Home Blog Page 148

The Law Of The Farm, “You Reap What You Sow”

Admin
-
0
The Law Of The Farm, “You Reap What You Sow”

The law of the farm is an old adage, and it does not defy the laws of nature. No one sows maize and reaps tomatoes.

Many years ago, a passenger left his jewels in a taxi. Another passenger who later joined, picked it up without the knowledge of the driver. The former, on realizing his folly traced the driver, who reported having no idea of the loss. Together, they went to the house where the “thief” alighted. On being questioned, he vehemently denied seeing any jewel. He was the only passenger who joined after the other passenger had alighted. The man looked up and sighed, laughed and said, “God knows our hearts, and sees everything under the sun”.

He later sold the jewels, built a house, bought a car and other goodies. Several years on as he sat in his porch something entered his eye as a slight wing blew. Tried as he did, he was not able to see. He ended up at the hospital, but was not able to gain his sight. The family had to empty his bank accounts but to no avail. The cars were sold, houses followed, and other possessions too. He was flown abroad for surgery but there was no success. He never regained his sight even after losing all his possessions.

He recollected the man’s words that fateful day, and said, “I have reaped what I sowed several years ago”. His family deserted him, and had to fend for himself by begging on the streets of Accra.

The law of the farm is a true statement, we really sow what we reap. You sow an action, you reap a habit. You sow a habit, you reap a character, you sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

Adventures In Mexico: Daring Steps, Glorious Beginnings!

Admin
-
0
Adventures In Mexico: Daring Steps, Glorious Beginnings!

We were young and consumed with a passion to serve Him. That is all that mattered to us, even if it meant doing it in a strange land. 

At 19, I embarked on my first missionary journey to Mexico from the United Kingdom (I’m Ghanaian by the way).
I had never lived in another country before and really didn’t know what to expect. This mission was particularly interesting because we were the first “all female” set of missionaries that were sent out from my church.
We arrived in the country without speaking a word of spanish! (well except what we picked up on the plane journey there. “Te por favor” which means “would you like some tea?”).
So we arrived and settled in a hostel.

A lady helped us to obtain student visas to a language school where we registered to learn Spanish.
Problem was, it cost us 300 dollars per level so we couldn’t stay in that language school very long.
We did about two levels of Spanish in the language school, then continued learning by reading and interacting with the indigenous people.
Language barrier was definitely a major problem in our outreach efforts.

Also, there were very few black people in the city so people would often stare at us as we walked through the streets (the way some people look at Caucasians in Ghana)
People would point fingers, call us “nigga”, some would laugh in ignorance, a whole mixture of responses! Some were very suggestive…but we stuck out like a sore thumb basically.
I must say though, from the onset, it was a very glorious experience upon arrival. We felt like God was saying “These are my beloved daughters in whom I’m well pleased”. Great feeling it was.
People received prophetic words about us, we would pray for people in English and they would hear Spanish… That glorious an entry, until our “wilderness season”…
(More to come in subsequent episodes)

Natalie Welds

One Out Of Every 11 Ghanaians Is A Church Of Pentecost Member

William Wagner
-
0
One Out Of Every 11 Ghanaians Is A Church Of Pentecost Member

It has been established that out of every 11 Ghanaians you meet, one will be a member of The Church of Pentecost.

This is because the overall membership of the Church in Ghana as at the end of December 2017 had grown to 2, 566, 818 (Two million, five hundred and sixty-six thousand, eight hundred and eighteen), representing an approximately 9% of the total estimated Ghanaian population of 29, 088,849.

This was disclosed in the State of the Church Address read by the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, at the opening session of the 43rd General Council Meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

According to the Chairman, the sterling growth of the Church is a great potential for policy change and total development of the country, saying, “Leadership of the Church must therefore harness this potential for advancement of the gospel and development of the nation.”

At the end of December 2017, The Church of Pentecost operated in 99 countries with an overall worldwide total membership of 3,037,068, an 8.3% increase over the 2016 figure of 2,804,861. The church operated a total of 20,863 assemblies worldwide with the number of districts totalling 2,253.

“The overall percentage growth might have been enhanced by the One Member, One Discipled Soul project initiated by the Evangelism Ministry and adopted by the Executive Council,” he said.

Within the period 2008 to 2017, the Lord added 1,341,656 (one million, three hundred and forty-one thousand, six hundred and fifty-six) to the overall worldwide membership of the Church.

During the year, the evangelistic activities yielded good results as we recorded a total of 260,583 adult souls won, representing a 23% increase over the 2016 figure of 211,795. Out of the total number of adult souls won, 185,746 (71.3%) were baptised in water.  “This however shows that there is need for improvement in follow-up, as 74,837 souls were left out. The number of souls baptised culminated in the establishment of a total of 1,102 new assemblies for the period,” he disclosed.

