A total of 1,045 members of the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost have been equipped with modern skills to enable them thrive in the world of business during the 2022 edition of the “Business and Entrepreneurship Chamber Summit.”
This year’s edition of the training programme was under the theme, “Pursuing excellence as a young entrepreneur” and was held at various zonal centres across the country. The event sought to equip participants with employable skills, and also help them create jobs and reach for self-reliance.
Among others, the training focused on business financing, effective time management, and handling business challenges, which were facilitated by already-made business magnates within the church. The trainees were also made to see the business field as a mission field where Christ must be proclaimed, and the values and principles of the kingdom of God must permeate.
Participants were urged to be fearless in entering into the business sphere, and conducting themselves in a manner that is professional, transparent and befitting of a Christian who is the salt and light of the world, as professed in Matthew 5:13-16.
At the end of the training summit, all participants were fully equipped to pursue excellence in business, and to possess their spheres for Christ.
The Sunyani and Asante Bekwai Areas of The Church of Pentecost have won this year’s edition of the annual National Youth Quiz Junior and Senior categories respectively organised by the Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost.
Sunyani Area won the Junior category with 38 points, ahead of Effiduase and Cape Coast Areas which earned 29 and 29 points respectively.
In the Senior category, Asante Bekwai Area grabbed 40 points to be crowned victors whereas Assin Foso Area and Sunyani Areas garnered 33 and 23 points respectively to win the second and third positions.
This year’s event was held on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the Pentecost International Worship Centre, Atomic in Accra.
In his welcome address, Elder Prof. Eric Appau-Asante, the Deputy National Youth Director of The Church of Pentecost, said the Youth Ministry has a vision of grounding young members and unleashing them to possess the nation which is tied to the vision of the church.
“Every young man has the law of the Lord as his delight which is the word of God. That is why there is the need for the youth quiz. They are going to rattle the word of God to show that something on the inside is working on the outside,” he explained.
Apostle Emmanuel Gyasi-Addo, the immediat-past IMD who is the current Area Head for Haatso said the National Youth Quiz is a strategic intervention to ground young people in God’s word and to also deal with heresies of the time
The quiz comprised three rounds based on Church history and current affairs; New Testament books; Bible study and Home Cell manual of the Church; Doctrines of The Church of Pentecost; Vision 2023; Youth Ministry Syllabus and Daily Devotion; Riddles and the Problem of the Day.
Question and Answers (Junior Category)
In the first round of the contest, Cape Coast and Sunyani areas, being represented by Masters Daniel Aidoo, Gideon Dadson and Robert O. Andoh Jnr. and Snr. respectfully, held on to each other with 9 points whereas Effiduase Area, gladly represented by Isaac A. Twumasi and Samuel A. Twumasi marked the two areas closely with 8.5 points.
In the second round, Cape Coast and Sunyani areas still held on to each other’s neck with 14 points while Effiduase Area again came third with 4.5 points.
In the final round, the Effiduase Area topped with 13 points whereas Cape Coast and Sunyani Areas followed closely with 12 and 11 points respectively.
The problem of the day, which was the final round of the contest, had each Area listing 10 core values of The Church of Pentecost. Sunyani was able to grasp 4 out of the 10 points with Effiduase and Cape Coast Areas gaining 2 and 1 points respectively.
At the end of the Junior category contest, Sunyani Area was crowned victors with 38 points, Effiduase Area came second with 29 points, and Cape Coast Area third with 28 points.
Question and Answers (Senior Category)
The Asante Bekwai Area led the Senior category with 16 points in the first round, while Assin Foso Area pulled their wits by gaining 11 points, with the Sunyani Area earning just three points.
Led by Alexander Opoku and Emmanuel Agyapong, the Asante Bekwai team trailed last in the second round by earning just three points below Sunyani Area, represented by Douglas Nii Ayi Armah and Portia Amoah, and the Assin Foso Area, which was represented by Benjamin Anokye and Bright Kusi Yeboah, which had 10 and eight points respectively.
At the end of the third round, Asante Bekwai Area proved their intellectual prowess by garnering 17 points, with Sunyani Area earning nine points, while the Assin Foso Area obtained eight points.
In the final session of the Senior contest, which is the Problem of the Day, Sunyani Area had only one point, Assin Foso Area had six points and the Asante Bekwa secured four points.
At the end of the Senior contest, Asante Bekwai grabbed 40 points to win the category. Assin Foso followed closely with 33 points, while Sunyani Area had 23 points to close the contest.
Bible Bee
In the Bible Bee category, contestants recited the whole Book of Hebrews within 15 minutes.
In the Senior category, Susan Dapaah of Haatso Area won by gaining 210 points while Isaac Saae, also of Wa area grabbed 206 points to win the second position. Justice Mankata (Agona Swedru Area), on the other hand, secured 194 points for the third position.
Battling it out in the Junior category, Ruth Manu (New Tafo Area) gained 154 points by reciting the six chapters of the Book of Ephesians, whereas Evelyn Nyankotey (Agormanya Area) and Vivian Lamptey (Kaneshie Area) both had 156.5 points, leaving the category with no clear winner. Breaking the tie, Evelyn Nyankotey of Agormanya Area had extra 110 points to be crowned the winner, while Vivian Lamptey of Kaneshie Area had 98 extra points for the second position.
In his closing remarks, the Patron of the Youth Ministry, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, acknowledged the excellent work done by the leadership of the Youth Ministry. He thanked participants and coaches who made themselves available to be used by the Lord.
He, however, encouraged the youth to be actively involved in future competitions. Apostle Asante called on the various ministries in the church to emulate the Youth Ministry’s contest.
The Youth Ministry has ended its nationwide training and orientation programme for Ministry to Teens (M2T) stakeholders in line with the M2T’s rolled-out strategy.
The main objective of the training was to equip all Ministry to Teens (M2T) stakeholders to be effective in their ministry approach towards the teenagers of the Church.
The scheduled training commenced on September 3, 2022, with a nationwide “Train-the-Trainer” training model for all M2T stakeholders, including area youth pastors and wives, area youth ministry leaders, travelling secretaries, area youth ministry executive members, M2T coordinators, M2T teachers, and some selected district youth executive members across the country.
Amongst those who facilitated the nationwide training sessions were Pastor Ebenezer Hagan (Youth Ministry Director), Elder Prof. Eric Appau Asante (Deputy Youth Ministry Director), Deaconess Mrs. Comfort Worna Adade (M2T National Coordinator) and Elder Ebenezer Ankomah (M2T National Deputy Coordinator).
The presentations were delivered in four main subject areas: “Understanding the Ministry to Teens Concept, Nature and Needs of Teenagers and How-to Minster to them, Holding an Effective Teens Class and Understanding the Role of the Ministry to Teens Leader and Stakeholder Involvement.”
The nationwide virtual programme was immediately followed by a face-to-face grassroots leadership training held in two different sectors, the Southern and Northern Sectors, on September 24 and October 29, 2022, respectively.
The Southern sector, made up of nine regions (Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Western North, Brong Ahafo, Ahafo, Bono East, Eastern and Central regions), ended their training with a total of6,244 participants being trained by 735 facilitators in 222 zonal centres across the sector. The Northern Sector, on the other hand, comprising seven regions (Northern, North East, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions), also ended their training with a total of 2,477 participants being trained by 296facilitators in 88Zonal centres across the sector.
In all, 9,752 M2T stakeholders were trained in important subject areas relevant to effective ministering to teenagers.
The training and orientation programmes were very successful throughout the country. There were massive participation, great coordination and quality delivery sessions throughout the centres.
In his closing address, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan thanked all facilitators and participants for their selfless commitment and dedication to duty during the training. He added that it is the hope and prayer of leadership that all stakeholders going forward would support the Ministry to Teens (M2T) concept to make it a great success.
Report by Elder Ebenezer Ankomah (M2T National Deputy Coordinator)
The Chaplaincy Committee of the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) of The Church of Pentecost, in conjunction with the Pentecost Educational Workers’ Guild (PEWG), has organised a Virtual Seminar for Volunteer Teacher Chaplains and all Educational Workers.
The day’s event which took place on Saturday, October 29, 2022, drew over 280 participants from all parts of the country. It was held under the theme, “Possessing the Schools for Christ as an Educator” – Psalm 2:8, Proverbs 22:6.
Addressing the participants, the Chairman of the Chaplaincy Committee of SOM, Elder William K. Takyi, stressed that the focus of the seminar was to create awareness of the mandate and scope of the Schools’ Outreach Ministry under the church’s vision of ‘Possessing the Nations’ and to equip all chaplains with fundamental skills and tools needed to function.
The resource persons were the Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces, Apostle Lt. Col. B. G. Kumi-Woode, and the Deputy Director of the Youth Ministry, Elder Prof. Eric Apau-Asante.
Speaking on the topic, ”The Chaplain as a Spiritual and Moral Caregiver” and taking references from Hebrews 5:1-2 and Matthew 14:16, Apostle Lt. Col. Kumi-Woode emphasized that the chaplain is called to be a shepherd, priest, and personal and institutional advocate.
He stressed that this multifaceted office calls for a high level of Christian maturity on the part of the volunteer chaplains.
Leading the second plenary session on the topic, “The Chaplain and Contemporary Issues,” Elder Prof. Eric Apau-Asante mentioned that the contemporary chaplain in the face of prevailing issues like drug abuse, addiction, sexual perversion, etc. among students should exhibit certain key traits to succeed.
These traits or characteristics, he said, include good psychological health, a genuine interest in the young adults and students, empathy, self-awareness, awareness of values, among others.
The National Secretary of the Youth Ministry, Pastor Gordon Ansah, led the participants to pray fervently for divine strength and grace in their new roles.
Also participating in the seminar were the National Co-ordinator of the Schools Outreach Ministry, Elder Desmond Addison, and the President of the Pentecost Educational Workers’ Guild, Elder Frank Danso-Abeam.
Report by Mavis Osafo Adu (Secretary, Chaplaincy Committee, SOM)
The Women’s Ministry of Yennyawoso District in the New Tafo Area of The Church of Pentecost has donated assorted items to the Kumasi Children’s Home located at Airport Roundabout in Kumasi.
A delegation led by Mrs. Gladys Oduro (Wife of the District Minister) and Deaconess Bernice Apraku (District Women’s Leader) visited the facility on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, and donated some items including a bag of rice, a bottle of cooking oil, packets of biscuits, assorted drinks, four packs of toilet rolls, and two boxes of Kalypo to the inmates.
The Supervisor of the facility, Mrs. Mabel Boamah, who received the items on behalf of the management, thanked The Church of Pentecost, particularly the Women’s Ministry, for the benevolence. She noted that the items would go a long way to alleviate the plight of the inmates.
As part of the visit, Mrs. Cecilia Oppong, the Deputy Supervisor of the Institute, took the women through the concept of a Children’s Home. She indicated that not all the inmates were orphans.
According to her, some of them were brought there for security purposes as there might be no peace in their homes, following some squabbles that might have ensued between the parents. She explained that such children, whom they refer to as “foster children,” are sent back to their parents when calm is restored.
Present at the brief presentation ceremony were: Deaconesses Vida Owusuwaah (District Women’s Assistant Leader), Gifty Owusu Afriyie (District Women’s Treasurer), Elizabeth Badu (District Women’s Financial Secretary), and all Local Women’s Ministry Leaders within the district.
The Teshie Nungua Area of The Church of Pentecost, through its School Outreach Ministry (SOM), has donated computers to three Directors of Education in Krowor, Ledzokuku and Tema West Municipal assemblies.
The set of brand-new computers comes with an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) unit to the tune of GHC 15,300.00.
Speaking during the presentation on Thursday, September 29, 2022, Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah Agyeman, the Teshie-Nungua Area Head of the Church, said the Church would continue to support and pray for the schools within the area.
“Teshie-Nungua Area is also planning on donating 1,000 customised exercise books to the various school as well,” he added.
Apostle Nkrumah Agyeman encouraged the area pastorate and their spouses to support SOM by reaching out to schools within their jurisdictions with the gospel of Jesus Christ while meeting their material needs.
Miss Justina Djaba (Krowor Municipal Director of Education), Mrs. Theresa Tetteh (Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Education) and Mr. Isaac McCarthy Mensah (Tema West Municipal Director of Education) received the computers on behalf of their municipalities.
Miss Justina Djaba, Krowor Municipal Director of Education, on behalf of the three beneficiaries, expressed sincere gratitude to the Church for the support and prayers and called on other church organisations to emulate such great virtue.
The Goshen District Youth Ministry in the Ashaiman Area of The Church of Pentecost has held ‘Mpaebo Kese’ prayer and fasting festival dubbed “Geshem and Drosia Prayer Conference.”
The programme, which took place on September 21, 2022, at the Central auditorium, was the first of its kind since the inauguration of the district in August this year.
The District Minister, Pastor Emmanuel Oppong, in a sermon, mentioned that rain is an essential thing that is very valuable in human life.
Relating it to the life of the believer, he said that rain symbolises the presence of the Holy Spirit. He emphasised that the youth forms part of the central stakeholders of the church, hence the need for them to prioritise the role of the Holy Spirit in their walk with God.
Making references to Genesis 2:4-7 and 1 Kings 16:29,17:1, he indicated that God purposely designed that rain should fall on His creation to cause a change that would bring fruitfulness upon the land, and so this change must be seen in the church to transcend to the youth of this generation.
He added that when the rain (Holy Spirit) takes control over the heart, mind, physical and social-emotional life of the Christian, “it will cause our little efforts to be a blessing since ‘man’s effort without God’s blessing is void.’”
Pastor Oppong noted that God has purposed numerous thoughts for His church, especially the youth, but the only thing that can hinder it is sin. He, therefore, admonished the youth to live an unblemished life so that it would attract God’s hand in their affairs.
He also urged the youth to pursue righteousness and a quality prayer lifestyle, without which the rain would not be evident when it comes.
Pastor Emmanuel Oppong led a special intercessory prayer for the youth, children, and the church at large and its leadership at various levels.
The programme was attended by some members of the District Executive Committee, and about 305 members, including children.
Elder David Annor, the District Youth Leader, explained that the programme which was on the theme: “Give us Rain, Lord,” was inspired by Genesis 2:5.
He stressed that Goshen District, being a newly created district, needs torrential rains for divine productivity.
The Abasraba District in the Winneba Area of The Church of Pentecost has organised a special graduation ceremony for 41 teenagers who have successfully transitioned from the Children’s Ministry to the Youth Ministry.
The historic event took place at the Hallelujah Temple on Sunday, September 11, 2022
Speaking on the topic “Good Plans for the Future” with Jeremiah 29:11 as his anchor Bible text, the District Minister, Emmanuel Foster Asamoah, took the teens through the tenets, conduct and practices of The Church of Pentecost.
He also shared with them ways through which they would develop both spiritually and physically.
Pastor Asamoah urged the teens to abide in the Lord and continue to serve Him through the Church.
He also advised them not to look down on themselves but rather muster up the courage and challenge themselves bearing in mind that “with Christ, everything is possible.”
“As a youth, you are energetic and the kind of person the Lord needs more to spread forth His kingdom. You must put in more effort to win more souls for the Lord now that you are in the Youth Ministry – This is not the time for you to sleep. So, always be on the lookout and constantly spread the word of God to your friends, colleagues at school, and home, ” he charged.
Pastor Asamoah prayed for the graduands and formally handed them over to the leadership of the Youth Ministry.
Members of the District Executive Committee, Sunday School teachers, and representatives from all four assemblies of the district (Hallelujah, Shalom, Upper Room and Bethel) attended the event.
The Spirit of God manifested greatly on Thursday night resulting in many signs and miracles during the opening session of the ‘You Must Be Born Again Crusade’ taking place at the Casford Field at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
The crusade, dubbed “UCC For Christ,” is being organised by the University of Cape Coast Protestant & Pentecostal Chaplaincy Committee (PPCC), in collaboration with the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM) of The Church of Pentecost, as part of the 60th Anniversary celebration of the university.
Under the theme, “Jesus Is Calling” (Matthew 11:28), the crusade is scheduled to end on Sunday, September 11, 2022, where the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, will address them.
Ministering on Day One on the theme, “Jesus Is Looking For You” – Luke 19:9-10, Genesis 3:8-9, and 2 Chronicles 16:9a, the Evangelism Ministry Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, said that when sinners find Jesus, He shows them kindness, mercy, forgives their sins and offers them eternal life.
Reading from 2 Chronicles 19:9a, Apostle Dr. Markin stated that the eyes of God are roaming throughout the universe to show Himself strong to the incapacitated, saying, “Jesus is looking for man to save him.”
He added: “You are not a product of evolution, but God created you for Himself and for His pleasure to be obedient to His Word.”
The Evangelism Director explained that when the first Adam disobeyed God and experienced death, humanity, as the seed of Adam, died from birth. He urged the students to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and saviour because He was sent by God to seek and redeem every man from the repercussions of the disobedience of Adam.
“Without hesitation, every man born a sinner is already condemned. Therefore, the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which is lost. This is the reason why God sent Jesu to the earth,” he stated.
