FROM AUSTRIA AND UNITED KINGDOM WITH LOVE

Apostle Newton O Nyarko

Ap. Nyarko, self, Ps Odei and Mrs Ntumy

The Ntumy Family continues to be blessed and refreshed by the love and camaraderie shown us by the entire church membership and Christian friends across the globe. These are expressed through their fervent prayer support, phone-calls, emails, and visits to us. To you all we are eternally grateful.

Last week-end and in the middle of this week, we were blessed to play host to two apostles. On Saturday 19th January 2013, Apostle Newton Ofosuhene Nyarko, National Head of The Church of Pentecost, U.K, paid us a one-day visit with Pastor Raymond Odei, his National Secretary.

We had wonderful moments of prayer, conversations over a wide range of topics, and reminiscences of our last year's vacation in UK. The fellowship was so great that their moment of departure was like a virtual tearing apart.

Ap and Mrs Obeng (left) Mrs Ntumy and I

Following in their heels from 22nd-24th January were Apostle Samuel Obeng, COP National Head, Austria, and his wife, Patience who was seeing me for the first time since I got into this new condition. The emotions oscillated between tearful and joyful moments, and sometimes just plain silence.

Apostle Sammy Obeng

Their three-day visit was a delightful one. It was a pleasure listening to this youngest COP Apostle in Europe sharing about the progress of the church in Austria and their vision for the future. We had much to be thankful to the LORD. Like all others, their prayer was for my early recovery, to the glory of God.

 Such visits, coupled with the massive prayer support and other aspects by which you express your love to us, lighten the weight we bear and brighten the path we travel during this phase of our life. As you remain resolute with us in prayer, it would not be long before we see the miracle we are awaiting. BLESSINGS.

Apostle Sammy Obeng helping with my standing exercise to the admiration of his wife, Pat

A HEARTY WAY TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR

Ap. S. Yiadom, National Head, Germany  

For us in Germany 2012 ended in a grand style. The last to visit us were Apostle Godwin Osei Bonsu, the COP Head of Nkawkaw Area in Ghana, Pastor Emmanuel Quaye, National Head, Ukraine and his wife, Matilda, and Pastor Samuel Nana Yaw Agyei, National Head, Cape Verde and his wife Nora. Coinciding with their visit was our National Prayer Conference, in which they were greatly used by the LORD to bless the church.

L-R Mrs Matilda Quaye, Aps G Osei Bonsu, Mrs Nora Agyei, Ps S. N Y Agyei, Aps S. O Yiadom, Ps E. A Quaye and I

A section of members at the N. P. C

A section of members at the N/P. C

The LORD, by His grace, has ushered us into another brand new year 2013. All of us really do understand that our lives are "kept by the power of God."

Drawing from King David who said as he faced Goliath, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine"(1 Sam. 17:37 NIV), our confidence is that the same LORD who saw us throughout 2012 will also see us throughout 2013.

Mrs Martha Ntumy

Some members of the Ntumy Family

For the Ntumy family in particular and COP, Germany in general, we were privileged to have the CHAIRMAN of our church, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah, paying us a visit on the 3rd and 4th January. "Apostle, it has been a while since I last visited you. I miss you and would like to squeeze some time to visit you at the beginning of the year." That was the Chairman to me in December last year.

Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah, Chairman, COP

True to his promise, he came. His visit was a refreshing to us. He brought us greetings from the church, from certain individuals and from many others outside the COP fraternity. We conversed for hours, with the Chairman defying the somnolence from his overnight flight. We were blessed. We were encouraged. We were inspired.
A thought flashed my mind and I said to him: "During incapacitation one of the greatest things that friends can give is the assurance that all is not over yet; that one is still needed and cherished. And that is what the entire church and thousands of others continue to demonstrate to me,"

May the LORD lead us every step along the way throughout 2013, even when we do not see our guiding STAR;
May HE, the Great Shepherd of our souls, bear us up in His arms all along the way;
May He provide our every need, or trust Him as we go through times of need;
May He cause all our dreams to be fulfilled, or grant us the grace to gather the pieces of our shattered dreams and the determination to start all over again until we succeed;
May this year see the end of your trials, testings, and tribulations or may He increase your dose of endurance to the appointed time;
May your miracle, in whatever form or shape, come in overflowing measure.

BELOVED, I WISH YOU EVERY BLESSING IN 2013 AND IN THE YEARS TO COME

SEASONAL GREETINGS AND A SURPRISE FOR YOU

Like a twinkle, the LORD has borne us on eagle's wings safely to another Christmas Season. As we look back in gratitude to God, we also look around to acknowledge beloved people whom the LORD has graciously placed along our ways; people who in various ways make our respective journeys through life a little less hard to travel and bring our dreams closer to their fulfillment. To such people it is appropriate to say, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

You are one of such people in my life. You have supported us with your prayers and surrounded us with your love.Therefore as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is my pleasure to pause and acknowledge how much you have been of a blessing to me and, indeed to, my entire family. In our little way, we wish you and your beloved family and friends:
A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS, PEACEFUL AND FRUITFUL NEW YEAR 2013 

This is also the season of presenting gifts. This is indeed imitating, to a very little extent, what God did for mankind. God GAVE us His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus GAVE us His life. My gift for you is a photo of myself doing something I have never told you about---doing a WALKING EXERCISE.

Do you recognize the man walking between the bars? Supported by prostheses at the waist and knees, I walk between two bars as Ria, my dedicated Ergo therapist watches with rapt agility. 

I know you will receive it with joy because it is in answer to your prayers on my behalf. May the LORD continue to bless us together, bringing our dreams closer and closer to realization.

MAY GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA

Today is election day in Ghana. Our people go to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament. For us as Christians, such an occasion calls for much prayer. The reasons are not hard to find. First we know that "...the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes"(Dan. 4:3). Asking and receiving, as we all know, lies at the very heart of prayer itself. Second, the aftermath of elections in many parts of Africa has triggered woes and disasters of untold proportions that have plunged many nations to the fringes of annihilation. Through the prayers of the saints, such situations could be averted.

We, as patriotic citizens, have joined the millions of our compatriots home and abroad to pray for our Motherland. It is 7th December 2012 and the ballots must be cast. Within a score or two hours, the results would be declared.

Nana Akuffo Addo, NPP

H.E John Mahama, NDC

May the various candidates, presidential and parliamentary, leave the outcome to God, accepting the will of the people, expressed through the ballot box, in good faith. May party faithfuls lace their zeal with reason, remembering that it is only one candidate who can win at a time; and it is unreasonable to say, "MY CANDIDATE WILL EITHER BE THE WINNER OR THE WINNER"

Additionally, let us have trust in electoral officials, and not conclude that because our candidate did not win there was a foul play somewhere. Let us support our gallant Electoral Commissioner and his team in our prayers as they go through these hectic times. Sure, we shall soon hear the verdict from his mouth

Dr K. Afari Gyan, Electoral Commissioner

I am thousands of kilometres from home but my heart has been home with my compatriots. Besides actual times of prayer for our nation, I also realized that one of the best ways to engage in continuous prayer for Ghana was to sing our National Anthem, "GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA" the only anthem in the whole world with its first stanza being a prayer to GOD for the nation.

For much of this week I have been singing one of my favorite youthful days' patriotic songs:

Ghana my happy home

The flag of Ghana

Land of rich resources,
Land of mighty talents, racial tolerance, justice and freedom.
I will fight for thee, O my Ghana,
I will die for thee, O my Ghana,
I will uplift thy name in all I do,
Justice and freedom

MAY GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA AND GIVE US A PRESIDENT AND MPs OF HIS CHOICE. MAY THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELECTIONS BE PEACE, STABILITY, AND DEVELOPMENT. MAY OUR YOUNG DEMOCRACY GROW AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ENDURE.  

