David Afum, the Ashanti Regional Correspondent for the Daily Guide newspaper and Chief Executive Officer of Swiftnews3 Publications, has graduated from the School of Ministries (SOM)-Ghana with a Diploma in Leadership and Biblical Studies.
Mr Afum was among a pioneer cohort of 32 students who completed the programme.
The maiden graduation ceremony was held at the Fire Trinity Ministry at Agric Aburaso in Kumasi under the theme, “Going Deeper.”
This latest academic achievement enhances Mr Afum’s existing theological credentials.
In 2014, he obtained a Diploma in Theology following a two-year course of study at the International College of Bible Theology (ICBT) and the Faith and Fire Theological College and Seminary (FFTCS).
Keynote Call: Character Over Charisma
Delivering the keynote sermon, Pastor Andrew F. Lendor, Regional Leader of the School of Ministries and Pioneer Network West Africa, strongly cautioned the graduates against allowing character flaws to derail their calling.
Preaching on the topic “Divine Disappointment” and drawing from Numbers 20:1-12, Pastor Lendor cited the biblical narrative of Moses.
He noted that despite Moses being one of the meekest and most faithful servants of God, he was denied entry into the Promised Land due to a single moment of disobedience and poor judgment.
”Charisma may take you to great heights, but character determines whether you stay there,” Pastor Lendor emphasised. “Gifts, talents, miracles, and powerful preaching cannot substitute for godly character.”
Pastor Lendor highlighted three critical errors made by Moses that displeased God: disobeying explicit divine instructions, speaking harshly to God’s people, and co-opting glory that belonged solely to God.
He urged the newly minted ministers to remain humble, treat people with compassion, and always acknowledge divine grace.
Institutional Growth and Regional Expansion
Earlier in the ceremony, Apostle Dr George Amoako Alhassan, National Leader of Pioneer Ghana, Founder of Fire Trinity Ministry International (FTMI), and CEO of the George Amoako Alhassan Foundation (GAAF), hailed the event as a major milestone for leadership development in the region.
Apostle Dr Alhassan recounted the humble beginnings of the School of Ministries at the Upper Room Assemblies of God in Patasi, Kumasi.
He revealed that the institution has since expanded its footprint beyond Ghana into several West African nations, including Benin, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Guinea-Conakry, with active plans to extend across the wider African continent.
Addressing the graduates, Apostle Dr Alhassan reminded them that graduation marks the beginning of greater responsibility, not the end of learning.
”In a generation where many are satisfied with shallow Christianity, God is raising men and women who will go deeper in prayer, deeper in the Word, deeper in holiness, and deeper in service,” he stated, urging them to pursue lifelong learning and integrity.
Community Support
Madam Rita Tieko, the Unit Committee Chairperson for the Aburaso/Edwaase Electoral Area, also offered brief remarks.
She congratulated the graduates, describing ministry as a noble responsibility, and prayed for them to receive the wisdom and strength necessary to faithfully serve their communities.
The graduation ceremony served as the centrepiece of a broader institutional conference focused on spiritual growth, leadership development, discipleship, and ministry expansion.