The Tema Greenwich Meridian District of The Church of Pentecost has held a retirement service in honour of 12 Officers who have meritoriously served the church for many years
The retired officers are Elders Benjamin Amankwah (36 years of service) and Samuel Duker (33 years of service).
Others are Deaconesses Esther Mintah-Frempong (24 years of service), Hannah Manu (34 years of service), Naana Abban Quaidoo (25 years of service), Grace Adu Boateng (27 years of service), and Hon. Elizabeth Amoah Tetteh (33 years of service).
The rest are Deaconesses Faustina Afriyie (20 years of service), Martha Bissiw (23 years of service), Faustina Apagya Kwofie (12 years of service), Mary Duker (23 years of service) and Joyce Ntiri Darkwa (23 years of service)
Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka, the District Minister for Tema Greenwich Meridian District, officiated the first event held at the Community 3 assembly auditorium. In attendance were Apostle Emmanuel Gyasi Addo (the immediate past International Missions Director, but now retired), Pastor Samuel Nsiah (Rtd), Mrs Esther Issaka (Wife of the District Pastor), Deaconess Charity Kuwornu (Tema Area Women’s Ministry Leader) and her husband, Elder Paul Kuwornu (Tema Area Deacon), among others.
Speaking on the theme, “Lessons from the shore of Tiberias Sea,” Pastor Dr De-Graft Issaka read from John 6:1-9 about Jesus feeding 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish. He admonished believers to live chaste lives, saying, “Indicating your position as Christians doesn’t automatically guarantee heaven.”
Picking some lessons from the passage, he entreated church leaders to be observant about situations and happenings around them, develop a hunger for things in Christ, be concerned about the welfare of people, show compassion, and make the members the topmost priority because people are their greatest resource.
“Nobody is useless in the house of God; hence, we must learn to appreciate what God has given us,” he said, adding, “The boy had food. The disciples had organisational skills, and Jesus had the ability to multiply. You have something somebody doesn’t have.”
He encouraged leaders to do their best and leave the rest to God. He also advised them to avoid waste in their leadership, such as time, opportunity, food, and lateness.
Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka concluded by encouraging the retired officers not to fear the future, stressing that the ability to finish the work and receive a befitting retirement is a great treasure.
Apostle Emmanuel Gyasi Addo commended the Assembly for a well-organised program. He also congratulated the Officers on behalf of the Church and Prayed for the retirees.
Apostle Emmanuel Gyasi-Addo (Rtd) officiated the second event held at the Safo Memorial Temple.
Present at the event were Mrs Elizabeth Gyasi-Addo, Apostle Daniel Nsaful and Mrs Mary Yeboah Nsaful (New Tafo Area Head), the District Minister and his wife, Pastor Ralph Agyekum Darkwa, Pastor James Boakye Yiadom and his wife, Mrs Gloria Abbey, Mrs Esther Bonsu, Mrs Charity Kuwornu, Area Women’s leader and her assistant, Mrs Gloria Dennis, among others.
Speaking at the event, the District Minister, Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka, exhorted the congregation from 2 Timothy 2:12, on the topic: “Doing Good Things.”
Pastor Dr Suleman De-Graft Issaka elaborated on weariness, its characteristics, effects, and solutions. According to him, weariness indicates a reduction in the frequency of what one does.
To overcome weariness, he advised believers to constantly renew their relationship with God, avoid bad company, avoid listening to bad advice, and pray constantly to receive spiritual fuel to do good.
Apostle Daniel Nsaful led the prayer session and prayed for the retirees.
Congratulating the retirees, Apostle Emmanuel Gyasi-Addo (Rtd) blessed them for sacrificing so much for the gospel. He prayed that God would continue to bless and keep them.
The retired officers, in response, expressed their appreciation to God for granting them the opportunity to serve in his vineyard in many distinct capacities. They also appreciated the leadership of the church for reposing confidence in them and their families for the tremendous support.
Report by Benjamin Quarshie