As part of the growth plan projected by Vision 2018 for the period 2013-2018, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah said that it was expected that each assembly, district, area and nation would increase its overall membership (adult and children) by 7% per annum. By the grace of God, he said, the Church achieved an overall membership average annual growth rate of 7% for the 10 year period, 2007 – 2017, exactly as was planned.

“Breaking the 10 year tenure into two, the first five years recorded an average growth rate of 6%, while the second term (2013-2017) recorded an average growth rate of 8%,” he disclosed.

 

PENTECOST NEWS

COP – Cote d’Ivoire Elect New President

William Wagner
-
0
COP – Cote d’Ivoire Elect New President

The Church of Pentecost (COP) in Cote d’Ivoire has elected a new President and a 7-Member Executive Council to lead the Church in the next five years.

The new President, Apostle Miezou Amalanon K. Ernest, replaced Apostle Sidiki Traore who has led the Church in the West African country for the past 22 years.

Other members of the new Executive Council are: Apostle Gnaore Raymond Bernard (General Secretary), Apostle Appiah Ebenezer, Apostle Kouakou Abissa Christian, Apostle Kouassi Ane, Apostle N’Guessan Nicolas and Prophet Yeboua K. Martin, all members.

The new leadership was introduced to the Church by the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, during the Heads Session of the 43rd General Council Meeting at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh on Monday, April 30, 2018.

The meeting is being attended by over 200 participants made up of Area Heads in Ghana, National Heads from across the globe in which the Church has branches, Ministry Directors, among others.

Congratulating the new leadership in the Ivory Coast, the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, thanked God for the way Apostle Sidiki led the Church for the past two decades and the smooth nature they have elected new leaders.

“We trust that the God of our fathers will continue to lead the new Executives and bless the Church in Cote d’Ivoire,” he added

The Church of Pentecost has been established in 99 countries in the world including Ghana, with two of the nations, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire, being autonomous.

According to statistics, COP-Cote d’Ivoire currently has 100,000 members in about 1,500 local assemblies, 211 districts and 26 Areas. It has 201 pastors, including 14 Apostles, three Prophets and four Evangelists.

 

PENTECOST NEWS

Agormanya Area Prisons Crusade Yields 41 Souls

William Wagner
-
0
Agormanya Area Prisons Crusade Yields 41 Souls

The Agormanya Area of The Church of Pentecost, led by Apostle James Gabriel Quardson, in collaboration with the Evangelism and Prison Ministries has organised a 3-day crusade at the premises of Akuse Prisons in the Eastern Region.

The event which took place from 26th to 28th April, 2018 was on the theme: “Do Not Harm Yourself, For Jesus, The Saviour Is Here,” taken from Acts 16:28, Luke 4:18.

It brought together both male and female inmates, officials of the prisons, ministers of the Church and their wives as well as some church members.

Speaking at the opening day of the crusade, Overseer Abraham Harvoh, Agormanya Area Prisons Ministry Leader, who also doubles as the Akateng District Minister, admonished the inmates to remain calm and hopeful in the Lord since God is with them in their current condition and would at His right time visit them.

He cautioned them not to break jail and run away since that act may rather bring harm to them and an untold hardship, saying, “Do not harm yourselves for Christ has better things for you.”

Narrating the story of Apostle Paul and Silas while in prison, Overseer Harvoh urged the inmates not to worry and look down on themselves but accept and believe in Jesus Christ, because in Him is freedom and salvation.

The Agormanya Area Evangelism Ministry Leader, Pastor George Amesawu, in a sermon to climax the programme assured the inmates of God’s love, care and visitation.

Quoting from Luke 7:11-17, he told the inmates that God has not rejected them even though their friends, loved ones and parents may have rejected them. “In all your challenges, problems and hopeless situation, God is with you and at the right time He will intervene and restore you,” he noted.

Opportunity was given to the inmates to display their talents through song ministration and dance while others narrated what led to their imprisonment.

Some women officers of the Church feted the inmates after which assorted food items and toiletries as well as copies of the Bible worth GH¢3,600 were presented to the inmates.

This was followed by an intercessory prayer for the inmates led by the Area Prisons Co-ordinator, Elder Minthin Kanor.

In an alter call led by Elder Foster Ametor and Pastor Amesawu, a total of 41 inmates surrendered their lives to Christ.

The Officer In–charge of Welfare at the Akuse Prisons, ASP Judith Alorvor, received the items on behalf of the facility and thanked the leadership of the Church for the sympathetic gesture shown to the facility.

 

Report by Ezekiel Abban Teye, Agormanya Area Reporter

Asamankese Area Holds 2018 Lay Leadership School

William Wagner
-
0
Asamankese Area Holds 2018 Lay Leadership School

The Asamankese Area of The Church of Pentecost has ended this year’s training programme for Lay Leadership School Coordinators in the Area.

