Until the spirit is poured upon us from on high…… Isaiah 32:15
The burden of being in Ivory Coast has been on the heart of Bishop E. L. Nterful, the host and main speaker for the Church Growth Conference, for about 8 years. After much deliberation and meetings over this long period, the Lord opened the door this year from 27-29th September 2023 for the outpouring of His spirit on hundreds of ministers, church leaders, church workers, and church members alike.
Participants from more than 20 cities and towns, representing over 200 denominations in La Côte d’Ivoire, thronged the House of Destiny Ministries’ beautiful auditorium to attend the Church Growth Conference.
Some of the cities and towns represented included Abidjan, Abengourou, Aboisso, Adiake, Agboville, Bassam, Bongouanou, Bondoukou, Bouaflé, Bouaké, Dabou, Danane, Divo, Grandbassam, Hiré, Kononfla, Korhogo, Meagui, Soubre, Sikensi, and Yamou.
Accra was not left out as a multitude of pastors and church workers, all eagerly seeking church growth followed the Conference all the way.
The servant of God called these Pastors out and ministered to them by laying on of hands for their desire for great things in the ministry to be fulfilled. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
The atmosphere was charged with great expectations and indeed the Lord used his servant Bishop Nterful to greatly minister the Word and His spirit on these hungry hearts of hundreds of pastors and church workers.
On the first day of the Conference, Bishop Nterful ministered powerfully from his Father and Pastor’s Loyalty Collection. He shared on the need for pastors to protect the church the Lord is using them to build.
“Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it” Zechariah 1:21
He taught extensively about ‘Those Who Leave You’. He emphatically stated that those who leave the church in rebellion are one of the horns that destroy the church of the living God.
He admonished all the participants to seriously study the Loyalty and Disloyalty Collection since the teachings are very relevant for the stability and growth of the church. Loyalty is a major ingredient in church growth.
The Mega Church, a bestseller by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills was the book for the second day, ‘25 Reasons Why You Must Have a Mega Church’.
Under the mighty power of the Holy Spirit , he taught how it’s important for every pastor desirous of a Mega Church to have a burning vision for church growth. This burning vision becomes the internal engine that drives such pastors on the difficult road to building a Mega Church.
Where there is no vision, the people perish….. Proverbs 29:18
Bishop Nterful also taught the pastors to desire, dream, and be “ totally consumed by the vision for a large church and ministry. The size of church and ministry you will eventually have also depends on what you can see“. Genesis 13:14-15, 30:37-43
Another important church growth key – Prayer, was taught from Bishop Nterful’s latest book, Church Growth, the Church is not Growing, What Must I Do? He explained that Jesus and the Apostles prayed so much, leading to the mega churches they built (Mark 1:35, Luke 22:39, Acts 6:4); and that pastors desiring to build successful, growing and flourishing churches must follow their examples and give themselves to much prayer.
During the final day, Bishop Nterful taught and ministered continuously for over 8 hours with a 30 minutes break. The participants were treated to a deluge of impactful messages including the Cell Systems, Church Planting, The Key of Anagkazo and Lay People and the Ministry. He explained how each of these principles brings about church growth.
With the Cell System being one of the main speaker’s best messages, he walked them through the Old and New Testament vividly and demonstrated the patterns of how the church of the living God should be built.
Exodus 25:40
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Acts 2:41-42
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
One of the main highlights of this impactful and spirit filled Conference was the launch of the new Makarios 100. A library of 100 books by the bestselling author Bishop Dag Heward-Mills.
Over the 3 days, 2,500 pastors and church leaders attended the Conference.
In conclusion, this Church Growth Conference has been a truly uplifting and transformative experience for all who attended. Together, we have witnessed the unwavering passion and dedication of individuals who are committed to expanding God’s Kingdom and fulfilling the Great Commission.
NB: Bishop Nterful’s latest book on Church Growth (CHURCH GROWTH.. the Church is not Growing, What Must I Do?), was launched a month ago. Copies of this book are available at the Qodesh (+233 540 25 2618), Anagkazo Assemblies, The Life Cathedral, Kasoa, Ofaakor (+233 549 18 3891), and Anagkazo Assemblies, The Light of the World, Korle-Gonno (+233 557 14 2259) bookshops.
