HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Pentecostal Life Church International formerly Pentecostal Holy Church like most great institutions, started in a small way. The start of the church traces its root from the late Rt. Reverend Bishop Edward Christian Tchie from Obo Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana, was born on August 13th 1886 to his Ghanaian parents the late Nana Kofi Tchie and Obapanyin Abena Fosua. He was a royal because the then chief of Obo-Kwahu was his father. Also he was a British army officer and a minister and founding member of central Assembly of God church, Akwatialine Kumasi. He also champion the cause of planting host of churches for the Assemblies of God church nationwide especially first Assemblies of God in Takoradi, Evangel Assembly Adabraka Accra, Old Tafo, Buokromo, and First Assemblies of God in the Southern sector of Ghana Apagya in the Ashanti Region in the Afigya Kwabre when he led missionaries of the church from the Northern Region to Ashanti Region for an Evangelistic work. God used him so much for years to destroy a powerful idol deity call Berekune in the Ashanti Region and turn many adherents of pagan worship through the word of God to become followers of Christ Jesus. He was also used by God mightily in setting free by those who under the clutches and bondage of death, sickness, demon oppressed and possessed.
A man known for prayer, the word, miracles, signs and wonders through him God led to established Pentecostal Holy Church of Ghana now Pentecostal Life Church International in January 16, 1954 after the late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie has parted way with his mother church, Assemblies of God church Ghana on the issues of doctrines, false allegation and misunderstanding between him and some leaders and members of the church. After the Late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie sent his resignation letter to the leader of the church Rev. Simon, the late Rev. John Acheampong then Deacon of the church whose absence the incident took place compelled him to rescind his decision from quitting the church.
Upon several attempt by the Late Rev. Acheampong convinced him prove unsuccessful, he went further to consult Baffour Akoto the then chief linguist of Manhyia to appealed the late Asantehene Otumfour Prempeh II to intervene settle the issue amicably between the missionaries, church and Bishop E.C. Tchie. But upon the advice of Baffour Akoto to the late John Acheampong that Bishop E.C. Tchie should establish his own church since the American missionaries are difficult people to deal with. For this reason on 16th January, 1954 both late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie and Deacon John Acheampong left the church with others from the central Assembly of God church Kumasi.
Late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie led his followers to the late Opanin Kofi Asare’s Cottage (Akuraa) now New Tafo (Krofrom), who was one of the followers, dedicated his cottage as a place of worship. On their way to Opanin Kofi Asare’s Cottage it began to rain heavily and Late Madam Sara Amoah (Deaconess) led the congregation to sing a song ‘’Yen Amu Israel Mma Yenamu Atekye No Mu’’ until they reached the place that day. So the name of church PENTECOSTAL HOLY CHURCH was adopted by the late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie at their first worship place at Opanin Kofi Asare’s Cottage now New Tafo (Krofrom). The then members showed dedication, commitment and resilient attitude by contributing towards the up keep of the church by which the money collected were used by buying building materials to build a structure for the first worshipping place.
Within the space of two years (1954-1956) when the church began to grow numerical, they decided to acquire a bigger land to build a bigger structure in other to occupy the growing numbers. Through prayers and meditation God led Bishop E.C. Tchie,
Deacon John Acheampong and Madam Elizabeth Cudjoe to appeal to the late Nana Mensah Yiadom II Amakomhene who upon the Grace of God gave them a piece of land which belongs to his wife.
They prepared a temporary structure on the land for worship service until the permanent building began between 1959/1960 and completed in 1964. They began the building with only forty (40) cedis now forty pesewa which at first seems impossible but Bishop E.C. Tchie having faith and courage said the Lord God would build the Lord’s house. All support and contributions for the work were sacrificial and freewill offering from the members.
The late Rev. Bishop E.C. Tchie had the full support of his wife, late Mrs Lydia Tchie for the work of the ministry. The church spread widely great revival took place during the days of bishop Tchie which led to the establishment of a lot branch churches after the Amakom church such as Old Tafo, kotei, Kwaso, Atasomanso, Esaase, Twenedruase, Sepease, Esuowin, Achiase all in the Ashanti Region; Yeji, Sankore, and Kwapong in the Brong Ahafo Region. In terms of membership the church counted over two thousand (over 2000). Apart from the aforementioned churches, the church spread the gospel to the other part of the country such as Berekum in the Brong Ahafo, most places in the Ashanti Region, in the Western Region especially Sefwi, Babiani by which churches were planted but did not see the light of the day after the death of the founder and leader of the church. The revival that took place during that period was as a result of their Loyalty (Selfless Attitude of the leadership and members of the church, sacrificial giving, Commitment, and Dedication), Unity, Prayer, acceptance and promotion of the founder’s ministry and miracles. Their main purpose to work for the Lord was the sake of heaven, meaning they were heaven minded. There were other auxiliary groups in the church during the days of the founder that became very helping in the spread of the gospel such as Singing Band in 1954, Choir 1960, Christ Little Band and Shepherds.
The late Bishop Tchie handed the mantle of leadership to Rev John Acheampong of the blessed memory in later part of 1973 when he saw that sickness is having a telling effect on him, on 13th January 1974, he was called to eternal rest and went to be with his Maker was at the age of eighty eight (88) and buried at his hometown. During his eight (8) years anniversary, the wife was also called to rest on by her creator on the 7th day of February, 1982. Though the late Bishop Tchie work for Twenty (20) years from 1954-1974 the impact of his ministry was so great as compare with today in terms of Evangelistic works and church planting
Although Bishop Tchie went to be with his maker and Lord in the year 13th January 1974
