The selfless life of Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, during his days as a missionary in Liberia has been hailed by members of the church in Liberia.
Members of the Buchanan district in Liberia, where Apostle Ntumy spent most of his time while in Liberia, expressed their appreciation to the former Chairman and Missionary for the impact he made in the lives of the people, especially the Ghanaian community in Liberia.
Buchanan, also previously known as Bassa on some maps, is the third largest city in Liberia, lying on Waterhouse Bay, part of the Atlantic Ocean, with a population of more than 34,000.
Majority of the people who live in the city are fisherfolks and predominantly Ghanaians.
Buchanan is among the seven areas of The Church of Pentecost in Liberia and second to Monrovia Area in terms of membership.
The Church of Pentecost in Buchanan has a rich history dating back to the days of Apostle Dr. Michael Ntumy, a former missionary to Liberia.
As a missionary, Apostle Ntumy lived in the Buchanan district helping to plant churches in the area. He spent time amongst the Ghanaians who were mostly fisherfolks fellowshipping with them, teaching them the word of God and serving as a pillar during the Liberian war.
In those days, the Ghanaian population dominated the church in Liberia unlike now that the church is predominantly Liberians.
During the days of the Liberian war (1989 to 1997), Apostle Ntumy was a major source of motivation for the Ghanaian populace and The Church of Pentecost in Buchanan district. He did not only provide spiritual nourishment for them but was available anytime to reassure members of the protection of God for their lives.
In the heat of the civil war, Apostle Ntumy and his family were taken hostage for 163 days in the heart of the Nimba Forest in Liberia by Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) rebels.
Testimonies by the members
Elder John Baidoo, presiding elder at the now Prayer Tower Assembly, the central chapel of the Buchanan district, where Apostle Ntumy used to fellowship, testified about the impact Apostle Ntumy had on the members of the church in the district.
“According to the elders I met, Apostle Ntumy laid his life down for most of the members here. He [Apostle Ntumy] came back three years ago and encouraged us.
“I remember the sermon he preached: ‘When I saw him I held fast to him but I now leave him.’ That sermon brought revival to the church here in Liberia. The sermon topic is now on everyone’s lips. Our father’s presence in Buchanan has really lifted the church high.”
A community leader amongst the fisherfolks and an elder of the church, Elder Joseph Kwame Persewaa also said: “If Apostle Ntumy was with us here now, we would have carried him up high on our shoulders. This is because spiritually he really worked. It is because of Apostle Ntumy’s works that we had confidence and courage to remain in the church. His lifestyle drew many to the church.”
He added: “I was present at Flamingo (the camp of no return) during the war when Apostle Ntumy prophesied that no one would die, and indeed non-members of The Church of Pentecost saw the hand and power of God and got converted.”
The Area Head for Buchanan Area and National Secretary of the Church in Liberia, Apostle Quie G. Toe, was full of praise for Apostle Ntumy. According to him, the successes and achievements of the Area were a result of the selfless leadership of Apostle Ntumy during his days in Liberia.
“Before every fishing season, Apostle Ntumy would gather members of the church who are fisherfolks and pray with them. This led to the introduction of a prayer and fasting programme that helped the fisherfolks to experience bumper harvests.
“This prayer programme has come to stay. The leadership of the church supports the Ghanaian fisherfolks to organise this prayer programme at the beginning of every fishing season,” he added.
Indeed, the selfless life of Apostle Dr. Michael Ntumy has yielded many fruits in Liberia.
Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy served as the Missionary of The Church of Pentecost to Liberia, Ivory Coast, France/Switzerland, from 1988-1998. He was subsequently elected the Chairman of the church in 1998 and left office in 2008 after successfully serving for 10 years.
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