The History and Growth of the Home and Urban Mission of the Church of Pentecost, Ghana

The research explored the historical evolution and growth of the Home and Urban Mission (HUM) of the Church of Pentecost (CoP) in Ghana. It covers the period from the establishment of the Northern Outreach Ministry (NOM) in 2007, tracing the various developments up to its current status as HUM, in December 2023. HUM represents a distinctive strategic mission approach with the objective of extending outreach to various neglected and marginalized demographics, including expatriates, drug addicts, commercial sex workers, and street children. Additionally, it targets unengaged segments of society such as the Fulani, Hausa, and Kotokoli, as well as migrants from Northern Ghana to the South, alongside other African migrants in Ghana. Employing archival documents and ethnographic data collection tools, the study posited that despite encountering challenges, the success of the strategy has positioned HUM as an essential model for effective Christian missions, particularly towards marginalized and underserved groups. The research highlighted the significance of HUM in exemplifying compassion and love towards marginalized groups, aligning with biblical teachings pertaining to social justice and care for the vulnerable. The success of the ministry is attributed to its capacity to adapt to local contexts and cultures, as well as its steadfast commitment to empowering local leaders and communities. The study’s findings present implications for Christian missions and churches, particularly in urban contexts characterized by substantial populations of marginalized groups. The HUM model, therefore, offers a framework for churches to engage with these populations and manifest the love of God to them. Keywords: Home and Urban Mission, Church of Pentecost, Mission, Marginalized Groups