It was a joyful moment as family and friends, church members, and ministers of The Church of Pentecost from far and near congregated at Oyarifa District Central assembly in Madina Area to witness the retirement service of Pastor Samuel Nsiah and his wife Janet, as they retired from the full-time ministry of the church after serving for 31 years.
The retirement service, which took place on Sunday, July 25, 2021, was officiated by the Madina Area Head of the church, Apostle Martin Seth Appiah.
Pastor Samuel Nsiah was born on January 10, 1956, to the late Opanyin Kofi Nsiah of Offinso Adukro and Madam Abena Sefaa of Offinso Dentin.
He completed elementary education in 1962 and proceeded to Dwamena Akenten Secondary School at Offinso from 1972 to 1977 where he obtained the GCE Ordinary Level Certificate. He was trained as a Veterinary Laboratory Technician at Pong-Tamale Veterinary College, from 1977-1980.
With determination to learn and impact generations, he attended Canadian Christian College and University of Ghana, Legon, where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology in 2004 and Master of Arts degree in Religions in 2007, respectively.
He worked with Accra Veterinary Laboratory from 1981-1988 and later transferred to Koforidua to establish Veterinary Laboratory to serve the Eastern Region.
He was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1990 and served in the following duty stations: Ampaha District (1990-1995), Suhum District (1995-2001), Bremang District, Kumasi (2001-2007), Tema South, now Greenwich District (2007-2008), Zambia as Missionary and National Head (2008-2015), Santa Maria, Accra (2015-2018) and Oyarifa District (2018-2021).
Various testimonies read in his honour described him as a great man of God with a remarkable spirit of humility, honesty, good interpersonal relationship, and communication skills.
He was further eulogized as a very intelligent, hardworking, fearless, plain-speaking, principled, and transformational leader.
In a sermon titled, “The God of Active Ministry Is The God of Retirement” with scripture references from Psalm 37:23-26; 71:7-11, and Isaiah 46:3-4, Apostle M. S. Appiah, urged retired ministers to be fearless of anything because God would continue to be faithful to sustain, monitor, protect and take good care of their lives in their old age.
He explained that good structures have been put in by the leadership of the church to take care of them.
He, therefore, assured retired ministers and all and sundry to see God as consistent who never change like shifting shadows (Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17); God as immortal who never die to leave us alone (1 Timothy 1:17); God who promises to heal all our diseases (Exodus 15:20-27), and fight our battles (1 Samuel 17:38-47).
Apostle Appiah further said that God watches over His people constantly in all circumstances as they go through various stages of life and face trials (Genesis 16:1-6; 21:1-21), and be their shepherd (Psalm 23) and also give them peace of mind since He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-9). “God promises to be our strong tower to secure our lives (Proverbs 18:10) by serving as consuming fire (Exodus 24:14) to protect, direct and shine our paths (Deuteronomy 4:23-24), so there is no need to fear at all,” he added.
Apostle Martin Seth Appiah urged Christians, especially retired ministers to continue in their services to God and church, saying, “You are being retired from active ministry and not being retired from serving the Lord God Almighty.”
In attendance were Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (Haatso Area Head/International Missions Director-Elect), Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Anim (Director, School of Theology, Mission and Leadership of the Pentecost University), Apostle Isaac Tetteh Judah (Sogakope Area Head and former Oyarifa District Pastor), Apostle David Nyansah Hayfron (Immediate past Youth Director and Missionary to Tanzania), Apostle Daniel Owusu Achiaw (Konongo Area Head), Apostle Patrick Aseyero and wife (Odorkor Area Head), Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi (Resident Minister, PIWC Atomic), Apostle Williams Ohemeng- Kwakye (Sawla Area Head) and Apostle Eric Gyambidi Boateng (Bawku Area Head).
The rest were Pastor Charles Boadi and wife (Missionary to Swaziland), Mrs. Rose Kumi-Larbi (Wife of General Secretary), Professor Ofori Dankwa (USA), Elder Professor Owusu Kwankye (Finance Board Chairman) and Deaconess Inutu Mbangweta (Zambia), among others.
Retired ministers present include Apostle Albert Amoah (former General Secretary), Apostle Anthony Kwabla Ahalivor (Immediate past Madina Area Head), Apostle Barabu (former Madina Area Head), Apostle Matthew Wettey Larbi (Former Tema Area Head), among others.
Report by Joshua Asamoah Darko.
