Children's Ministry Introduction

Introduction to the Children's Ministry

• The Children's Ministry is a vibrant and well-organized part of The Church of Pentecost.
• Children are viewed as crucial to family, church, and society, representing the future.
• Joel 1:3 encourages passing down faith and stories to future generations.
• This document outlines the ministry's history, rationale, vision, mission, functions, transitions, challenges, contributions, and leaders.

Rationale for Establishing the Ministry

• Initially, children's services were not formal, but the growing church recognized the need to organize and guide children to Christ.
• Genesis 18:19 underscores the importance of teaching children righteousness and justice.
• Early church pioneers saw children responding quickly to the gospel, sometimes leading to their parents' conversion.
• Gathering children and sharing the gospel formed the groundwork for formal children's services.

Key Objectives of the Ministry

• To guide children to a personal understanding of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).
• To impart the pure word of God, fostering Bible literacy and responsible adulthood.
• To equip children for their role in the body of Christ, preparing them for various ministries and church membership.
• To instill values of holiness, honesty, and righteousness.
• To cultivate good citizenship.
• To build a strong church by ensuring the salvation of children (Psalm 78:1-8, Matthew 18:1-4).

Vision and Mission Defined

• The overarching vision is "Winning and Nurturing children to grow in the Lord".
• The mission is, "To provide an environment that leads children to Christ, to bring them up to grow mentally, physically, socially and spiritually to take up the mantle of leadership in the church and society (Luke 2:52)."
• Leadership adapts its visions to align with the overall church vision.

Core Functions of the Ministry

• The early church leadership understood how important Children are.
• Sunday morning services include prayer, studying the word, and fellowship.
• Competitions and activities promote spiritual and moral growth.
• Specialized activities maintain children's interest in the ministry and church.

Transitions and Evolution

• The Children's Ministry has undergone numerous changes, including in names, leadership, and structure.
• Early Sunday Schools operated without centralized control.
• In the 1970s, Mrs. Margaret Mills started children's services at the Asokwa Mission House in Kumasi with gospel tracts and books were shared.
• Elders and pastors became involved later on.

Formalizing Children's Services

• In 1972, The Church of Pentecost decided to better organize children's education at the General Council Meeting in Kumasi.
• The late Apostle C. E. Apau Asante was appointed as the Children's General Leader, and Mrs. Margaret Mills as the Deputy.
• These initial years were critical in setting the foundation for the ministry.

Residential Camp Meetings

• Camp meetings began in Kwadaso, bringing children and teachers together during school breaks for: teaching, prayer, sports, games, biblical plays etc
• These meetings enriched the spiritual, social, and physical aspects of their lives.
• Teachers were invited from other Districts in Kumasi.
• Families attended the camp meetings, fully funded by the church.
• A coordinating team oversaw the residential programs.

National Training Seminars

• Mrs. Mills launched national training seminars starting from 1974 for regional leaders and assistants.
• Held at the Morning Star School in Accra, owned by the late Deaconess Esme Serebour.
• The COP founder, Pastor James McKeown, and other leaders were involved.
• These seminars became annual events, strengthening relationships.

Sunday School Songs

• Initially, songs were mainly in English.
• Mrs. Mills translated songs into Twi.
• "Yesu, mmɔfra adamfo," "Yesu dɔ mmɔfra te sɛ me, me, me," "Monhwehwɛ Nyankopɔn ahenni," and "Awurade, mema me ka so mekyerɛ W'" were among the translated songs.

Enhancing Teacher Capacity

• Teachers' conferences aimed to build teacher capacity.
• Biblical basis for evangelizing children, preparing Bible stories, teaching, using the syllabus and organization were all areas of focus.
• Organizing successful children's classes was taught through: signature tunes, prayer drills, chorus time, memory verses etc

Curriculum Development

• Mrs. Mills initiated a syllabus for the Children's Movement.
• The syllabus was done half-yearly.

Regional Hubs

• Mrs Margaret Mills was central in the ministry's early years.
• Ashanti Region served as an initial hub, with Kwadaso as the center during growth.
• In Greater Accra: Labadi and Mary Villas/Newtown.
• In Eastern Region: Koforidua.
• In Central Region: Cape Coast.
• In Western Region: Takoradi.
• In Northern Region: Tamale.
• Volta Region: Aflao.
• Brong Ahafo: Sunyani.

