Five officers of The Church of Pentecost in Nazareth Assembly at Okroase in Suhum District have retired from active service after serving for several years in the church.
They are Deacon Stanley Narh Okubeng, 71, who has served for 28 years, from 1991 to 2019; Deaconess Josephine Agyemang, 75, who also served for 28 years, from 1991 to 2019; Deaconess Gladys Adjei, 83, who served for 27 years, from 1992 to 2019; Deaconess Hannah Dansoa Amoako, 75, who served for 26 years, from 1993 to 2019, and Deaconess Joyce Maku Ofoe, 63, who served for 21 years, from 1998 to 2019 (on health grounds).
The colourful service, which took place on Sunday, December 22, 2019, was officiated by the Suhum Area Head, Apostle Anthony Eghan Kwesi Ekuban, assisted by the Suhum District Minister, Pastor Norman Appiah Danquah.
Also present to grace the occasion were Apostle David Yeboah Asare (Rtd.), Deaconess Eunice Johnson (a prolific gospel song composer) and Mrs. Lydia Otoo, wife of Pastor Benjamin Otoo of Oduman District in Anyaa-Ablekuma Area, among others.
Speaking at the service on the topic, “The Rewards of Good Stewards” based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Apostle Ekuban said that serving faithfully in the church to the end is a great gain. He said those who are not able to hold on to the faith to the end lose a lot since they would not receive any reward from God.
On behalf of the Area Presbytery, he congratulated the retirees for fighting the good fight to the end, running the race faithfully and keeping the faith.
Apostle Ekuban said believers who serve to the end will stand before the Bema Seat (the Judgement Seat of Christ) and be given rewards according to their services to God and humanity. He identified seven crowns that would be given to stewards who dedicate their lives to the service of God. These are the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Life (Rev. 2:10), the Crown of Glory (1 Peter 1:5), Soul Winners Crown (Daniel 12: 1-3), the Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:25), the Crown of Suffering, and the Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19).
To receive the crowns, he advised believers to lead a holy, Christlike and righteous life. He further entreated officers of the church to serve well and not attempt to pay themselves since God has a perfect reward for them.
He also charged members of the church to share the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere they find themselves because it is the good news that the world needs in order to lead a righteous life.
PENTECOST NEWS.