Apostle Professor Kwadwo Nimfour Opoku Onyinah (born July 22, 1954) is a Ghanaian theologian, a televangelist, a composer and the fifth chairman of The Church of Pentecost from 2008 to 2018. He founded the Pentecost International Worship Centre, a ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1993. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in theological studies from the University of Birmingham (2002) and a master of theology in applied theology from Regents Theological College. He is the last of the Apostles who walked with the founder of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor James McKeown. Onyinah joined the ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1976 and has served in various positions, including rector of Pentecost University College, an executive council member and the first International Missions Director of the church. He is also an adjunct lecturer at the Pentecost Theological Seminary. Onyinah served as a member of National Peace Council in Ghana, the president of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council from 2011 to 2019, chairman of the Ghana Evangelism Committee from 2010 to date, co-chairman of Empowered21 Africa from 2013 to date, advisory board member of International Review of Mission since 2013, member of the Committee of World Pentecostal Theologians in Dialogue with the Catholic Church since 2011, member of a standing committee of Health and Healing of World Council of Churches/DIFAM, 2005–2010, member of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of World Council of Churches since 2007, and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology since 2007.
Early life and education
Opoku Onyinah was born to Opanin Kwame Onyinah and Maame Rebecca Akosua Addai of Aduman about 7:00 am in a local maternity home in the town. As per Akan tradition, he was named after his grand-uncle, a popular chief of Dwumakyi village called Opanin Nimfour. He grew up with the name "Koofour" an abridged form of Kwadwo Nimfour.
22 July was adopted as his official birthday though his Catholic Baptism Certificate bears 24 July as his birthday. He started his basic education at Yamfo Presbyterian Primary School and completed Middle Form Four at Yamfo Catholic Middle School. He was trained in carpentry and joinery in Sunyani Technical and Tamale Technical Institutes. His calling into pastoral ministry in 1976 enabled him to acquire a master of theology in applied theology in 1998 and Philosophy in Theological Studies from University of Birmingham in 2002.
Onyinah's was promoted as an associate professor in 2016. In response this promotion, a citation in honor written by the current general secretary of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi states: “It is with great honor and pleasure that we officially announce the promotion of the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, to the academic rank of an Associate Professor.” – By Aps. Alexander N. Y. A.Kumi-Larbi"
Employment and full-time ministry
Onyinah was employed by the State Construction Company as a regional estimator before his call into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1976.
His first ministerial station was a district overseer to Wa District from 1976 to 1981 in the Northern Region. Then transferred to Kumasi as district pastor from 1981 to 1984, He served as Ashanti regional head from 1984 to 1986, he left Ghana to London, UK, for further studies from 1986 to 1988. His return to Ghana saw him appointed as the Koforidua regional head from 1988 to 1991, he became the first international missions director for the church from 1991 to 1996, he continued theological studies at London-UK from 1996 to 2002, he was appointed principal to Pentecost Bible College, which subsequently upgraded to Pentecost University College as its first rector from 2002 to 2008 and finally as chairman of The Church of Pentecost-Worldwide from 2008 to 2018.
Chairmanship
Onyinah was elected the chairman of The Church of Pentecost in 2008 succeeded Apostle Michael Ntumy through election. He won 2/3 of the vote cast. The chairmanship comes along with critical responsibilities. As a chairman, Apostle Onyinah performs the following functions: