By Stanley Senya
Accra, Oct. 1, GNA – Reverend Stephen Yenusom Wengam, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, has announced the expected convergence of more than 10,000 participants from about 100 countries for the 10th Triennial Assemblies of God World Congress in Accra.
Rev. Wengam, who made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday, said the Congress, scheduled between October 14 and 16, 2026, was a historic event, noting that it would be the first time in the 115-year history of the Assemblies of God Fellowship, that its World Congress was being hosted on the African continent.
He said the countdown to the global gathering had begun, with the church making final preparations to welcome delegates, church leaders and ministers from across the world.
Rev. Wengam recalled that Ghana was selected to host the event during the 9th Triennial Congress held in Madrid, Spain, in 2023, following a proposal by the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Tanzania, Rev. Barnabas Mtokambadi.
He said although the decision to host the event came with enormous challenges, Assemblies of God, Ghana, accepted the responsibility in faith and had since worked diligently to ensure a successful congress.
He said a Local Organising Committee (LOC), chaired by Rev. Andrews Nelson Awintia, the Greater Accra East Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, was inaugurated in 2024 to coordinate preparations.
Again, a World Congress Secretariat, headed by Ms Gifty Agyei-Fiankoh, was later established at the church’s headquarters to support planning and implementation activities.
Rev. Wengam commended the efforts of the LOC, the Secretariat, pastors, church members, volunteers and mobilisers for their commitment towards the organisation of the international event.
He also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama, both members of the Church, for their support towards the congress.
The General Superintendent announced that President Mahama and the First Lady would attend the opening ceremony at the Black Star Square on October 14, while 18 ministers of state had also confirmed their participation.
He said the Global Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship and General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Singapore, Rev. Dominic Yeo, would lead an international delegation of church leaders from various continents to the congress.
Rev. Lazarus Chakwera, the Former President of Malawi and former General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Malawi, is also expected to participate in the event.
Rev. Wengam expressed optimism that the congress would generate significant economic benefits for the country through increased tourism, hospitality services and investment opportunities.
“These huge arrivals would greatly boost the hospitality industry and significantly impact the national economy,” he said.
He noted that transport operators, food vendors, petty traders and other local businesses stood to benefit from the influx of visitors.
The congress is being held on the theme: “Commissioned: One Mandate, Every Nation.”
Rev. Wengam said the theme reflected the fellowship’s commitment to evangelism and church expansion, with a target of planting at least one million churches globally by 2033 as part of activities marking 2,000 years of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He disclosed that Assemblies of God currently had about 89.9 million members worldwide and more than 451,000 local assemblies, with Africa accounting for approximately 20 million members.
In Ghana, the church had about 1,000 congregations and an estimated membership of 1.2 million, he said.
The General Superintendent said discussions during the congress would focus on strategies to accelerate church growth and strengthen Pentecostal ministry worldwide.
Morning sessions would be held daily at the Black Star Square from 0900 hours to 1730 hours for leadership development, training and strategic engagements.
Revival rallies open to the public would also be held at the Accra Sports Stadium during the evenings.
Rev. Wengam said the rallies would focus on prayer and spiritual renewal, stressing the need for intercession in the face of growing global conflicts, social challenges and national concerns.
He called for media support, appealing to journalists, editors, broadcasters, commentators, bloggers and other media practitioners to partner with the church in promoting the congress.
He urged the media to use both traditional and digital platforms to project the event, enhance Ghana’s international image and provide comprehensive coverage of the congress.
“This is not a mere church event but a global assignment which must be executed with all-consuming seriousness,” he said.
Rev. Wengam expressed confidence that the Ghanaian media would play a significant role in the success of the congress and leave a lasting imprint on the history of the global event.
The following local and international guest artists were billed to perform: Joe Mettle, Sinach, Dunsin Oyekan, Rev. Angela Donadio (USA), and Gramophone Chorale. Ministering alongside is the 500-member Congress Mass Choir.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo