ANADWO ADWENDWEN

Story by Jedidiah Appiah (Fmr. President, Pensa-KATH)

Before I stepped foot in Tech, I had heard of the great "Paa Joe" and how many people had walked the length and breadth of that land seeking the face of God. Wishing to add my name to this list, and for other deep reasons, I joined the prayer force of PENSA. Every Monday, I located the prayer team and went to "kabee" with them. But I couldn't help but notice the gymnastics that were going on on the ground, in my group and other groups! For some, their waists were moving side to side while their arms were lifting spiritual dumbells. Others were doing squats. Some were doing one handed "Maso y3 den". There were many motions I witnessed that made me wonder if these people had extra joints. And then there was the rhythmic claps that were supposed to make sure the prayers followed the 1-4 time signature. And then we had some prayer leaders also using big big words they didn't understand.  I remember someone was leading a session and he went like, "Say after me, Every demonic activity, I OVERRIDE,  I OVERTURN, I OVERSEE!" I said "Ei bra!!! You want to OVERSEE DEMONIC ACTIVITIES!! If possible, let this cup pass me by!" To crown all of this, the laryngitis stricken voices of the prayer warriors. I'm sure these guys have kept streptol and other sore throat lozenges in business!

All this was so fascinating for me, and I couldn't wait to develop my own skills. It didn't take long kraa, and voila!!! I also had the laryngitis prayer voice! I also developed my own prayer dance (just with my hands though).  It involved me reaching out, taking something and pulling it to myself. Obviously my inspiration was Matt 11:12. With more intense prayers, I graduated to a break-punch- tear motion with my hands. In no time, I became a clapper myself. I had finally become a PaaJoenian!!!

But in all of this, I had began to lose the essence of prayer.  Instead of going to have a heart to heart talk with God, I went there just to lose weight and sweat! Some of the prayer leaders weren't helping because they incited these rituals with statements like, "I cannot feel you prrrraying!", "Are you in the house at all!" Etc. With time,I realised the emptiness that had filled my prayer times.

Dear prayer warrior, in all you do, don't lose sight of what prayer essentially is; communication with God. Don't get caught up in all the frenzy. Remember, the power of a prayer is in the one who answers the prayer. I still have my skills.  No one can take them away from me. But now, I make sure I'm fixed on God, and not myself. That is prayer.  Selah

#anadwoadwendwen

TOMORROW

STORY SO FAR…

Having been introduced to the topic of salvation by her friend and co-worker John, Gladys decided to postpone it despite learning of its urgency to her soul, and started an alliance with her imaginary trustee “Tomorrow”, postponing one task after another…

Watch out for the continuation in the next issue of the NEWSLETTER.

DISCOURSE WITH THE TS

Shining in a Dark World

My Philippians

Ps. Seth Asare Ofei Badu

Paul’s imprisonment experience in Rome is giving him a clearer view of the convicting power of the Gospel and he is writing to urge the church in Philippi, who have been partners with him since “the early days of the Gospel” (1:7; 4:15), to imitate the way his salvation was working out: As he walks in righteousness under involuntary restriction, the evidence of his salvation is becoming clearer both to himself and to others.

Though imprisoned under false charges, his grateful joyfulness and upright conduct has convinced everyone that he is a good man put in chains not for a bad cause, but for a different cause, which must certainly be good. He is shining in the dark imprisonment environment.

He is so peaceful with the Lord that he yearned to depart from the body, and therefore had no fear of the worst possible outcome that awaits prisoners. Indeed he would welcome death as a crown for his faithful service (2:17). Yet remaining here for awhile would still serve the Lord’s purpose as his authentic example is held up before them to imitate confidently (2:2; 3:15, 17; 4:19).

He intimates that he has a 5-fold goal – (a) to know Christ (well), (b) to appreciate the power of His resurrection (most probably, the power to walk in righteousness), (c) to share in his suffering (as should every follower of Christ, 1:29), (d) to be conformed to His death (most probably, to be prepared to die for the faith, if need be), and (e) to attain the resurrection of the dead (that is to be faithful to the end and become worthy of the resurrection of the righteous) – 3:10. Although he is already seeing the sure fruit of having such a goal, yet he presses on, avoiding complacency (3:13), and invites his “partners” to imitate him in this also.

Paul once again warns against imitating those who would rather seek ceremonial righteousness, or rely on earthly heritage, saying, compared to the knowledge and the reward of serving Christ, those are useless rubbish (3:9). Also those who glorify the satisfaction of earthly needs and needs of the flesh to the extent of even doing shameful things to attain them oppose the message of Christ and live as enemies of the cross, whose end is destruction (1:28, 3:19).

He mentions other exemplary believers worthy of emulation as Timothy, who genuinely placed the interest of other church members above his own; Epaphroditus who risked his health for the Gospel; and Euodia and Syntyche, who contended for the Gospel alongside him.

He urges that to walk in fullness of joy that shows forth Christ, members of the church must do nothing out of rivalry, conceit, grumbling, complaining or anxiety (2:3, 14; 4:6), but rather out of humility, just as Christ did not insist of His divinity when He walked among us. They must focus rather on grateful prayer and moral excellence (4:6, 8)

Written by Ps. Seth Asare Ofei Badu

Traveling Secretary, Pensa Asokwa

FOR EXAMPLES, THESE THINGS MUST CHARACTERIZE US

FOR EXAMPLES, THESE THINGS MUST CHARACTERIZE US

Main Reading:Mt. 3:1-12; 5:21-6:9

INTRODUCTION

The Baptist’s ministry marked the turning point from life regulated by the Law and tradition to life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Indeed John declared that he was just calling people to a baptism that marked their turning away from the old self-preserving lifestyle. Jesus would take over from there, baptizing them with the Holy Spirit and Fire into a self-sacrificing lifestyle. On arrival, Jesus immediately outlines the character traits of those who will receive His power through believing in Him. In this sermon, we take a brief look at the lifestyle and message of John the Baptist, and examine some key aspects of Holy Spirit enabled lifestyles that characterizes us followers of Jesus Christ.

A PEEK AT PRE-CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS

Until Christ came, God’s people, the Jews were supposed to exhibit the most excellent of lifestyles on the Earth, since they were guided by the Law of God given through Moses. However, even their kings and priests who were expected to model and uphold the law often strayed from it, necessitating the intervention of prophets from time to time. In order to drive home their point, the prophets often lived in a way that was very different from how the people and their leaders lived. With time, the ministry of even the prophets lapsed, and a class of people developed who taught and upheld the strictest form of the Law and traditions. Many of them were part of the Jewish council of elders called the Sanhedrin, but they were also reputed to observe the law only in appearance. It was at the time when the Sanhedrin held sway in Jewish governance that John the Baptist was born, and as he grew up, he particularly typified prophets of old in lifestyle and message:

1. He lived in the wilderness
2. He ate cheap food (locusts and wild honey)
3. He wore no style (camel hair with leather belt)
4. He spoke against sin and demanded repentance

THE MESSAGE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist performed no miracles whatsoever, but “people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan, were flocking to him…” Even many of the Pharisees (strict observers of Law of Moses and traditions, who also believed in resurrection) and the Sadducees(observers of only written Law of Moses,  but who rejected resurrection) were coming to him. It is safe to conclude that they believed John because he lived what he preached.Here is an outline of the message of John the Baptist, from our main reading:

1. God’s judgment is coming upon sinners
2. Repent: reset your minds to please God first
3. God does not give consideration to parentage when it comes to salvation
4. Bear fruit consistent with repentance
5. No fruit, no salvation, no Kingdom (v.10)
6. I only prepare you to enter the Kingdom
7. Jesus will usher you into the Kingdom
8. Jesus will empower you to bear fruit (Ref: Gal 5:22/ John 15:1-8)

REPENTANCE AND FRUIT BEARING

The concept of fruit bearing as a new lifestyle emerging out of true repentance was first introduced by John the Baptist. This might have been stimulated by the arrival of the Pharisees and Sadducees at his baptism. He was quite wary of their repentance claims, for they were the yardsticks of righteousness in those days, cruel but hard to fault by the Law. The kind of righteousness expected of them had to be spontaneous and generous, rather than the clever outsmarting of the Law that characterized them so far. The Baptist warned that anything less would not do. Rather, those who repented genuinely would receive power (of the Holy Spirit) from Jesus (to bear fruit), who would further prove true repentance with fire (most probably suffering).

Jesus Himself spoke of life in Him as leading to fruit-bearing (John 15:1-8). He described how seeds bear fruit in John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop”. This is consistent with how crops multiply (and a few lessons can be gleaned here):

¡  To bear fruit, seeds must come into contact with MOISTURE and SOIL, APPEAR TO DECAY, and then GERMINATE, etc.

¡  MOISTURE: God’s grace (mercy, undeserved kindness upon us)

¡  SOIL: Life on Earth with all its needs and potential to contaminate

¡  Note: Seeds without life (non-viable seeds) are consumed by the soil and join the manure (So seeds tend to fear soil!). But Christ makes us viable seed.

Although the context of the above quotation is the preparation for His death, He was also strongly suggesting to His disciples that unless they were willing to sacrifice even their lives to do His will, they would not bear fruit. This coupled with the assertion of John the Apostle in 1 John 3:9, that those who are born of God do not sin because they have the seed of God, makes the illustration even more profound. Therefore, soon after His baptism, and well before they received the Holy Spirit, Jesus outlined examples of fruit that those who believe in Him are empowered to bear in and they exceeded any good conduct known in the Law and Traditions (Mt 5-7).

FRUIT BEARING IN PRACTICE

Obedience to the Law is measured with the letter, but doesn’t guarantee LIFE (Gal 2:21; 3:21).Bearing fruit, however, is powered by the Spirit and is the only measure of one’s SALVATION:  It springs forth when SEED comes into contact with SOIL. In Christ, we are made alive like seeds (born again), with all the potential to grown into the stature of the full tree (Jesus Christ). We must therefore shed all fear to engage the corrupting world, and showing forth the superior ability that Christ endows us with by His Spirit.We now proceed to examine some of the fruits of true repentance with which we glorify Christ and draw multitudes to Him:

FRUIT 1: CONTROL YOUR ANGER (5:21-22)

Using the Law of Moses as his point of departure, Jesus teaches that those who believe in Him should be ready to give up the root cause of murder, which is anger. They should be prepared to separate themselves from all personal responsibility to revenge or exact punishment for wrongs done to them. Now, anger is a natural self defense mechanism aimed at eliminating fatal threats (which threats usually operate on dehumanizing victims). To let go of that mechanism is demonstration of surrender of one’s life and existence to Divine trust. Matthew 18:15-20 gives more details on what the Lord requires and the Spirit enables us to do when we are offended.

FRUIT 2: RESPECT EVERY PERSON ALWAYS (5:22-26)

The tendency to demean and insult other people was clearly frowned on even by the authorities of the day, and it was the earliest outward sign of anger. Jesus pointed out that although the authorities punished the act of insulting others, its implications have far greater consequences. We must not call another person useless because every person is actually:

• ·         Made in the image of God
• ·         Worthy of the suffering of Christ
• ·         As actively sought after by the love of God as you are
• ·         A potential co-heir in the promises of God

FRUIT 3: CONTROL YOUR SEXUAL APPETITES (5:27-30)

Sexual misconduct often tops the list of works of the flesh in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, raping an engaged woman is equated with murder (see Deut 22:25-26). Those who fall into sexual sins tend to be capable of every other sin, ranging from blasphemy to murder. The Lord therefore takes a drastic view of how a person who believes in Him ought to purge himself of every tendency to be associated with sexual immorality. What usually leads to sexual activity even of married people are staring at the exposed body of persons of the other sex and touching or being touched in a manner that arouses sexual desire. A Spirit empowered person is expected to control what is watched and what is touched. No effort is to be spared in this direction, even if it would take mutilating the senses that lead to the transient but murderous pleasure of sexual misconduct. This is the most probable reason for the Lord’s suggestion for the tempted believer to pluck out the prying eye or fondling hand! Remember, “…lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes …” (1Jn. 1:26)

FRUIT 4: PREPARE TO MARRY ONE PERSON FOR LIFE (5:31-32)

Naturally following in self-control in sexual matters is ability of Christ’s followers to maintain a marriage relationship for life. Divorce is not an option for the Christian, although some appear not to mind destroying their Christian testimony through divorce. It is important therefore to take all caution in entering into marriage with a RESOLVE TO STAY MARRIED no matter what.Such preparation involves looking beyond the physical and temporal to the spiritual and moral in the prospective spouse.

