30/06/2026
POSSESSING THE NATIONS, THE ROLE OF EFFECTIVE OUTREACH IN THE LOCAL CHURCH BY APOSTLE FRANK AWUAH FORDJOUR (ESSAM DEBISO AREA HEAD)
On Sunday, 14th June 2026, Apostle Frank Awuah Fordjour, Area Head for Essam Debiso and former NEC Member of the Evangelism Committee of The Church of Pentecost, ministered powerfully at the Pentecost School of Theology and Mission. He addressed ministerial students who were preparing to live to their first stations as District Ministers, under the theme “Possessing the Nations: The Role of Effective Outreach in the Local Church.” The message was both a charge and a practical guide, equipping the ministers with the theological foundation and strategic insight necessary for impactful evangelistic ministry.
Apostle Frank Awuah Fordjour began by emphasizing the divine mandate of evangelism, drawing from (Matthew 28:18–20) and (Luke 14:31). He reminded the students that soul-winning is not optional but central to the calling of every minister. According to him, God has entered into a covenant with The Church of Pentecost, a covenant likened to the promise in (Isaiah 59:21), where God has committed Himself to His Church, and the Church must also fulfill its responsibility in advancing the Gospel. He stressed that the harvest is plentiful, urging the ministers to rise, prepare adequately, and go out to win souls for the Lord.
Defining evangelism through the lens of J.I. Packer, Apostle Fordjour described it as presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. He explained that evangelism involves transmitting, proclaiming, announcing, and preaching the Gospel with both passion and compassion. He cautioned that the Gospel must be communicated clearly and authentically, not substituted or diluted, and should be delivered in a language and style that the target audience understands.
He highlighted evangelistic outreach as the deliberate and strategic movement of the Church beyond its walls to reach the lost. He identified two primary forms of evangelism: mass evangelism and personal evangelism. Mass evangelism, such as crusades and rallies, as seen in (Acts 2) and (Acts 8), allows the Gospel to reach large audiences at once, while personal evangelism, exemplified in (John 3, John 4), and Luke 23, focuses on one-on-one interactions. He particularly underscored the importance of crusades, noting that they not only expose communities to the Gospel but also encourage widespread participation in evangelism and even generate economic benefits within host communities.
A key concern raised during the ministration was the lack of effective follow-up in evangelistic efforts. Apostle Fordjour noted that while many souls are won during outreaches, they are often not retained due to poor organization. He emphasized that following up on converts within 24 hours significantly increases the likelihood of retaining them in the faith. This insight was presented as critical for the students to consider as they prepare to take on pastoral responsibilities.
To ensure effective evangelism, the The Essam Debiso Area Head outlined several practical models. First, he stressed the necessity of intensive prayer, referencing (1 Timothy 2:1) and (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). Prayer, he noted, releases divine power and is the foundation of all successful evangelistic efforts. He echoed the assertion that “the hour of prayer is the hour of power,” encouraging the students to cultivate strong prayer lives.
Secondly, The former NEC Member of The Evangelism Ministry highlighted the importance of strategic planning. He warned that failure to plan is equivalent to planning to fail. Planning involves forming committees, scouting communities to understand their dynamics, setting clear goals for soul-winning, and organizing logistics such as venues, equipment, and publicity. He also emphasized the need to develop prayer topics, identify target groups, and plan for post-crusade discipleship.
Preparation of the evangelistic team was also emphasized. He recommended a structured period of prayer, fasting, orientation, and training, ideally over three days, to adequately prepare participants for outreach. He encouraged the mobilization of youth and the creation of specialized teams, such as sports evangelism groups, as innovative ways to engage communities.
Additionally, Apostle Awuah-Fordjour stressed the importance of budgeting to ensure that all logistical needs, including publicity and transportation of equipment, are met. He also encouraged the students to engage community leaders such as chiefs and district authorities, especially when ministering in rural areas, and to seek partnerships or sponsorships where possible. Such engagement, he noted, enhances acceptance and facilitates the work of ministry.
The speaker further explored various methods of evangelism, including power evangelism, media evangelism, street evangelism using placards, hospital evangelism, and chaplaincy services in institutions such as the fire service. He encouraged the use of national holidays and local festivals as opportunities for outreach and stressed the importance of children’s ministry, noting that winning children secures the future of the Church.
Addressing the challenges facing evangelism, Apostle Fordjour identified lack of planning, fear, and the absence of altar calls during services and funerals as significant hindrances. He urged the students to be bold and intentional, ensuring that every opportunity is used to present Christ.
On the issue of preserving souls, Apostle recommended the establishment of new convert classes to nurture and disciple new believers. He also stressed the need for continuous evaluation of evangelistic programs to assess effectiveness and address challenges. Evangelism, he insisted, should not end with bringing people into the Church but must continue until they are firmly grounded in the faith.
In sharing practical field experiences, he further threw light on the challenges such as resistance from families of converts, preferences for river baptism, and the importance of exercising sensitivity during outreach, including avoiding unnecessary photography that could discourage participation.
In conclusion, Apostle Frank Awuah Fordjour charged the ministerial students to embrace evangelism wholeheartedly as they prepare for their first stations. He assured them that God would support their efforts as they step out in faith. His message served as both a theological reflection and a practical manual, equipping the future District Ministers to become effective soul winners and to lead their congregations in possessing the nations through strategic and Spirit-led outreach.
(PSTM MEDIA)