The Presiding Elder of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Graceland, Elder Dr. Joseph Saw Agyepong has called on members of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) to uphold the godly values of selfless giving and tithing bequeathed to them by the founding leaders of the Church.
“If our forebears have sacrificed so much for us, we have to do same for the generations ahead,” he said when he spoke at the just-ended Ministers and Officers Retreat (Apostolisation) of the Teshie-Nungua Area, on the topic;”Sacrificial Giving and Tithing.”
In his presentation, Elder Dr. Agyepong, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, a conglomerate of over 60 companies operating in Ghana and other African countries, said one of the core values of the Church which has transcended generations is the spirit of giving.
He cited the donation of jewelry by Deaconess Christiana Obo-Mends to the Church at a time of dire financial difficulty as a shining example of the selfless-giving spirit of the early members of the Church.
Relating this noble act to the story of the woman with the alabaster jar who anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume in Matthew 26:1-6, Elder Dr. Siaw Agyepong urged members of the Church to continue giving to support the work of God.
“In The Church of Pentecost, local assemblies support their ministers for their ministries to thrive. Consistently pray for your Pastor, care for your Pastor, give to your Pastor, appreciate your Pastor and submit to your Pastor’s leadership,” he said.
Elder Siaw-Agyepong further stated that paragraph (e) of the Rules of Conduct for the members of The Church of Pentecost enjoins Church members to “take the Pastor as your own friend; He needs your compassion, help and advice as you also need his, pray for him always.” (Hebrews 13:16/Gal 6:6/I Timothy 5:17-18).
He also urged members to intensify their payment of tithes to the Church to promote the Kingdom business. “Don’t listen to the negative comments on social media, pay your tithes, this value has taken care of our Church since time immemorial,” he said.
He explained that The Church of Pentecost has a covenant with God which includes financial prosperity, and this was confirmed on three different occasions at Asamankese in 1931, Winneba in 1940 and Koforidua in 1948.
“God said He will meet the financial needs of our Church and, for this reason, the Church should only depend on Him for their provisions,” he said.
Elder Dr. Agyepong indicated that, from all indications, God has been faithful to His covenant with The CoP by granting the Church enormous financial blessings.
“In 1983, the Renowned Researcher on Church growth in Ghana, Ross Campbell observed that The Church of Pentecost has become one of the very few African churches that is completely financially self-supporting.”
“Today, history has not changed as the Lord continues to bless The Church of Pentecost financially; many have sought to know the secret behind this amazing financial provision, which is our special covenant with God,” he said.
The four-day Apostolisation of the Teshie-Nungua Area, which ended on February 10, 20223, was chaired by the International Missions Director, Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe. Other speakers were Apostle Moses Ahiakor (Ho Area Head), Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison (Rtd.)
Report by Teshie Nungua Media Team