FRUIT 5: SPEAK THE TRUTH WITH CONFIDENCE ALWAYS (5:33-38)

People swear or take oaths out of desperation, when they do not immediately have what is required to substantiate their claims. In Christ, however, God brings us to such a standing in Him that we need not cower before authority or person for any reason. We must always be prepared to speak and stand by the simple truth we know, and leave the believing or otherwise to our hearers. Impressing through false pretenses, or covering up our temporal shortcomings and inadequacies is not an option.

FRUIT 6: RATHER BE CHEATED THAN QUARREL (5:38-42)

As children and heirs of the Creator, we are wealthier than anyone in this world. As persons growing in the image of Christ, we are most reputable among men. We therefore no longer need to quarrel over temporal things such as property, reputation and even kith and kin. If anybody deliberately tries to rob us of earthly things, we ought to have the sense of worth to react appropriately as those who have secure permanent versions of what they draw us to tussle over.

FRUIT 7: SEEK THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO SEEK EVIL FOR YOU (5:43-45)

This is a step further from just forgiving those who offend you. Such persons now clearly identify themselves as God’s perishing children, who He actively seeks to bring back home.  It can take only people who have experienced the immense mercy and grace God gave them when they were sinners to sympathise, rather than be rightly indignant, with those who hate, curse or mistreat them (See Lk 6:27).

FRUIT 8: GREET THE STRANGER (5:46-48)

Human beings tend to care for their own in the order beginning from those of direct blood relationship often only up to we share the same country with. Strangers to us even begin only after blood relatives. We often feel no compulsion to have any interaction with those not within our immediate circle. In Christ, that tendency comes to a resounding end as all people become children or potential children of God as we are. We ought therefore to take active interest in other people we meet, whether we know them to be believers or not. We must be characterized by proactive courtesy, a typical ice-breaker that endears us to hearts of people who would then listen to our life-saving message.

FRUIT 9: SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER AT HOME (6:5-9)

A culture in which communication with deity or spirits is as routine as speaking with another person is rare indeed. Most require mediums, rituals and sacrifices. Those who acknowledge the Creator, often bow to Him but certainly treat Him as distant and disinterested in His creation, except to step in punish the wicked or answer a prayer. Distant or disinterested who Jesus shows us God is: He has become our Father who is always with us, wants us to feel confident in His presence. Jesus constantly drummed home to the disciples that God is their Father, because it is not a familiar concept, especially when they had to accept it by faith. This required a very significant change in the way the disciples prayed: They could speak to God in their closet of all places, without an altar or a sacrifice!

CONCLUSION

Those are examples ...

¡  John the Baptist’s superior and sacrificial lifestyle alone drew crowds unto repentance.

¡  Entry into the Kingdom of God is occasioned by our repentant faith. This is proven by our Christ-like fruit of superior and sacrificial lifestyle that can be traced only to the power of the Holy Spirit given to us.

¡  We have been made capable by the Holy Spirit, and must therefore live the lifestyle of the foregoing examples, drawing many to repentance, primarily by our fruit (not our gifts).

My Lord Jesus, my Lord Jesus

I give myself to You,

And I love You

My Lord Jesus, my Lord Jesus

Forever live in me

Use me as You will

Written by Samuel Adjabeng (MDD, KNUST)

PENSA 2016 CONFERENCE NOTICES AND MORE

BRIEFING FROM THE OCTOBER 2015 NCC MEETING

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied unto you. We are grateful for your cooperation and support since we took office as PENSA GHANA Coordinating Team 2015/2016.

At the National Central Committee (NCC) meeting which was organized from 30^th to 31^st October, 2015 at Sunyani PIWC,  some major decisions were made which we wish to bring to your attention.

1.       The formation of Institutional Conference Committee:

As agreed, at the meeting, you are requested to form a five (5) member committee which will constitute a chairman, a member who is good in I.T., an organizer, and two other supporting members. It is highly recommended that individuals who will constitute this committee should be people with less busy schedules, so that they will have ample time to carry out their responsibilities efficiently. The names and contacts details of these people should be forwarded to the secretary of PENSA GHANA by Wednesday 3^rd November, 2015.

2.       PENSA GHANA Conference 2016 Details:

We wish to officially inform you that the PENSA GHANA Conference will be held next year 2016. The details are as follows:

Theme: “A TRUE EXAMPLE”

Text: 1 Timothy 4:12 & 1:2

Slogan: ‘A True Example’ Every day! Everywhere! Every Time!

Date: 7^th-10^th January, 2016.

Venue: Pentecost Convention Centre (P.C.C.)

Charges: Pre-tertiary          GHs. 75.00

                Tertiary                  GHs. 110.00

LEADERS' MEETING SEP 2015

PENSA KUMASI – LEADERS’ MAJOR MEETING

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2015. 8am to 1pm at Asokwa McKeown Temple

Christ in You! The Lord has led us to understand His will and work in the PENSA Kumasi Sector. Many moves are bearing fruit and we want to gather to sharpen our focus and give our best for His will. Kindly go though the following brief as you prepare to be punctual at the meeting.

Program Outline

1.       Prayer of Thanksgiving

2.       Ashanti Regional Coordinator’s Greeting/Address

3.       Exposition and Discussion on Pentecostal Conferences

4.       Prayer for our collective ministry in the Last Quarter’s

5.       Break

6.       Discussion of Meeting Brief

MEETING Brief

A.      Campus Outreach: Our main aim as PENSA is to reach those who have not met Christ on our Campuses with the Gospel message and lifestyle. At our last meeting we issued letters to the SHS authorities requesting permission to preach, share gospel tracts and show gospel films. We want to receive feedback.

B.      Financial Reporting: PENSA in every institution must present budget for approval before starting expenses in every Semester, along with income and expenditure statement of the previous period. We want to ensure that this is being complied with smoothly

C.      Obligations to the Sector: At our last meeting with President and Secretaries, they came to a tentative agreement to support the Secretariat with 10% of all offerings taken. They requested consultation with their executive committees before confirming the proposal. We want to get the confirmation. We also have an agreement to reserve Pentecost Fire and Devotional Guide for up to 10% of every institution’s PENSA membership (including schools coordinated). We want to be sure accounts are in harmony.

D.      Pentecostal Conferences: Our major prayer and teaching gathering that involves all pre-tertiary PENSA members is scheduled for September 26 at the Zonal level. we want to find the extent of preparations by Zonal Teams.

E.       Stage on Fire: Music, Drama and Tract Recital were successful last year and is scheduled for October this year. It may be covered for airing by PENT TV. Drama focal areas have already been published on our blog. We want to consolidate all information on this.

F.       Schools’ Visitation and Preaching: By God’s grace we have a number of volunteers from the alumni who want to assist the Travelling Secretary in visiting and preaching in the schools. We want to introduce them and conclude the visitation schedule together.

G.     Media Committee Activities: Three members of the Youth Ministry Media Committee are in the Sector. They will update the house and take feedback on initiatives and developing projects in the following areas:

a.       Film

b.      Song books and tracts publishing

c.       Youth Wave, Inspired to Impact and 3 other programs on PENT TV

d.      Website: Facebook/pensakumasi and pensakumasi.blogspot.com

H.      Young Ladies Development Focus: The Youth and Women’s Ministries’ Virtuous Ladies program this year saw the partication of both Directors and many others. Mrs Victoria Aboah, an Executive Member of the Women’s Ministry will brief us on preparations for the next edition

I.        PENSA 2016: We shall be updated on preparations.

SEP TO DEC 2015

I.                    PENTECOSTAL CONFERENCE 2015

Theme: These Have Been With Christ (Acts 4:13)

Facilitators & Venues

Zone	Venue	Facilitator/Speaker
Asokwa	KNUST	Ps Tony Mensah
Ejisu	Ejisu Central	Ps/Mrs. Bamfo
Konongo	KOSS Assembly Hall	Eld. K. K. Marfo
Suame	PENSEC Assembly Hall	Ps Seth A. Ofei Badu
Kwadaso	Tanoso Central/Nkawie	Eld. Ato Cobbinah
New Tafo	Antoa/Bonwire Ass. Hall	Eld. Robert Fobi
Bompata	Asafo Central	Elder Victor Brijuu
Mampong	Mampong Fie Central	Eld. Clement Yeboah

The focus is on Holy Spirit-produced character

Activity

·         Worship Time

o   Thanksgiving

o   Testimonies

o   Songs

·         Teaching on basics of Christian Life

o   Faith and Repentance

o   Holy Spirit baptism, transformation(fruit) and gifts

o   Endurance and Advancement attitudes and strategies

·         Prayer Time

o   Lord, have Your way in me, let me know You more

o   Transform me, and use me

II.                  STAGE ON FIRE, 2015

A.      SINGING – Pentecost Hymnal – Translations, Adaptations and Additions – Only 2 musicians on stage

B.      DRAMA – Transforming Love – Plays that examine how genuine Christian love converts people of various walks of life. Christ demonstrated His love for us by putting our interests ahead of His, came down to our status to make us understand Him and become aware of our dangerous state, paring us neither the truth nor His willingness to help us come out. Study 1 Corinthians 13 to see details of expressions of Christian love

The preferred language is English, but may be mixed with Twi for the actors ease. Time allowed on Stage in 15 minutes. Good props must be used. Lapel microphones will be provided for actors.

