THE MINISTRY TO CELEBRITIES WILL THRIVE web

The Ministry To Celebrities Will Thrive

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PREAMBLE

Let me indicate from the outset that this write-up is going to carry fire. To the one who possesses a teachable spirit, it will be a realisation that the concept of the ministry to celebrities being run by The Church of Pentecost currently is a laudable missiological model that carries the mind of God, involving reaching out to a world that is fast-moving away from him. This drives the salvation history of God, culminating in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ when he walked the face of the earth as man. His ministry of reaching out to a lost world continues in the Church. If we have the Kingdom of God at heart indeed, then we must become promoters of that which advances the salvation of all manner of people, and not become obstinate in such issues, failing to learn and going about spewing our ignorance all over. 

THE CELEBRITIES

Celebrities could be delineated as personalities who have fame in society and have the ability to pull large crowds and influence them. We see many of them in the arts and entertainment industry, politics, sports, or any other venture that commands great attention from the public. Their trade influences the culture, social, and economic fabric of societies. Since they are great influencers, they can shape the ideologies and life practices of people, especially the younger generations.

Celebrities, therefore, constitute an important hub of society that must invite special attention from all who mean well for the world. Must the church be nonchalant in this regard? If the church does not critique the reality of celebrities and explore how to shine the light of Christ in that space, then its claim of being the light of the world is questionable. That assertion becomes mere rhetoric without any substance.

 Whilst we could have both Christian and non-Christian celebrities, they have largely been regarded as sinners, followers of Satan, and people of darkness that the church must not associate with. The term “celebrity” has almost become synonymous with worldliness. Some who undermine the ministry to these celebrities see them, sadly, as people that Christians or the church should not share the same space or platform with. Interestingly, they evoke biblical passages to push that idea. Must we stand aloof and allow this to endure? The celebrity community constitutes an important missiological situation that any mission-minded church must pay attention to in its quest to make disciples of all people in accordance with the charge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

It is a good sign that the Vision 2028 of The Church of Pentecost seeks to capitalise on the potential of the church to transform society by establishing a ministry to Celebrities. This ministry pays particularly attention to sending the gospel to the celebrities and disciple them in a bid to transform society.

THE JESUS MODEL: “A FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS”

Drawing on the perception that celebrities are people with whom the church must not associate, and considering this in light of the ministry Jesus carried out on earth during  the days that he walked here as a man, the two are opposed. The ministry of Jesus Christ was revolutionary, challenging the norms of his day. On one hand, Jesus, who was considered a Jewish religious leader, carried himself in a manner that impinged on the ideas and religious practices that were firmly held..  Whilst the religious leaders seemingly lived a “hallowed” life and would not associate with people who were regarded as sinners and irreligious in society, Jesus went to such people. It was this ministerial practice of Jesus that generated the popular phrase in reference to him, “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34)..

One case in point is when Jesus was invited by a religious leader, a Pharisee, for dinner, and a woman who was regarded as a sinner drew near to Jesus, adored him by weeping on his feet, and cleaning them with her hair.. The host took offence, but Jesus explained away the happening by speaking about repentance, faith, and forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50). By allowing this association with one who was regarded as an obvious sinner, the woman received salvation.

Another example was when Jesus went for another dinner in the home of Levi, a tax collector. That occasion saw many tax collectors and other people dining with Jesus. The Pharisees fumed about this situation and asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus retorted, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:27-32). The whole of the ministry of Jesus was marked by a certain compassion towards sinners, so he could bring them to salvation. Jesus would, undoubtedly, have been labelled “a friend of celebrities and sinners,” but he would respond that he has come to call the celebrities as well to repentance.     

Jesus, therefore, modelled a kind of ministry that draws sinners close so they experience God. This is the one who commissioned his church to make disciples of all nations. No one can supplant this example that our Lord Jesus Christ has left for his church. The church must also continue in this spirit.     

This association or friendship with sinful people does not put Jesus in enmity with the Father God, as some people evoke James 4:4 to say that Christians should not associate with unbelievers.  The whole of the book of James addresses certain challenges that the church was battling with. It teaches on issues that bother the Christian life, and cases that do not allow the community of God’s people to live in harmony. In James 4, the Bible was teaching Christians concerning submitting themselves to God. In speaking to the case of discord among the Christians, the writer drew their attention to their selfish desires to have certain possessions, the lack of which has generated dissatisfaction and quarrels among them. The Bible equates such desires with friendship with the world.

