Pastor Kofi Okyire Appianing, a former Administrative Secretary to the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, has been retired from active ministry after 23 years of meritorious service to God and humanity.
A colourful retirement service was held in his honour at the Akosombo Central Auditorium, his last district, on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
The service, officiated by Apostle Mike Etrue, an Executive Council Member and Coordinator of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Committee of the church, was attended by Area Heads in the Eastern Region and other parts of the country, ministers and their wives and members of the church from far and near, as well as loved ones.
Pastor Appianing and his wife, Esther, yielded to the call to serve in the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 2001. The ministry took them to Nkenkaasu from 2001 to 2006 and Suaman Dadieso from 2006 to 2009. From Dadieso, he was appointed as an Administrative Secretary to the General Secretary at Headquarters from 2009 to 2014, serving as the Resident Minister of Russia Worship Centre in the Dansoman Area. After ending his term at the Headquarters, he was posted to Madina District from 2014 to 2019 and later to the Akosombo District from 2019 to 2024.
Prior to his call into the full-time ministry, Pastor Appianing, who currently holds a PhD in Biblical Studies, was an English Language and Literature tutor at the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC, Legon).
Testimonies by various groups extolled the excellent work of Appianing and his wife. The General Council, which described him as ‘one of the finest ministers of the church,’ indicated that his relatively short period in active ministry has been impactful.
‘As Administrative Secretary, he assisted the General Secretary and the Top Management of the church with the day-to-day administration of the church through his wise counsel, administrative prowess, and excellent human relationship skills,’ the General Council stated.
Speaking at the retirement service on the topic, ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one,’ Apostle Mike Etrue, who is also the Koforidua Area Head of the church, called on believers to develop a deeper appreciation for the things God do in their lives.
Quoting from Psalm 103:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 31:14-15, he noted that humans are inclined to take things for granted, saying, ‘Whenever you take things for granted, you will never appreciate them.’
He explained that a call to counting one’s blessings serves as a reminder to fix one’s focus from life challenges and troubles to the goodness of God.
Apostle Etrue, therefore, entreated believers to enumerate and evaluate the things God has done and continue to do in their lives such as their salvation, education, protection, family life, and healings.
According to him, the effects of counting one’s blessings are that it helps to get a good picture of one’s life and also dispells life worries.
The Koforidua Area Head further disclosed that counting one’s blessings comes with so many benefits, some of which are shifting believers’ perspectives from what they lack to what they have, develop good mental health, stronger relationship with God and others, inner fulfilment, peace, joy and longevity.
He advised Pastor Appianing and his wife to count their blessings and be happy for how far God has brought them, saying, ‘Retirement is a blessing.’
PENTECOST NEWS
