In the sermon titled “by his wounds, we are healed,” Prof. Agyapong-Kodua gave exposition of three forms of healing that a Christian could receive. He referenced Genesis 2:16, Matthew 9:32, Luke 13:11 and Isaiah 53:4, and said sin is the origin of all sicknesses. Rev. Agyapong-Kodua said “the Adamic sin has subjected humankind to a decay constant, which our bodies sometimes respond in the form of sicknesses.”

Delving into forms of healing, the Apostle said “there could be instant, progressive and ultimate healing in accordance with the benefits of the atonement- justification, sanctification and glorification.” He explained that instant healing in the atonement refers to when in the name of Jesus someone’s health is restore supernaturally and immediately. Further, he illustrated that progressive healing similar to sanctification is progressive. This, he explained requires prayers and choices that are proven to be healthy. He stressed that progressive healing involves lifestyles such as rest, dietary habits, physical exercise, seeking knowledge, medical care among others.

On the glorification, the VC described it as the ultimate. By this, he explained that “when it pleases God to call us to eternal glory, we will leave the weaknesses of the flesh and be with Him in a place, where we will be completely healed and never fall sick again.” He affirmed that the atonement of Christ Jesus has purchased for the believer an instant, progressive and ultimate healing- a total package for our past, present and the future.

Aps. Agyapong-Kodua ended his sermon by asking the congregants to make prayer their life style as it is the basis for all the forms of healing. He also asked them to stay away from continuous sin and make lifestyle choices that are healthy. He therefore led them into a healing prayer session.

Photos by: DCREATIVE STUDIO, TECHIMAN

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Speaking at the morning session of the first day of a 3-day retreat on Wednesday 6^th  October 2021, at 51¶ŻÂţ’s School of Theology, Mission and Leadership, the Vice Chancellor identified three main things: (1) that in comparison with the old covenant, the ministry they have received gives life and not death; it is more glorious; brings righteousness and not condemnation; it is permanent and not transitory; it is written on the hearts of people, not engraved on stones; and it is the ministry of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:7-11). (2) Despite the glorious attributes described in above, this heavenly treasure is contained in jars of clay (2 Cor 4:7). Hence the “condition of the jar or vessel can discolour the life within”.. Prof. Agyapong-Kodua said he said” The state of the jar therefore determines the ministry that it can give birth to.

He alerted that, the container or jar can be broken, crushed, and even leak hence must be treated with great spiritual care. He concluded with (3) that, the container can be worked on and be remoulded as depicted in Jeremiah 18 of the bible. He said, “we only have to allow ourselves to be remoulded by God and presented unto Himself, useful vessels for His glorious ministry.” (2 Tim 2:20). He emphasized that, whoever Jesus picks, He modifies, remoulds and energizes for His great work of ministry, if the individual is willing and ready.

When the University A^+Ěý VC was taking the students through the processes that will ensure victory in their ministry, he mentioned among other things that, “adequate preparation is key.” He said, “no good soldier goes to war without preparing.” He continued by saying that, preaching alone does not guarantee victory. Quoting from Proverbs 21:31, he affirmed that although preparation does not guarantee success, it is a reflection on our worship and respect for the One who has called us and the role we have been called into.

He alerted that preparations reduce mistakes. In other words, for one to be victorious without much mistakes, the person ought to prepare well. He said this to encourage the students to take their preparation at STML seriously before they leave for their various stations.

Praising the lecturers and staff of the School, he asked the students to make good use of them. Pointing at some of the lecturers present, he said “make good use of the finest ministers we have.” He told them to engage these experienced ministers and learn from them, in other to avoid or reduce mistakes in their ministry and lives.

Apostle Professor Agyapong-Kodua again challenged the students not to repeat the mistakes they once criticized their ministers of doing. “You know what you didn’t like about your ministers, so do not do those things when you also become a minister” he stressed.

Comparing their former employment to this greater call, Apostle said, ministers should wake up early to spend quality time with God in prayers, read and meditate upon the word of God, for ministry calls for hard work.  He said, doing the work of God is a serious business – “a noble task” (1 Tim 3:1)- the business of winning souls and preparing them for Christ is the most serious task. He therefore asked the students to start from now and spend good time in deep prayers, studying the word of God and reading good biblical literature.

