The various Area Coordinators of the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities (MPWDs) of The Church of Pentecost are undergoing a two-day training programme aimed at equipping them to discharge their mandate of leading PWDs into the saving knowledge of Christ.
The session, dubbed “Beyond Suffering,” is being facilitated by Joni & Friends, an international organisation focused on ensuring full inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the church and society, and is taking place at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.
The Chairman for the MPWDs National Committee of the Church, Apostle James Tetteh, is chairing the meeting with assistance from the National Coordinator, Pastor Alex Nyame.
The Joni & Friends team includes Mrs. Kimi Archer (Director of Internships), Dr Kevin O’Farrell (Director of Theological Education & Engagement), Pastor Joel Quansah (Country Coordinator, Ghana), Dr Ashley Mugisha (Beyond Suffering Africa Regional Coordinator), and Mr Ronald Mugisha (Beyond Suffering Instructor).
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kevin O’Farrel said that Joni & Friends, as an organisation, Joni & Friends seeks to glorify God as they communicate the Gospel and mobilise the global church to evangelise, disciple, and serve people with a disability.
According to him, they present the gospel of Jesus Christ through programs they undertake worldwide by training, discipling, and mentoring people affected by disability to exercise their gifts of leadership and service in their churches and communities.
“We energise the church to move from a lack of awareness of people impacted by disability to including everyone in the fabric of worship, fellowship, and outreach,” he said.
Dr. Ashley Mugisha took the participants through the Beyond Suffering training. “Beyond Suffering” is a comprehensive course organised by Joni & Friends that gives an overview of the theological and practical underpinnings of PWDs.
The course, she said, will equip participants to think critically, compassionately, and clearly about the complex issues that impact people with disabilities and their families and to bring them to the love of Christ confidently.
The two-day training is expected to end on Friday, with each participant receiving a certificate for participation.
PENTECOST NEWS