Pastor Augustine Wadjah Anambe, who has retired from active service on health grounds after serving for 12 years in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost, could not hide his tears when a benevolent member surprised him with a special retirement package.
According to the Nkawkaw Area Head, Prophet Foster Aniakwaa, who broke the news at the retirement service held in the minister’s honour last Sunday, a reputable businessman in the Church has pledged to complete Pastor Anambe’s ongoing building project, buy him a new car, and include him in his employees’ payroll for the entire period of his retirement.
Overwhelmed with emotions at the news, Pastor Anambe and his wife, Gladys, began to sob in disbelief, thus, moving most of the congregants to tears.
As if by divine orchestration, the gesture affirmed the sermon that was later delivered at the service by the Nkawkaw Area Head, which he titled: “When Your Ministerial Manna Ceases, What Will You Do?”
Using Joshua 5:12 and John 6:48-51 as his main scripture references, Prophet Aniakwaa said that although ministerial service comes with its challenges, there are also some privileges that ministers enjoy such as cash and gift donations from members, regular visitations, etc.
He said that after active service, some of these privileges, which he referred to as “Ministerial Mannas” cease, and, therefore, ministers on retirement ought to learn to adapt to this new phase of life.
He, however, assured the retired minister and all gathered that when such ministerial mannas end, God still has a way of providing for those who have faithfully served Him.
The well-attended event, which was held at the Ebenezer Temple in the Effiduase Area, was chaired by Apostle Samuel O. Asante (Executive Council Member and Koforidua Area Head) with assistance from the Area Head, Apostle Daniel Yeboah Nsaful and other Area Heads of the Church in the Eastern Region.
Among the over thousand congregants present at the event were ministers of the Church and their wives, including Pastor Anambe’s ministerial mates, members of the districts where he pastored, as well as some relatives and friends.
Pastor Augustine Wadjah Anambe, formerly a Prisons Officer, was called into the full-time ministry of the Church at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region in 2009. He had his ministerial training at Pentecost University, Sowutuom. On completion, he was posted to Amankwakrom in the Afram Plains Area as Probationary Overseer in 2010, confirmed an Overseer in 2011, and called to the Pastorate in 2014.
He served as the Area Assistant Evangelism Ministry Leader from 2010 to 2012 at Afram Plains. He later served as the substantive leader from 2012 to 2015.
In ministry, Pastor Anambe served at Amankwakrom from 2010 to 2015 and Begoro Odumase from 2015 to 2016, then went on a sick leave. He resumed a year later and was stationed at Brekumanso in the Asamankese Area. However, after two months at post, his health deteriorated, and he was granted another sick leave until he retired from the ministry.
PENTECOST NEWS