Posts in category: Youth Ministry

The English Assembly Youth Ministry in the Mankessim Estate District of The Church of Pentecost has organised a special retreat for singles and young couples in the Church.

The event, which took place at the Saltpond beach resort last Sunday, also served to meet the recreational needs of the youth as they engaged in various outdoor games.

Elder Spencer Essiam, the resource person for the event, advised the youth to continue to plan for the future.

He urged them to lead chaste and holy lives, especially as they prepare for marriage.

He also advised young couples to make a conscious effort to put up their place of residence within the first 16 years of their marriage.

“You may not have all the resources to build the dream house. So, it is only expedient first secure at least two bedrooms, then later plan towards the dream house,” he advised. 

The event was well patronised by the youth of the church.

PENTECOST NEWS.

It was a wonderful sight to behold when scores of students and staff of the University of Education, Winneba, assembled at the Josphus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Hall for the climax of the “You Must Be Born Again” Gospel Crusade last Sunday.

The three-day crusade was organised by the University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) Chaplaincy in collaboration with the Schools Outreach Ministry of The Church of Pentecost (COP).

The interdenominational crusade, which was held under the theme: “Jesus Died That I Might Live” (2 Corinthians 5:15), began from Thursday, August 5, 2022, at the Winneba Presby Park each night.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, “The Authority of the Name of Jesus,” the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, said that the name Jesus refers to the embodiment of the Godhead, that is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Nyamekye explained that when Adam was created, God gave him the power to name all creation, saying, “He bequeathed man the authority to give names to His creation because He wanted him to have that authority. (Genesis 2:19)

The Chairman, therefore, pointed out that Adam named creation, and since then, humans give names to creation.

“We all want to be identified by a name, but a name is not just for identification; all that a person is, is vested in his name,” Apostle Nyamekye stated.

He, however, admonished the youth to carry themselves well in order not to destroy their names forever, adding, “When your name is destroyed while alive, then it is better dead than being alive. This is because your name stands in for you.”

Quoting the statement of Dr Charles Blair, the Chairman stated that: “The business of a man is determined by the cause he lives for and the price he is willing to pay to achieve it.”

He further cautioned the student to desist from allowing politics to make them insolent and disrespectful towards authority and management.

Speakers for the crusade were Apostle Lt. Col. Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode (Chaplain, Ghana Armed Forces), Apostle Nana Yaw Agyei (Kade Area Head, COP), Apostle Samuel Otu Appiah (Winneba Area Head, COP), Pastor Ebenezer Hagan (Youth Ministry Director, COP), and Pastor Richard Atobra (Resident PENSA Campus Pastor, UEW).

Among the university management present were Rev. Prof. Jonathan Armah (representative of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mawutor Avoke), Rev. Prof. Alexander Edwards (University Chaplain, UEW), and other management, faculty and staff members of the university.

Also present was the National Coordinator for the Schools Outreach Ministry of the church, Elder Desmond Addison.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Patron of the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, who doubles as the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, has encouraged the youth to ground themselves in the Word of God, which is the Bible.

According to him, every Christian needs to grasp and allow the Word of God to fill them fully.

“Once we understand this, it will give us a certain perspective whenever we approach the Bible,” he said.

Apostle Asante, an Executive Council Member of the church, said this on Saturday, June 11, 2022, during the Shekinah PENSA Conference of the Youth Ministry of the church, at the Mamprobi Central Assembly command centre. 

Speaking on the topic, “Equipped With the Word of God,” Apostle Samuel Osei Asante said that to be equipped is to be fit out to accomplish a purpose or provide someone with the needed tools to accomplish a task.

Apostle Asante noted that God’s divine agenda for believers is to possess the nations. He encouraged the youth to be equipped for this great task given by God.

The Executive Council Member iterated that God equips his children through His calling, spiritual gifts, empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and through His Word.

“We need the Word of God so that we will be approved of any work we do,” he reiterated, stressing that we need the Word of God to dwell in us richly to make ourselves available for His use.

Reading from 2 Timothy 3:15, Apostle Asante said that Paul admonished Timothy to make himself available to study the Word of God as a youth. He, therefore, charged the youth to know the scriptures as God makes it possible to be fully equipped for His work.

He further urged that to be equipped with the Word of God, prayer, is a tool that propels this agenda. 

‘When we pray, God speaks to us through the Bible. Have it in mind that after praying, it is time for God to speak to us,” he added.

He emphasised that the Bible is a collection of God’s inspired Word (spoken or written) for humanity as a result of his interaction with them. Therefore, as the manual of the believer, the youth must take hold of it.

The Koforidua Area Head mentioned that we equip ourselves with the Word of God through personal devotional life, family devotions, organised Bible studies in the church, home cells, scripture memorisation, and public recital of scriptures.

Other ways are through public reading scriptures, positive confession of the Word of God, meditating on God’s Word, and participating in Bible quizzes.

He then encouraged the youth to involve themselves in the activities of the church to be fully grounded in God’s word.

“God will grant us the strength to stand and possess the nation,” he charged.

The Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Teens and Pre-Tertiary Conference, dubbed “Shekinah PENSA Conference,” was held virtually across over 520 satellite centres in the country.

PENTECOST NEWS

Pastor Stephen Safo Nsiah, the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Travelling Secretary for the Mampong Sector of The Church of Pentecost, has asserted that once saved is not forever saved as some theologians argue.

He called on Christians to expunge this false doctrine that is deceiving many and leading them out of the kingdom of God.

Pastor Nsiah made this call on Friday, June 10, 2022, at the Mamprobi Central Assembly command centre during the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Teens and Pre-Tertiary Conference, dubbed “Shekinah PENSA Conference.”

Delivering a presentation on the topic, “Basic Christian Doctrines and Contemporary Fallacies – One Saved, Forever Saved,” using 2 Corinthians 11:14 and Romans 11:19-23 as scriptural references, Pastor Nsiah cautioned Christians about mistaking the devil as Christ since he (devil) portrays himself as the angel of light.

He compared the journey of the Israelites to the church, which showed how God cherished and loved them. He, however, noted that due to their disobedience and unbelief, God cut them off.

“As believers, we have become part of the branch (people of God) because of our belief in Christ,” he said.

Throwing more light on doctrines and fallacies, he stated that doctrines are the codifications of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of the teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system. He also defined fallacies as deceptive or false appearance; deceitfulness, which misleads the eye or the mind.

The PENSA Travelling Secretary further stated that Christian doctrines cover the Christian faith and are based on scriptures. He also revealed that doctrines were formulated in the early church to deal with heresies or false doctrines.

“In The Church of Pentecost, our doctrines are the Tenets of the church,” he explained, adding that Christian doctrines are in two forms, that is, true and false ones.

Pastor Nsiah, therefore, urged the youth to believe and hold fast to the Word of God, which is the truth, rather than listening to soothing messages of speakers who neglect the truth of the scriptures for their personal gains.

Expounding on the doctrine of “once saved forever saved” among other false theories on salvation, the PENSA Travelling Secretary said that some religious groups or sects assert that it is impossible for one to lose their salvation after believing in Jesus. Another school of thought, according to him, argue that ‘eternal life’ cannot be lost, or else it is never eternal. (John 3:15)

“According to them, salvation is not by works but purely by grace. So, there is no need for works after salvation,” he said.

Pastor Safo Nsiah expressed concern that some people continue to hold onto such fallacies because they have been taught to believe it as true, and are, therefore, not ready to let go. 

Another reason why some people hold on to this falsehood is perhaps because they may be living in sin or they know a loved one living in sin and are afraid of the thought of them ending up in hell, he stated.

Setting the record straight, Pastor highlighted the three phases of salvation, which he mentioned as Justification (We are saved); Sanctification (We are being saved) and Glorification (We will be saved).

He further explained that although salvation leads to eternal life, accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour whilst still on earth does not mean unconditional eternal security, rather, the believer, for as long as they remain on earth, must keep working on their salvation by leading a life of righteousness until the Lord’s return. 

He, therefore, posited that the unbeliever is saved by grace, but the new believer is to live as an expression of God’s grace by saying “NO” to sin.

“Living in un-repented sin can be disastrous for Christian salvation,” he admonished.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has charged Christians to endeavour to know God for themselves rather than relying on others to show them who He is.

“Our greatest desire as Christians should be to have a closer relationship with God,” he said.

The Chairman said this on Saturday, June 11, 2022, during the closing session of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Pre-Tertiary and Teens Conference at the Mamprobi Central Assembly command centre in Accra.

Speaking on the topic, “Knowing God as a Father,” Apostle Nyamekye urged Christians to relate with God as their Father and not as a distant God in the heavens.

Using John 14:1-9 as a scripture reference, the Chairman said that the disciples had questions on their minds about the Father; however, it was Philip and Thomas who asked Jesus on their behalf. As a result, Jesus invited Philip to walk closer with Him and urged the disciples to seek where the Father is and that will be enough, he stated.

According to the Chairman, Philip desired to know the Father for himself so he could connect to Him and probably be like Jesus. 

Reading from Luke 11:1-2, Apostle Nyamekye stated that the disciples were not just attracted to the prayer of Jesus but to His lifestyle too. This, he said, was evident in the lifestyle Jesus portrayed, which was influenced by how He related to the Father.

“Prayer is not just communicating with God, but the importance of prayer is to build a relationship with Him,” he stated.

He added: “The intimacy people derive from relationships causes them to share certain character traits.”

The Chairman, therefore, urged Christian youth to develop the habit of prayer since the Lord’s prayer was teaching and an encouragement to pray while being a revelation.

He advised that even though a person may have been raised in a Christian home, knowing God for themselves was a necessity, stressing that: “we all have equal access to Him just like Jesus and He dwells in heaven.”

Apostle Nyamekye indicated that all humanity is God’s creation, however, not all are part of His family. He further urged believers to draw near to God as a response to His call.

According to him, the Christian who is truly intimate with the Father never draws attention to themselves, rather, they are to only show evidence of a life where Jesus is in complete control.

“If you are closer to Christ, show by your way of life. The bearing of fruit is always shown in scripture to be a visible result of an intimate relationship with the Father God,” he further stated.

He urged believers, particularly the youth, to strive to have a deeper relationship with God because He (God) wants to relate with them not as servants but as friends. 

PENTECOST NEWS

The Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Travelling Secretary for the Takoradi Sector, Pastor Emmanuel Opoku Mensah, has urged the youth to abstain from addictions, particularly sports betting and drug addictions.

According to him, addiction to sports betting and drugs has led to the destruction of many youth persons in the country.

Pastor Opoku Mensah made the call on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the ongoing Shekinah PENSA Conference of the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost. 

Speaking on the topic, “Dealing With Addictions: Sports Betting and Drug Addiction,” he stated that the Christian’s response to the grace that salvation brings is the ability to live a self-controlled life (Titus 2:11-14).

In defining addictions, he stated that it is a pattern of behaviour that causes negative consequences for the individual. He added that addiction can be a self-chosen slavery to something other than God.

“Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological, emotional, health, spiritual, and physical harm,” he added.

He indicated that many addictions are often associated with the youth, however, the most common ones are alcohol, drugs, and sexual addictions.

“Alcohol is a substance that is widely used by people all over the world,” he noted. Nevertheless, he asserted, it is also a highly addictive substance that can cause several health problems.

Pastor Opoku Mensah mentioned that narcotic drugs are very addictive drugs that reduce the user’s perception of pain and induce euphoria (an exaggerated sense of well-being). Some of the drugs often used are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, shisha, vodka, tramadol, among others. 

He iterated that due to their adverse effects on the brain, they are either banned or used under strict regulations. He, therefore, said that the illegal use of these drugs is however common and the Christian youth must be very careful not to be lured into it.

On the part of sports betting and gambling, Pastor Opoku Mensah revealed that those who indulge in it enter in the hope of securing a ‘big win’, but as time passes by, they become obsessed with the thoughts of gambling and the anticipation of winning.

“Gambling addiction can lead to devastating consequences for the entire family,” he further said, emphasizing that as many of those affected ended up in massive debts, some even resort to crime in order to get their hands on money to continue gambling.

He noted that addictions leave dire consequences and effects, such as precious hours that can be engaged in profitable ventures being spent on addictive behaviours, leads to shame and guilt, and unnecessarily cost to individuals and the state. It is also not good for their health, he added.

He advised that in dealing with addictions, one must identify and acknowledge the source of the struggle and seek help. He further urged the addicted person to pray and confess it; confide in matured Christians like pastors, parents, youth leaders and counsellors, and develop the spirit of self-control.

“When you do not have self-control, it means you do not have protection. Hold on fast to the Word of God,” he admonished.

PENTECOST NEWS.

In line with the 2022 theme of The Church of Pentecost, which seeks to mobilise and equip church members to possess the nations, PENSA International, a global-focused ministry of The Church of Pentecost, has organised a 24-hour prayer marathon, dubbed “Covered ‘22.”

The event, which took place from May 27 to 28, 2022, was under the theme: ‘Unleashed’. It was a virtual experience broadcasted from 25 command centres around the world. The prayer sessions were led at various centres and in various languages with tens of thousands joining via social media. 

Addressing the youth, the International Missions Director (IMD) of the Church, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, advised the youth to be mindful of their character and form ones that are worthy of emulation. He added that spiritual gifts alone could not build a successful Christian ministry.

In the opening session, PENSA International Coordinator, Elder Dr Patrick Adonoo, urged the youth to serve the Lord fervently. According to him, the youthful days of any individual affords them more time to worship God. 

The event featured renowned gospel musicians, including MOG, Siisi Baidoo, Yaw Boadu Jnr, Voice of Praise Choir, Team Eternity, Altar of Praise (ALTOP), and Ghana’s gospel music sensation, Christiana Attafuah. 

Apostle Alexander Kumi-Larbi, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, in his closing message, reiterated the essence of revival and urged the youth to continuously keep an active prayer life, saying that revival has an organic growth. 

The Youth Director of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, ended the session with a prayer after which the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, pronounced blessings on the global congregation.

Covered’22 ended with fire rekindled in the hearts of the youth of the Church across the globe.

Report by PENSA International Media Team

The Youth Ministry Director of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, has advised Christian youth to prioritise God’s interest over their personal interest. 

Pastor Hagan said this during the dedication ceremony for the church building of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) on Sunday, May 15, 2022.

In his sermon, which had 1 Chronicles 17:1-2 and Philippians 2:19-21 as his key Bible texts, the Youth Director expressed the concern that individualism, where people seek their own interest and not that of others or God, has become prevalent in the contemporary world.

He noted that David was not just satisfied with having a luxurious palace, but chose to pursue the interest of God by conceiving the idea to put up a suitable house for the Lord. 

According to Pastor Hagan, to look out for the interest of God is to think about the things of God, show concern about the things of God, and defend the cause of God.

He added that David is one of the kings of Israel who continually looked for the interest of God. He said David did this by bringing back the ark of God after it was captured, always desiring to please God, deciding to build a house of God and giving huge offering to build the house of God even after he was told that he was not the one to build the temple. 

Quoting Philippians 2:21, the Youth Director further noted that although Apostle Paul had so many people around him whom he worked with, it was only Timothy who demonstrated a genuine concern for the things of Christ.

“Unlike Timothy, many people look for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Pastor Hagan revealed that those who seek the interest of God obtain favour from Him.

“While David was after the interest of God, God was also after the interest of David. So God sent the Prophet Nathan back to David to tell him that God has promised to make his name famous and give him a lasting dynasty,” he said.

The Youth Director ended his message by urging Christian youth to commit themselves to the things of God like David and Timothy. He advised them to always bear in mind that they serve a Good God and He is moved and touched whenever His children seek His interest.

Pastor Hagan also urged them to be creative and innovative in promoting the interest of God, and to see to it that every asset (property) of the Lord, including the new PENSA-TTU church building, is taken good care of.

Report by Pastor Emmanuel Opoku Mensah (PENSA Travelling Secretary for Takoradi Sector)

In the advent of repackaging the activities of teenagers in The Church of Pentecost, the Youth Ministry, on Sunday, May 28, 2022, relaunched teen ministry. This was necessitated to help transition teens from the Children’s Ministry of the Church into the mainstream church through the Youth Ministry.

