Accra - Ghana

I can think of few greater honours I have had, in the nine years since I was elected as general Superintendent, than to be invited to be the main speaker at the farewell celebration of my good friend Dr. Michael Ntumy - Chairman of the Church of Pentecost - which was attended by around 9500 people.

Having completed ten years in office – the maximum permitted under their constitution – Dr Ntumy steps down after a spectacularly successful tenure. Those who attended would be aware that when their Chairman came to office the world membership of COP was a little over 803,000. Ten years later it numbers 1,695,412. The number of churches have grown from 7,109 to 17,418. Several of the highest ranking officials in Government and the Military are members of the Church of Pentecost and the Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama, was present for the four hour service. He paid warm and glowing tribute to his friend as did several other dignitaries who were present.

Last year the President of Ghana awarded Dr. Ntumy ‘The Order of the Volta’ – the highest honour that can be given to a civilian.

Michael Ntumy was trained at Elim’s Theological College in Nantwich as was his successor as Chairman Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah

A major influence on both their lives was Lionel Currie who, with his wife Ruth was also present for the celebrations. Lionel, an Elim minister for forty years and now senior pastor of Bridge Street Church in Leeds, spent nine years in Ghana and was Principal of their college at which most of the senior figures in the Church of Pentecost received training. Understandably Lionel and Ruth are not only greatly respected by the Denomination but greatly loved.

There is no Denomination that is closer to the Elim Pentecostal Churches than the Church of Pentecost. Each year delegates are sent to our respective conferences with full voting rights.

Dr. Michael Ntumy paid the warmst tribute to his wife Martha who has been a major influence upon the women of COP. Their five sons and daughter were present for the celebration service. The Ntumy’s will now move to Germany where they will oversee the work of the church there.

On a personal level I am delighted that Dr. Ntumy will be closer to us here in Europe and I look forward to strengthening my already close links with the new Chairman, Apostle Opoku Onyinah