Addressing the participants on behalf of the Area Head, Apostle Moses Ayitey, at the closing session of the event which took place at Kade in the Eastern Region, the Kade District Minister, Pastor Victor Devon, expressed his gratitude to the participants for attending the programme in their numbers.

He entreated them to take the home cell concept seriously, because when the cells are active, the church stays alive.

Pastor Frank Akonnor and Pastor Boamah were among the facilitators.

 

Report by Oliver Samuel Larbi

Idol Worshipper Finds Freedom In Christ

William Wagner
-
0
Idol Worshipper Finds Freedom In Christ

Nbiti Elijah, an idol worshipper, turned to Christ after receiving his healing. Elijah, a native of Prognando, has been an idol worshiper since childhood. He had always believed and thought that his idols could save him from every misfortune and calamity until he was taken ill by a strange illness.

Gradually he lost all consciousness of himself. This became protracted and his health deteriorated. Not even the ‘idol water’ and other fetish substances administered by his family members could cure him. His own two idols and the “dwarf” he had committed his life to serving faithfully could also not cure him.

All attempts at healing him had failed until he encountered the healing power of Jesus Christ on 25thMarch, 2018, when the Jou-Nadundo District Minister in the Yendi Area of The Church of Pentecost, Overseer Samuel Amponsah Mensah, came to the Prognando community for a pastoral visit.

As soon as they heard that a pastor had arrived in the village, his family members requested for prayers for Nbiti. Overseer Amponsah Mensah prayed for him and he received his healing some days later without the administration of any orthodox or traditional medicine.

Nbiti Elijah has given up his two idols and all the other fetish items to be destroyed and burnt. He has since been baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.

Together with his family, they are now serving the Lord with gladness and continue to testify of their new found freedom in Christ.

 

SOURCE: PENTECOST NEWS

Highly Flammable

Admin
-
0
Highly Flammable

I felt so miserable that morning as I dragged myself to the office. I kept wondering when I would hear good news again. My colleagues took note of my forlorn demeanor but shifted their gaze on something else as I looked back and dared not to inquire what the problem was.

I took a break around midday to pray. I normally take a stroll along a favourite path nearby praying under my breath. In actual fact I did not feel like praying but that was all I was left to do. I barely had the strength to weep.

It was quite windy that day as I looked down the cobbled pathway winding down with dead leaves rolling helter-skelter. Kicking imaginary stones along the way I looked up and saw a gentleman whom I knew coming towards me. He greeted me in a shy manner and I asked where he was going. He said he was seeing a food vender nearby to ask her for something. From experience I noticed that he did not have money. We spoke for awhile and then I gave him some money.

Six days later I heard a beep alerting me of an incoming text. Hurriedly I punched the phone to see what the message was. It read, “Good day LP. This is Jorge. Your decision to counsel me the day I spoke with you has affected me greatly. It has given me a reason to continue to live. Life was meaningless, I just wanted to die. Thank you for your help. Love you.’ Spitting almost half of the water I was sipping in my mouth as I stared at the text. I plucked my glasses off my sweaty face, screwed my eyes and read carefully again hoping I had misread the text. Shockingly I realized it was not a mistake. I feverishly typed, “kindly see me around five in the evening.’

I sat staring at the phone on my desk because it had just dawned on me that I was handling something highly flammable. A gentle voice stroke my heart saying,’ you see, people need help and you were engrossed with your pity party”. I do not know what I would have done if Jorge had passed by me that day along the path with me in high spirits. I may have been scrolling on my phone and muttered a cold hello and not paid attention to him.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (Message Bible)

Well, we met after work and we had a sobering chat. His mother got pregnant out of wedlock and her lover disappeared when he got wind of his mischief. Jorge grew up with his stepfather, mother and siblings. When he was a teenager he recalled his younger brother falling ill and became paralyzed on one side of his body. He died after a short while. His mother, who was selflessly taking care of him also got ill some weeks later. One morning, he bade his mother farewell lovingly but took note of how frail she had become on her sick bed. He was not surprised when he came to meet relatives wailing in the compound of his house when he came back from school. Mummy was gone!

Mummy left behind an eight month old lovely baby girl. Amidst the confusion he lifted up his head and enquired under his breath, “who would take care of this baby.” His baby sister was buried a few days after mummy died.

Jorge’s step father who had not shown him much love did his best now to be nice to him, teaching him how to drive etc. At least light had begun flickering on his path of life. His step father also became unwell and went to his grave shortly after. In a span of four months his future had been scrambled by the icy fingers of death. His family members rubbed it in by branding him a bastard.

