WHO WE ARE

The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) is a faith-based organisation and the umbrella body of over 200 Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian church denominations and para-church organisations in Ghana. It was established in 1969 but registered and recognised as a legal entity in 1971 to pursue the unity of the body of Christ, to propagate the gospel and to meet the spiritual and socio-economic needs of its members and Ghanaians in general.

Representing over 28% of the Christian Community in Ghana (2010 PHC), GPCC is the largest Church Council in Ghana in terms of population and denomination members. The Council is well placed to serve as the lead prophetic voice, advocate and gatekeeper of our nation. The GPCC works with other sister church councils and partners to undertake a number of development initiatives in Ghana. The Council has a unique advantage in community mobilisation for social action and development.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1969, Rev. Gyan Fosu of the Assemblies of God Church suggested the need for the four main Pentecostal Churches in the country to unite under one body to foster  good relationship. These Churches, which included the Assemblies of God , Christ Apostolic Church, The Apostolic Church – Ghana and The Church of Pentecost, agreed that such a union would further enhance the growth of the Pentecostal Movement in Ghana. Pastor James McKeown of The Church of Pentecost was approached and he received it with these words, “My African brothers, you have my blessings. You can go ahead and form the Council.”

At his own expense, Rev. Dr. Graw took Rev S. K. Nkansah and Rev. D. K. Saforo from the Christ Apostolic Church, Rev. Egyir Paintsil from The Church of Pentecost, and many others through a two-week orientation in the intricacies involved in the building of the Kingdom of God at the Trinity Theological Seminary, near Legon.

Following a series of contacts among its founding members, the Ghana Evangelical Fellowship (GEF) was inaugurated on March 3, 1969 at the Evangel Assemblies of God Church, Adabraka, opposite the Avenida Hotel, Accra. The GEF was later registered under CAP XO17, on August 6, 1971. Present at the inaugural meeting were the following ministers:

• J. K. Gyan Fosu, Rev. Robert L. Cobb and Rev. Edwin Ziemann (Assemblies of God Church).
• Austin Ofori Addo and Rev. James Ghartey (The Apostolic Church).
• James McKeown and Rev. J. Egyir Paintsil (The Church of Pentecost)
• Apostle Peter Newman Anim and Apostle Daniel Kwame Saforo of (Christ Apostolic Church).