles to hear and see him.

God used David to prepare the stage for Solomon’s reign, just as the forefathers of the Church of Pentecost prepared the grounds for possessing the nation’s agenda. Over the past five years, the church has equipped its members, deeming it appropriate to release the tremendous power inherent in the church (the members) to go and transform their world. This is the rationale behind the vision, “Possessing the Nations II” (Unleashing the Whole Church for the Transformation of the World with the Values and Principles of the Kingdom of God).

As members move beyond the frontiers of the church, they are expected to proclaim the good news through two means: their lifestyles (reflecting the values and principles of the kingdom of God) and their lips (via various forms of evangelism).

At the beginning of his reign, Solomon demonstrated the characteristics of an unleashed church. He developed a strong relationship with the Lord and showcased the values and principles of the kingdom of God through his lifestyle. These actions were so impactful, affirming the adage “actions speak louder than words.” The kingdom values and lifestyle of Solomon spread abroad, and many nations heard of his relationship with God. The Queen recognized the connection between Solomon’s wisdom and the God he served when she heard about his fame. Similarly, many nations have heard of the fame of the Church of Pentecost and its connection with the one true God.

However, Romans 10:14-15 states, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

According to the above scripture, the only means by which celebrities can hear the gospel is if the church prepares and goes to them in their world. Solomon’s fame reached the Queen because Sheba was a mercantile city, and Solomon had numerous ships doing business for him. As they engaged in commerce, they also preached about what the Lord was doing in Jerusalem through the wisdom of their king. As the church seeks to unleash its members into all spheres of life, members must be prepared to share the gospel, defend it with the values and principles of the kingdom of God, and proclaim the good news with their lips.

SHE CAME

When the Queen discovered the relationship between Solomon and God, she came to him. She arrived with a grand convoy of camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones. However, she brought more than material wealth—she also carried difficult questions.

Similarly, there are numerous celebrities visible on various social media platforms flaunting their wealth, estates, cars, and moving around town in convoys. They gather masses during their events, presenting a cheerful exterior, but deep wounds and voids often lie within them. They seek answers from different aspects of life.

It appears that the church had previously neglected some of these celebrities, leading some to join societies in search of solutions without success. The church is the only hope and answer for these struggling celebrities.

The Queen engaged in a meaningful conversation with Solomon, pouring out all that was in her heart. Solomon, in turn, provided answers to all her deepest questions, demonstrating that nothing was too difficult for the king to explain to her. It is my prayer that the Lord would endow the church (both clergy and laity) with the grace to answer and provide solutions to all the difficult questions and challenges the world and celebrities may present as we reach out to them with the gospel.

Furthermore, the church should establish strong roots in apologetics to effectively reach out to celebrities. Many celebrities have unanswered questions about evolution, Christology, heaven and hell, and the afterlife. Therefore, the church should intensify teachings on apologetics to equip members to provide answers when celebrities raise such questions.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in explaining the rationale for the 2024 theme, expressed that for the church to be attractive to the outside world, especially celebrities, and to be an effective force of change in the hands of God, “we have taught that the church must be credible — a glorious church. It must be beautiful to be looked upon by the watching world.” Thus, the church must be morally beautiful and doctrinally pure to attract the watching world.

Moreover, as most celebrities reside in urban centers, a unique approach to ministry in urban areas (the City Church concept) is essential. To stay relevant and make an impact in cities, the church must be willing to embrace change. Some practices of the church may need to be reviewed, as rural values that contributed to past success may prove counterproductive in an increasingly urbanized society.

King Solomon adapted to change by reviewing and improving upon most of the practices initiated by his father. This made his kingdom very attractive and popular. For the Church of Pentecost to forge ahead and be resilient in winning celebrities for Christ, some practices can be reviewed and improved upon to serve the current generation.

