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This year’s orientation for newly called missionaries and pastors transferred to internal mission areas of The Church of Pentecost has ended with a call on missionaries to be good ambassadors of Christ and the Church.
The one week intensive programme organised by the Missions Office took place from 4th to 9th June, 2018 at the Pentecost Theological Seminary (PTS).
According to the International Missions Director (IMD), Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, the event is organised annually to equip missionaries and allay their fears about the Missions work, and also assure them of God’s abiding presence on the Missions field.
Speaking on the topic, “Building on the Foundation of Christ,” Apostle Gyesi-Addo noted that in the era of false teachings and prophetism prevailing in the church circles, there is a need for true servants of God to stand up and be counted.
He explained that this age is fulfilling a biblical prophecy of people with itching ears eager to hear all sorts of things.
He noted that it is important for those who profess to be Christians to begin on a good foundation which is Christ Jesus (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:6).
The IMD charged the participants to ensure that the converts they win in the field have their faith built on strong doctrines and have direct revelation of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of the church.
“Our failure to teach sound doctrine will lead to spiritual illiteracy, scriptural ignorance, spiritual bondage and spiritual perdition,” he said, adding, “If our work is to stand and not burn, then we need to build with the scripturally recommended materials of gold, silver and precious stones.”
In a presentation on Ethnographic Research, Pastor George Prah Amonoo, a former missionary and current District Minister for Darkuman, stressed the need for the participants to have knowledge in ethnographic research to properly handle cultural shock they may encounter in the field. Pastor Amonoo also took the participants through the nitty-gritties of air travels.
Apostle Dr Emmanuel Anim, Principal of the Pentecost Theological Seminary (PTS), took the participants through “The Biblical Perspectives of Missions.” He indicated that God has already gone ahead of them to the field, and that they should look for His footprints and walk in it.
The Youth Director, Apostle David Nyansah Hayfron, also took his turn on “Youth Ministry Work on the Missions Field.” He charged the missionaries to do intentional and relational discipleship in order to woo the youth to partner them in the ministry work.
“As you go, be a youth friendly missionary, minister and minister’s wife. It is only by that, that we will get our young ones grounded; and when they get grounded they can reach their peers most of whom will be the indigenes we want to win,” he added.
On his part, Evangelist Longe of Nigeria took the participants through “Christ and Islam.” He advised them to make Moslems their friends, visit them during their social activities such as weddings, naming ceremonies, etc. and help them when they are in need.
In a presentation on “Personal Spiritual Growth of the Missionary,” Apostle Joseph Assabil (Achimota Area Head) revealed that the path to spiritual growth are self-sacrifice, teachability, feeding on God’s word, going beyond doctrines to look for Jesus Himself, reliance on the Holy Spirit, agonizing prayers and constant self-examination.
Other facilitators were: Apostle Dr. S. K. Baidoo (Retd) who spoke on “Pentecostal Missionary,” Apostle Patrick Aseyoro (Odorkor Area Head) who made a presentation on “Understanding People Groups in the North,” Elder Dr Chris Ampadu of the Samaritan Strategy who spoke on “The Missionary as Agent of Transformation,” and Apostle Kingsford Kyei Mensah (Kwadaso Area Head), who also delivered a paper on “Power Evangelism.”
The rest were: Elder Dr Perez Sepenu of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on “You and Your Health,” Mrs. Victoria Kumi-Woode and Deaconess Ruth Adjabeng, both of the Missions Office who spoke on “Interpersonal Relationship and Conflict Resolution” and “Financial Reporting,” respectively.