The Tamale Area Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has organised a metro youth joint service at the Tishegu Central Assembly church auditorium to relaunch the Ministry to Teens (M2T).
The event was chaired by the Area Head, Apostle Sylvester, with support from Pastor Michael Blankson (Area Youth Pastor). Also in attendance were a cross-section of the area pastorate, namely Pastor Isaac Deku, Pastor Richard Anang, Pastor Daniel Gyekye, Pastor Manasseh Nabaku and P/Overseer Isaac Korang.
Elder Selorm Tetteh, a National Executive Committee member of the Youth Ministry, represented the Youth Ministry Director, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, at the event. Addressing a gathering of teenagers and young adults, Elder Tetteh said there is a tremendous need for dynamic ministry to young people in every Church, including The Church of Pentecost.
He noted that the membership of the Youth Ministry currently stood at 1,429,718, approximately 43% of the entire church membership. He further stated that teenagers make up 45% of the total membership of the Youth Ministry. “When compared by age range, however, it becomes clear that teenagers constitute a huge part of the membership of both the Youth Ministry and the mother Church,” he said.
He said that due to the significant teen membership, the Church, through the M2T, is intensifying efforts at grounding teenagers in Christ and meeting their peculiar needs. “It must, however, be made clear that, we are not starting a new ministry for teenagers. Rather, this is only a strategy to serve the teeming teenagers in our Church better,” he stressed.
With Bible reference from 1 Kings 20:1-14, Pastor Isaac Deku exhorted the congregants on the topic, “The Young Officers.” In his sermon, Pastor Deku indicated that it took the young officers of the provincial commanders to rescue the people of Israel from the hands of Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram.
He said that teenagers possess great potentials that should be harnessed to benefit the Church and society. “Teens show great strength; they are risks takers; and always joyous. But it is also at this stage when they begin to engage in sexual/immoral activities, become rebellious, etc. Hence, we must be intentional about their upbringing. they are future officers (leaders),” he said.
He said that the Church remains the only institution that could ensure the godly upbringing of children as most parents only focus on formal education and not godly training. He, therefore, urged church leaders to take particular interest in the M2T and ensure its success at the various levels.
As part of the service, Apostle Sylvester Arhin inducted members of the Area M2T Coordinating Team, made up of Elder Mawutor Godwin Kofi (Coordinator), Mrs. Gifty Gandhi Owusu (Deputy Coordinator), Elder Anyakina Williams, and Deacon Isaac Yennu, into office.
The Area Head charged the teenagers to see themselves as young officers who would bring great revival into the Body of Christ and cause a positive change in their families and society.
The service recorded a total attendance of 395 participants, including Mrs. Regina Arhin (Wife of the Area Head), Mrs. Sarah Blankson (Wife of the Youth Pastor), as well as Area and District Youth Ministry workers, among others.
Report by Elder M.K Godwin
