Rev. Ernest Kwadwo Agyei has retired from active ministry at a ceremony held to celebrate his 36 years of journey in the ministry on Saturday 27th August 2022 at the Ringway Gospel Centre Assemblies of God, Osu-Accra.
Rev. Kwadwo Agyei until his retirement was the Senior Pastor of Ringway Gospel Centre Assemblies of God in the Accra West region. Below is the profile of one of the stalwarts in the ministry.
EARLY LIFE
Reverend Ernest Kwadwo Agyei, affectionately called “Kwaagyei” was born on Monday, 22nd August 1955 in Tepa to Mr. Nicholas Christian Agyei, a Cocoa Purchasing Clerk, Farmer, and Businessman in Kumasi, and Madam Comfort Dentaa, all of the blessed memory. He was born into a large family of thirteen (13) men and six (6) ladies. He is the first son among the siblings. Apart from the eighteen (18) siblings, the family home was also made up of many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, helpers, and strangers, who were considered part of the family.
Rev. Agyei was never left out when the big brothers, cousins, and uncles were packed in trucks every long vacation to go to Mim to weed his father’s cocoa farms. He joked with everything and teased so hard that one could not help but chase after him for small beatings here and there – if only you could catch him, as he was very skinny and swift. Rev. Agyei even at 4 years could be seen immaculately dressed sitting on his tricycle with his shoes interchanged. In his teens, he followed after fashion and would usually be in his “aboski trousers” and tight shirts. No wonder that at 67 years as Senior Minister, Rev. Agyei still loves to dress gorgeously and well in all the beautiful colours but with humility and modesty.
Rev. Agyei started his elementary education in Kumasi at the State Experimental School, Wesley College Kumasi in 1961. He passed the Common Entrance Examination and proceeded to Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School, Kumawu in August 1969 where he obtained his Ordinary Level School Certificate in June 1974.
His initial career aspiration was to become a businessman. In pursuit of this, Rev. Agyei straight away joined his father who was by then a Merchant in Central Accra. At the time his father owned and operated a Shop named N.C. AGYEI & CO which was then opposite Bonsu Brothers and adjacent to NABB Brothers, Metropole, and UTC. Rev. Agyei was the General Manager in charge of almost everything in the business including sourcing, stocking, sales, and collections. He was very committed and dedicated to his father’s business and never envisioned transitioning to another endeavour.
While in Accra, Rev. Agyei fellowshipped with the North Kaneshie Assemblies of God Church where Rev. Dr. Harry Stein Morgan Insaidoo was the Senior Pastor. At North Kaneshie, he served in various capacities including Sunday School Superintendent, Church Secretary, and Treasurer. He was promoted to the position of Deacon in 1981, a position he held until 1983.
THE CALL
After working with his father for about 10 years, Rev. Agyei had his call for his ministry work. This was far beyond what he expected given that he was on the path to achieving his dream of being a successful businessman. Convinced about the call, he sought permission from his father and obtained his blessings to pursue a new direction in his life.
Though his father consented, in his view, this was not a lucrative venture for a businessman. As a result, he often teased Rev. Agyei and his two bosom friends, Rev. Noah Adunkwah and Rev. Dr. Ato Bentil for joining the Poor People’s Profession (PPP). The trio was, however, not deterred by the teasing and pursued their new call with enthusiasm. Therefore, in March 1983 Rev. Agyei entered the Southern Ghana Bible Institute in Saltpond, now known as the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with his two bosom friends who became part of the Agyei family at their Odorkor home to pursue their theological studies. While in Bible School, Rev. Agyei and Rev. Dr. Ato Bentil participated in a crusade that was organized by North Kaneshie Assemblies of God at Osu, out of which the Ringway Gospel Centre Assemblies of God Church was born in 1984. At Saltpond, Rev. Agyei was the Senior Prefect of the Institute in the final year and the Class Speaker for the 1985-year group.
As the Class Speaker, he preached on the topic, “The Herald of the Gospel” and won many souls for the Lord. After graduating from the Bible Institute in 1985, he re-joined the North Kaneshie Assemblies of God Church and was posted to the Ringway Assemblies of God Church to pastor the then very young assembly. He then left to pastor the Emmanuel Assemblies of God Church at Bubuashie for three months as a step-in pastor for Rev. Prof. F. K. Kyereko who had left for further studies at the West Africa Advance School of Theology in Lome and returned to the Ringway Assemblies of God Church, where he has been the pastor to-date.
While pastoring the Osu Church, Rev. Agyei decided to pursue a Bachelor of Theology degree at the West Africa Advance School of Theology in Lome, Togo from 1998 to 2000. As usual, he went with Rev. Adunkwah and Rev. Ato Bentil. The trio survived in a francophone country without any clue of the basic French language. Rev. Agyei has also continuously upgraded his knowledge by attending several short-term training programmes and courses both in and outside Ghana some of which are Counselling Skills by the International Centre for Training and Development; Certified Facilitator for marriage counseling by Prepare & Enrich; and Global Leadership Training & Summit by Global Leadership Training.
FAMILY LIFE
Rev. Agyei got married in February 1986 to the love of his life, Mrs. Grace Agyei (Ogray), a professional teacher with 40 years of experience in the Ghana Education Service. She retired as the Headteacher of the Teshie Anglican School in 2018 with the rank of Deputy Director of Education. Ogray brought her professional experience as a teacher to bear on the ministry of Rev. Agyei through the handling of the Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Young Singles, Church Choir, Millennium Singing Group, Counselling, and SWAG to mention a few. The family is blessed with 5 children – 3 ladies and 2 gentlemen with 6 grandchildren.
BEGINNING AND EXPANSION OF RINGWAY GOSPEL CENTRE A/G CHURCH
Rev. Agyei assisted in nurturing the Ringway Gospel Centre Assemblies of God Church, Osu which was started in a classroom with approximately 15 people in 1984 by North Kaneshie A/G Church. Some of the early members are Apostle Ralph Masoperh and family, Mr. Francis Opuni Sekyere and family, Ms. Araba Williams, Mrs. Vida Ampofo, Mrs. Mina Asiedu, Mrs. Joyce Yeboah Addei, Mr. Kwabena Anim, Mrs. Janet Ansu Abbey, and Mrs. Margret Abba. Upon unsuccessful attempts to secure a piece of land within the Osu vicinity, the Church was finally given a piece of land at its present location by the then General Superintendent Rev. Dr. Simon B. Asore. Subsequently, the Church moved from the classroom to its first Church building which was still under construction on the first Sunday of January 1999. About 50 people attended the first service. These early members worked tirelessly under the leadership and guidance of Rev. Agyei to complete the church building in 2002.
By 2012, the first building could not contain the growing membership. The need to move to a bigger place, therefore, became necessary. Consequently, a temporary place of worship was constructed in 2014 close to the previous A/G Guest House with approval from the General Superintendent Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso. This paved the way for the construction of the current church building, which was completed in August 2019.
God has moved mightily in this church, manifesting His Glory and the power of the Holy Spirit with deliverance, signs, wonders, healings, and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Agyei is always at work to reach as many people as possible for Christ. As a result, many people have been saved as the good Lord constantly adds souls to His Church with a current membership of 700 adults and 180 children.
CHURCH PLANTING AND OTHER SUPPORTS
Rev. Agyei is endowed with the gift of church planting and soul winning which form the core of the Great Commission and therefore the main focal point of the Kingdom Business. To this end, he has been instrumental in the establishment of the Osu Gospel Centre A/G Church, Osu Anorhor, and The Community Gospel Centre A/G Church, Kwabenya-Hills.
Through his leadership, the Ringway Gospel Centre A/G Church teamed up with some A/G Churches at Akuse in the Eastern Region, Liate in the Oti Region, Dodowa, Joma, and Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, Senya Breku and Apam in the Central Region to organize missionary work to win souls for Christ and also support some financially. Furthermore, Rev Agyei has provided support to some Pastors and their Churches in Ghana where their needs have been brought to his notice.
PASTORAL CARE
Rev. Agyei has nurtured many Ministers of the gospel within Assemblies of God. These include:
Rev. Michael Ayesu- House of Prayer A/G, Agbogba,
Accra Rev. Paul William Apeatu-Ampofo Ghana Missionary-in-charge of A/G, The Gambia
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam-Cedar Mountain Chapel A/G, Accra
Rev. Benjamin Tettey-Ringway Gospel Centre A/G, Accra
Rev. Dr. David N. Ampah Bennin-Ringway Gospel Centre A/G, Accra
Rev. Seth Quansah-A/G Church, Gbungbaliga, Northern Region
Rev. Peter Lartey-Osu Gospel Centre A/G, Osu Anorhor, Accra
Rev. Stephen Adio-The Community Gospel Centre A/G, Accra
Pastor Prince Danso Abiam-Osu Gospel Centre A/G, Osu Anorhor, Accra
Pastor Kwame Boateng-Sarpong-Ringway Gospel Centre A/G, Osu, Accra
Pastor Godwin Begyira-Ringway Gospel Centre A/G, Osu, Accra
Pastor Mrs. Mary Anchaba-Ringway Gospel Centre A/G, Osu, Accra
Pastor Jude Daniels-Osu Gospel Centre A/G, Osu Anorhor, Accra
Rev. Agyei has also pastored several youths into adulthood seasoned with the fear of God and wisdom with right standing in society. He has also pastored prominent individuals in the country such as the former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and his wife Mrs. Lordina Mahama; and the former Chief Justice Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood and the Husband Mr. Edwin Wood. It can be said that Rev. Agyei is among the few if not the only person to have pastored a serving President and Chief Justice at the same time. To the glory of God, the church has members of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds such as Civil and Public Servants, Academicians, Corporate Executives, Businessmen, Businesswomen, Artisans, etc whom he has blended with ease.
ROLE AT DISTRICT AND NATIONAL A/G
Rev. Agyei held the position of the National Director of A/G Sunday School from 1989 – 1992 and was also the “Special Assistant” to the Late Rev. W.W. Dontoh, former General Superintendent of A/G, Ghana from 2002-2009. At the District level, he held the position of District Secretary for the Adabraka District from 1995 to 2002.
After 36 years of working in the Lord’s vineyard, Rev. Agyei is bowing out from actively pastoring a congregation. However, since a soldier can never avoid visiting the barracks, Rev. Agyei will surely continue to be of service in diverse areas the Lord will lead him to.
To God be the glory! Hallelujah!!
