Posts tagged: the church of pentecost

If Christians imbibe and exhibit virtues such as humility, gentleness, patience, and love, they will be able to live a blameless and Christlike life and transform their spheres.

A member of the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Sylvester Arhin, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Western Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) of the church, disclosed this during a sermon to climax the Western Regional RCC Ministers and Wives’ Conference at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi on Friday, January 24, 2025.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Living a Life Worthy of Your Calling’ (Ephesians 4:1-4), Apostle Arhin noted with concern that although the world is dominated by Christians, there is still much questionable behaviour in the public space.

‘We should not separate our public life from our calling. There is a big burden to leave a church that reflects the lifestyle of Christ to the next generation,’ he said.

Apostle Arhin, who is the Takoradi Area Head of the church, explained that just as toddlers go through stages before they start to crawl and walk, pastors should also take time to teach their members how to walk and grow in their Christian journey.

‘Our teachings, prayers, and discipline help the members to become fully mature in their walk with Christ and live a life worthy of their calling,’ he pointed out.

According to him, Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, described himself as a prisoner of Christ, creating the impression that being a Christian involves hardship and challenges, something he said believers cannot escape from since Jesus went through persecution to save humanity.

‘We should teach our members to learn to possess longsuffering,” he said, adding, ‘God is alive, and there is heaven. So, if you are going through pains today, endure it for the sake of your faith. We should let nothing take away the glory that has been prepared for us in heaven; just endure for a while.’

With regards to humility, Apostle Arhin called on believers to respect others more than themselves. He pointed out that the world values toughness, boldness, and revenge, but in Christ, it is calmness that is valued, which is directly opposite to what the world demands.

On gentleness, he explained that a person with a gentle spirit soothes all situations. Reading from Matthew 11:29, he urged all Christians to be gentle just as Jesus is. He appealed to believers to learn how to control themselves in the face of challenges.

He advised believers to be patient in whatever they do, saying, ‘As a child of God, you will go through pains and suffering, but let nothing shake you’ (Philippians 2:14-15). ‘Suffer long for the sake of heaven. If Christ himself came down to earth to suffer for us to have everlasting life, then you must also suffer long.’

On love, Apostle Arhin mentioned that love makes room for others, making allowance for their faults and failures.

‘If you love those who hurt you, then people will know that you are walking in a life worthy of your calling. Jesus healed the people and fed them, but the same people called for his crucifixion, yet he did not despise them,’ he concluded.

PENT NEWS

The Asante Bekwai Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Fred Tiakor, has stated that living one’s faith in the public sphere is crucial for influencing many to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.

He reminded believers that the church is called out of the world by God and sent back into the world to function. Therefore, it is essential for believers to live lives that authenticate their faith.

Apostle Tiakor spoke on the topic, ‘Living Your Faith in the Public Sphere,’ at the 2025 Ministers and Wives’ Conference on January 22, 2025, at the Asokwa PIWC in the Ashanti Region.

Elaborating on the significance of living one’s faith in the public sphere, Apostle Tiakor stated that one of the ways unbelievers can encounter Christ is through the manifestation of faith in the public sphere. It is therefore necessary for the Church to develop strategies to reach out to people.

He explained that the public sphere represents life beyond the private domain, and a faithful life in Christ is demonstrated in the public sphere. As workers of God, it is expected that every believer lives a life worthy of acknowledgment, he said.

‘Most believers spend the majority of their time at work and school. The work environment is arguably where we engage the most, and it is the most fertile ministry field where we encourage our faith to be lived,’ he said, adding, ‘Our charge is to go and make disciples of all nations, which never ceases as long as Jesus tarries.’

He called on believers to be committed to obeying and living virtuous lifestyles to make their calling complete and easy to be imitated by the world.

The former Children’s Director of the church touched on the believer’s firm knowledge of their identity, including dual citizenship on earth and in heaven, the need to have deep roots in Christ, live out the Word, balance and accountability, respect, integrity, and other qualities that must be demonstrated to help transform the thoughts of unbelievers, especially in the public sphere.

Regarding the Church’s approach to influencing many through public sphere lifestyles, Apostle Tiakor suggested that the church could partner with the state and the private sector to share human resources to serve in public roles with the strategic aim of influencing society. He further encouraged church leaders to regularly visit members at their workplaces or places of study.

He added: ‘Christians in the public sphere must actively engage with society and not be detached. The church must intentionally train, equip, mentor, and release members into the public sphere.’

He concluded that there is no real public faith without private faith, and lives can only be reflected in the public sphere if Christians first demonstrate their genuineness and possess an attractive faith.

PENT NEWS

The Asokwa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Peter Kofi Dzemekey, has advised ministers and their wives to make waiting upon God a habit to transform their ministry.

He emphasised that fasting and prayer release tremendous power, foster spiritual growth, and cultivate humility, enabling the fulfilment of one’s divine mandate.

Speaking on the topic, ‘The Practice of Waiting Upon God Through Fasting and Prayer’ at the Ashanti Regional Ministers and Wives Conference 2025, Apostle Dzemekey highlighted the importance of waiting for God’s intervention, as reflected in Lamentations 3:25-26. He explained that waiting on God nurtures faith and strengthens one’s spiritual life, beyond just seeking answers.

He encouraged following Jesus’ example of prayer and fasting, a practice upheld by the church’s forebears. He recommended daily and weekly practices of waiting on God, personal retreats, and using annual leave for spiritual renewal.

The Asokwa Area Head clarified that fasting is not a magical formula but a way to feast on the Lord, seeking comfort and hope, which leads to growth in divine character and the fruit of the Spirit, saying, ‘We become channels through which life flows into the world.’

Using David as an example from 1 Samuel 16:5, he illustrated how consistent waiting on God brought favour, making David Israel’s next king without undergoing the customary purification service. He urged ministers and their wives to plan intentional time alone with God, noting that every victory is the result of new prayer, making life and ministry easier.

Apostle Peter Kofi Dzemekey wrapped up his presentation by urging believers to earnestly dedicate time to fasting and prayer, despite their busy schedules, in order to cultivate a thriving ministry.

PENT NEWS