This was how he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. His pastor recommended a seminary and helped him to attend in order to become a priest. Jorge had many questions on his mind and struggled to take care of himself in the seminary. One day he got fed up with asking his mates for food etc and for three days he had neither drunk water nor eaten food. On the fourth day he woke up from his sleep feeling extremely thirsty and saw his roommate who was also a part of the leaders of the student body and well respected in the seminary holding two bottles of water and drinking one. With a patchy throat he asked for some and Ben said “I do not share water with people” nonchalantly.

(Job)(Jorge) grimaced and told me how he had a friend who was not a Christian and would share any food he had scavenged. They ate happily and gratefully be it rotten or good. He wondered why a Christian leader could be heartless in that manner.

In November that year, he decided to end it all. He thought of many ways of doing it and resorted to hanging himself behind one of the buildings in the seminary. As he hung there with six neck ties in place the branch of the tree gave in and broke. With a loud thump, he crushed unto the ground like a bruised fruit. He wept for about two hours as he lay there. Having no more tears to shed on an empty stomach, he pulled himself together and headed to his room. I wondered why no one saw him.

I asked why he never sought for help but he said he felt the lecturing priests seemed too distant and always busy.

This event took place five months before I met him along the path.

Lessons I gleaned from this experience:

People I term highly flammable may be walking around us ready to explode and we need to be extremely sensitive to help them and ignore our petty issues.

Like the priest and levites (Luke 10:30- 37) who kept the sacred utensils and the temple of God, provided sacred loaves, opened and shut the gates of the temple, sang hymns and offered sacrifices etc, we can bypass the neighbour in need to do our work which we feel is important.

The Samaritans of our day are still busy doing our main work for us, obeying the main commandment which is; loving your neighbour, like Job’s unbeliever friend. I believe if he were to be at the seminary, Job would not have thought of committing suicide.

For those of us busy in church our Lord may say “….depart from me, YE ACCURSED, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS: …..” Mathew 25: 34-46

This stands to reason that for not giving those who are thirsty water, the hungry food, not taking in strangers etc we are likened to the devil and his angels ready for hell!

In conclusion those in need may be difficult to detect if we are engrossed in ourselves and are highly flammable to do outrageous things which we can prevent and can at the same time cause us to land in hell!

Jorge is stable now, currently undergoing counselling and would be finishing his course in the seminary next year by the grace of God.

Inhisparlour.wordpress.com

Don’t Stop Planting Seeds!

Admin
-
0
Don’t Stop Planting Seeds!

Missions comes with so many diverse experiences! But If you have been involved in outreach and invitation to an extent, one of the things you can’t extricate yourself from is the need of the people especially in Africa.

The story was no different for me when I was sent to start a church in Elmina, a coastal town in the Central region of Ghana. The church started in a cinema hall after a crusade. I started with about 5 or 6 young men and most of them complained that they did not have clothes for Sunday services. Thankfully I had some clothes to spare so I gave it to them.

Believe it or not, I would see them wearing the clothes I gave them on Saturday evenings when I went out on outreaches. Definitely not in preparation for Sunday service. No. They were hanging out with girls in the area! My heart broke many times. I got upset countless times. I seemed to have sown seeds in the wrong places.

A few years down the line, I was transferred from that mission. I was attending a major conference in Accra (about 11 years down the line) and to my surprise here they were. The same guys I started the church with in Elmina, attending the conference! Even more shocking, they had become shepherds taking care of sheep! Amazing!

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6).

How alive this scripture became to me!

The work of a missionary involves a lot of ‘planting’.

Sometimes we get weary because we do not see the results the way we expect. But I have learnt that there is always a harvest in due season!

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9).

I was listening to a message about the anointing and mantles recently. I suddenly realized that perhaps those clothes I gave to those ordinary young men maybe changed something in their lives!

Let’s keep planting seeds!

 

Emmanuel K. Yeboah

Delaware District Completes Mission House

William Wagner
-
0
Delaware District Completes Mission House

The Delaware District of The Church of Pentecost in the United States of America (USA) has dedicated its newly constructed ultra-modern mission house.

The mission house is a 4000 sq. ft. five-bedroom house with toilet and bath in each bedroom, a family room, living room, study/library, first-class kitchen, a powder room, and a two-car garage with a large basement. It sits on a ½ acre plot of land.

The sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of the building was performed in June 2017, and finally completed in April 2018.

The Delaware District was officially created in 2014 with Pastor Samuel Sackey-Hughes as the first Resident Minister, who stayed in a rented apartment. As a result, there was an urgent need to acquire a permanent mission house with enough rooms to accommodate the district pastor and his family, and future guests.

By the grace of God, the search led us to a new housing development that was being constructed in Middletown, a fast-growing town in Delaware. The leadership of the church decided that Middletown was a good location for a mission house because it was a central location to Bear Central, New Castle PIWC, and Dover PIWC assemblies.

To God be the glory for the successful completion of the project.

 

Report From Dennis Asubonteng, Delaware, USA
1...147148149...157Page 148 of 157