INDIGENOUS CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN THE BRONG AHAFO REGION: A CASE STUDY OF THE TEMPLE OF PRAISE CHURCH (1988-2013)

ABSTRACT The Temple of Praise Church is an indigenous Neo-Pentecostal church whose mode of operation slightly differs from both the Historic and Classical Pentecostal churches. It is one of the churches founded by indigenous Africans in 1988, and it is among the first Neo-Pentecostal churches to be established in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The Temple of Praise church, Bethel Prayer Ministry, The Apostle Continuation Church and others which are not mentioned here are categorized as indigenous churches because they were founded by the indigenes. These churches are very widespread in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study sought to investigate the factors that have contributed to the growth of Temple of Praise Church. It aimed at reconstructing a historical development of Christianity in the Brong Ahafo Region. The focus of the study was on Temple of Praise Church, which believes and maintains that sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the unreached, which is the core mandate of the Church. The researcher employed the phenomenological and historical methods focusing on the nexus between events, features, practical methods, movements and personalities. Furthermore, the study employed the qualitative method of gathering data. Questionnaire and structured questions were used in tandem with face to face interviews, focus group interviews, and participant observation. The study revealed that the Temple of Praise Church has experienced significant growth due to the fact that, the principle of outreach programmes has been their priority. Virtually the entire church including the clergy and the laity have committed themselves to the sharing of the gospel message with the unreached. Furthermore, the bond of unity and sense of belongingness especially among the founders have served as a platform for the growth. The thesis has theological relevance since the operations of the Church are rooted in the Christian religion. The study in addition brought to light the new dimension of indigenous Churches with particular reference to efforts being made to propagate the gospel message. Such strenuous efforts to spread the gospel appear to be lacking among most the churches in our contemporary times. The study also introduced a new typology into the Christian missions in Brong Ahafo Region and serves as a background study on new trends in African Initiated Churches in Ghana.