The play must be written and submitted for vetting by September 15.

All selected plays will be previewed from September 15 to October 15

Aspects of Christian love expected to be highlighted per institution are as follows:

Inst 1	Inst 2	Some Situations	Dominant Expression
KAC		Family	Patience
MAMTEC	PUC	Friendship	Kindness
WESCO	KATH	Litigation	Rejoicing with the Truth
Offinso NTC	St. Monica’s CE	Colleagues	Believing all Things
CSUC	ST. LOUIS	Marriage Preps	Selflessness
RUDECO	UEWM	Divorce Threats	Conceiving no Evil
OCE	K POLY	School/Exams	Hope
UCOMS	MNMTC	Theft	Endurance
APCE	Ejura AC	Bereavement	Not Failing (Unconditional)
KNMTC	GCUC	Travelling	Rejoicing When Others do Well – Not Envious
UEWK	RACOH	Sickness	Humble – Not Boastful
KNUST	Cambridge		Respectful – Not Rude

NEW HEIGHTS FOR WRITING TO IMPACT

Youth Director

The Youth Writers' Contest has been duly launched. Please find below the Working Document. 

THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST-YOUTH MINISTRY
GUIDELINES FOR THE PENTECOST WRITERS’ CONTEST
THE VISION:
As a follow-up to a proposal received from Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy, former Chairman of the Church, who is currently the Director of Literary Works of the Church, the Youth Ministry has adopted the National Writers’ Contest as an annual event. Previously, it was being done within PENSA at the Senior High School level, but this time, the scope has been broadened to accommodate all youth and adult members who have the flair for writing.
The vision is to assess and select the best write-ups for publication in an Annual Youth Reader which would be launched every January during the PENSA GHANA conference by the Chairman of the Church. It is expected that this vision will stir up the flair for good writing skills among the youth of the Church.

COMMITTEE
A committee, Pentecost Writers’ Contest Committee has been set up to coordinate the contest and comprises
Eld. Samuel Ofori Agyei (Headmaster of Accra Academy SHS, Chairman of Committee of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS-Ghana), Head, African College of Principals, Editor and Writer) -Chairman of Committee
Ps. Ebenezer Hagan (PENSA Travelling  Secretary, Greater Accra) -Secretary of Committee]
Mr. Alfred Baiden ( Lecturer of English Language,  University of Ghana)
Dcn. Alexander Mensah Boamah (Former Editor Librarian, PENSA KNUST, Writer)
Ms. Portia Aboagye Dufie (Journalist, TV Africa)
Mr. Nathaniel Ahwireng (MPhil. Student, University of Ghana)

PROCEDURE 
REGISTRATION:
Interested persons shall be made to register between January and March each year by filling a registration form to be circulated by the Youth Directorate. This shall apply from 2015. Registration shall be FREE. In filling the form, writers shall indicate their topics of interest for the year’s contest. Such topic(s) should be chosen from the five thematic areas of Spirituality, Social Life, Health, Academics and National Development.  Shortlisted applicants will be given the date to tender in their write-ups. A writer may submit one or more articles.
MODALITIES  AND TIME LINES
Official Opening: The contest shall be officially opened during each year’s PENSA National Conference. Registration forms shall then be released and circulated around the country. Filled forms are supposed to be submitted by interested people latest by the ending of March of the said year. 
Writing and submission of articles: A period of one month, spanning over April shall be allocated for the writing. At the end of the allocated period, contestants shall be required to submit their write-ups to the Coordinating Team latest by the ending of May. Articles may be printed and submitted at the Youth Directorate at the Church’s Head Office either personally or via post; addressed to: The National Coordinating Committee, Pentecost Writers’ Contest, Youth Ministry Directorate, P. O. Box 2194, Accra.  Soft copies of the articles shall also be required to reach the Coordinating Committee via ebenhagk@yahoo.co.uk or ebenhagk@gmail.com on or before the stated deadline. Articles which arrive later than the stipulated date will not be accepted. 

