The Church of Pentecost, like most great institutions, started in a small way. The Church’s beginnings are linked to the ministry of Pastor James McKeown (1900-1989), an Irish missionary sent by the Apostolic Church, Bradford, UK to the then Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1937 to help a group of believers of the Apostolic Faith led by one Peter Newman Anim in a town called Asamankese.
It is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit with the view that people will come and trust Jesus as Saviour and Lord and serve him in the fellowship of the Church. Evangelism is the responsibility of every Church member. It is the prime duty of every believer to share his/her faith after conversion.
The scope of evangelism was initially Ghana, extending to Africa and to the whole world. Evangelism is missions-oriented; farmers, women, artisans, fishermen, intellectuals, etc. go out into other countries, preach Christ, open churches and call in ministers to pastor same. Besides, as was the practice of the founder, Pastor James McKeown, we respond to calls to missions as led by the Spirit of the Lord.
Discipleship is training believers to be like Christ. The emphasis is on holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, honesty, sincerity, humility, prayerfulness and the leading of disciplined and responsible lives.
This is done at the level of individuals, where every member takes responsibility to discipline their new coverts, as well as through church/corporate based systematic teaching, and on-the-job training.
Teaching emphasizes the four-square gospel, which is Christ-centered: i.e. Jesus the Saviour, Healer, Baptizer and Soon Coming King; the Tenets of the Church; Bible reading/study and scripture memorization and application of the word to life situations.
The following distinctive attributes help identify The Church of Pentecost:
Self-supporting attitude
Faithfulness and integrity
Distinctiveness in prayer
Church discipline without fear or favour irrespective of position, race or colour of members.
Place of worship based on Spirit and Truth and not necessarily on the Temple.
Fellowship and liberality.
Respect for authority.
Mutual respect and sense of belonging for all members without discrimination based on tribalism, racism or nationality.
Sacrificial service to the Church without expecting pecuniary reward.
Total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and other hard drugs.
Encourage church planting.
Monogamous marriage is enforced as well as chastity before marriage.