Apostle Dr. Jimmy Markin further noted that Jesus, born of a virgin was exchanged on the cross that was meant for Barabas, the notorious criminal at that time.
“That cross was meant for Barabas (us) but He took our cross that He would give us His crown. He took our shame that He would give us His glory; took our sin that He would give us His righteousness. He took us that He would give us forgiveness of sins; took our curse that He would give us His blessings and He is seeking for you,” he posited.
He then led the congregation in a session of intensive prayers which resulted in total healing of several people who came with the issues of abdominal pains, typhoid, breathing disorders, and many others through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Speakers billed for the crusade include Apostle Eric Nyamekye (Chairman, CoP), Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Cape Coast Area Head, CoP), Apostle Nana Yaw Agyei (Kade Area Head, CoP), Pastor Ebenezer Hagan (Youth Ministry Director, CoP), Pastor Pastor Kingsley Addai (Resident Minister of PIWC-Accra), Pastor Frank Akonnor (Resident Campus Pastor of UCC), Probationary Overseer Dr. Patrick Adonoo (PENSA International Co-ordinator), and Elder Seth Yaw Peasah (CoP El-Bethel Prayer Camp Leader, Ho).
As part of the sessions, students of the university will be taken through empowerment sessions on Financial and Leadership, led by Overseer Professor Joseph Osafo Adu (Resident Minister of Rhema Worship Centre, East Legon), Pastor Benedict Eghan (Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the CoP), and Elder Paul Kofi Mante (Head of Ecobank EDC).
Also ministering in songs are Uncle Ato, Pastor Joe Beechem, Mrs Grace Gakpetor, Elder Emma Arthur, Elder Emma Danquah, Minister Gyasi Addo Jnr. and Christiana Attafuah.
Present at the opening session were Professor Aaron Asare (Chairman of Crusade Committee, UCC), Rev. Professor Kankam Boanuh (Chairman, Chaplaincy Board, UCC), Rev. Dr. Benjamin Amoaning (Chaplain, Protestant & Pentecostal Chaplaincy), Rev. Dr. Patrick Quampah (Secretary to Chaplaincy Board, UCC), Rev. Dr. Tackie (Crusade Finance Chairman), and all Presidents of Denomination in UCC.
Workers of the five mainstream ministries of The Church of Pentecost have attended a day’s workshop meant to build their capacities to enhance their performance.
The event, which took place at the Headquarters of the church in Accra on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, was attended by accounts staff, drivers assigned to the ministries, executive assistants to the directors, domestic staff, and security staff.
Among the speakers were the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM), Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh; the Director of Women’s Ministry, Mrs Philomina Mireku; the Director of the Evangelism Ministry, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, and the Human Resource Manager, Elder Samuel Addo Mantey.
In a keynote address, the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, commended the directors of the five ministries for putting together the workshop which, he said, was a follow-up to the Management seminar held a few weeks ago.
According to the General Secretary, management realised that the staff of the organisation play a key role in the success of the church. Therefore, there was a need to build their capacities to effectively perform.
Reading from Colossians 3:23-25, Apostle Kumi-Larbi urged the staff to develop a positive mindset about their work. This, he said, will help them to work with passion to attract the blessings of God and the rewards on earth.
In a presentation on “Self-Development in the Workplace Towards Professionalism” with Job 8:7, 2 Timothy 2:15 as his anchor text, Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh stressed the need for the workers to build their capacities, be abreast with the current trends in their areas of work, develop themselves professionally to produce results.
According to him, when workers pursue professional excellence, they will solve problems that erupt in their offices, come out with innovations, and by so doing improve the system as they play a lead role in the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda of the church.
He indicated that self-development opens opportunities for one to the job market or job security, brings workers to the limelight, and gives them recognition, while professionalism opens new opportunities to workers, creates fulfillment and satisfaction, makes them diligent and efficient and increases their capacity, among other benefits.
The Women’s Director, Mrs Philomina Mireku, speaking on the topic: “Discipline as a Mark of a Christian Worker” based on Hebrews 12:1-11, Proverbs 3:11, noted that working in a Christian environment calls for high discipline.
Touching on things that can help them stay focused and disciplined in their duties, Mrs Mireku asked the staff to clearly define their goals, be committed to their jobs, set boundaries and take care of themselves, avoid things that can lead them into temptation, and live by deadlines, among others.
According to her, a disciplined workforce yields better results, enhances the image of the organisation and also brings personal rewards to individuals.