A friend to the world is not someone who puts in place a missiological structure to penetrate through the celebrity space and reach out to celebrities with the Gospel by associating with them, but one who has selfish desires and covets worldly pleasures. An admonition in this same book of the Bible is important here: “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). We must be careful about how we interpret the Bible. Upsetting the purpose of God through misrepresentation of the word of God makes you a nuisance.

Jesus’ association with sinners does not mean that he is “unequally yoked with unbelievers” or does not amount to him harmonising with Satan. People refer to 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 to condemn efforts to reach out to the world through the adoption of strategies that will draw the attention of the world, so the gospel is preached. “Come out from among them and be separated,” as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17, is a popular statement held against efforts such as the ministry to celebrities. In this verse, the Apostle Paul cited Isaiah 52:11 to caution the church against idolatry. In the initial record in context, as seen in Isaiah 52, the Prophet Isaiah was calling on the people of Israel who fled to Egypt during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem and were now returning from exile to indeed come out from Egypt, putting off any idolatrous ideas and practices that they may have picked up whilst in exile. Paul uses Isaiah 52 to correct the idolatrous tendencies within the church, which the people of God have picked up from the environment in which they were living.

Coming out from among them does not mean we should not approach them to win them to Christ. Structures such as ministry to celebrities are all about preaching Christ and “becoming all things to all people” as Apostle Paul confessed in 1 Corinthians 9:22. This has been how Paul patterned his missionary work and ministry. He was following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important not to take his teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 out of context. If you do not understand it, humble yourself to be taught. Do not be moved by unwarranted zeal. We must learn from this desire of our Lord Jesus Christ to reach out to the world by all means. This same spirit drives the mission of God must continue in the church.     

THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY OF KATALLAGE (καταλλαγή)

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has signed a peace pact with humanity. Those who believe the gospel become reconciled to God. God is the reconciler who empties himself in Christ so that we may come to salvation (2 Corinthians 5:18). It is humanity that has been reconciled. This is the ministry of katallage (reconciliation). Katallage carries the sense of restoration to favour because God has exchanged his righteousness for the guilt of the world. This can be rightly described as a “compromise” of the divinity of God, so that there will be restoration and reconciliation. This ministryhas been delegated to the church; to all believers (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

The call to the ministry of reconciliation is presbeuo(πρεσβεύω), or to be an ambassador or to be a representative of God in the world. This ambassadorial work connotes one going to a place he or she does not strictly belong to represent his or her home country or master there. Whilst the person does not compromise his or her sending culture, the person is supposed to be familiar with the culture of the country he or she finds himself or herself in to facilitate its work of diplomacy.

The church must be familiar with the world in which it lives.  If the church ministers to celebrities, it must not be ignorant of the terrain, or it will commit grievous missiological blunders. This calls for an association; getting close to them just like our Lord Jesus Christ, so that the church can katallassothem or reconcile them to God 

CONCLUSION

Jesus, through the church, is still going into the world to bring people from various backgrounds to salvation. This includes celebrities who have been labelled as belonging to the world. How Jesus Christ modelled his outreach to sinners to bring them to salvation must be continued by the church. The church must fulfill its ministry of reconciliation and restore the world to God through the enabling Spirit of God. The ministry to celebrities has filled a vacuum in missionary work. It must press on to shine the light of Christ into every dark spot in the world. Celebrities can come to faith by hearing the gospel. For them to hear, someone must go. Let’s embrace the model of Jesus to reach out to a world that is fast-moving away from God. No one, out of ignorance or misdirected zeal, can frustrate the purpose of God.       

Written by Elder Dr. Stephen Ofotsu Ofoe

KEEP JERUSALEM web

Keep Jerusalem! – God’s Generational Appeal (Reflections From The James Mckeown Memorial Lectures 2025)

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In a moment charged with divine clarity, the Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua lifted the timeless hymn, “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling,” following Apostle Prof. Tsekpoe’s powerful presentation on “Reshaping Generations.” There was a shift in atmosphere as we recognised God’s reminder of a long-neglected command — a call not only to the mission field but to generations. Yet again, we were reminded that this is a timeless charge that calls for a revitalised sense of purpose and conviction. This profound reminder set the stage for the James McKeown Memorial Lecture, an annual gathering that honors the legacy of the Church of Pentecost’s founder while shaping contemporary thought on faith and mission.