The Queen of Sheba witnessed many beautiful and admirable things during her visit to the king. The Church of Pentecost must leverage technology to promote Christian activities. Local assemblies, especially those in cities, should invest in technology to reach out to celebrities everywhere. Traditional methods of conducting services should be adjusted to reflect the tech-savvy orientation of people in the global village. The extensive use of the internet, social media platforms, online Bible schools, YouTube, overhead projectors, and more cannot be overemphasized in this era of unleashing the church to transform the world.

Additionally, due to the interconnectedness provided by PENSA International and various International Missions Blocks, the church must train members to the extent that every Christian (Church of Pentecost member) becomes a missionary wherever they find themselves. For example, well-trained members can reach out to their Facebook friends worldwide with the gospel, even in nations closed to the Christian faith.

The manifestation of God’s power at work in the church can also be an attractive tool to convert celebrities. The demonstration of God’s wisdom in Solomon attracted the Queen of Sheba. The clergy and elders must desire and yearn for the manifestation of the power of God in all their meetings. In its early stages, the Church of Pentecost became attractive to the outside world due to the demonstration of God’s power through miracles, divine healings, signs, and wonders. In Jesus’ ministry, the demonstration of God’s power through healing and various miraculous works drew crowds. If the church is to be attractive to onlookers, we must pray for the church to be filled with the manifestation of the power of God in all our meetings.

SHE SAW

Solomon’s wisdom excelled beyond that of the children of the east country. God added countless precious possessions, good administrative and organizational skills, and the magnificence of Jerusalem surpassed the Queen’s expectations. Solomon’s gorgeous palace, attended by servants, ministers, and cupbearers in splendid apparel, along with the beautiful house of the Lord adorned with gold, left the Queen almost speechless.

In the church’s pursuit of winning celebrities and cities for Christ, organizational and administrative lessons from Solomon can be invaluable. Celebrities, accustomed to a certain lifestyle due to their fame, require intentional preparation from the church. Designing and constructing churches to suit the post-modern generation, systematic seating arrangements, tidy facilities, rich sermons (uncompromised gospel), efficient ushering and protocol teams comparable to Solomon’s attendants, can attract and retain celebrities.

The overwhelming external wealth of Solomon left the Queen in awe, confessing that the reality surpassed the fame she had heard. Similarly, for the church to impress celebrities, state-of-the-art musical and audio-visual equipment, a dedicated choir, time management by church leadership, and professional protocol and ushering teams are crucial. Such efforts contribute to a positive experience for first-timers, including celebrities who may be church shopping.

Expressing gratitude for what she had witnessed, the Queen bestowed rare and costly gifts upon Solomon. The church, when well-positioned to reach out to celebrities, can recognize and utilize the inherent talents and gifts of celebrities. By bringing them on board, celebrities can impact their followers with the gospel message, transforming them for Christ.

If the church repositions itself effectively to reach out to celebrities, they, like the Queen of Sheba, carry talents and gifts that, when grounded in Christ, can be used to spread the message of Jesus Christ. These celebrities, with a significant following, have the potential to impact their followers with the beliefs of their newfound faith, leading them to transformation for Christ.

WHAT SHE RECEIVED AND HER TRANSFORMATION

The Queen’s gifts, though seemingly lavish, served as a tribute for what her ears had heard and her eyes had seen. Solomon, in his royal bounty, gave her all her desires, fulfilling her requests. While the material treasures he bestowed upon her were undoubtedly fabulous, the greatest treasure she took back was the spiritual and moral wisdom that God had instilled in Solomon’s heart.

Similarly, when celebrities are won for the Lord through the church, they too will come to the saving knowledge of Christ, becoming part of the family of God. The church, as a vessel of God, unveils His eternal intent and manifold wisdom to them. Celebrities receive salvation for their souls and, above all, the promise of eternal life.

Examining verse 9, one could argue that based on all the Queen saw and how Solomon answered her questions, she experienced transformation. Her proclamation, “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel,” revealed a deep understanding of Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord. While some theologians suggest her confession may only signify recognition of the Lord as Israel’s national God within the context of her polytheistic paganism, it’s plausible that she added Solomon’s God to her pantheon and gradually transformed her worship. Although scripture does not explicitly confirm her transformation, Jesus later commended her during His ministry, implying a transformation of sorts.

CONCLUSION

The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon provides valuable lessons. Like the Queen heard of Solomon’s wisdom and his relationship with God, the world should recognize the Church not only for its magnificent buildings and social interventions but also for its unwavering relationship with the Lord God Almighty.

Solomon’s foresight in building his palace and the temple of God for the future serves as a lesson for the church. Building tomorrow’s church today with stateliness and excellence is essential for making a lasting impact. Continuous training, especially for the youth, on defending the Christian faith, maintaining hospitality excellence at church premises and members’ homes, and ensuring professionalism in the execution of tasks by protocol and ushering teams are crucial.

The clergy’s attention to music and sound in the church, as well as effective use of social media, is vital. Understanding, practicing, and reaching out to celebrities in their world empower the church to win them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Written by Pastor Emmanuel Opoku Mensah

The writer, Emmanuel Opoku Mensah is a Youth Pastor of The Church of Pentecost and is currently the Area Youth Pastor for La Area and the resident Pastor of Caprice Worship Centre. You may reach him through, emmanuelopokum1985@gmail.com or emmanuel.opoku-mensah@thecophq.org

God Hopes In You To Transform Your World - Christians Told web

God Hopes In You To Transform Your World – Christians Told

The General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, has asserted that believers are divinely entrusted by God to individually catalyze positive transformation in their respective spheres.

Apostle Samuel Obuobi said this during the climax of this year’s Officer’s Retreat at Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Atomic church auditorium on Sunday, March 3, 2024,

Speaking on the topic; “Transforming My World,” Apostle Samuel Obuobi emphasised the divine mandate for believers to bring about a sin-free world, aligning with the kingdom values and principles of God.

Referencing Acts 1:8 and 1 Peter 2:9, Apostle Obuobi stated, “No one person can single-handedly transform the entire world, but we can positively transform our spheres as individuals. Then, in aggregate, the entire world will be transformed.”

Highlighting the three divine reasons why believers must position themselves to transform their worlds, Apostle Obuobi elucidated that believers, as part of God’s transformative agenda, are first called upon to bring positive impact to their individual spheres of influence.

“God expects us to save this corrupt world as Christians. We cannot disappoint God; therefore, we must put forth our best efforts to ensure that our spheres are completely taken and raptured for God,” he stated.

Quoting Genesis 6:5-6 and Romans 8:19-21, he stressed that the second reason why there is a need for transformation is due to the prevailing global state of sin and corruption.

“The whole world is in a state of sin and total corruption; therefore, God expects us, after He has called us, to affect our every sphere and bring total sanctity to the universe,” he said.

The General Secretary further noted the third reason for transformation, highlighting the exclusive responsibility bestowed upon believers as the agents of transformation.

This responsibility, according  to him, surpasses even that of angelic beings. In essence, believers hold a unique position and duty in the divine plan for transforming the world.

With this insight, Apostle Obuobi underscored the profound significance of believers in effecting change and bringing about God’s desired transformation.

Apostle Samuel Obuobi continued by providing further insight into three strategies through which believers can actively transform the world by living as Salt and Light of the world.

Drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:13-16, the General Secretary touched on the significance of believers serving as preservatives against decay and corruption.

He urged that all should endearvor to bring positive influence to their respective spheres, reminding all believers not to lose their distinctiveness in the process.

Apostle Obuobi also called on believers to shine as beacons of light, dispelling darkness wherever they go.

He noted the importance of exalting Christ and making His presence known in every aspect of life, thereby illuminating the world with His truth and grace.

“Believers must embody the values and principles of the Kingdom of God, including love, integrity, and righteousness, and actively carry these principles into the world, serving as agents of transformation by demonstrating and promoting God’s kingdom values in their interactions and endeavors,” he said

Concluding his message, he assured that believers possess all the necessary resources, including divine power, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and God’s grace, to successfully transform their worlds.

PENTECOST NEWS