Pentecost University Revives James McKeown Memorial Lecture

Pentecost University has opened the second McKeown Memorial Lecture on Thursday 4th November 2021. This comes after nearly two decades since the first one was organized in 2003. The two-day lecture is blended for both onsite and online participants. It is on the theme “re-visioning African Pentecostal –charismatic ecclesiology in the public sphere.”

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Aps. Prof. Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua said “the presentation at this lecture will revive the Pentecostal fire in us to become testimonies of authentic Christian lifestyle.” This he said is the “best megaphone for our faith.”

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Aps. Eric Nyamekye who opened the conference said it is not just an academic activity but also in pursuit of the “Great Commission.” He added that it is a crucial and necessary “dialogue between academic and ecclesiological practitioners.” Aps. Nyamekye also eulogized Rev. James McKeown and said a lecture in his distant predecessor’s honour will be academically enriching and spiritually empowering.

Delivering the keynote address for the first day, Aps. Prof. Opoku Onyinah, the immediate past Chairman of The Church of Pentecost described Rev. McKeown as balanced, flexible, comprehensive and a man of reading. He said, many may have noted that McKeown did not attain high level of education but he was a man of reading.” He said Rev. Mckeown made profound references and quoted some of the most renowned authors and books at the time. On education, Aps. Prof. Onyinah said Rev. Mckeown encouraged his pastors to read and enroll in formal education, and did not hesitate to open a school in Kumasi when it became necessary.

On his part, Aps. Dr. Lord Elorm Donkor, the Director of Birmingham Christian Centre in the UK who led the relections after the keynote speech described the lecture as “liberating and empowering.” Aps. Dr. Donkor said many things in The Church of Pentecost are attributed to Mckeown but the lecture as provided more insight for a better understanding. He said “people in my generation have come to meet many things in our church attributed to Rev. Mckeown. But this lecture has made us known that a leader’s beliefs and practices may not be practiced exactly as they are in some of his places of influence.”

Rev. James Mckeown was the founder of The Church of Pentecost. He is widely regarded as a founding father of Pentecostalism in Ghana and to some extent, Africa. He founded the the Bible College which went through phases to become Pentecost University. Rev. Mckeown lived between 1900 and 1989. This lecture is organized to honor his memories.