The 2025 James McKeown Lecture, held on November 7 at the Pentecost Convention Centre (Egyir Paintsil Auditorium), once again honored the legacy of Ps. James McKeown and highlighted Pentecostalism’s role in global mission. Under the theme “Reshaping Cultures, Generations and Systems,” the event drew theologians, clergy, and church leaders, emphasising how Pentecostal values continue to shape faith and communities and inspire transformative change worldwide.

The 2025 James McKeown Lecture theme, tied to the Possessing the Nations agenda, urged Christians to see every sphere, culture, generation, and system as mission fields. It called believers to influence society, drive research, and act as agents of generational and systemic transformation.

THE CONCEPT OF RESHAPING GENERATIONS

Apostle Prof. Christian Tsekpoe’s lecture on Reshaping Generations emphasised that, beyond cultures and systems, generations must be transformed as vital mission fields. He warned of the “Tragedy of Generations,” where people arise without knowledge of God (citing Joshua 2:7–10), and urged Christians to preserve faith and fulfill the “Go Ye” mandate, starting from their own Jerusalem.

Apostle Prof. Tsekpoe noted that today’s church growth stems from the hard work of Ps. McKeown and the early fathers, reminding us that current efforts are seeds for future fruit. He illustrated the “Tragedy of Generations” through church history — from its birth in Jerusalem with 120 believers, rapid expansion to thousands, and eventual shift of vibrancy from Jerusalem to the Greco-Roman world, then to Rome, Western Europe, and North America. Each shift brought growth in new regions but decline in former centers, leaving once-thriving churches, like Ephesus, in ruins.

Apostle Prof. Tsekpoe stressed that Africa, now seen as Christianity’s center, bears a heavy responsibility to preserve the faith amid global decline. While Europe’s Christian population fell sharply from 98% in 1900 to much lower by 2000, Africa’s share is projected to reach 50% by 2050. Yet worldwide, Christianity has shrunk from 33% in 1900 to 30.5% in 2000 — showing that as the faith grows in one region, it diminishes in another, a recurring “shifting center” challenge.

THE GAP IN MISSIOLOGY

Missions have long focused on foreign fields, while generations are treated as ministries rather than mission fields. Apostle Prof. Tsekpoe emphasised that this neglect of “generational missions” leads to imposing outdated methods — like the biblical example of pouring old wine into new wineskins — which poses the risk of alienating children, youth, and other groups instead of engaging them as vital mission fields.

Matthew 28:19–20 and Acts 1:8 are often misinterpreted and misunderstood as purely geographical mandates. Apostle Prof. Tsekpoe clarified that the Great Commission is both horizontal (to nations) and vertical (to generations), preserving the gospel’s vitality across time. Acts 1:8 places a strong emphasis on maintaining the fire in Jerusalem while expanding to Judea, Samaria, and beyond — adding centers rather than shifting them. Mathematically, this means multiplication without displacement. Thus, the gospel’s center must remain intact even as it spreads.

The decline in the global Christian population reflects a critical gap: reaching and sustaining generations. Had Jerusalem, Asia Minor, the Western world, and other revival centers preserved the faith across generations, today’s disturbing decline would not be as evident. Generational missions are therefore essential to maintaining Christianity’s vitality.

THE INTERGENERATIONAL MISSIONS APPROACH TO RESHAPING GENERATIONS

This approach ensures that there is meaningful engagement between older and younger generations, ensuring the transmission of faith through culturally relevant interaction. Here, the older members intentionally empower the younger generation with leadership opportunities, while the younger generation shows respect and attentiveness to their elders

Pastor James McKeown exemplified this model by incorporating indigenous forms of worship and entrusting local leaders with responsibility during his missionary activities in the Gold Coast. One might ask: if McKeown were present in this generation, would he have permitted certain generational dynamics to endure? The answer is undoubtedly yes. He would have affirmed that younger generations must be given the space to make decisions while being guided through questioning and accountability. Such a balance strengthens the church and safeguards the faith for the future.

CONCLUSION

Dear reader, the call before us is not confined to distant mission fields but extends to generations — our very own Jerusalem. Therefore, rise and minister faithfully to those entrusted to you. Guard your Jerusalem, preserve the faith where you are planted, and ensure that the flame of devotion never dies.

Written by Deacon Ernest Ofori Baah (Bible Studies Coordinator, PENSA-UPSA)

Apostolic Encounter Ignites Revival at PIWC Graceland proofread web

Apostolic Encounter Ignites Revival at PIWC Graceland

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A remarkable wave of revival swept through Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) Graceland when the Missions Director of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe, paid an apostolic visit intended to reignite zeal, unity of purpose, and spiritual readiness toward the Church’s 2026 theme and its corresponding thematic areas as previously outlined by the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Dr. Eric Nyamekye.

Addressing the congregation on Sunday, November 16, 2025, Apostle Bekoe emphasised that the Church remains God’s chosen agency to project His glory and Lordship across the earth. However, he noted that increasing secular influences and distorted human behaviours often mask this divine mandate, causing many believers to lose heart. In such a season, he said, God is actively searching for dedicated men and women who will courageously advance His kingdom agenda. “One man, one woman can change the narrative,” he stressed, urging Christians not merely to work for a living but to live for the work of God.

Drawing lessons from Jonah’s initial reluctance, the Missions Director reminded the Church that despite human hesitation, God still uses His vessels to accomplish His purpose. He highlighted the 2026 theme – “The Church Established to Transform Society Through the Gospel and the Power of the Holy Spirit” – as a strategic step toward fulfilling Vision 2028. According to him, achieving this requires two essential tools: committed people who understand their divine assignment, and the uncompromised proclamation of the Gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit. “The day the Holy Spirit leaves the church, our gatherings become nothing more than social events,” he cautioned, reaffirming the Spirit’s centrality to ministry.

Apostle Bekoe further outlined the key thematic topics for 2026, including Spiritual Living in a Secular World; My Job, My Kingdom Assignment; Authenticating Conversion into Credible Testimony; Raising Spirit-Filled Disciples; Baptism and the Infilling of the Holy Spirit; The Power of Fasting and Prayer; Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return; Sharing the Love of Christ;and The Godly Home. Though familiar, he said, these topics must be repeatedly echoed until the Church fully embodies them.

Referencing Acts 8:4–8 and Acts 13:1–13, he affirmed that transformation requires not only proclamation but demonstration. Signs, wonders, and tokens of divine power, he noted, authenticate the Gospel and inspire faith in unbelievers. He challenged the Church to abandon fear, exercise bold faith, and allow God’s power to flow through them.

Apostle Bekoe concluded with a passionate charge: “As the proconsul saw something in Paul’s day, may people see something through us as we say something.” He then led the congregation in an intense prayer session, igniting renewed passion for the task ahead.

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The Holy Spirit Is Adequate For Every Assignment web

The Holy Spirit Is Adequate For Every Assignment – Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin

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The Cape Coast Area Head of The Church of Pentecost and Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) Coordinator for the Central Region, Apostle Dr Amos Jimmy Markin, has emphasised the absolute sufficiency of the Holy Spirit for the Church’s mission, describing Him as God’s complete provision for every divine assignment.

Apostle Dr Jimmy Markin made this assertion during the 2025 Heads’ Meeting of the church at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Speaking on the topic, “Baptism and Infilling of the Holy Spirit: Divine Sources of Strength and Empowerment for the Unleashing Agenda,” Apostle Dr Markin explained that although several elements—such as prayer, righteous living, and spiritual discipline—contribute to Christian transformation, the most decisive forces are the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He stressed that the Holy Spirit is the one who transforms individuals, societies, and communities through the true Gospel of Christ lived out in His power.

According to him, Jesus did not leave His Church without help but gave believers the Promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit—who is fully capable of empowering every assignment connected to God’s mission. He stated that if humanity needed anything beyond the Spirit, Jesus would have said so. The Holy Spirit, he said, is therefore sufficient, complete, and fully adequate for the Church’s transformative mandate.

Apostle Dr Markin likened the Holy Spirit to the heart that gives life to the believer and to the engine that sustains the Church’s mission, adding that He is the driving force behind the Unleashing Agenda. He further noted that everything a believer will ever become in Christ is deposited from the day the Holy Spirit enters their life, manifesting progressively as the believer yields more fully to Him.

He highlighted the importance of Holy Spirit baptism as the ignition point of divine empowerment and said continuous infilling is necessary for sustained spiritual strength. Prayer, fasting, devotion, Scripture meditation, holiness, and sensitivity to the Spirit’s promptings, he explained, create the atmosphere for the Spirit’s ongoing work.

Apostle Dr  Amos Jimmy Markin indicated that the ‘Possessing the Nations’ mandate, and the broader ‘Unleashing Agenda,’ can only be fulfilled through the baptism and continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit, who remains God’s complete provision for the Church’s transformational assignment.

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How You Treat People Reflects Your Character web

How You Treat People Reflects Your Character – Apostle Dr Quampah

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A Former Executive Council member of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, has entreated Christians to treat all people with respect, seek the welfare of others and society, and avoid exploiting individuals or systems, as such behaviour reveals true character.

Speaking on the theme: “My Job, My Kingdom Assignment: Authenticating Conversion into Credible Testimony in the Public Sphere” at the 2025 November Heads’ Meeting, he emphasised that every Christian’s work should be viewed as a divine assignment aimed at making a transformative impact.

“Your job is not merely a means of earning a living; it is a mission field. We are called to demonstrate our faith through Kingdom principles and values at the workplace,” he stated.

He stressed that work is stewardship requiring accountability and responsibility, and that traits such as honesty, humility, sacrifice, respect for time, and diligence are marks of genuine Christian conversion.

Apostle Dr Quampah, who is the Teshie-Nungua Area Head of the church, cautioned against laziness and using employers’ time for private business, describing both as sinful. He called on Christians to appreciate work as God’s mandate to humanity and to see the workplace as a social space where tolerance and Christlike behaviour are essential.

He cautioned parents against using work as punishment, noting that such practices wrongly portray work as a curse rather than a divine expression. When work is pursued solely for profit, he said, it breeds greed and destructive tendencies.

Highlighting the dignity of labour, he advised: “Do not look down on anyone’s work. Collective effort creates wealth and development.”

He urged Christians to exhibit responsibility at work through punctuality, meeting deadlines, fairness, and integrity, lamenting Ghana’s poor attitude towards time, stressing that “punctuality is the soul of business. Wasting someone’s time is wasting their life,” he remarked.

Concluding, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah affirmed that faithfulness underpins stewardship and that every job is a call to ministry.

“Our work should not only transform others but also transform us. Be a better minister today than you were five years ago—and even better in the next five,” he said.

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Hold Authority With Humility web

Hold Authority With Humility – Apostle Dr Nyamekye To Heads

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The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, has admonished ministers and leaders of the Church to uphold the divine authority entrusted to them with humility, whilst actively generating the spiritual power needed to execute their mandate effectively.

Delivering the opening sermon at the November 2025 Heads’ Meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) on the theme, “Authority and Power,” Apostle Dr Nyamekye explained that although all heads within the Church have been conferred with some level of authority, that authority alone without spiritual power is inadequate for impactful ministry.

Drawing from John 1:12 and Acts 1:8, the Chairman established the synonymy yet distinction between the two concepts. Authority, he noted, is delegated; the right to determine, adjudicate or settle issues, whilst power is the ability and enablement to act and produce results.

“Authority without power is embarrassing,” he stressed. “If leaders go days without fasting, without prayer, without spending time with God, they may still carry the authority, but they will lack the power to deliver. Your power enhances your authority; the reverse is not true.”

Apostle Dr Nyamekye reminded heads of the church that authority is always questioned, and its source examined just as demons questioned the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13–16, saying they knew Jesus and Paul, but not the others. Because authority is conferred, the Chairman indicated that it is not absolute and, therefore, has limits.

He advised leaders to walk within the boundaries of their jurisdictions and to respect internal systems, including financial limits, established procedures, and reporting structures within the Church. Consultation, he said, must be prioritised when ministers are uncertain — rather than relying solely on personal discretion.

According to him, authority is meant to build, solve problems, answer questions, and meet needs, but when it fails in doing so, chaos, disorder, and ministry frustration can follow. He warned that God does not countenance those who disrespect or abuse authority, and stated that authority can also be revoked.

Apostle Nyamekye emphasised that power must be intentionally generated and sustained through spiritual discipline, godly character formation, growth in grace, and a deepened knowledge of God.

“More of God means more holiness, and more holiness means more power,” he declared, adding, “Knowing the God of the Bible is an expedition.”

He further noted that spiritual power, once generated, must be jealously guarded because yesterday’s anointing is not sufficient for today’s challenges. Ministry, he said, demands continuous renewal.

Concluding, the Chairman reminded ministers that they are stewards, not owners of the authority entrusted to them. He charged them to exercise their roles with reverence, sobriety, accountability, and humility, always staying within the confines of the authority granted by God and by the Church.

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THE HOME CHURCH CONCEPT - A BIBLICALLY PROVEN STRATEGY TO MULTIPLY YOUR CHURCH web

The Home Church Concept – A Biblically Proven Strategy To Multiply Your Church

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INTRODUCTION

In today’s fast-paced world, many churches struggle with evangelism, discipleship, and sustainable growth. Traditional models often require significant financial investments in buildings and programs, yet many still face challenges in retaining new believers and expanding their reach. 

But what if there was a proven, biblical strategy that could overcome these obstacles—one that fosters deep discipleship, ensures high retention rates, and multiplies churches without the burden of massive costs? 

The answer lies in the ‘Home Church Concept, ‘ a return to the early church’s organic, relational, and highly effective model. 

THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION OF HOME CHURCHES

The home church concept is not a modern innovation but a revival of the New Testament approach to worship and discipleship. Scripture provides a clear blueprint: 

The Early Church Met in Homes– The first Christians gathered in houses (Acts 2:46, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15). These intimate settings fostered deep fellowship, accountability, and rapid multiplication. 

Relational Discipleship – Jesus invested deeply in a small group (the Twelve) before expanding His ministry. Home churches replicate this model, ensuring new believers are nurtured, not just numbered. 

Cost-Effective Expansion – Without the need for expensive buildings, early Christianity spread rapidly across regions (Acts 8:4, 13:1-3). 

WHY MODERN CHURCHES NEED THE HOME CHURCH MODEL

1. Effective Soul Winning & Discipleship

Many churches struggle to move beyond occasional evangelism to consistent discipleship. Home churches create an environment where new believers are immediately integrated into a spiritual family, reducing dropout rates. 

2. Near 100% Retention of New Converts

Traditional churches often lose members shortly after baptism due to a lack of follow-up. Home churches provide ongoing mentorship, ensuring converts grow in faith and remain active. 

3. Rapid Multiplication Without Financial Strain

Planting churches in homes eliminates the need for costly land and buildings. This allows for exponential growth, even in unreached or under-resourced areas. 

4. Empowering Lay Leaders

Home churches naturally raise leaders within the community, as members take ownership of the ministry rather than relying solely on a central pastor. 

5. Cultural Adaptability

Whether in urban apartments, rural villages, or persecuted regions, home churches thrive where traditional structures cannot. 

PROVEN RESULTS: THE HOME CHURCH IN ACTION

The effectiveness of this model is not just theoretical—it’s producing remarkable results worldwide. For example:  Berekum Area Church of Pentecost (Ghana):2021, won 11,571 souls, baptized 8,350 in water, planted 82 local Assemblies, and established 350 home churches. 

Amrahia Area began the Home church concept just about six months ago, and at the end of the half-year, July 2025, I33 Home churches had been established with a total number of 996 members in fellowship, and six local Assemblies had been opened.

While the Berekum and Amrahia Church of Pentecost in Ghana offers a compelling example of large-scale, overt home church multiplication in a largely receptive context, it’s equally important to examine how the home church model thrives in more secularized environments.

 “Hope Germany” (Hoffnung Deutschland), a network of house churches in Germany, provides an excellent illustration of successful, organic growth in a post-Christian landscape.

However, reports indicate significant, sustained growth:

Over 1,000 New Communities: According to reports, Hoffnung Deutschland planted an estimated 1,000 new communities in about 20 years. This is a remarkable achievement in a highly secularized European nation where traditional church attendance is declining.

Hope Germany stands as a compelling example of how the home church concept can flourish in challenging environments, quietly yet powerfully transforming lives and multiplying communities of faith through authentic relationships and a simple, reproducible model.

This growth demonstrates the power of the home church concept when it’s well implemented.

HOW TO START A HOME CHURCH

Implementing a home church strategy involves a shift in mindset and a practical approach to building community and discipleship.

1. Vision Casting and Training:

Communicate the “Why”: Clearly articulate the biblical basis and the benefits of the home church model (discipleship, retention, multiplication, affordability). Emphasize how it aligns with the Great Commission.

Offer Comprehensive Training: Provide a “Home Church: Biblical Strategies for Church Planting” course (or similar training) to equip leaders and members. This should cover:

  • Theological foundations of home church systems.
  • Historical perspectives on house churches.
  • Practical skills for initiating and nurturing home-based congregations.
  • Relational discipleship principles.
  • Community engagement strategies.
  • Emphasize Simplicity and Practicality: Ensure the training and resources are easy to understand and apply, even for those without formal theological backgrounds.

