Retirement service has been held for Rev. & Mrs. Opoku-Ware to bring to an end 30 years of excellent pastoral ministry. The occasion was held on Saturday 19th December 2020 at Gospel Light Chapel Assemblies of God, Dichemso, Kumasi in the Ashanti North region. Until his retirement, Rev. Opoku-Ware was the senior Pastor of People of The Bible Assemblies of God in Moshie Zongo, Kumasi. The ceremony brought several dignitaries from far and near including the Regional Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Godwin Tito Agyei, other Regional executives, District executives, and ministers across the country. The colourful ceremony was officiated by the Regional Superintendent and supported by the National Pensions Administrator.
Rev. Godwin Tito Agyei in a sermon with reference text from 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, Hebrew 6:10, And 1 Corinthians 9:26, indicated that Paul reflected on the work he did and had no regrets. Rev. Agyei posited that the work of God is easy to start but not easy to finish well and that Paul compared the work of God to boxing and running a race. “Ministry work is just like a fight so if Rev. Opoku-Ware and Mrs. Opoku-Ware fought to the end that is great to the glory of God. Ministry work comes with physical and spiritual battles but Rev. & Mrs. Opoku-Ware persevere to the end. That is why we’re all here to crown it”, Rev. Agyei noted. Rev. Dr. Agyei also admonished the congregation not to waste time on unnecessary battles that will not give glory to God. He admonished Pastors to focus on the main goal to the end because how we finish every race especially ‘Ministry’ is very paramount. He climaxed the sermon by praying for Pastors to finish well just like Rev. Opoku ware and wife; they kept the faith to end as a good example for all.
In his goodwill message read on his behalf, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana acknowledge the hard work of the couple in planting churches, raising and mentoring pastors. He also emphasized the passion of Rev. Opoku-Ware in the area of evangelism and missions and congratulated the family for their good work and various services rendered. Rev. Dr. Godwin Tito Agyei also acknowledged the contribution of Rev. Opoku-Ware in propagating the gospel over the past years. He also commended him for his humility, dedication, faithfulness and love in shaping many lives in the organization. Other ministers also took turns to read their goodwill including Rev. Stephen Yaw Manu, Ashanti West Regional Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Justice K. Boadi, Ashanti East Regional Superintendent, Tafo District, Class of 1991, The local church and well-wishers.
Mr. Felix Nana Boakye, the National Pensions Administrator, supported by Rev. Tito Agyei made the retirement declaration to officially retire Rev. Opoku-Ware from active ministry. He also presented his End-of-Service benefit to the retiree. Various gifts were also presented to the Rev. Opoku-Ware and Family as well as prayers offered for them.
At the climax of the occasion, Rev. Opoku-Ware took the opportunity to thank the LORD God Almighty for sustaining him and his family throughout the 30 years in the ministry. He also expressed his deep appreciation to the Assemblies of God Fraternity, the Three Ashanti regions, district, church board, friends and members of People of the Bible AG for their support, gifts, prayers and presence for the occasion.
Profile of Rev. Kwame Opoku-Ware
Rev. Kwame Opoku Ware, the 2nd of six siblings,was born at Offinso on the 14th December 1954 to Opanin Kwadwo Antwi, then odikro of Ampabame, and madam Ama Serwaa, all of the blessed memories. Rev Opoku-Ware had his primary and middle school education at Methodist and Arnoawia L/A School respectively in the Offinso district. He then proceeded to Dwamena Akenten Secondary School in 1963 in the same district.
Growing up. Rev. Kwame Opoku-ware was passionate about poultry farming and farming in general. He, therefore, pursued a certificate programme at the Wenchi Farming institute, now Wenchi college of Agriculture, from 1965-1966. Upon completion, he relocated to Kumasi where he resided with his uncle, Major Oppong Addai, an officer in the Ghana Armed Forces. He stayed with his uncle for about 10 years at the Officers’ Mess, Danyame.
