Features
The second visit of Head of the Pentecost Church to Finland
Apostle Eric Nyamekye and wife
On Sunday, October 8, 2023, the Global Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, visited Finland. It was the second time he was in Finland.
His first visit about a year ago was to acquaint himself with the Pentecost Church in Finland, and spread the word of God.
This second visit of the Global Chairman was, therefore, a follow up to the mission of propagating the word of God as outlined in the first visit.
Apostle Nyamekye was accompanied by his dear wife, Mrs Mary Nyamekye.
They were hosted by the Church of Pentecost in Finland (COP Finland), led by its National Head, Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah.
Powerful and inspiring ministration
In a well-attended church service patronised by other religious leaders from various churches or missions and dignitaries, Apostle Nyamekye preached a powerful message of spirituality, religious devotion and evangelism.
It was indeed an impressive occasion of powerful worship, ministration and spirit-filled songs of praise and under the theme, “Repositioning the local Church for maximum impact in the nations”.
Apostle Nyamekye sermonised on the greater need for Christians to be spiritually and morally upright for the greater glory of God. “Our greatest need is the understanding of the word of God”, he preached.
The Church leader also spoke about the Diaspora and building the Church of Pentecost in the world.
He asked for efforts to build a church that is multicultural, multiracial, encompassing various nationalities and diversity. To build and grow such an all-embracing church requires the efforts of the people themselves, he said.
The Pentecost Church in Finland
The Church of Pentecost in Finland was established about 20 years ago, in September 2000, as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfinland. fi).
With time, following the growth of the group, there was the need to secure a place of meeting in the Helsinki area. Today, the Church has grown and spread to other towns and cities in Finland.
In Helsinki alone, there are two branches of the Church—the Akan Assembly where worship is done mostly in the Twi language, while the English Assembly (or the PIWC) where worship is done mostly in the English language. The other branch is attended by other nationalities, including African migrants, apart from Ghanaian migrants.
The COP Finland also has branches in the Finnish cities of Turku, Tampere, and Vaasa. There are other branches in Oulu and Kuopio.
In 2013, Apostle Edmund Appiah was posted to Finland as the National Head of COP Finland and there was growth during his term, including re-organising the Vaasa branch.
The growth of the Church has continued under Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, who took over from Apostle Appiah as the National Head of the Church in Finland a few years ago.
Expanding the Church
During his visit, Apostle Nyamekye met with leaders of COP in Finland, including the national executives, Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses, to discuss ways to expand the church in Finland and elsewhere.
There is undoubtedly a huge optimism about the efforts to spread the church in Finland, as can be perceived from the expression on the faces of the leaders and members of the Church, like Elder Charles Sarfo.
Finally, as I wrote previously, the COP Finland as one of the major Pentecostal or Charismatic churches dominated by Ghanaian migrants, has been a key channel through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland, reaches out to many members of the community. Thank you!
By Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetualcrentsil@yahoo.com
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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