He advised that, there is grace for all who wait on God and there is supernatural growth in ministry for those who allow God to work on them and their ministries. He added, “whoever engages with God all through his ministry will receive phenomenal growth, to the praise of our God.” He emphasized once more as he concluded and led the students in intensive prayers.

Story by

ALEX NANA OWUSU NKRUMAH

PRO, SRC, STML

The respected 51¶ŻÂţ lecturer and clergyman will speak on the topic “changing metaphors in African theologies: influences from digital culture.” His address will look at the metaphors ascribed to Christ in the past; and the need and potency of new (digital) ones that will hinge contemporary generations to Christ.

Dr. Tsekpoe heads the Mission department at 51¶ŻÂţ. He holds a PhD from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies – UK (Affiliated with Middlesex University), MA in Theology, Mission and Culture from the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, Akropong Akwapem – Ghana.

He is also a member of many professional bodies including the International Fellowship of Mission as Transformation (INFEMIT), International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS), and the African Pentecostal Scholars Association. Currently, he is the national chairman of the Home and Urban Ministries of The Church of Pentecost.

Aps. Tsekpoe’s research interests are contextualization in African Christianity, Pentecostal missiology, Witchcraft and Demonology (both in Africa and the African Diaspora) and Intergenerational missiology from contextual perspectives. He has published many materials in these areas including “African Traditional Oath-Swearing: An Evaluation from A Ghanaian Pentecostal Perspective” published in the E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in the year 2020.

He was inducted during the Society’s 2020 Annual General Meeting today, 1st October, at the Evangel Assembly of God Church at Adabraka, Accra.

Aps. Prof. Opoku Onyinah takes over from Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, with Madam Matilda Amissah-Arthur and Mrs Florence Hutchful as his vice presidents.

According to the General Secretary of the Society Rev. Dr Enock Aryee-Atta, Prof. Onyinah was “elected by Council of the Society through physical and virtual elections.

In his remarks, Prof. Opoku Onyinah thanked members of the society and called for their continued support for its activities. “Beloved, it is indeed humbling to serve you as president and I pray that you continue to support the Society so that it will be a beacon of God’s glory to all people”.

Prior to the induction, The Church of Pentecost in a letter signed by Aps. David Tekpe on behalf of Chairman Eric Nyamekye and Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost congratulated the Church’s past Chairman on his new position.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of 51¶ŻÂţ Apostle Dr Daniel Walker congratulated his predecessor on assuming the new position. “We as a University and Church are proud to associate with Prof Onyinah and the new mandate God has bestowed on him. We wish him the best”.

Aps. Prof. Opoku Onyinah is the immediate past Chairman of the Church from 2008 to 2018.

He served as a full-time minister of the Church for 42 years during which he held many high profile positions. Notable among them are International Missions Director, Rector of 51¶ŻÂţ College between 2003 and 2008, when he became Chairman of the Church.

Currently, he is a lecturer in the School of Theology, Mission and Leadership of 51¶ŻÂţ.

As part of his visit to Ghana to grace the retirement service of Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, the immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Professor Allan took the opportunity to meet the Theology students of the Faculty of Theology and Mission. In his lecture, he touched on the origin of Pentecostalism as well as the various trends it has gone through over the years.

He also gave the students the opportunity to ask questions that deem challenging to them in the area of Pentecostalism of which he took the time to address them all. He expressed great joy in the PhD theses of both Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah and Apostle Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, the Rector of PUC, on Pentecostalism which he supervised.

The Rector of PUC expressed his appreciation to Professor Allan for his visit to the University College and suggested to the Faculty of Theology and Mission to invite Professor Allan as a guest lecturer from time to time to share his deep knowledge and experiences in Pentecostal Christianity with the students.

In attendance were Apostle Christian Tsekpoe, STEE Coordinator, Rev. Dr Justice Arthur, Coordinator for Graduate school, Rev. Dr. Victor Zizer, the Examination Officer of the faculty. At the end, the students expressed great joy and excitement for meeting such a great scholar of this generation.