The church was full to capacity with others seated outside, as members came in their numbers, with many clad in white ready and poised for a glorious entry into 2018 just as the people of Israel, were before the walls of Jericho and had to sing songs of praises, which brought the walls down to allow them possess the land.
Such was the atmosphere at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PWIC), La-Area of The Church of Pentecost, Ghana on the 31st watch night with the resident pastor, Rev Emmanuel Kwesi Acquah. Also present was the Apostle Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker, the Rector of the Pentecost University College (PUC).
Testimonies
It was soon time for testimonies and they came in their numbers as they were called to testify of the Lords goodness as it was not a time to boast, but if it was boasting at all, it was to the glory of God for what he had done for members of the congregation.
While others use songs to express their gratitude to God, a lady testified of how God aided her to finished and graduated in a four-year PHD in South Africa in just three years. This according her, got another grandaunt who saw her citation say to “you must be a freak to complete this in a short time like this”.
The Osofo Maame also testified of her, God helped her to gain admission to do a masters course in education. This did not come without challenges in the area of health but she said through it all God was faithful.
Others began the year as tenants but ended as landladies to the glory of God.
Worship & Praise
There came the time for the congregation to sing songs of praise and worship which was to express their gratitude to God for his faithfulness for 2017 and His presence came down with an unmistakable assurance of victory, power and increase.
The Word
With just some 55 minutes to end 2017 and the new year 2018 to begin, the resident pastor of PIWC in the La-Area of The Church of Pentecost in Ghana, Rev. Emmanuel Kwesi Acquah spoke on the theme, “Ebenezer thus far God has brought us”
Paul said, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4) was the main text.
The congregation receiving the final exhortation for the year 2017 were charged to look unto God and trust in God and give Him space in their lives as they enter 2018.
Rev. Acquah in his admonishing said, “there would be deliverance in their lives in areas of health, work, family and so forth in 2018 which will make you say indeed, Ebenezer thus far God has brought us.”
He said there will be challenges in 2018 but God will show himself strong and the Lord shall be the helper of all his children in 2018.
Prayer time!
With 15-10 minutes to hit 2018, the congregation were led into prayer of thanking God for 2017 and asking Him to lead the way in 2018.
With words of Power and exhortation, Rev Acquah when it was 12:05am January 1, 2018, led the congregation amidst shouts of victory, with songs of praise as they danced to the glory of God.