Leadership Transitions

• The first General Council appointment (1972-1983): Apostle Apau Asante (General Leader), Mrs. Margaret Mills (Deputy), and Mrs Esme Siriboe (Secretary).
• Second appointment (1983-1988): Apostle S. K. Ansong (General Leader), introduction of Regional Leaders.
• Third appointment (1988-1994): Apostle J. K. Essel (General Leader), worked with Regional Leaders.
• Leaders were called "General Leaders" as structures were developing.
• Movement leaders operated from their stations due to lack of a central office.

Restructuring Committee

• In 1994, a re-structuring committee was formed with Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah.
• The committee introduced Directors, Managers, and the International Missions Director (IMD) and Finance and Administrative Director (FAD).
• Pastor Christian Nnam Kissiedu became the first Children's Movement Director in 1994

Leadership Appointments (1972-2020)

• 1972-1983: Apostle Apau Asante, Mrs Margaret Mills, Mrs Esme Siriboe.
• 1983-1988: Apostle S. K. Ansong.
• 1988-1994: Apostle J. K. Essel.
• 1994-1998: First Executive Committee, including Apostle Robert Acquaah, Pastor C. N. Kissiedu, and others, inducted on September 10, 1994.
• Transformation into a directorate, Patron appointed due to the Director being a Pastor.
• 1998-2004: Second Executive Committee, with a Deputy Director.
• 2004-2008: Third Executive Committee, with Prophet J. E. Ameyaw and others.
• 2008-2012: Fourth Executive Committee, with Prophet B. A. Adobah and others.
• 2012-2016: Fifth Executive Committee, with Apotles J. W. D. Cudjoe and others.
• 2016-2018: Sixth Executive Committee, with Apostle Fred Tiakor and others.
• 2019: Elder Professor William Otoo Ellis appointed Deputy Director.
• 2016-2020: Seventh Executive Committee, with Apostle Fred Tiakor and others.
• 2020: Apostle Fred Tiakor's term was reviewed, and Elder Professor William Otoo Ellis was appointed Children's Director.
• 2020 to Date: Eighth Executive Committee, with Prophet David Kankam Beditor as Patron and others.

Ministry Name Evolution

• 1962: The ministry began as 'Sunday School' in members' homes.
• 1974: 'Children's Movement' was proposed.
• The salutation 'Yesu! Mmofra Adamfo!' (Jesus! Friend of children) was introduced in 1974.
• 2011: The name changed to 'Ministry' to broaden the scope and appeal to secular contexts.

Transformations and Innovations

• Early services were held in homes, then under trees or in school classrooms.
• Churches now build structures or expand existing ones for children's services.
• New church buildings must include a place for children's worship before approval.
• Innovations include technology: instruments, LCD projectors, and teaching aids, further boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• During COVID-19, churches used virtual spaces and created studios.
• PIWCs and English Assemblies were fully engaged in virtual ministry.

Director Initiatives

• Reverend Kissiedu: Published the syllabus for different age groups, devotional guide, and Teachers' Training Manual.
• Prophet Adobah: Recorded the song book and action songs onto CDs.
• Further partnerships with Child Right International and UNHCR were established.
• Apostle Tiakor: Strengthened partnerships, organized the ministry's first homecoming, and the Pan-African Conference of Children Ministers.

Contributions to Church Growth

• The Children's Ministry continually adds to the historical growth of the church. children graduate into the youth.
• Children and their families are actively participating in the church.
• Reaching children leads to reaching their parents.
• The ministry reinforces faith and church principles which impacts future leaders.
• The ministry strengthens the Youth Ministry.

Highlights of Past Directors

• Late Pastor Christian Nnam Kissiedu: Born November 13, 1939, in Akwadum; had a background in education; served as Regional Leader and Children's Movement Director; and implemented innovations like the children's devotional guide.
• Prophet Benjamin Augustus Adobah: Born July 11, 1951, in Gomoa Manso; background in plumbing and leadership; served on committees and as Children's Movement/Ministry Director; initiated Compassion International Projects.
• Apostle Fred Tiakor: Born January 30, 1960, in Peki; background in industrial relations and theology; worked with the Labour Department; served as Director of Children's Ministry and Compassion International Advisory Council Member; organized the Homecoming Conference in 2013 and Pan African Conferences.