As a graduate from the farming institute without the required logistics and funds to start his farm, he worked with already established farms as a skilled employee. He also helped set up new farms for individuals who had the funds but without the requisite know-how.
In 1977 when he left his uncle’s roof as a young independent man, he was introduced to building and construction. Again, an enterprise he was very much interested in and gained considerable experience. It was around this time that Rev. Kwame Opoku-ware, in one of the revival meetings of the late Evangelist Akwasi Amoako (Resurrection Power and living bread), received the ultimate gift of God, i.e., Salvation.
Desiring to belong to a bible-believing and Holy Ghost-filled church, he joined the Evangelical Assembly of God Church at Santasi, where he sat under the feet of Rev. J. E. Kuranchie. As a well-taught and nurtured young believer, Rev. Opoku-Ware became very dedicated and committed to the things of God. And with the exhibition of his zeal for God, maturity, and love for knowledge, he was soon saddled with the responsibility of a Sunday School Teacher. He was further recommended for lay workers’ training programmes after which he was allowed to head a new branch of A/G at Manso-Nkwanta.
In 1980, he married Agnes Osei Bonsu- a helpmate by all standards throughout the journey. They are blessed with four children namely, Mrs. Angella Twumasi Ankra, Mrs. Elizabeth Sefah Anane, Miss. Linda Opoku-Ware and Ransford Opoku-Ware.
When he finally responded to the call of God upon his life, Rev. Kuranchie recommended him to the Mid Ghana Bible Institute where he gained full admission for studies from 1989-1991. Upon successful completion of his course and training, Rev. Opoku-Ware was posted to his first station as a pastor at Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya District.
Rev. Opoku-Ware met a church that was almost collapsed with its members scattered all over. Through constant Visitation and revival programmes, the church witnessed a great revival. And on the strength of his passion for souls, the Calvary Cross Assembly embarked on numerous crusades and church planting missions in the surrounding communities like Nkawie Panin, Toase, Gyankorba among others. Souls from these missions were fed, pastored, and sustained through the satellite and home cell structures he built. Under his inspirational leadership, the church encouraged and supported the youth to and through tertiary education. This support initiative was not limited only to formal education, as many more were also sponsored through vocational training and apprenticeship.
He also adopted many A/G students who could not afford boarding fees at Toase Secondary School and Nkawie Secondary Technical; His home played host to these rising stars. And even though he did not have much, he farmed totake care of himself and to support other children. The testimony of his investment in man is the many who have become doctors, teachers, and well-respected business people, both home and abroad.
It’s worth mentioning that. Rev. Kwame Opoku-Ware, through legal and alternative dispute resolution channels, retrieved the church’s land which had been under litigation for years before his posting there. He also completed the construction and dedication of the church auditorium before leaving Calvary Cross AG, Nkawie.
In 1999, Rev. Kwame Opoku Ware was transferred to Atwima Techiman to continue the work of God. At Techiman, he started from scratch with little under 25 members meeting under a shed. Upon growing the membership, he led the church to construct the church auditorium which he dedicated as Redemption A/G, Atwima Techiman.
In June 2006, Rev. Kwame Opoku-Ware was again transferred to people of the Book Centre, Moshie Zongo, where he passionately pastored to date. With demonstrated pastoral care, patience, and love, he created an atmosphere where everyone feels belonged. Indeed, as a father, he has inspired and mentored the youth, particularly, at different levels of ministry. This includes but is not limited to Rev. Kwabena Malik (Associate Pastor, People of the Book Center) and Pastor Asamoah (People of the Book Center).
As with his previous assemblies. Rev. Opoku-Ware invested time, energy, and resources into completing the ground floor auditorium of the church. He also held the following position in the ministry;
1. Representative, Men’s ministry, Atwima District.
2. District Secretary, Atwima.
3. Acting District Pastor, Atwima District
4. District Secretary/Treasurer, New Tafo.
5. Acting District Pastor, New Tafo.
6. District Pastor, New Tafo.
