Ten Ghanaians ordained at A/G Church in Italy

Assemblies of God Church (African Community) in Italy has ordained 10 Ghanaians as Pastors after graduating from the church’s Bible College (IBC) in the Italian city, Reggio Emilia.
It’s the 3rd graduation ceremony in the church since it was established 13years ago.
Seven of the newly graduated Pastors came from the Church, Mark Ekow Appenteng from Verona Assemblies of God, Harriet Amanfu from Holy Spirit Assemblies of God in Modena, G.K. Manu from Assemblies of God, Verona/Milan, Kwabena Agyemang from Good News A/G, Castiglioni – Mantova, Noble Ofori-Asante from Triumphant Entry A/G in Reggio Emilia, William Kwame Dapaah from Power House A/G in Treviso, Peter Abankroh from A/G in Brescia whilst Pauline Donkor came from Miracle Centre A/G in London. Emmanuel Obeng from Christ’s Peace and Love in Bergamo/Palazzaro and Francis Quarm from Lifeline Christian Centre in Verona, are from two other churches.
The course contents were intensively in 34 subjects, among them are A/G Doctrine, Personal Evangelism, Research/Study Methods, Homiletics, Church Planting, Computing, Pentecostal Truth, Pastoral Theology, Christian Education, Marriage & the Family, Church History and Comparative Religion.
Each of the 10 Pastors received a Diploma Certificate presented by Rev. Solomon King, the Dean of the Mid Bible College in Kumasi (Ghana), they shook hands and embraced the President of the College, Rev. Frimpong Manso, before walking off the podium to be greeted by their spouse with a bouquet.
The solemn and impressive service was attended by a large number of church members and well-wishers from over 10 cities across the country.
Reverend James Kessler - based in Netherlands - conducted the service and took his sermon from Luke 6:12-19. He enjoined the new Pastors to conduct themselves well as servants of the people in ministering the word of God. He also urged them to guard against pride in their service to God. “Pride kills, pride destroys and is destroying many men of God today. Consistent prayer life is very essential, a prayerful Christian is a humble Christian, a prayerful Minister is a humble Minister”, he told the new Pastors.
Jesus made three choices - intimacy with God, connectivity with close followers and availability to the crowd of followers, he said, “The choice of the 12 disciples is not what we see today. Jesus had intimacy with God, without intimacy with God you cannot accomplish the purpose of your calling”, he stated in his sermon.
“If you want to survive in the Ministry and excel you have to have intimacy with God. The right relation with God is established through being connected to Him, if you stay connected to Him you will be located,” he emphasised.
Earlier, the leader of the passed out Pastors, Mark Ekow Appenteng, paid a special tribute to the lectures of the college, among them Rev. Solomon King, Rev. Frimpong Manso, Rev. James Kessler, Marianne Van Staalduinen and Pastor Patrick Boakye.
“Our class is marked by good conduct and spirituality. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, with God-given capacity and with God given responsibility to our fellow men, we know we can demonstrate His power to the world, hence our name ‘Demonstrators of God’s Power’.
Mark Appenteng indicated their lives have been enriched, their minds have been opened and their spirit has been inspired through their efficient and influential lectures who selflessly poured their hearts and imparted knowledge to them.
“These loving and dedicated men of God should be applauded for their work”, he said in his concluding statements. The Field Director of the Church, Rev. Joe Amanfu, congratulated the new ordained Pastors for their co-operation and excellence during their 3-year period of studying.
He reminded them they will go through difficult moments but that should not discourage them to preach the word of God. “Preach the word, be prepared to listen to careful instruction and adhere to the doctrines of the church.” He went further by telling them, “the entire world is looking up to you, remember you have been called to serve and not to be served.”
Rev. Frimpong Manso in a concluding statement said, Assemblies of God Church in Italy (African Community) Bible College (IBC) is affiliated to Mid Ghana Bible College in Kumasi - Ghana and it offers various courses for would be Pastors, Deacons, departmental leaders not only in the Assemblies of God Church but from other churches. Its certificate, he mentioned, is recognised like any Bible School Institution in the world. The school will reopen for the next academic year on August 3, 2008.