THANK YOU, APOSTLE S. OFORI YIADOM

Ap. S. O Yiadom

With Ap Yiadom after church service

If I were asked to describe in one sentence the modus operandi of Apostle Sampson Ofori Yiadom, National Head of The Church of Pentecost, Germany, I would say, He makes time for everything.
His grip on the reins of leadership and administration of the church is simply AMAZING. His paper-work is classic. His field work is fantastic---trekking all over the nation; preaching, teaching, organizing and equipping.

Ap. Sampson Ofori and Mrs Millicent Yiadom

Along these lines and in accordance with his native spirit as an apostle-- a spiritual father to all, he makes time to visit members of the church and even outsiders who find themselves in the various unpleasant vicissitudes of life.

L-R: Mrs M. Yiadom and Martha Ntumy

Visiting me at home has become a daily passion of his, coming by to visit virtually everyday after work. Away from his Hamburg base, he calls to find out how I am doing. All these besides, he surprised me recently by saying, "Old man," his favorite accolade for me, "I would like to accompany you to your physiotherapy center. I would like to see how your therapy is going, if I have your kind permission."

I was very impressed and decided to dedicate this edition of my blog publication to his visit. Surely, "He is a good man..." (2 Sam.18:27). In the exclusive photos below, my physiotherapist manipulates me while Apostle Yiadom observes every move with rapt attention ... thinking, hoping, praying. Yes, people TREAT the sick; God HEALS them.

By His grace I am fine and doing well. My therapies are going well and my recovery continues in a steady manner. Like every human being, however I wished the process of recovery were faster but I am immediately reminded by the "still, small voice" to leave the timing with God and allow Him to work according to the times and seasons He has set in accordance with His sovereign will and purpose (Acts 1:7).

Above what I feel and see within me, is that mighty HAND of God, the HAND that moves the wheels of the world ... upholding, strengthening, comforting and empowering me everyday until that great day when His work of grace will be perfected in me.

Till then, please keep supporting me with your prayers. Surely, at that time, we shall rejoice together.
                                              

Sometimes it's all fun

MY BIRTHDAY GIFT TO YOU

Self

Beloved, you may be pleased to know that last Sunday was my birthday. As always, I used the occasion to pray and reflect over a number of things pertaining to life and ministry. In the process I remembered one of the poems I had written in 2009 while still on hospital admission in Hamburg.

It is my pleasure to dedicate it to you as my birthday gift for your inspiration. Please pass it on to others.

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THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2)

1. Whether born of noble birth

Martha and I

With great accompanying pomp and pageantry

And much expectations for a bright future;

Or of supposed low birth

Without even a register to enter our birth,

Let alone the hope of a ‘lucky monkey’

One thing is certain:

The divine Architect who crafted us in secret

Has marked out for us

A race to run

And tracks within which to run.

 2. His decision was not based

On our abilities and competencies

Nor of merit of any sort;

It is out of GRACE—

Pure GRACE,

That in His sovereign will

He places us in various tracts of various races.

 3. In our finite and corruptible minds

Olympians racing towards the finishing line

We are inclined to think of some of these races and tracts

As more honorable than others,

Those which bring some into the limelight—

Whom the world calls ‘Stars’ and recently, ‘Superstars’—

But for those whose tracks go through seemingly nether lands,

 Through obscure places to unmarked graves,

We consign to the rank of ‘ordinary commoners’

Yet in the sight of God

Who made and marked out these tracks for us all

There is no difference—

No difference between

The names by which we call the various athletic events

Or the athletes who run them,

For each was designed

To accomplish His eternal purposes

And no one accomplishment

Will be complete without the other.

                                             

4. Therefore beloved fellow athlete

Involved in this invisible race,

Do not look across your shoulder

To behold with an evil eye

The race your neighbour runs,

But run your own race with joy;

And wheresoever your race has been marked out to pass---

Across the dense Amazon forest,

Or the arid Sahara desert;

Over the towering Himalayan heights,

Or down the lonesome crevices of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi;

Across the Niagara or ‘Devil’s Throat’ which dare the bravest,

Or the still waters of Lake Bosomtwi or the Dead Sea;

Through the fearful Valley of the Shadow of Death

Or the pleasant Valley of Berakah;

Yea, from the throes of Flamingo, the Camp of No Return,

To the fanfare of Hollywood;

