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HIS BIRTH

The late Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy was born at Osramane-Dadease on September 22, 1958, to Opanin Kwaku Kumah and Obaapanin Adwoa Tiwaah from Osramane- Dadease, near Kete-Krachi. Both of his parents have gone to be with the Lord. He was the fifth of the ten children of his parents. His father, who was affectionately called Agya Aku, officially named him after his elder brother, Kwabena Ntumy.

HIS EDUCATION

In 1964, at the age of six, Ntumy began his education at the Osramane Local Authority Primary “B” School. When he was in class one, he transferred to Primary “A” School, where he joined his colleagues in class three instead of class two on the advice of his friend, Joseph Ntumy. In 1973, he completed the Middle School Leaving Certificate examination with distinction. Kwabena, as he was affectionately called within family circles, became the school prefect in his final year.

Although he passed the entrance examinations for both secondary school and Teachers’ Training College, our brother preferred the latter. He, therefore, enrolled at Atebubu Teachers’ Training College in 1973 at the age of 15 and passed out on July 7, 1977, with a Teachers’ Certificate “A” at the age of 19. He was among the seventh batch of students who graduated from the College that year.

On the higher level of the academic ladder, Michael Kwabena Ntumy won a scholarship in 1992, which allowed him to attend a monthlong intensive Advanced Christian Leadership Seminar in Singapore. He also studied at the Regents Theological College in Nantwich (affiliated with the University of Manchester, UK), and obtained a Master of Theology degree in 2000. His pursuit of knowledge motivated him to study for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theology and Organizational Governance from an affiliated college of the Southern Christian University in Florida, USA, where he graduated in 2008.

HIS CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY

In 1979, whilst working at Yendi, the news of his sick mother and the inability of his “spiritually powerful” father to save her, moved Michael Kwabena Ntumy to seek a divine solution. This landed him at the “Saturday Bush Prayer Meeting” of The Church of Pentecost on January 27, 1979, on the invitation of Mrs Christiana Apea, a member of the church. At the end of the service,Kwabena Ntumy accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour and was baptised by Pastor Isaac Narkujah on February 4, 1979. Michael was a man of great faith in the Lord, and he never gave up on the Lord.

HIS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE

It was at Yendi that Michael Kwabena Ntumy met his beloved wife, Mrs Martha Adwoa Diako Ntumy, the only woman he ever knew, and got married to her on August 8, 1982, at the age of 24. The union was blessed with five sons and one daughter who are well positioned in society of influence. Apostle Michael Ntumy loved his wife to the core and was always there to support her with everything within his power. Mrs Martha Ntumy was his closest friend, advisor,nurse, and pastor. They moved and worked together in all facets of their lives, went through challenges, faced life’s battles, and conquered together. Indeed, Apostle Dr. Ntumy and his wife were the epitome of a good Christian marriage.

Michael took his children’s education seriously. As a man who valued education, he challenged the children and the countless number of other people’s children he enrolled in school to pass his level of education. He dared the children to strive for nothing but excellence. As a result, many have become doctors, aeronautic engineers, software engineers, businessmen and women, chartered accountants, teachers, economists, pastors, and pastors’ wives, among others.

HIS WORK EXPERIENCE

On September 15, 1977, Michael left home for his first job as a professional teacher with the Ministry of Education in the Yendi District. He taught at the Zohe Experimental Primary, one of the leading schools in the Yendi District charged with the responsibility of preparing students for the Common Entrance Examination.

MINISTERIAL SERVICE

In 1984, at the age of 26, he was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost. After ministerial training at the Pentecost Bible Training Centre at Madina, Accra, he was stationed at Tamale until 1985, when he was transferred to Krachi Nkwanta. In 1988, he was posted to Liberia as a missionary and was stationed in Buchanan City. During the Liberian civil war when Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) rebels captured some of the resident citizens of the five West African nations, including Ghana, that supplied troops for the operations of ECOMOG, Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, his wife, their four children and a niece were taken hostage and transported to a rebel camp known as Flamingo Camp, nicknamed “The Camp of No Return” where they spent 185 days.

