It was a joyous occasion on Friday, June 16, 2023, when Apostle Daniel Nii Tetteh Tackie, the Wa Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, dedicated the Gurumbelle Assembly church building.
The building project was funded by the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Dansoman at a cost of GH¢101,000.00 and serves as the first church building of The Church of Pentecost for the Chakalis, an unreached people group in the Wa Area.
During the dedication ceremony, Overseer Alfred Obeng, the Bulenga District Minister, provided a brief history of the Assembly.
He narrated that Gurumbelle Assembly was established in 2015 by Pastor Gabriel Owusu Akyaw, the former Bulenga District Minister. The need for a church in Gurumbelle arose when Mr. Joseph Wusah Weaga, a member of the Church from Gurumbelle, discovered that The Church of Pentecost was not present in his hometown.
Together with one Mr. Jonathan, a teacher in the community, they approached the District Minister and organised a three-day mega rally, which resulted in 25 adult souls and 15 children being won for Christ. A total of 15 individuals underwent water baptism, and started the Church fellowshipping under a tree.
The enthusiastic members initially constructed a mud structure as their place of worship. However, it was destroyed during a heavy downpour, and they continued to struggle, gathering under the tree.
Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, the National HUM Coordinator, heard about the zealous Chakali people during his visit to the Wa Area in 2019. He, along with Apostle Daniel Nii Tackie, paid them a visit and pledged to raise funds for a permanent place of worship for the Church.
Subsequently, Apostle Kwarfo reached out to PIWC-Dansoman, and they generously funded the project with Pastor Ebenezer Amartey Ahuakese, the Resident Minister of PIWC-Dansoman, leading the funding-raising efforts.
Upon completion, the chief and people of Gurumbelle expressed their joy through songs and dance, celebrating the remarkable edifice in their community.
Delivering a sermon titled “The Complete Temple,” at the historic event, Pastor Karim Awuni urged Christians to prioritise Christ and His teachings in all aspects of their lives.
Dedicating the building, Apostle Tackie expressed his gratitude to God for being present among the Chakalis, who hold a priority in the Church’s strategic vision (Vision 2023).
He also extended his appreciation to the Executive Council of the Church for their timely vision that has been a blessing to various segments of society, including the Chakalis.
Apostle Tackie further thanked Prophet E.K. Appiah (Rtd.) and Apostle Daniel Sey, the immediate-past and current Area Heads of Dansoman, respectively, for their dedication to missions. He also acknowledged Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo for the instrumental role he played in making this reality.
The Wa Area Head also expressed his gratitude to Pastor Ebenezer Amartey Ahuakese, the Resident Minister of PIWC-Dansoman, and the presbytery for their commitment to reaching unreached people groups, and called for God’s blessings upon them.
The Chief of Gurumbelle, who graced the event, also expressed deep gratitude to God and the Church for the love they had shown to the community.
Others present at the event were Pastor Daniel Nabaku (HUM Pastor for the Northern Sector), Pastor Gabriel Owusu Akyaw (Former Bulenga District Minister and HUM Pastor for the Koforidua Sector), Wa Area pastorate and their wives as well as the people of Gurumbelle, among others.
The Home and Urban Missions (HUM) is a specialised ministry of The Church of Pentecost that focuses on unreached people groups, expatriates, migrants and other marginalised groups.
Report by Pastor Gordon Ansah & Overseer Stephen Supir Bedim