A Comparative Study of the Mission Histories of the Assemblies of God Church and the Church of Pentecost in Ghana
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MISSION HISTORIES OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH AND THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST IN GHANA BY HILDA AFI ALEH (10223839) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF M.PHIL STUDY OF RELIGIONS DEGREE JULY 2013 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION This is to certify that this thesis is the result of research undertaken by Hilda Afi Aleh under the supervision of Rev. Prof. Cephas Narh Omenyo and Rev. Dr. Abamfo Ofori Atiemo towards the award of M.Phil Religions in the Department for the Study of Religions, University of Ghana. Signature................................... Hilda Afi Aleh (Student) Date........................................... Signature....................................... Signature.................................... Rev. Prof. Cephas Narh Omenyo Rev. Dr. Abamfo Ofori Atiemo (Supervisor) (Supervisor) Date............................................... Date........................................... i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT This study evaluates the mission histories of the Assemblies of God Church and the Church of Pentecost in Ghana. It focuses on the similarities and differences in their approaches to mission and their different theological orientations that have contributed to their different growth. The issue of mission is problematised because these Pentecostal Churches‟ different conceptions have led them to emphasize different aspects of mission. Methodologically, the study employed the historical and comparative approach in its investigation. The historical approach was used in recounting the history of both churches. The comparative approach was used to explain the necessary cause and outcome of the missionary activities of these Pentecostal Churches over time. The researcher made ample use of content analysis of documentary sources. Where necessary, information was gleaned from interviews to augment the documentary sources. The study found out that the Assemblies of God is a western Pentecostal mission whereas the Church of Pentecost is an African Initiated Church with a Pentecostal emphasis. These Pentecostal denominations were guided by different mission policies in performing their missionary activities in the country. The Assemblies of God Church started its mission with the policy of holistic mission. Thus, it combined soul winning and church planting with social services. The Church of Pentecost on the other hand, started its mission with the policy of soul winning and church planting almost completely devoid of any form of social service. However, this mission policy of the Church of Pentecost has been modified to respond to the changing circumstances. Thus, the Church of Pentecost has added social services to its mission policy. The study also found out that the effectiveness of these Pentecostal denominations on the Ghanaian society can be seen in terms of their soul winning, church planting and the provision of social and economic services. The study concludes that within the Ghanaian context, Pentecostal mission should combine proclamation of the Good News with social services as has been exemplified by the mainline churches. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION To my parents: Mr. Valentine T. Aleh and Mrs. Vida Yawa Aleh iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study has been made possible through the immense support of many people. I therefore deem it necessary to show my appreciation to them. My utmost gratitude goes to my two supervisors: Rev. Prof. Cephas Narh Omenyo and Rev. Dr. Abamfo Ofori Atiemo, the Dean for the Faculty of Arts and the Head of the Department for the Study of Religions respectively, who helped in fine tuning my title, and making time off their busy schedules to offer their advice and suggestions which has led to the fruition of this study. Appreciation goes to Rev. Fr. Dr. George Ossom-Batsa, Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, Mr. Godson Ahortor and all the teaching staff of the Department for the Study of Religions for their encouragements. The Departmental librarians, Miss Linda Mensah and Prince Dwomoh deserve commendation for their support in this study. I am grateful to my pastors, Rev. Archibald Sam and Bismark Nana Boadi Sarpong. It was Pastor Bismark who introduced me to Rev. William Wilkinson Wilson-Marfo. Rev. Wilson-Marfo made his long essay on the Assemblies of God Church in Ghana available to me to use throughout the thesis period. Rev. Wilson-Marfo, God bless you. I also thank the Editorial Committee of the Sunday School Department of Assemblies of God, Ghana for their support and all AG pastors who made time for me to interview them. I am indebted to the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Opoku Onyinah, for making time for me to interview him in spite of his busy schedules. I also appreciate the assistance of the staff at the Statistics and Records section of the Headquarters of the Church of Pentecost for providing me with the necessary data I needed for the study. Special thanks go to Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Arthur, the rector of St. Paul‟s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom for his assistance throughout my study. Mention must also be made of Very Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Akesseh, the parish priest, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, University of Ghana, Legon and Rev. Fr. Charles Francis Ackon, the administrator, Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka for their fatherly love towards me during my study. I thank Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu of Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Mr. Kwaku Boadu and Prince Charles Ahenkorah for their support in providing me with some of the data for the work. To Mr. Samuel Amoako, your support in editing this work cannot be quantified. I am grateful to you. Miss Dinah Aku Atitsogbey, thank you for your contributions in diverse ways. I appreciate Mr. Samuel Selassie Yakohene of the University of Ghana Computing System who worked on my laptop whenever it developed a problem. My sincere appreciation goes to my family especially Miss Regina Aleh, Mrs. Rosalia Seho-Ahiable and Mr. and Mrs. Kotey Dsane for their support throughout my university education. Finally, I thank my colleagues at the Department for the Study of Religions especially Godfred Nsiah and Rev. Fr. Ernest Gyimah Agyemang for their encouragements. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 1 1.1 General Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................... 3 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study ................................................................................... 3 1.4 Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Research Question........................................................................................................ 13 1.6 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................ 13 1.7 Methodology and Methods of Data Collection ............................................................ 14 1.8 Scope of the Study ....................................................................................................... 16 1.9 Structure of the Study .................................................................................................. 17 1.10 Relevance of the Study .............................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER TWO: THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ..................................................................................................................... 19 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 Roots of the Assemblies of God .................................................................................. 19 2.3 Formation of the Assemblies of God ........................................................................... 22 2.4 Assemblies of God United States of America and Assemblies of God Africa ............ 25 2.5 Early Beginnings of the Assemblies of God Church in Ghana.................................... 26 v