Marking of scripts: This will be done by the Committee in June and July each year. Shortlisted writers will have their articles published in a Reader.

Publishing of selected articles in the Reader: September-November.
Presentation of awards and unveiling/launching of Reader: January the next year (during the PENSA National Conference) 

MARKING OF SCRIPTS
Scripts would be marked by the National Youth Writers’ Contest Committee put in place by the Directorate. The best scripts shall be shortlisted and forwarded to the Director of Literary Works, Apostle Dr. M. K. Ntumy, for his independent comments to the Committee. Areas for consideration would include how rich and sound the arguments propelled are in dealing with the topic being written on. In addition, the laws that govern essay writing in English Language would be uncompromisingly employed. The writer’s ability to sustain the interest of the youth and his readers at large will be a plus.
WORD LIMIT AND FORMAT: Between 1,500 and 2,500 words
When it becomes clear that a writer copied someone else’ work from any source -the internet, other books, etc – plagiarized, his/her articles would be rejected. As much as possible, originality should be the hallmark of the articles.
For the sake of uniformity, the following writing format should be observed by all participants:
Font type:  Times New Roman
Font size:   12
Spacing:     Double-space
Printing: Front only. (Not front and back)
PARTICIPATION/ELIGIBILITY
The Contest shall be open to all youth of the Church (both those on the campuses and those off-campuses) as well as adults who are interested.
DETAILS OF AWARDS
All writers will be issued with certificates of participation. Special prizes shall be determined by Leadership and given to deserving contestants. Each contestant shall also be given a free copy of the Reader to be published.
ENQUIRIES/CONCERNS
All concerns and enquiries should be directed to the Youth Director on 0244828484/ davidhayfron575@hotmail.com OR the National Writers’ Contest Committee through 0243971197/0269225320 or through the email addresses provided above.

TS SPEAKS TO PRESIDENTS

Ps. Seth Asare Ofei Badu

Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu, Traveling Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Kumasi Sector in the Ashanti Region and his team have completed a training and orientation program for the presidents in the sector. The program which started on 17th January, 2005 saw the team visiting the schools in the following catchment areas Ejisu, KNUST, Agogo, Tanoso, Offinso and Mampong.

Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu, at every zone, spoke on how they can be good stewards of God in their generation. He tasked them to guard the doctrine they have received, protect the pulpit from false prophet, teach the members to hold on to the new testament teachings.

 In addition to that, he reminded them of the role they need to play as the leaders of the group and for that matter admonished them to keep proper statistical records of the church. The participants were taken through how to fill the statistical form of the church.

Finally, Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu took the presidents through the new regulations on how to correspond with his office, invite speakers and other relevant information. The program ended successfully at the Mampong Area with a call for leaders to study the scriptures well and not to allow any flying, shallow doctrine to sway them away. 

TS URGE STUDENTS TO BE ASSURED OF THEIR SALVATION.

Ps. Seth Asare Ofei Badu

PENSA students have been urged to place their faith in the redemption Christ brought to us through the shedding of his blood and thereby make conscious effort to help their converts gain such faith when they come to Christ.

The Traveling Secretary of PENSA Ghana, Kumasi Sector, Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu  made this call when he took his turn to speak to the students of Kumasi Polytechnic Pensa in their final day of preparation towards a village crusade at Sekyere District in the Ejisu Juaben Area of the Church of Pentecost in the Ashanti Region on the 23rd December, 2014.

Pastor Seth Asare Ofei Badu spoke on the theme, Assurance of Eternal Life. In comparing the blessing in the Old Testament and the New Testament, he spoke on the fact that believers are not to measure their blessings base on what they have acquired since they came to Christ - as pronounced in Deut. 28 but should pay attention to what Matthew 5:11 . He acknowledged that Christ can turn the life of those who come to him but we should also teach suffering as part of our journey to heaven to  them, he added.

After his message, he spent time in prayers with the militants who comprised about seventy students and fifteen Alumni.  He pronounced God's power which is at work in such endeavors upon their lives. Eld. King David Nyamedor led the militants to the lord's table. The militants set off to their various centers on the 24th December, 2014 on the soul winning project which was to last for five days.