Once, a British mission sparked a flame that grew into a global movement. Here we are at the Church of Pentecost in Accra. It began with Rev. James McKeown in Ghana in 1937.
In 1953, it officially became the Gold Coast Apostolic Church. Imagine the pride when Ghana gained independence in 1957. The name changed to the Ghana Apostolic Church to reflect this new era.
Conflict arose with another Apostolic Church. Ghana’s President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah intervened. He decreed a new identity. Thus, in August 1962, the Church of Pentecost was born.
Missionary work fueled expansion. Relationships with other Pentecostal churches blossomed. The Church of Pentecost spread worldwide. It now operates in over 151 nations. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and senior pastors lead the way. There are approximately 21802 local assemblies in 2898 districts.
In 2022, global membership exceeded 4.2 million. This includes over 1.3 million children. The church boasts over 137000 officers and nearly 2500 ordained ministers across 101 nations. The Church of Pentecost experienced a growth of 7.9%. It now thrives in 170 nations globally.
Leading this vast network is a lineage of dedicated chairmen. Pastor James McKeown led from 1953 to 1982. Apostle Fred Stephen Safo followed from 1982 to 1987. Prophet Martinson Kwadwo Yeboah guided the church from 1988 to 1998. Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy served from 1998 to 2008. Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah was chairman from 2008 to 2018. Currently, Apostle Eric Nyamekye holds the position since 2018.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye was recently re-elected. The election took place on May 4, 2023. It was held at the Pentecost Convention Center. This occurred during the 46th General Council Meeting.
Within Ghana alone, the Church of Pentecost has 67 administrative areas. Worldwide, there are 107 areas in 105 nations. Each area is led by an apostle, prophet, evangelist, or senior pastor. A six-member Executive Committee assists them. The Area Presbytery is the coordinating body. It is the highest policy-making entity in the Area.
Here in Accra, the Youth Ministry has an office at P.O. Box 2194. It is located in Labadi. The Church of Pentecost continues to evolve. It addresses modern needs. Its global impact resonates far beyond Accra. From humble beginnings, it has become a significant force. Its story is a testament to faith.