Even though many of the hostages lost their lives, the Lord miraculously saved the lives of Apostle Ntumy and his household. They returned to Ghana in 1991. In that same year, he was called into the office of apostle and was posted to La Cὃte d’Ivoire as National Head. Whilst on a ministerial trek in La Cὃte d’Ivoire in July 1992, he and his wife were involved in a terrible motor accident. Little did we know it was going to lead to a paralysis in future.

In 1996, he was transferred from La Cὃte d’Ivoire to France as the church’s first Resident Missionary and National Head. In 1998, at the age of 40, he was elected Chairman of The Church of Pentecost. After completing a 10-year tenure as Chairman, Apostle Dr. Ntumy was posted to Germany as National Head.

However, after a surgical operation on his cervical spine in France, he became paralysed in the lower parts of his body. Being a man of faith who was highly optimistic, he did not let his disability incapacitate him. From 2013, he served as the church’s Director of Literary Works until September 24, 2023, when he retired in Hamburg, Germany.

HIS GENEROSITY

As a family, we can testify that Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy related well with his siblings,nephews, nieces, in-laws, and all the extended family members, including outsiders. He treated everyone equally and fairly. He gave equal opportunities to all the people he encountered based on their strength. He was simply a good man.

Apostle Ntumy’s generosity was unparalleled. Although he had six biological children, he catered for 35 adopted children who all equally enjoyed his benevolence and fatherly care. As emphatically quoted in His retirement brochure, “The Ntumy family goes beyond his six (6) biological children.” He paid house rents, financed the education of countless people as well as the weddings of many couples, and paid the medical bills of people without expecting anything in return. Without his benevolence, the future of the children he raised would have been jeopardised. Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy was one of the finest and most generous men who ever lived. He considered every need as an opportunity to invest in somebody’s life. He will be sorely missed.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS COMMUNITY

The people of Dadease, his native community in Osramane, have been impacted by his evangelistic zeal, as most of them have been converted to Christ through The Church of Pentecost. He also supports them in diverse ways. The entire Osramane community cannot forget his support for the school named after him: Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy Junior High School. Another landmark achievement that the local populace of Krachi cannot forget is the well-stocked and state-of-the-art public library he built at Osramane to enhance the knowledge base of people in the community and beyond.

Apostle Dr. Ntumy’s unflinching love and passion for the development of his community was unparalleled. Before his demise, he initiated a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the New Osramane community since their resettlement at their current location by the Volta River Authority as a result of the displacement of their old settlement following the construction of the Akosombo Dam. His dream was to celebrate the 60th anniversary this year, and he had come out with drawings to build a community centre and clinic as part of the anniversary.

Apostle Dr. Ntumy also donated sports gear with silverware for the football teams that excelled during tournaments in the Krachi West Municipal Assembly. He supported the Krachi Traditional Council in diverse ways and was even honoured by Nana Besemuna Mprah III (known in private life as COP [Rtd.] J.C. Mprah), the Omanhene of Krachi Traditional Area by naming a street in the Krachi West Municipality after him: Apostle Dr. Ntumy Street.

HIS GLORIOUS HOME-CALL

He returned to Ghana on December 18, 2023, to finally rest from his active duty as a minister. We thought we were going to enjoy his wisdom, counsel, and all the great things he was made up of. Little did we know that his Maker and Lord had retired him from earthly duties as well. On Wednesday, December 27, 2023, the peaceful and glorious clarion call welcomed him to his eternal home, and he gladly answered. Though the void remaining is huge, he has left in our hearts great testimonies, legacies, and a reason to thrive in life and ministry.

He was born a hero, and he died a legend in the Lord. We, as a family, know that Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy has fought the good fight, finished the race and thus, has been rewarded with the crown of righteousness. His labour has not been in vain. We know that we will meet him one day on that beautiful shore.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace!

Often, people concentrate on the bigger picture without focusing on the smaller details. Again, people look at the entire journey without breaking it into smaller steps.

One day, a class-three pupil complained to me that it would take too many years for him to finish tertiary education. Though he was right, I thought he should have concentrated on his current class, class three, and take one class at a time.

Recently, the Tema Area of The Church of Pentecost held a public reading of the Bible from Sunday to Thursday. We began with Genesis chapter 1 and ended with Revelation chapter 22.

The point I am underscoring is that every big thing is made up of smaller units. A big house is made of thousands of blocks put together.

Though the term “nations” looks so big in the Vision 2028 document, I believe that if each individual, family, household, community, town, city, region, nation, and continent gets transformed, automatically, the whole world will be transformed.

So instead of worrying about how 1000 people can be transformed, concentrate on yourself and your family first.

A teaspoon of salt may not be able to add taste to a barrel full of water, but it can surely add to the taste of a cup full of water.

Two small light bulbs may not be able to brighten a 3,000-seater auditorium, but they can surely brighten the kitchen.

You may not be able to transform all the children of your town, but you will surely be able to transform the children in your house.

You may not be able to correct all the wrongs among Christians in Ghana, but for the members of your Church, you must surely be able to.

You may not be able to change the moral decay in all young people in Ghana, but you can surely do so among the youth in your Church.

You may not be able to keep the whole town clean, but you can surely keep your immediate environment clean.

As a Health Worker, you may not be able to be professional towards all patients in Ghana, but you can surely be professional to the patient who sits or lies before you.

As a Student, you may be unable to make others obey examination rules, but you can obey them yourself.

As a Politician, you may not be able to eliminate corruption among all politicians, but you can surely do so in your own political life and the lives of those around you.

As a Driver, you may not be able to make all drivers obey traffic rules and regulations and be courteous on the road, but you can surely obey traffic rules, etc., and influence your close associates, especially your driver mate, to do the same.

As an Employee, you may not be able to make all staff loyal, honest, and productive, but you can surely exhibit these attributes yourself and influence those in your office to do the same.

As a Man, you may not be able to treat all women well, but you can treat the women in your family, office, church, etc.

As a Lady, you may not be able to treat all men well, but you can surely treat the men in your family, office, church, etc., well. You may not be able to make all ladies dress well, but you can surely dress well and make ladies in your house and those close to you do the same.

As a Pastor, you may not be able to cause everyone to practice their faith and be faithful in giving, praying, living a godly life, etc., but you can surely be faithful and practice your faith and make those close to you do the same.

Again, as a Church Leader, you may not be able to reduce the noise levels of all churches, but you can surely do so in your church.

You have been made a father to transform your children and wife.

You have been made a mother to transform your husband and children.

You have been made a leader to transform the people in the places you lead.

You have been made a professional to transform your profession.

You have been made a family member to transform your family.

And in all these, you know that you may not have tomorrow; you surely have today to do something.

May God help us.

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

Many are desperate for diverse things in life. They desire to be “someone” in the future. They pursue this goal by obtaining an educational background, seeking advice from friends, and utilising tutorials. That is commendable!

One’s desire can be directed toward either short-term or long-term achievements. A short-term achievement might involve acquiring a car, mansion, or company, among other things, which provide momentary satisfaction.

While short-term achievements are worthwhile, focusing on desiring the best for others, building someone’s future, and making lasting changes in someone’s life should be our primary goal. This is a glorious impact that the Lord desires for us.

Always ask yourself, “If I am not around, who will take charge after me?” This question will instill in you the desire to mentor those who will succeed you, enabling them to bring out their best. These individuals are the “NEXT GENERATION” after you.

Jesus had a desire to save all of creation through the disciples, of which we are a part. That is why He gave up his life for us [John 19:30: “When Jesus, therefore, had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”].

Your current desires should aim for positive, permanent changes in someone’s life. You are in this world to build, not to destroy, and to help people recognise their ability to do all things through Christ Jesus!

Your ultimate desire is to see the Kingdom of God manifest in everyone. This desire can be achieved by discovering your ministry within this Church. To be unleashed and create a global impact, you need to identify what the Lord has called you to be and do. This alignment will help you fulfill God’s desire.

Be attentive, for you have been unleashed to transform your world according to God’s desire, which has now become your ultimate desire. BE TRANSFORMATIVE!

Written by Elder Tonnie Baffoe (Ekroful District, Agona Swedru Area)

In the corridors of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. MK Ntumy’s name resounds with reverence and admiration, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the cause of Christ. As we prepare to bid farewell to this great leader, I want to take a moment to reflect on the profound impact he made as the Director of Literary Works and celebrate his enduring legacy.

Apostle Ntumy’s journey was one defined by triumph over adversity. Despite facing physical challenges, he refused to allow this to dampen his zeal for the work of producing literature for The Church of Pentecost. With only the use of two fingers, he embarked on a mission to fulfill his God-given vision, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape of The Church of Pentecost.

I had the privilege of working closely with Apostle Ntumy as secretary to Pentecost Literary works for a decade. In fact, it was a two-member committee, and from the very beginning, it was evident that he was a man driven by passion. His commitment to producing excellent literature for the Church was unparalleled, and he spared no effort in ensuring that his vision became a reality.

Our work together began with the compilation of the 2013 theme scripts, and I was initially overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. However, under Apostle Ntumy’s guidance and leadership, I soon found myself inspired to give my best. He was not content with mediocrity but pushed for excellence in every aspect of our work.

The process of producing church literature under Apostle Ntumy’s leadership was a meticulous one, marked by attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It began with the compilation and editing of theme scripts, a task that required hours of research, collaboration, and careful consideration. Apostle Ntumy approached this task with vigor, guiding me through the intricacies of technical editing and theological accuracy.

Once the scripts were compiled and edited to perfection, Apostle Ntumy turned his attention to the design and layout phase. His keen eye for detail and creative flair elevated each publication. He made sure I designed the book layout and cover to perfection. From cover design to font selection, every aspect was carefully curated to evoke a sense of reverence and awe. Through his leadership, a lot of books have been published for the church. These include the annual theme books, “God’s Faithfulness to The Church of Pentecost,” “Into the World We Go,” “God’s Power at Work,” “Voices of Our Fathers,” and many more. He was actually editing the 2024 theme book when he was called to glory.

Apostle Ntumy was a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with him. His humility, grace, and unwavering faith left an indelible mark on those around him, reminding us all of the power of servanthood and selflessness.

In addition to his passion for literature, Apostle Ntumy was a visionary leader who was deeply committed to advancing the mission of The Church of Pentecost. He believed in the power of literature to educate, inspire, and empower believers, and he dedicated his life to this. He had listed a number of books that he still wanted to produce for the church. He wanted members of the church and others to have access to quality publications that would enrich their spiritual lives.

Under his leadership, the literary works of The Church of Pentecost flourished, producing a wealth of resources that continue to impact lives to this day. From theme books to theological treatises, Apostle Ntumy oversaw the creation of literature that reflected the richness and diversity of the church’s faith and heritage.

But perhaps Apostle Ntumy’s greatest legacy lies in the lives he touched and the hearts he transformed. He was a man of integrity, compassion, and unwavering faith, whose life served as a shining example of what it means to live out the gospel in word and deed.

As we bid farewell to Apostle Dr. MK Ntumy, let us honor his memory by continuing the work he began with passion, vision, and excellence. Let us continue to purchase the books he produced and read them. May his legacy serve as a guiding light, inspiring us to pursue excellence in all that we do and to remain steadfast in our commitment to spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

In closing, I offer a heartfelt tribute to a man who embodied the true spirit of servant leadership. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched, and his contributions to the literary works of The Church of Pentecost will continue to inspire generations to come. May his soul Rest in peace.

Written by Pastor Isaac Annor (Resident Minister, Pentecost International Worship Centre, Downtown Ofaakor)