THE HISTORY AND MISSION OF THE LORD’S PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (1961-2011)

ABSTRACT Scholars have studied some African Initiated Churches in Ghana; notable among them are Christ Apostolic Church, The Apostolic Church of Ghana, and Church of Pentecost. Most of these churches emerged from the eastern part of Ghana and have spread across the whole country and even beyond the borders of Ghana. The Lord‟s Pentecostal Church is one of the first indigenous churches established in Peki in the Volta Region of Ghana and has spread across the country and beyond. However there has not been much study on this church. The objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the origins, and mission of The Lord‟s Pentecostal Church over its fifty years of existence from 1961-2011. The research was conducted using the historical approach. Primary and secondary sources were used in collecting the data. The primary sources include interviewing some church leaders both past and present. Minutes, memoirs and other correspondence of the founder and his assistant were used. Secondary sources such as books, journals and online articles was used and the data gathered were analyzed and conclusions made. The study highlights the early beginnings, features and changes in an African Initiated church. The study found out that The Lord‟s Pentecostal Church International began with features that were similar to that of AICs. These practices included removal of footwear, segregation of women, use of florida water, wearing of long robes amongst others. However the study revealed that the introduction of several changes in their practices brought about relevance and significant growth. The study concludes that it is possible for AICs to become relevant at every given point in time if these churches become more receptive to change without necessarily losing their Africanness. The research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on African Independent churches. Again, it will serve as reference for further study on African Initiated Missions in general and how The Lord‟s Pentecostal Church has developed over the years. It will also help in making projections for future policies for the church and other African Independent Churches.