Draft:Vincent Anane Denteh

Vincent Anane Denteh (born on May 9, 1970) is a Ghanaian Christian missionary, theologian, author, and leader in The Church of Pentecost. He is widely recognized for his missionary expeditions, particularly in Eastern Europe and Southern Africa, as well as his contributions to Christian literature and the study of Pentecostal mission.

Early Life and Education

Vincent Anane Denteh was born at Kete-Krachi, in the then Volta Region (now Oti Region) of Ghana to William Kwaku Mprah and Grace Ama Dapaah Amoah. He is the fourth child of his parents' fourteen children. As a child raised by peasant farmers with meager incomes, Denteh's childhood was marked by hardship. His family frequently relocated from their farming communities in search of greener pastures, which disrupted his early education. At age eight, he started schooling in Kete-Krachi while helping his father and grandfather with fishing and farming activities to support his household.

Throughout his academic journey, he faced considerable financial challenges. Despite the obstacles, he managed to pursue technical education at Tamale Polytechnic, where he studied towards a Block Laying and Concreting intermediate certificate. His time in school was often interrupted by the need to work various jobs to fund his studies, including photography, fishing, and involvement in Taekwondo sporting activities.

Conversion to Christianity and Early Ministry

In 1987, at the age 17, Vincent Anane Denteh converted to Christianity, which marked a significant turning point in his life. Initially influenced by friends, his Christian faith deepened during his time at Tamale Polytechnic, where he joined the Scripture Union. After his conversion, Vincent became an active participant in church activities, involving himself in vigorous evangelistic activities that led to the planting of several local assemblies in the villages under Sene West and East, Pru East and West, and Krachi West.

Vincent's involvement in the evangelistic activities of The Church of Pentecost began at the village of Akuroga in the then Atebubu District (now Sene West District) in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, where he established a vibrant Christian community even when he was a member of the Church. His deep commitment to spreading the gospel saw him organize retreats, evangelistic activities, and the planting of churches during his pre-ministerial life.

Career and Ministry Leadership

He worked as a teacher at the Yeji Pentecost Preparatory School before he went into full-time ministry in The Church of Pentecost in 1998. His first ministerial station was Kwapong District in the Ahafo Region of Ghana between 1999 and 2004. He served between 2004 and 2007 in Ukraine as a missionary of The Church of Pentecost and was recalled to Ghana in 2007, where he was stationed at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana as a district pastor of The Church of Pentecost from 2007 to 2009. then sent to Madagascar as a pioneer missionary between 2009 to 2017. In 2017 he was brought back to Ghana and stationed at Sefwi Bekwai as an Area head. He served in this role between 2017 to 2020 before being appointed as the Director of the Pentecost Men's Ministry (PEMEM),

Vincent's missionary expeditions took him to Madagascar and Southern Africa, where he played key roles in establishing and strengthening Christian communities in the region. His notable works in Madagascar, Seychelles, and Mauritius were instrumental in spreading the Pentecostal faith across these regions. He is known for publishing Christian journals and articles, including the Pravda Gospel Tract (Ukraine), Pentecost Trumpet (Madagascar), and Pentecost Voice (Mauritius).

Anane also served in various leadership capacities within CoP, including the National Head of Madagascar (2009–2017), Regional Coordinator of the nations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc from 2015-2017, and the director of the Pentecost Men's Ministry (PEMEM) from 2020 to date.

He is currently an Executive Council member of CoP following his successful election in 2021 to the Council. The Executive Council of the CoP is the highest governing board of the Church that oversees all the external branches (over 180 nations) of the Church worldwide

Academic and Literary Contributions

Vincent is deeply committed to Christian education and scholarly work. Vincent holds a Master of Theology degree (with distinction) from the South Africa Theological Seminary (SATS), a Bachelor of Theology Honors degree from the same seminary, a Bachelor of Ministry - Christian Journalism degree (Arkansas, USA), and a Diploma in Freelance Journalism (Cleland Thom Journalism Training Services, Chichester, UK). He has a Certificate in Theological and Pastoral Studies from the Pentecost Bible College (now Pentecost University, Accra, Ghana). He also has undertaken several courses in publishing and magazine journalism.

Throughout his academic journey, he has authored numerous articles, journals, and books, enriching the intellectual discussion around Christian missions and ministry. His contributions reflect a passion for advancing Christian thought and education.

Books Authored:

1. Basic Doctrine for Christian Leaders
2. Understanding Alcoholism
3. Golden Poems for Christian Children – A collection of poetry
4. The Mirror of Life – A collection of poetry
5. Removing the Veil of Ignorance
6. Overcoming Hypocrisy
7. The Vanguard of Christian Mission
8. Manual for Advanced Bible Quiz Volume 1 (Old Testament)
9. Manual for Advanced Bible Quiz Volume 2 (New Testament)
10. History and Essential Issues of the Church of Pentecost
11. Revitalising Missions and Missiology: The Way Forward in the Twenty-First Century
12. Ministry in the Pulpit: A Practical Guide in Sermon Preparation and Sermon Delivery
13. The Church and Mission in the Digital World

Selected Articles:

1. A Christian's Response to Comprehensive Sexual Education
2. A Peep into the Possessing the Nations Agents of the Church of Pentecost
3. A Pentecostal Response to Home and Urban Missions in Africa
4. Caring for God's Creation and the Galamsey Debate
5. Being an Agent of Peace during the Elections
6. Caring for Creation
7. Count Your Blessings One by One
8. Exposing the Dangerous Fallacies of the Common Sense Family
9. From bible school to university: The forty-eight years journey of Pentecost University
10. From Azusa Street Revival to PCC Revival
11. Pentecostal Mission Praxis.  A Review of Core Pentecostal Doctrines that Drive and Shape Pentecostal Models of Mission Responding to Global Crises from a Missional Perspective
12. Responding to Global Crises from a Missional Perspective
13. Responding to pandemics from Christian perspective; then and now
14. Rethinking Agribusiness from the Perspective of Men's Ministry
15. Rethinking Digital Technology in the Face of COVID-19 and Beyond
16. Revisiting the HIV/AIDS Fight
17. Saving the Integrity of Creation
18. Tackling the Prophecy Controversies in Ghana
19. The Battle of Ideologies and their Competing Epistemologies
20. The "Sowers" of the Missionary Seed of The Church of Pentecost
21. The Birth and Functions of the Church of Pentecost International Missions Board
22. The Church and the Palace
23. The Church of Pentecost's Response to COVID-19
24. The Inter-Ministries Love Summit 2022
25. The Rise of Suicide And The Story of Scientist Michael Faraday
26. Transforming the Nations by Fulfilling the Great Commission
27. When Your Brook Dries Up

Personal Life

Vincent is married to Martha Ama Boakyewaa, with whom he shares a deep commitment to Christian ministry. Together, they have been involved in various evangelism efforts, often traveling to remote villages to spread the gospel. The couple has four children, and their family life is deeply rooted in their Christian faith.

Through his missionary work, leadership, and academic contributions, Vincent continues to impact Christian communities across the globe.

Award (s)

Vincent was awarded the second-best creative writer for the year 2021 by the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW).