The 2021 orientation course for newly-called missionaries and ministers transferred to external and internal missions came to a successful end on Friday, July 23, 2021, with a call on ministers to emulate the example of Jesus Christ and Abraham in their mission work.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, stated that Jesus Christ, our perfect example left His Father’s throne and glory, came to earth to die for the sins of mankind so that all men might have salvation.
Quoting from Philippians 2:5-8, the Chairman advised the ministers and their wives to quickly adapt to their new surroundings and get closer to the indigenes so as to minister to them. This, according to him, is the only way they would make a great impact in the mission field.
He encouraged them to avoid the pressure to impress but to do their possible best to “walk in the pages of scripture so that the scriptures come alive in their respective stations.”
Referencing Genesis 12:1-4, Apostle Nyamekye indicated that Abraham was obedient to the call of God to leave his home, although he did not know the exact place he was to go, and the entire world has been saved through that single act of obedience and trust in God.
He also entreated missionaries to place value on all persons since everyone they meet is a potential sheep in need of a shepherd.
The 2021 Missions Orientation, which started on Monday, July 19, was held at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh was the last being held under the auspices of the outgoing International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo. The Chairman commended the IMD for the great work he had done throughout his tenure.
Participants of the five-day course were taken through topics such as “Ethnographic research, the biblical perspective of missions,” “The Missionary and his Health,” “The Missionary as an agent of transformation,” “Youth Ministry Work,” “Ministry to Persons with Disabilities,” “Home and Urban Missions,” and “Cross-Cultural Church Planting.” Others were “Accountability and Reporting,” “Interpersonal Relationships,” “Conflict Resolution,” “Understanding People Groups of the North,” and the “Personal Spiritual Growth of the Missionary.”
Apostle Daniel and Mrs Dora Owusu Akyaw as well as Apostle Kojo Sey, who were former missionaries, also shared their rich experiences in missions with participants.
The resource persons for this year’s orientation programme included the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi Addo, Apostles Joseph Assabil, Patrick Aseyoro, Dr Emmanuel Anim, Martin Seth Appiah, David Nyansah Hayfron, Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, Pastors Ebenezer Hagan, John Prah Amonoo, and Overseers Dr Perez Sepenu and Alexander Nyame.
The rest were Elder Dr Chris Ampadu, Mrs Victoria Kumi-Woode, and Mrs Ruth Adjabeng Keelson.
In a closing remark, Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo commended the past and present staff of the International Missions Directorate at the church’s Headquarters, led by his Personal Assistant (PA), Pastor Gideon Boadu-Yirenkyi, for their support during his decade-long service as IMD.
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