2. Identifying and Empowering Leaders:

  • Prayerful Selection: Seek God’s guidance in identifying individuals with a passion for discipleship and a heart for community. These should be individuals who demonstrate spiritual maturity, commitment to scripture, and a prayerful life.
  • Train Lay Leaders: The home church model thrives on lay leadership. Invest heavily in training these leaders to spearhead discipleship, facilitate gatherings, and provide pastoral care within their small groups.
  • Ongoing Mentorship and Support: Leaders need continuous encouragement, guidance, and opportunities to learn from more experienced mentors. Establish a system for regular check-ins and support.

3. Starting the Home Churches:

  • Begin with Relationships: Encourage existing church members to identify friends, family, and neighbors they can invite into a home setting. The initial focus is on building genuine relationships.
  • Keep it Simple: The first gatherings should be informal and welcoming. Think of it as inviting family or friends over. The emphasis is on community, sharing, and simple worship.
  • Flexible Structure: While there should be a core vision, allow each home church to develop its unique rhythm and expression within biblical principles. This can include:
  • Worship: Simple singing, prayer, and sharing.
  • Bible Study/Discussion: Interactively engaging with scripture.
  • Fellowship: Sharing meals, spending time together, and supporting one another.
  • Outreach: Identifying and serving needs within their local community.
  • Proximity-Based Grouping: Utilize a database or a simple map to group people by their geographical proximity. This makes it easier for people to attend and fosters a sense of local community.

4. Discipleship and Retention:

  • Relational Discipleship: The home church setting facilitates deep, authentic relationships, which are crucial for effective discipleship. Leaders can provide personalized guidance and support.
  •  Integration of New Converts: Actively welcome and integrate new believers into the home church family. The intimate setting helps them feel a sense of belonging and minimizes the chances of them drifting away.
  • Addressing Needs: The smaller size allows for more immediate attention to the spiritual and practical needs of individual members, fostering strong bonds and commitment.

5. Multiplication and Expansion:

  • Organic Growth: As a home church grows, the natural progression is to multiply. When a group becomes too large to maintain intimacy (e.g., 10-15 people), prayerfully identify new leaders from within the group and prepare to “split” into two new home churches.
  • Empowerment for Church Planting: The ultimate goal is to equip and empower members to start new home churches, effectively saturating communities with the gospel without requiring large financial investments in physical buildings.
  • Regular Celebrations: Organize periodic larger gatherings (e.g., once a month or quarterly) where multiple home churches can come together for corporate worship, teaching, and celebration. This reinforces the broader church identity and encourages connection.
  • Document and Share Successes: Highlight inspiring stories of growth and transformation within the home churches. This encourages others and builds momentum.

6. Overcoming Challenges:

  • Leadership Development: Continuously invest in raising new leaders, as a lack of leadership can hinder multiplication.
  • Conflict Resolution: Equip leaders with skills to address conflicts biblically and quickly within the intimate setting.
  • Maintaining Vision: Regularly reinforce the core vision of the home church movement to keep everyone aligned and motivated.

By following these steps, ministries can effectively implement the home church strategy, fostering authentic community, deep discipleship, and rapid church multiplication.

A GLOBAL SOLUTION FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION

The landscape of modern evangelism and church growth often presents significant challenges. Many church leaders grapple with effectively winning and discipling souls, retaining new converts, and expanding their reach without substantial financial resources. What if there were a strategy, deeply rooted in biblical principles, that offered a solution to these common hurdles?

Written by Apostle Samuel Berko (Amrahia Area Head)

Wa Area Inaugurates Deaf Assembly web

Wa Area Inaugurates Deaf Assembly

by with No Comment Church NewsMPWDsTop Stories

In alignment with The Church of Pentecost’s vision of ‘Possessing the Nations’ and ensuring that no soul is left behind, the Wa Area Head of the church, Apostle Bernard Azizu Mohammed Abogorago, has inaugurated a Deaf Assembly in Kabanye District.

The new assembly was established under the Ministry to Persons With Disabilities (MPWDs).

The inaugural service, which took place on July 13, 2025, was a vibrant and joyful occasion, attended by 25 deaf individuals.

In a brief address, the Northern Sector Coordinator for MPWDs, Pastor Joshua Korko Semador, commended the Wa Area leadership for this significant milestone and stressed the need for intentional efforts to nurture and grow the new assembly.

Delivering the keynote message, Pastor Peter Reuben Wuni, National Coordinator for the Deaf Ministry, indicated the value of every soul in the eyes of God. He reminded the congregation of the joy in heaven over each soul won for Christ and encouraged members to let Christ dwell richly in their hearts, live holy lives, and pursue their salvation with reverence and commitment, keeping heaven as their ultimate goal.

