The District Minister of Mempeasem in Assin Foso Area of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Patrick Gyamfi Osei-Appiah, has retired from active full-time ministry after serving the church for 22 years. The retirement service was held at Foso Habitat Prayer Grounds on Sunday, October 24, 2020, was officiated by the Assin Foso Area Head and Executive Council Member, Apostle Sylvester Arhin.
Preaching the sermon on the theme, “Life’s Journey,” Apostle Sylvester Arhin read from Exodus 15:22-27 and explained that people see life differently and that their activities are controlled by how they see it. “Some people see it as war, competition, great expectation, and feasting or merry-making,” he pointed out.
Apostle Sylvester Arhin however explained that life is a journey which has a beginning and an end, full of ups and downs. He said that just as God gave good water to the Israelites to drink, He will provide for those who put their trust in Him.
Panegyrizing the retiring minister and his wife, the Area Head said: “Life’s journey is full of challenges, but God is faithful to all His promises to those who serve Him wholeheartedly. Pastor Patrick Gyamfi and Mrs. Mary Osei-Appiah have gone through such challenges, but because they put their trust in God, He has brought them to the end of their active service successfully. Throughout their ministry, they have impacted many lives,” he said.
Apostle Arhin advised those in active service in all sectors to plan their lives very well because they will one day come to the crossroad of retirement.
Pastor Patrick Gyamfi and Mrs. Mary Osei-Appiah’s 22-year ministerial service started from Dambai through Agona Kwanyako and Goaso to Foso Mempeasem where they have finally laid down their tools.
A testimony read on behalf of the General Council of The Church of Pentecost described Pastor and Mrs. Osei-Appiah as hardworking workers who did not take the work of the ministry lightly, but worked with a sense of urgency just like a soldier who is ever ready to respond to the call to duty without any complaint.
“They were widely seen as revivalists who broke new grounds to promote the gospel wherever they were stationed despite the terrain of the district,” the testimony further read.
In their testimony, the Assin Foso Area Ministers and Wives described the retiring couple as people who discharged their duties faithfully with dedication and extreme devotion, whereas the Mempeasem District, where they served for the last five years in full-time ministry, described them as “spiritual bulldozers” and hardworking team players who were humble, neat, gentle, firm, wise and accommodating.
In response, Pastor Osei-Appiah, on behalf of his wife and family, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to God, the General Council, past and present Area Heads, the Pastorate, the entire Mempeasem District membership, and all who contributed in different ways to their fruitful ministry.
Report by Joseph Smiles Adu.