A send-off service was held today in honour of the General Secretary-Elect of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi, and his family at Akroso in the Asamankese Area of the Church as he prepares to officially assume the high office of the Church, come Saturday, September 2, 2023.
The joyous event was officiated by Apostle Mike Etrue, an Executive Council Member and the Coordinator for the Eastern Regional Coordinating Committee (ERCC) of the Church. The service, held at the Samuel Richard Asomaning Memorial Temple, brought together a host of dignitaries from various walks of life, including active and retired ministers of the Church, state officials, traditional authorities, relatives, friends, well-wishers, and members of the Church within and outside the Asamankese Area.
Preaching on the topic “Called to Service” with John 9:1-5 as his main biblical reference, Apostle Mike Etrue, who also serves as the Koforidua Area Head, emphasised that God sends, calls, and appoints individuals to fulfill specific assignments.
He, however, highlighted that the execution of these assignments should glorify God, as the purpose of every task is to give glory to Him, rather than serve personal interests.
He encouraged Church leaders, especially ministers, to serve with the intention of bringing glory to God.
“It is my prayer that as you (Apostle Samuel Obuobi) go to the Headquarters to serve as General Secretary, you will work hard to glorify God,” he said.
The Koforidua Area Head further noted that people called to serve God’s purpose must work hard within the opportunity and time in accordance with the will of God.
He, therefore, urged Christians, particularly Church leaders, to work diligently, saying: “Every opportunity God gives us in His vineyard comes with a time limit. This is your time, so please do not be lazy, work hard.”
Touching on “Calling,” Apostle Etrue advised believers to accept that it is God who qualifies and calls men according to His eternal purpose
“No man can promote himself to God for honour. It is God who honours people,” he stated.
He quoted 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 and reminded Church leaders that it is the Lord who chooses, calls, and honours them, while urging them to diligently carry out their entrusted responsibilities.
“Therefore, be humble and do the work entrusted to you and to do it diligently,” he added.
Expounding on “Service,” Apostle Etrue said that a call to service is a call to meet a particular need so as to fulfil God’s purpose concerning His purpose.
He highlighted virtues such as faithfulness, obedience, love, and fruitfulness as key qualities that should characterise the service of every Christian leader.
During the service, the Asamankese Area presbytery, the Area Women’s Ministry and the Area pastorate shared heartfelt testimonials about the outgoing Area Head and his wife, Juliana. They acknowledged their significant contributions to the Church’s growth in the Area over the past two years and presented them with citations to acknowledge their commendable service.
In a brief remark, Nana Kwabena Ofori II, Chief of Akroso; expressed his delight that such a momentous event had taken place in Akroso, a town of great significance in the history of The Church of Pentecost.
He praised Apostle Samuel Obuobi for his outstanding work as Asamankese Area Head and extended well wishes to him and his family as he embarks on his new mandate.
In response, the Obuobi family expressed gratitude to God for seeing them through the turbulent period they endured when they first arrived in the Asamankese Area. He also thanked the leadership of The Church of Pentecost and the entire Asamankese Area for their support throughout their two-year stay in the Area.
Subsequently, Apostle Etrue, along with the other apostles present, led the congregation in praying for God’s grace upon Apostle Obuobi and his family as they embark on their journey to serve as the Chief Scribe of The Church of Pentecost at the Church’s Headquarters for the next five years.
Notable figures at the event included Nana Martey Wayo, Chief of Osenho; and Barima Baffour Opoku Agyemang II, Chief of Dokrochiwa. The Asamankese Area pastorate and their spouses, as well as representatives from the Asamankese chapter of the Ghana Pentecostal Charismatic Council (GPCC) and Local Council of Churches (LCC) of Akroso and Asamankese, were also in attendance.
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