The ABB Jirbaline auditorium of The Church of Pentecost at Sawla in the Savannah Region hosted a large crowd of church members on Sunday, September 24, 2023, as they farewelled Apostle David Amankwaa, the Sawla Area Head, and his family. He has been transferred to the Bolga Area.
Apostle David Kwabena Dosu, the Area Head for Tumu, officiated the service. Other Area Heads present were Apostle Norman Appiah Dankwah (Walewale Area Head), Pastor Eric Gyachem (Bawku Area Head), Pastor James Magyam (Yendi Area Head), and Pastor B. A. M. Abogorago (Wa Area Head), among other ministers of the church.
Also in attendance were traditional leaders from across the four traditional councils in the Sawla–Tuna–Kalba District, including a representative of the Member of Parliament for the Area.
Apostle Norman Appiah Dankwah, preaching the sermon on “The Whole Counsel of God” with scripture reference from Acts 20:17-21; 26-27, said that the most valuable life is the one living with the end in view. He said nothing will sway one away from the target when he knows his destination.
“As believers, we know our destination, Heaven, and our mandate, which is to be the salt and light of the world. Therefore, we must focus on Jesus while we aim to bring others to Christ’s saving knowledge.
Apostle Norman noted that the counsel of God helps guide believers in their lives in a desired and predestined direction which emanates from their constant walk with God. The counsel of God, he said, is found in the teaching of the unadulterated word of God. It also includes everything about man’s salvation, such as soul-winning, discipling of converts, building the needed structures, and nurturing converts to be like Christ.
In August 2021, Apostle David Amankwaa and his family assumed the reigns as the Area Head for Sawla, having been transferred from the PIWC-Michel Camp in the Ashiaman Area. He took over from Apostle William Ohemeng-Kwakye.
In the various testimonies about his ministry in the Sawla Area for the past two years, the pastorate described him as a man of prayer and integrity who has the work of God at heart and conducts ministry with excellence. According to them, Apostle Amankwaa is a great leader who helps bring out the best in all his ministers, a team player, and an excellent administrator.
The Area Presbytery described him as a leader who respect the people and their culture, a generous father, and a great mentor who is also a unifier.
The chiefs and traditional leaders described him as a true man of God who deeply respected the traditional leaders and recognised them in all his work. They espoused the cordial relationship and the rapport he had established with them during his short stay. They blessed him and wished him well in his new station.
The Women’s Ministry described his wife, Mrs Rosemond Amankwaa, as a woman of prayer, an incredible teacher of the Word, full of humility, an excellent home manager and a mother.
Under Apostle Amankwaa’s two-year stay in the Sawla Area, three new districts were created (Nakpala, Garcoun and Sakpa districts). His tenure also saw a vast increase in all the key performance indicators in the Area, such as tithes and soul-winning. Again, 12 church buildings and six mission houses were completed and dedicated.
Apostle Amankwaa was the Savannah Regional Chairman for the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) and Savannah Regional Peace Council member. Both institutions described him as a great leader and a hardworking man of God with a deep love for the things of God.
In his response, Apostle David Amankwaa thanked God for His grace upon his life and ministry. He also thanked the Executive Council, the pastorate and all and sundry for helping him in one way or the other in the ministry.
Apostle Amankwaa and his wife pledged to cater for the educational cost of two students on the Area’s scholarship scheme pursuing various programmes at the Pentecost University and the University of Education, Winneba.
Apostle Dosu led the other Area Heads and the congregation to pray for Apostle David Amankwaa and the family.
Report by Overseer Jones Dwomoh Amankwah