Whether it is through persecution to martyrdom

Or through celebration and stardom---

What the Master desires is that

We run with perseverance

The race which is marked out for us,

And to depend on His inexhaustible GRACE

Olympians showing their medals

To start and finish every phase of this race,

Until with the inner witness

Of the Blessed Holy Spirit we declare with Paul,

‘I have fought the good fight

I have held on to the faith,

I have finished the race’                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Then shall we all receive a hero’s welcome

The Master’s praise:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant,

Enter into your Master’s rest’

5. And there,

A section of church members of COP Bronx Assembly in New York 

When the secrets of men’s hearts are made bare,

And we behold with unveiled eyes

How each person ran their race,

We will marvel at one of the wonders of Heaven,

ANONYMOUS CELEBRITIES,

People, whose names though may not feature in halls of fame,

Are held in high honour by God

Because they ran with diligence and perseverance

The race marked out for them.

A section of the Youth of COP Chicago Assembly

WE ALREADY MISS THEM

Apostle S.L Agyin

When  Nigerian novelist, Cyprian Ekwensi, wrote "Such is life, meeting and parting" in his book, "Burning Grass" he was only echoing what the inspired philosopher, King Solomon had said almost three thousand years earlier, There is "... a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing" (Eccl. 3:5b NIV) For the past couple of weeks we have had to say good-bye to some ministry colleagues and family members whom we, as a family but especially myself, really do miss: Apostle Samuel Lord Agyin, Pastor Osahene Amankwatia Boateng,        Overseer Anthony Boachie and Mike Ntumy.

Apostle Agyin and I

Ap Agyin and I

The first to leave was Apostle Samuel Lord Agyin who served as National Head of our church in Holland from 2007 to 2013. Apostle Agyin is a seasoned apostle, dynamic preacher, a veritable prayer warrior and a veteran missionary. Prior to his coming to Holland he had served in a couple of places in Ghana as District Pastor. He was later sent out as a missionary to Malawi in East Africa. The LORD granted him a mighty break-through, thereby consolidating and expanding the church in that country. He was subsequently recalled to Ghana and stationed in Takoradi as Area Head before being sent out to Holland. The church under his apostolic leadership grew by leaps and bounds.

Ap Agyin, 2nd from right and a del. from Holland

Although stationed in Amsterdam, he kept in very close touch with me. He frequently phoned for us to converse and pray. We made plans and strategized together (with other National Heads as well) about the church in Europe. All his busy schedules notwithstanding, he made it a point to visit us from time to time.
We pray for God's blessings on their family as they go to head the church in Koforidua Area in Ghana.

Ps Osahene Boateng                   

The next person whose departure hit us even more severely is Pastor Osahene Amankwatia Boateng (I simply call him Osahene), until recently Hamburg North District Pastor. He has been transferred to Munich as Area Head of German South.


My family members besides, Osahene has been the closest person to me. Over the years, he had volunteered to drive me to my physiotherapy center twice every week and to some errands I had to make in person. All these besides, he was the last person to leave our house every night, mostly after midnight. He came around to help with my personal physical exercises and cycling before helping me into bed.. He was virtually my personal escort, on duty 24/7 to God and to me. May the LORD prosper his ministry in every sense of the word.

Standing: Ps and Mrs Boateng. Seated: Aps and Mrs Ntumy

To replace Osahene as Hamburg North District Pastor is Pastor Ben Mensah who is ready to step in the shoes of Osahene.

Self, in church

Ps Ben and Mrs Juliana Mensah

The last to say good-bye to the family was our youngest son, Mike. The 18-year old has gained admission into university to study Business Management. Being the only son with us Mike had been called upon to do almost everything which required "muscles." He was "Daddy's friend and younger brother." He knew how to do everything that needed to be done for me. He and Joanna would ask Osahene to take a break when they were on school holidays so that they could assist me. After extending any help to me, they would ask, "Anything else?"

Mike displaying trophies of his favorite game

Mike Ntumy

The day Mike left it was as though the house was half-empty. "Well, all the boys have left," mumbled Joanna, our youngest and only daughter. "Yes, they have only gone to study, in preparation for their future roles. Soon, God willing, it will be your turn," we explained.

Some chorus leaders leading in a time of "Praises"

I am very grateful to these gallant colleagues and family members for their great assistance in diverse ways. I am equally grateful to my precious ministry colleagues, friends and the hundreds of thousands of beloved brothers and sisters in the LORD for your solid prayer support and other ways by which you express your love to us as we go through this phase of our life.