The ceremony, held at the Sophia McKeown Temple (SMT), near the Church’s Head Office, at La, in Accra, was chaired by Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang-Bekoe, International Missions Director of the Church.

The Patron of the Youth Ministry of the Church, who doubles as the Koforidua Area Head of the Church, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, thanked and commended the efforts of the various predecessors of the leadership of the Ministry, who stood in to ensure a strong foothold in the Church.

“When it comes to focusing on the ministry to the teens in the Church, we cannot forget the great work done by Apostle Peter Ayerakwa (Rtd.), during the times of Pentecost Youth and Evangelistic Movement (PENTYEM); Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah (Rtd.), when he was a District Pastor in Tema, in his book which highlighted and drew the attention of the Church, to the importance of ministering to the teens,” he stated.

He recalled the Church’s current statistics released through the State-of-the-Church address delivered by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church, at the recently held 17^th Extraordinary Council Meetings. He noted that the youth membership of the Church, as at 2021, stood at, 1,438,507, making up 43% of the membership of the Church.

“Together with children under 13 years, the percentage of young people in the Church is 75%. Out of the Youth Ministry’s membership, teenagers make up 45% whilst 55% are young adults,” he pointed out.

Stressing on the role of the church in possessing the nations, Apostle Asante said that there was the need to equip the teens and young adults who make up a large portion of the Church.

The Koforidua Area Head of the Church, further urged the leadership of the youth ministry to revitalize and develop strategies that reaches out to the teens in the church, since major decisions in their lives are made during this period.

“I use this opening to appeal to Area Heads, District Ministers, Presiding Elders and parents, to give maximum support to the ministry to teens,” he said, stressing on the fact that the stability of the relaunch, greatly relied on them.

The Executive Council Member of the Church, used the occasion to also officially launch the Church’s Skills Training Program. This, he asserted falls in line with the five-year strategic vision of the Church, which seeks to encourage and intensify career advisory and counselling services in the youth. 

On his part, the Youth Director of the Ministry, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, revealed that the rational for the relaunch, was as a result of early teenagers encountering difficulties adjusting to the context of what is preached, during their transition from the Children’s Ministry into the adult church and into the Youth Ministry.

“Owing to the major transition teens are going through (the transition from childhood to adulthood, which is the first major transition in life), teenagers need a lot of support and help,” he further reiterated.

Pastor Hagan also, admonished that, teenagers are most vulnerable to societal pressure, including peer pressure, which they are often ill-equipped to handle; adding: “to assist the teens through this period, we should do all that is possible through the union of divine and human agencies to meet their unmet needs which includes equipping them to overcome such pressures.

Notably, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, International Missions Director of the Church, re-launching the ministry to teens, stated that irrespective of the age of Samuel, he was employed in the temple of the Lord; working with a piety of mind. Therefore, it is imperative for teens in the Church, to be fully employed in the services of the Lord, regardless of their age.

“Young people who serve God, as well as they can, the Lord will enable them to improve that they may serve Him better,” he reemphasized, and led the participants in an intensive time of prayers.

Present were Prophet David Kankam Beditor, (RCC, Coordinator for Greater Accra, and Patron of the Children’s Ministry), Apostle John Amaniampong, (La Area Head), Apostle Daniel K. Noble-Atsu (Rtd.), (a former Director of the Youth Ministry), Apostle Peter Ayerakwa (Rtd.), (a former Director of Pentecost Men’s Ministry) and his wife, current and former members of the National Executive Committee of the Youth Ministry.

Also, gracing the occasion were Mrs. Philomena Mireku (Women’s Ministry Director), Elder Lawyer Alfred Aidoo (Deputy Director of the Children’s Ministry), Rev. Dr. Silasi Agyin-Asare (Youth Director of Perez Chapel), representative of One Hope Ghana, AWANA, International Sports Academy (USA), and Compassion Ghana, Youth workers and youth members, especially teenagers from all over the region flooded the auditorium to witness the occasion.

PENTECOST NEWS