To the glory of God, four deaf individuals and one hearing-impaired person gave their lives to Christ during the service.

The District Minister for Kabanye, Pastor Karim Awuni, on his part, urged the members to each win at least one soul for Christ. He noted that the strong sense of community among the deaf could be a powerful tool for evangelism and church growth, encouraging them to invite their peers to join the fellowship.

The Area Head, Apostle Abogorago, after praying for the newly appointed local leaders, encouraged the members to work diligently to expand the assembly. He expressed hope that the Wa Deaf Church would grow to become one of the largest deaf congregations in Ghana and beyond.

Also present at the service were Pastor Alfred Owusu (Wa Area MPWDs Coordinator) and his assistant, Overseer Benjamin Sekyere; Pastor Stephen Supir Bedim (District Minister for Kumbiehi); Elder Jacob Tobo (Area Deacon), who will serve as the acting Presiding Elder for the new assembly; and Elder Samuel Baidoo, Presiding Elder of the Nungua Deaf Church in Accra, among others.

Report by Overseer Joseph Kyei Asomaning

The Counselling Pulpit Cloths Mentally Challenged Persons In Akosombo web

The Counselling Pulpit Cloths Mentally Challenged Persons In Akosombo

by with No Comment Church NewsCounselling MinistryTop Stories

The Counselling Pulpit, in collaboration with the New Combine District Women’s Ministry of The Church of Pentecost in Akosombo, has extended a compassionate hand to persons with mental health challenges by distributing raincoats and other essential items to those living on the streets of Akosombo and its surrounding areas.

The timely intervention was aimed to shield these vulnerable individuals from the harsh effects of the rainy season, as many roam the streets without shelter or proper clothing.

The initiative was inspired by a deeply moving experience the Counselling Pulpit team had during a recent outreach. About a month ago, they encountered four mentally challenged individuals sitting in different locations, nearly naked and shivering in the rain, completely soaked and exposed to the cold.

Motivated by compassion, the Counselling Pulpit, with support from the District Women’s Ministry of the New Combine District, responded by providing raincoats and other basic necessities such as singlets, boxer shorts, sponges, plastic buckets, slippers, food, and water to those in need.

The outreach proved to be both timely and impactful. Many of the individuals had worn-out clothing and were nearly naked. The raincoats not only offered protection from the rain but also helped restore their dignity. Remarkably, even those considered aggressive responded calmly to the team’s presence. It was heartening to observe that over 70% of the recipients kept and used their raincoats during subsequent rainfall.

Led by Mrs Esther Kesse, wife of the New Combine District Minister of The Church of Pentecost, the team also used the opportunity to educate the public on the importance of supporting and caring for persons with mental health challenges. The community was encouraged to invest in simple but meaningful acts of kindness, such as providing water, food, or raincoats, to uplift the marginalised, with the assurance that such gestures are pleasing to God.

In a touching conclusion to the outreach, four persons with mental health challenges gave their lives to Christ.

Report by Reindolf Botchwey, DAMCITY TV

Step Out And Display Christ To All – Apostle Nyamekye Urges Believers web

Step Out And Display Christ To All – Apostle Nyamekye Urges Believers

by with No Comment Church NewsMoving With ChairmanTop Stories

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has called on Christians to deeply appreciate the miraculous gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and to respond by dedicating their lives to His service, without expecting immediate rewards.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Peaceful Co-existence Conference, held from Wednesday, July 9 to Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, Apostle Nyamekye underscored the importance of wholehearted commitment to the work of God.

He stated the need for the introduction of more ministries in the Church, noting that as the Church continues to grow, its ministries must also broaden to effectively reach more people.

‘We must become all things to all people so that by all possible means, we might win some for Christ,’ he stated.

Apostle Nyamekye urged Christians not to remain idle while unbelievers perish. He encouraged members of The Other Sheep Ministry to use wisdom and discernment in reaching out to people of other faiths, drawing them to the Lord.

He reminded participants that any pursuit of excellence and significance requires effort and perseverance, saying, ‘The path the Church has called you to walk will demand determination and courage. It takes tremendous discipline to live a life worthy of a disciple so as to please God.’

According to the Chairman, not everyone is willing to work for God, as such work often lacks immediate and tangible rewards. However, he stressed that the eternal value of serving God far outweighs any earthly gain. He concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of The Other Sheep Ministry and assured them of the Church’s unwavering support in their mission.