The Church of Pentecost Elects New Chairman

The Church of Pentecost has elected Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye as new Chairman to succeed Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, who officially retires in August this year.

The election took place on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) during the 43^rd General Council Meeting of the Church. Apostle Eric Nyamekye, 53, was nominated by the Executive Council, led by the outgoing Chairman, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah.

He secured a total of 147 Yes votes as against four (4) Nos, out of the 151 total valid votes cast, obtaining  97.5% of the total valid votes cast by the Electoral College, comprising Members of the Executive Council, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, all Area Heads in Ghana and National Heads who are apostles, prophets or evangelists. There was no abstention. The overwhelming endorsement of his candidature by the Electoral College, therefore, qualified him to be presented to the General Council for their affirmation.

At the General Council election which was the final lap, he polled a total of 994 votes out of the 1,009 total votes cast, representing 98.5%. The No votes were 14 with, one (1) abstention. The massive votes he garnered was more than the 2/3 majority votes prescribe by the Constitution of the Church which states that, “The candidate so elected at the Electoral College shall be presented to the General Council for approval by two-thirds (2/3) majority votes of the members present and voting.”

The General Council is made up of all Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and ordained Pastors of the Church, Area Executive Committee members, National Heads, National Deacons, National Secretaries, Trustees, Chairmen of Boards and Committees, and Ministry Directors, National Executive Committee Members of Ministries/National ITI PENSA Coordinating Committee, Area Women’s Ministry Leaders in Ghana, Specialists, and Retired Ministers.

The outgoing Chairman, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, on behalf of the General Council of the Church, congratulated Apostle Nyamekye on his election to the highest office of the Church.

In his response, the Apostle Eric Nyamekye, gave glory to God for granting him the opportunity to serve in the highest office of the Church. He also thanked the outgoing Chairman, immediate past Chairman and the General Council for reposing the confidence in him to lead the Church.

PROFILE OF APOSTLE ERIC NYAMEKYE

Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye was born on October 21, 1965 to Mr. Stephen Antiedu Nyamekye (late) and Agnes Owusu in Asokore-Ashanti. He completed Tema Secondary School in 1983 and proceeded to Nyankpala Agric College in the Northern Region, where he obtained a certificate in General Agriculture in 1986. He also holds a diploma in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Commercial Management, U.K., a post-graduate Diploma in Applied Theology from the University of Manchester, U.K., and a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ghana, Legon. He is currently a PhD student at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Apostle Nyamekye worked with Technology Consultancy Center, KNUST, for three (3) years before he was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1991 and stationed at Daboase in the Western Region between 1991 and 1995. He was later transferred to Agona Nsaba in the Central Region (1995- 1999), where he was ordained as a Pastor in 1996.

Between 1999 and 2005, he was sent on missions to the Republic of South Africa. He was recalled home in 2005 and stationed at East Legon, where he served as a District Pastor till 2008. He also became the Resident Minister of Atomic branch of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) from 2008 to 2011. He was later called into the Office of Apostle and transferred to Tamale as Area Head from 2011 to 2015.

Currently, Apostle Eric Nyamekye has been the Area Head of Koforidua Area since 2015. He was elected into the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost in 2013 and has since been a Member of the Council.

He has also served and continues to serve on several Boards and Committees of the Church. Among them are:  Chairman, Media Ministry Committee (2015 to date), Patron, Youth Ministry (2011- 2016), Area Secretary, Madina (2009-2011), Area Children’s Leader, Madina (2005-2008), National Secretary for the Republic of South Africa (2000-2005), Member of National Executive Committee, and Youth Committee (1996-1999).

Apostle Eric Nyamekye is married to Mary and together are blessed with six children: Samuel, Stephen, Lucien, Maame Boatemaa, Papa Kyere and Awura Abena.

Source: Pentecost News