Surely, we shall soon celebrate together. B  L  E  S  S  I  N  G  S.

CONGRATULATIONS --- APOSTLE DR. ALFRED KODUAH

Apostle Dr Alfred Koduah

This week-end in Accra, Ghana, one of the most distinguished leaders of The Church of Pentecost (COP), Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah, who has served as General Secretary (G.S) of COP, steps down after having served for the maximum two-term tenure from 2003-2013. During his first term in office, he served under the Chairmanship of Apostle Dr. Michael Ntumy while his second term was under Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah.

During Dr. Koduah's decade-long service as G.S, he suggested a number of ideas which were accepted and introduced into the administrative machinery of the church.

First, as head of administration of the church's Headquarters, Apostle Koduah identified the Headquarters as the ''Ministry behind the Ministry." There was the need to modernize the entire administrative system of the church through computerization and the development of the professional skills of the staff. "When we invest much in you, it is simply because we expect much from you," he would challenge the staff.  

Mrs Rachel Koduah

Secondly, though he worked from the four walls of an office in Accra, Apostle Koduah had his eyes on the field. At the time when the church could not keep its infrastructural and developmental pace with its phenomenal growth and spread, he suggested the establishment of a special fund called Accelerated Infrastructural Development Fund, (A.I.D.F). This fund, which was a certain percentage of every congregation's monthly tithes returns to the Headquarters, would go directly to finance the construction of chapels and mission houses (ministers' manses). The establishment of this fund, augmenting similar funds and development grants to the congregations, hastened the infrastructural development of the church.

Apostle Koduah was a target-oriented administrator. He set goals for almost everything and worked hard to accomplish every task before him. He could not countenance laziness or feet-dragging at any level. His managerial ability produced very high results at the Headquarters and beyond by eliminating waste in the system and developing a very effective workforce.

P.C.C Auditorium

P.C.C view of hostel block

This huge P.C.C project, under the aegis of Apostle Dr Koduah, took two years and four days to complete. The entire facility was funded directly by the headquarters of the church, without recourse to the congregations or bank loan. 

Without any surprise, this Man of God applied these very principles to his own life and ministry. For example, he entered the pastoral ministry at a time when he only had a Certificate in Agricultural Science. Later, having shown himself to be studious, the church sponsored him to undertake a course of study which earned him a Master of Theology degree from The University of Manchester. A few months ago he graduated from South Africa Theological Seminary with a PhD degree in Theology. The way he was able to combine his official duties as G.S of a huge church as COP with academic work and writing of books (he has over a dozen titles to his credit) still amazes even his closest associates. (See below some of his latest books.)

Dr Koduah approached issues with a scientific edge. He would first like to know the root causes of issues and provide answers to them. From this background, he probably set up more ad hoc committees than any other  G.S of the church. Thus, problems were resolved with long-lasting effects.
He was a man of ideas. It was joked about him that anytime he took a shower, fresh ideas about issues would dawn upon him as soon as the
water began to splash upon him.

Despite his over-towering physical frame, he knew how to play his "Number 2" role. He would always defer to the Chairman of the church or to the decision of the meeting.
Leadership is role-playing; those so privileged come to play their God-given roles and stand down when it is done. Although we often defer to history to judge the quality of a leader's work, we also know that history begins in the now. We can at least pass comments.

COP 2008-2013 Executive Council. Seated extreme left (as in other photos beneath is Apostle Dr Koduah

Having been called into the full-time pastoral ministry the same day as Apostle Koduah, shared the same
hostel with him at Bible College, called into top leadership position in the same year and thus meeting, brain-storming on issues of church life together and later serving on the church's Executive Council (he as General Secretary and I, as Chairman), I can say without a modicum of doubt that the man has served his God and church with distinction.

On this occasion of appreciating him and his family, I wish to congratulate my long-time friend, colleague and fellow apostle on his meritorious service to God, his church and humanity.

COP FLAG

CONGRATS, APOSTLE DR ALFRED KODUAH. YOUR SERVICE TO GOD AND YOUR CHURCH HAS BEEN SPLENDID; YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OUTSTANDING AND YOUR INTEGRITY UNTARNISHED. THE FRUIT OF YOUR WORK WILL ENDURE FOR MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.


MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU PROCEED TO ASSUME YOUR NEW ROLE AS AREA HEAD.


Apostle Dr Michael Ntumy