“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
For years, the Evangelism Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has been a beacon of hope, leading the charge in soul-winning for the Church. They employ a variety of methods to spread the gospel and save souls from eternal damnation. From park rallies and street evangelism to dawn broadcasts and public transport propagation, they’ve made it their mission to bring the gospel into every aspect of life.
Recently, the ministry introduced Social Media evangelism, a strategy that has been widely adopted by the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) International. This innovative approach has enabled them to win more souls in various countries that are physically unreachable. This strategy significantly contributed to The Church of Pentecost’s expansion into nineteen nations by the end of 2023.
Under the leadership of Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, the Ministry has made a tremendous impact both locally and internationally. Recognizing the need to win more souls in Ghana’s hinterlands, the Ministry adopted a bimonthly outreach service, always codenamed “For Christ”, followed by the name of the town they visit.
Since its inception, these crusades have helped win tens of thousands of souls for Christ. Their strategy is straightforward. A week or two before the start of the crusade, they deploy “The Advance Team”, a group of young, vibrant Christians eager to spread the gospel, regardless of where they are sent or the conditions they live in. This team’s dedication and commitment are a testament to the Church’s mission to spread the gospel far and wide.
THE ADVANCE TEAM
Meet the “Advance Team” – a group of young men and women who are committed to expanding the Kingdom of God. This team was established in 2021 during the Afram Plains Crusade when the need for such a team became evident. The Advance Team is composed of various squads including Film Evangelism operations, Gospel Heralds, Sports, Prayer warriors, and Media. They are often the first to arrive at the locations of major events or crusades organized by the church.
Their journey begins in Accra, the capital city, where they engage in intensive prayer sessions and receive orientations from the Crusade coordinator, the Evangelism Ministry Director, and the Secretary. The team is then divided into pairs and deployed to the area of the crusade. Upon arrival, they are welcomed and accommodated by the host district pastors, with each pair assigned to a specific town or district of the church.
Their mission is to navigate the town, spreading the gospel of Christ to all. This requires a lot of walking and is one of the most challenging aspects of their work. They preach the gospel to anyone they encounter, regardless of the time or place. At times, led by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Team Commander, they embark on prayer walks, drawing inspiration from Joshua 1:3. These walks often take place late at night when everyone is asleep. In addition to this, they also engage in Film Evangelism, Sports Evangelism, and Schools Outreach.
The team members often have to adapt their eating habits to match the local cuisine, which can sometimes be unfamiliar to them. They work throughout the entire catchment area to establish new churches where needed and revive assemblies due to the increase in the number of souls won during crusades.
During the main crusade, this dedicated team works relentlessly. They strategically navigate through the crowd, reaching out to as many individuals as possible who may wish to accept Christ during the altar call. They gather data on these souls, compile it, and organize the newly converted for baptism. They assist in the administration of the Holy Spirit Baptism and initiate follow-up calls. Furthermore, they commence new convert care classes with the souls won during the crusade. Their tireless efforts contribute significantly to the success of the crusade.
Following the crusade, the same “Advance Team” forms a follow-up squad. This squad either remains on-site for several weeks post-crusade or returns to the area at a chosen date. Their mission is to assist in the follow-up of the souls won during the crusade. In the process, they often succeed in winning additional souls. Their dedication extends beyond the duration of the crusade, ensuring the continuity of their mission.
The next Crusade of which they have been deployed is the “Tarkwa For Christ” crusade, which is scheduled to take place from April 9 to 13, 2024, at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana.
Written by Elder Justice Kusi and Joseph Attoh