ALIU MAHAMA: EXCELLENCY WITH HUMILITY; POWER WITH MEEKNESS

Aliu delivering an address

Aliu, cool and collected

The first phone call I received the previous day from Ghana conveyed to me the news of the sickness of H. E Aliu Mahama. "Apostle Ntumy, your friend, the former Vice President, is sick. It has been reported over TV that his condition is critical" the caller told me. Subsequent calls, SMS notifications, and emails followed, conveying the same news.

Then the following day the news of his demise; Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the former Vice President of Ghana is no more.

And so it happened---that within one calendar year and only a few months apart, Ghana had lost a sitting President and a former Vice President.

Aliu in traditional outfit

The late Alhaji Aliu Mahama stepped into the political limelight in an amazing manner---directly into the office of Vice President.He considered his office as a sacred duty to God and his people. This undergirded all his actions which he undertook without self-advertising or ostentation.

In an amazing manner, Aliu Mahama combined Excellency as Veep with humility, power with meekness, officialdom with simplicity and gave governance a genuine human face. These qualities, as many people know, are scarce commodities, especially, in the arenas of power.

Aliu and I, both in traditional outfit in his Castle office

When I heard of the news, tears streaked down my cheeks. I have lost a friend. He invited me many times to his office at the Castle. He visited me at home when I survived what looked like an assassination attempt against me. He was in church to launch my autobiography. He was the guest of honor at my end-of-term service as Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and sat through the entire four-hour service.

At the official level, I served with him on the Ghana AIDS Commission. He attended our General Council meeting a couple of times and attended the funeral of my predecessor, Prophet Martinson Yeboah. The amazing thing he did was to go to the Osu Cemetery with us. He really endeared himself to us.

With his death, Ghana has lost a precious son who served his nation with great devotion and decorum, selflessness and faithfulness.

On this sorrowful ccasion, I extend my deepest condolences to the President, H. E, John Mahama, the Government and People of Ghana, his widow, Haj Ramatu, and their entire family.

Ghana's "Political Quartet" 2008
"Number One Man"--H. E John Agyekum Kufuor, then President, 2nd from right
"Number Two Man"---H. E Aliu Mahama, then Vice President, 1st from right
"Number Three Man"---Rt  Hon Sekyi-Hughes, then Speaker of Parliament, 1st from left
"Number Four Person"---H. L Georgina Theodora Wood, Chief Justice

 In this life there are many people who do not know how to play the "number two" position, the supportive role. They must be in the driving seat or our car is on the wrong road; they must be in the spotlight otherwise we are off tangent: they must be the Number One man otherwise nothing is happening.  Among the numerous tributes that could be offered, this is my greatest to Aliu Mahama:
HE SHOWED GHANAIANS HOW TO PLAY THE NUMBER TWO POSITION IN LIFE---AT ALL LEVELS

ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS

Yes, by the grace of God, my new book, ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS, is out. True to our expectations, the books were delivered to our residence on Wednesday 31st October, 2012

MRS MARTHA NTUMY

"O great, this is the most beautiful of all our books" said Martha my wife.

Well, don't be too quick to remind my wife that, "We don't judge a book by its cover" Listen to the recommendations of some church leaders:

AP. DR. OPOKU ONYINAH

1. Before Apostle Dr. Ntumy's terms of chairmanship of The Church of Pentecost expired, a social commentator approached me and remarked that the leadership of the church must not give him any active pastoral work. Rather he must be assigned to write books for Christians and society at large. Indeed this is what he is doing--- with only one finger.

I recommend this book to you because it is borne out of the author's personal experience.  It is practical, realistic and hope-giving.
Ap. Dr Opoku Onyinah, Chairman, The Church Of Pentecost

AP. SAMPSON OFORI YIADOM

2.  “You may not be able to add more years to your life but you can add more life to your years. The book "Achieving Your Dreams" serves that purpose.
“It challenges you to climb out of your window to pursue your dream by following certain principles that help make the dream a reality.
“Reading this book would not only make you a dreamer but more importantly an achiever.”

