What if I told you this church started with a missionary battling malaria? That missionary was Rev. James McKeown. He is central to the story of The Church of Pentecost.
The Church of Pentecost has a rich history. It began in Ghana and spread globally. Today we explore its origins. We will learn about its growth.
The Church of Pentecost started in 1937. Rev. James McKeown arrived from the United Kingdom. He came to support a group of believers. They sought the “OLD TIME POWER” of Pentecost. These believers were in Asamankese.
In 1937 Rev. James Mckeown became seriously ill. He had malaria. Church rules forbade medical treatment. However a District Commissioner intervened. He took Rev. Mckeown to a hospital in Accra. After ten days he recovered fully. Upon his return leaders confronted him. They believed he violated church principles. He sought medical help instead of divine healing.
This disagreement led to a split. In 1939 the group divided. One became the Christ Apostolic Church. The other was the Apostolic Church, Gold Coast. Rev. Mckeown led the latter. It experienced significant growth under his leadership.
A constitutional crisis occurred in 1953. This led to another founding. It was called the Gold Coast Apostolic Church. Rev. Mckeown remained in charge. After Ghana’s independence in 1957 the church changed its name. It became the Ghana Apostolic Church.
Conflicts continued even after the split. Ghana’s President Kwame Nkrumah intervened. He advised the church to adopt a new name. On August 1 1962 the church became The Church of Pentecost. Apostle Alphonso Wood suggested the name.
The Church of Pentecost has grown significantly since then. By 2014 it had over 2.6 million members worldwide. As of 2019 it was in 104 countries. Its global membership reached 3474241. These members belonged to 28842 congregations. In Ghana youth make up a large portion of the membership. They account for 41.2%.
The Church of Pentecost adheres to specific doctrines. It believes in the Bible’s divine inspiration. The church recognizes one true God. This God exists as the Trinity. It acknowledges man’s sinful nature. The church believes in Jesus Christ as savior. It emphasizes repentance justification and sanctification. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are important sacraments. The church teaches about the Holy Spirit. It recognizes gifts and fruits of the spirit. Divine healing is another key belief. Tithing and offerings are essential practices. Finally the church believes in the Second Coming.
The Church of Pentecost values evangelism. It encourages discipleship. It strives for ministry excellence. The Holy Spirit is central to its practices. Leadership development is based on apostolic foundations. The church promotes a distinct culture. This culture includes self-support faithfulness and integrity. It values prayer church discipline and respect for authority. The Church of Pentecost emphasizes holiness. It values consistent Bible teaching. It encourages prayer and church discipline.
So as you stand before The Church of Pentecost remember its story. It is a story of faith division and growth. It is a testament to the power of belief. It shows how a small group can become a global movement.