The Kwadaso Sector of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) has organized the 5th edition of its annual “Greater Works Conference.”
The event, which took place at Yaa Asantewaa Girls Senior High School on Saturday, October 14, 2023, was held under the theme, “Grounded in God’s Presence for Maximum Impact.”
This year’s event drew over 3000 participants from 21 tertiary and pre-tertiary schools within the sector, covering the Kwadaso, Abuakwa, Ashanti Bekwai, and Obuasi areas of The Church of Pentecost.
The PENSA Travelling Secretary and convener of the event, Pastor Isaac Donkoh, in his welcome address, indicated that the “Greater Works Conference” is organized annually to equip students with godly values and principles of the Kingdom in order to build their faith in the Lord and also to stir up their passion to become models of excellence in all spheres on their campuses.
He intimated that young people like Joseph, David, and Daniel were grounded in God’s presence and were seen as people who were mature in faith, sensible with well-considered priorities.
“These young people were mentally and emotionally stable, admirable, realistic, and unpretentious, hence the great success they had in their generation,” he said.
He, therefore, urged students to abide under God’s presence so as to become vessels he can use to accomplish greater and mightier things in their generation.
Pastor Ebenezer Agyapong, the Kwadaso District Minister and a guest speaker for the event, passionately emphasized the need for the students to develop a personal relationship with God through personal devotion when he spoke on “Quiet Time.”
Quoting Mark 1:35 and Psalm 63:1-2, he opined that quiet time is a spiritual exercise involving prayer, reading, and meditation on the Word of God.
“Quiet time helps Christians to commune with God, renew their strength, and grow in grace,” he stressed.
He encouraged all participants to approach God with reverence, obedience, and a willingness to depend on Him.
Elder Professor Bernard Kumi-Boateng, a Lecturer and former Dean at the University of Mines and Technology, also shared his personal life experiences, struggles, and the hard work coupled with the grace of God which ushered him into the hall of excellence.
Addressing the topic, “Pursuing Academic Excellence: Determination and Hard Work,” Elder Kumi, who is also the Assistant Tarkwa Area Youth Ministry Leader, recounted how as a young man from a very poor home in Bantama, he defied all odds to serve as a latrine attendant in order to finance his education.
“You may not be an excellent student, but don’t give up. Be determined and work hard; the dynamics will soon change with Jesus in the equation,” he said.
He further advised students to know themselves, remain focused as they study assiduously, and imbibe in them the fear of the Lord on their journey to the top.
“This way,” he asserted, “God will unleash His will and purpose for the nations into you.”
Taking his turn, Pastor Samuel Asiamah, the Resident Minister for PIWC-Kwadaso and the Area Youth Pastor, also spoke on the topic, “Grounded in God’s Presence for Maximum Impact.”
Drawing inspiration from Exodus 33:14-16 and Psalm 127:1, he explained that God’s presence is an active participation of God in one’s affairs.
The manifest presence of God, according to him, is visible to those who receive it, distinguishing them from others.
He then outlined the conditions to obtain God’s presence to include setting one’s life apart for Jesus, purposing oneself to live for God, praying and fasting, reading the Word, and receiving baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Participants were taken through an intensive prayer session, which saw 221 of them receiving Holy Spirit baptism. Forty-three of them also surrendered their lives to Christ, while 229 others rededicated their lives to Jesus.
Participants who were under various forms of addiction were also prayed for and counseled.
Among the dignitaries present were Mrs. Doris Donkoh (Wife of the PENSA Traveling Secretary), PENSA Patrons, including Elder Cosmos Appiah, the Patron’s Representative on the Working Committee, and Deacon Courage Mensah (Sector Head for PENSA Kwadaso Sector).
Report by Innocent Madawu (PENSA-Kwadaso Sector Secretary)