Apostle Sampson Ofori Yiadom
National Head, The Church Of Pentecost, Germany

3. ‘This book is genuine “dream medicine”. If you have never “dreamed in God”, read it and you will begin to. If you have, read it and you will be inspired to dream bigger and better...and you will achieve your dreams.’

Rev Lionel Currie

Bridge Street Pentecostal Church

Leeds, United Kingdom

AP. ALFRED KODUAH

4. "The popular American blind lady educator, activist and journalist, Helen Keller, was once asked: “What can be worse than to be blind?” She responded: “The only thing 
worse than being blind is having sight without a vision”.

 How true this statement is! 

Indeed, there are many people in this world who have no dreams or plans for their lives, families or jobs. Some of them think that somehow things would just work out by themselves while others count on the grace of God even without their involvement.

This is one of the challenges Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy seeks to address in this challenging book.

I encourage everybody to take the contents of this book seriously. It will surely enable the reader to develop dreams, plan towards achieving those dreams and make it possible for them to enjoy the fruits of those dreams forever."

Apostle Alfred Koduah, General Secretary, The Church of Pentecost

REV. JOHN GLASS

5. "Prepare yourself for a feast.  Get ready to be inspired.  What you are about to read in the chapters that follow have not been gleaned from the dusty corridors of sterile academia – as important as learning is – but has been distilled through the crucible of deep experience and lived out through the dedicated service of a life devoted to God."

(Culled from the Foreword to the book)

Rev. John Glass
General Superintendent,
Elim Pentecostal Churches, U. K 

Well, I don't have to be a mentalist to know the question on your mind, "Where can I get my copy?" The book was printed here in Germany. Distribution is being made in Europe first. Arrangements are being made for Ghana and North America.

This is the third book I have written in three years---with one finger. Needless to reiterate, I am really thankful to God for the writing grace He has given me. It gives me great joy in the LORD as I realize that where I cannot go now, my books and my prayers can.

THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO STAND WITH ME 

SOBER REFLECTIONS ON MY BIRTHDAY

A photo of myself at age 40 when I was inducted as Chairman of COP

Today is my birthday. I am 54

As I ponder and reflect over the course of my life so far, I realize the exceptional grace God has bestowed on me. I am not going to talk about promotion, position, power, achievements and accomplishments. I am going to share with you about troubles, trials and tears, interlaced with amazing triumphs and testimonies resulting in thanksgiving to God.  The enemy of our souls forgets that his orchestrations against us rather result to the praise of God in the long run.

In fact Apostle Paul said that if he had to boast, he would rather boast about his sufferings for the sake of Christ. My catalog, however, does not come anywhere near that of Apostle's. 

 1. Been through four wars (Two in Northern Ghana, one each in Liberia and Ivory Coast)

Charles Gangay Taylor, Leader of Liberia's NPFL.

2. Taken hostage for 163 days in the heart of the Nimba Forest in Liberia by Charles Taylor's NPFL rebels while serving as missionary in that country
3. Survived three accidents--- two on the road, one on the Volta Lake in Ghana

A vessel on the Volta Lake

A book written after the assassination attempt

4. Survived an assassination attempt on my life while serving as the youngest-ever Chairman of The Church of Pentecost
5. Survived two food poisoning attempts against me
6. Tasted hospitalization for 332 days in 2009/2010
7. Tasting the pains and agonies of paralysis for 1,211 days (to date), moving about in an electric wheelchair

Surely if my life were in my own hands, I would have lost it long ago.

However, there is an INVISIBLE HAND THAT HOLDS, SUSTAINS and NOURISHES US. THROUGH IT ALL, being kept by THE POWER OF GOD.

Come, beloved, praise the LORD with me.

THANK GOD FOR THE GIFT OF MY LIFE. He has upheld me very tenaciously through it all.

Crushed, but not destroyed.

Stand with me in prayer as I go through this phase of my life, doing business for the Kingdom of God even through this "out of season" period.


Believe with me that the expected miracle shall take place soon for His glory.

All these could not have happened for naught. God is definitely up to something.

 THE BEST IS YET TO COME