The Church of Pentecost is a Pentecostal denomination that originates from Ghana. The Church currently has a presence in 213 countries and territories globally. Its current Chairman, who happens to be its highest officer worldwide, is Apostle Eric Nyamekye.
History The church has its origins in a British mission of Rev. James McKeown in Ghana in 1937.Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, page 117 In 1953, The Church was founded as Gold Coast Apostolistic Church. Upon the country's attainment of independence in 1957, the name changed to the Ghana Apostolic Church. In resolution of a conflict with the Apostolic Church, Ghana, the then President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah ruled that the church adopted a new name, thus, in August 1962, the name Church of Pentecost came into being.J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, page 698 Through foreign missionary work and establishing relationships with other Pentecostal churches, the Church of Pentecost expanded into a worldwide movement. The Church of Pentecost operated in 151 Nations headed by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Senior Pastors throughout the world and about 21,802 local assemblies in 2,898 districts. In 2025, global membership of the Church stood at 5,226,271 with children constituting about 1,568,011. The Church of Pentecost had 178,223 church officers (lay leaders) and 3,723 ordained ministers in 213 nations and territories.The Church of Pentecost, Statistics, thecophq.org, Ghana, retrieved January 29, 2024 The Church saw an increase of 8.3% with regards to the total membership of the church and now operate in 213 nations and territories across the globe.
Church leadership Chairmen of the Church of Pentecost
Pastor James McKeown 1953–1982 Apostle Fred Stephen Safo 1982–1987 Prophet Martinson Kwadwo Yeboah 1988–1998 Apostle Dr. Michael Kwabena Ntumy 1998–2008 Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah 2008–2018 Apostle Eric Nyamekye 2018–present
The Church of Pentecost re-elected Nyamekye as chairman of the church during an election held on May 4, 2023 at the Pentecost Convention Center at Gomoa Fetteh as part of the 46th General Council Meeting.
Past General Secretaries The Church of Pentecost has had several General Secretaries since 1962. +Apostle Joseph Egyir Paintsil1962–1982Apostle Daniel K. Arnan1982–1988Apostle Rigwell Ato Addison1988–1993Apostle Albert Amoah1993–2003Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah Ntumy2003–2013Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi2013–2023Apostle Samuel Gyau Obuobi2023–Present
Past International Mission Director +Apostle Opoku Onyinah1992-1996Apostle Benjamin Kofi Arthur1996-2001Apostle Dr. Stephen Kofi Baidoo2001-2011Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo2011-2021Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe 2021-Present
See also World Evangelical Alliance Believers' Church
References
Bibliography An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity – Allen Anderson – Religions of the World, Second Edition – J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann -