Bishop Charles Agyin-Asare (ɑːdʒɪnəsɑri; born 22 March 1962) is the founder and presiding bishop

Presiding Bishop

The Presiding Bishop is an ecclesiastical position in some denominations of Christianity.- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America :The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the...

 of Word Miracle Church International and other associate churches, a Pentecostal-charismatic ministry with branches all over the world. He is, in addition, an author of many bestseller

Bestseller

A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...

s, and a televangelist best known for his healing and miracle crusades held all over the world—from places like Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, to others like Pakistan and India—which are shown on his television program, God’s Miracle Power.

Biography

History

On the evening of 22 March 1962, Agyin-Asare (originally called Charles Ekow) was born in Achiase, Ghana, to Andrew Kofi Esar Asare,a soldier, and Elizabeth Arthur, a baker. Born in a Roman Catholic home, Agyin-Asare was nicknamed “dada” and “priest” by family and peers.
Agyin-Asare, it is said, was very outspoken and intelligent as a child, and thus was always a good student, in spite of his parents’ divorce in 1971. Being skipped ahead of his normal class, Agyin-Asare went to St. Martin’s Secondary School at the age of 11, where most of his life was altered; over there he indulged in all manner of debauchery, alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...

 and drug abuse

Drug abuse

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...

, which sooner got him expelled from school. Having a thirst for a Supreme Being

Supreme Being

The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God", and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Deism. However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the...

 and his worship, Agyin-Asare converted to Nicheren Shoshu Buddhism

Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...

 and later considered Islam, where he was so devoted that he stopped all he was doing to chant and meditate as the religion required at the specific times of prayer and worship.

Conversion

In 1980, Agyin-Asare was invited to a Pentecostal church

Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...

, where he was called to the altar after the sermon, and there gave his life to Christ, and at 18 converted to Christianity. This is where the second part of his life was majorly altered. He became a devout Christian, longing always to do the things of God and to minister to people.
In 1983, he felt the call of God to do His work, expecting the Acts of the Apostles’ results. During this period, he absorbed himself in books by A. W. Tozer

Aiden Wilson Tozer

Aiden Wilson Tozer was an American Christian pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker, and spiritual mentor. For his work, he received two honorary doctorate degrees.- Biography :...

, Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray (minister)

Andrew Murray was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be "the chief end of the church."- Early life and education :...

, Charles Finney

Charles Grandison Finney

Charles Grandison Finney was a leader in the Second Great Awakening. He has been called The Father of Modern Revivalism. Finney was best known as an innovative revivalist, an opponent of Old School Presbyterian theology, an advocate of Christian perfectionism, a pioneer in social reforms in favor...

, R.A. Torrey, and the like, as well as the biographies and autobiographies of some of the old time revivalists. He cried night and day asking God to give him souls and to form Christ in his body lest he die. Fortunately, in the same year, his cry was heard as Dr. Morris Cerullo

Morris Cerullo

Morris Cerullo is an American pentecostal televangelist.-Early life and ministry:Cerullo, whose evangelistic ministry is based in San Diego, California, was born in Passaic, New Jersey to a Russo Jewish/Italian family. His parents died in an automobile accident when he was only two years old...

 held a school of ministry in Accra, Ghana

Accra

Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...

, where Agyin-Asare says he had the mandate from heaven to go into the world and preach the gospel with miracles, signs and wonders following. God told him,

"My boy Charles, I send you out as I sent Moses; go and I would put my words on your lips and take the world for me. I give unto you Power over demons and principalities, heal the sick, raise the dead, preach the Kingdom"

After the commission, he went round the cities and towns, holding miracle campaigns and schools of ministry for leaders and church workers. His gospel campaigns have recorded over 100,000 in a single night, where multitudes of sick and maimed have received their healing.

Ministry

Church and TV

In 1987, by divine instruction, Agyin-Asare started a church, World Miracle Bible Church (now Word Miracle Church International), in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana

Northern Region (Ghana)

The Northern Region is the largest area of Ghana. As of 2009, it is divided into 20 districts. The region's capital is Tamale. Climatically, religiously, linguistically, and culturally, the region differs greatly from the politically and economically dominating regions of central and southern...

.
In 1994, he moved the headquarters of the church to Accra, and started another branch of the church.
In 1998, Agyin-Asare started his television ministry, Your Miracle Encounter (later God’s Miracle Power), broadcasting on the major Ghanaian television stations

Television channel

A television channel is a physical or virtual channel over which a television station or television network is distributed. For example, in North America, "channel 2" refers to the broadcast or cable band of 54 to 60 MHz, with carrier frequencies of 55.25 MHz for NTSC analog video and...

 like GTV

GTV (Ghana)

GTV is the national public broadcaster of Ghana, run by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. It commenced operations on July 31, 1965 and was originally known as GBC TV....

, then later on TV3

TV3 Ghana

TV3 Network Limited is a private, free-to-air television broadcaster in Ghana. Launched in 1997, TV3 Ghana airs and produces a variety of television programmes including acclaimed news bulletins, dramas and successful reality television and entertainment shows.TV3 Ghana established itself as the...

, Metro TV and Net2 TV; on Nigerian television stations like NTA Nigeria

Nigerian Television Authority

The Nigerian Television Authority - also known as NTA - was inaugurated in 1977 and is the government-owned body in charge of television broadcasting in the country. The NTA claims to run the biggest television network in Africa with stations in several parts of Nigeria...

; on Dutch stations like Joshua TV; and on British stations like Inspiration TV and Revelation.
In 1999, he moved the head quarters of his ministry to Accra, where he presently is the presiding bishop and senior pastor

Pastor

The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....

.
His audiences have varied from presidents to ordinary citizens of nations. Amongst them,

Youth

Because of his background as a former drug addict and social failure, Agyin-Asare also has a ministry to the youth, where he counsels and guides them by the power of the Holy Ghost

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...

. Many have been touched by this ministry, themselves being rehabilitated and converted to Christ.
In 2006, Agyin-Asare, having a strong desire to see the youth saved from bad addictions and indiscipline, started an annual youth conference

Youth Conference

Youth Conference is a large scale three-day Christian event held in numerous places around the world. The originating event, YC Alberta, is held in Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...

 titled Youth Xplosion, where the youth would gather in big halls to be ministered to by several seasoned speakers. Here, there were song ministrations from different church choirs or music groups, as well as the manifestation of God’s glorious power through deliverance of the captives, and healing of the brokenhearted, the sick and the oppressed. He interacted with the youth and discussed with them some of their problems
In 2007, the vice-president of the Republic of Ghana

Ghana

Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...

 H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama

Aliu Mahama

Alhaji Aliu Mahama was Vice-President of Ghana from 7 January 2001 to 7 January 2009. He sought the New Patriotic Party's nomination for the 2008 presidential election,, GNA , October 24, 2007. but at the party's convention in December 2007 he received only 6.38% of delegates' votes...

 attended the Youth Xplosion 2: Breaking the Power of Indiscipline on behalf of the president, and greatly commended the impact of such a conference.
In 2008, during the Youth Xplosion 3: Breaking the Power of Apathy, the candidates of the major political parties used the conference as a platform to address the youth on social issues

Social issues

Social issues are controversial issues which relate to people's personal lives and interactions. Social issues are distinguished from economic issues...

 concerning the youth. Amongst them was the then-current Vice President HE John Mahama.
In 2009, Youth Xplosion 4: Building an Unshakable Character For Success was held in Accra.
Many regions of the country have demanded that this youth conference be held in their towns, etc.

Theology

As for his theology, Agyin-Asare believes in justification by faith

Sola fide

Sola fide , also historically known as the doctrine of justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and some in the Restoration Movement.The doctrine of sola fide or "by faith alone"...

, the judgment, divine healing

Faith healing

Faith healing is healing through spiritual means. The healing of a person is brought about by religious faith through prayer and/or rituals that, according to adherents, stimulate a divine presence and power toward correcting disease and disability. Belief in divine intervention in illness or...

, deliverance from satanic spirits, and the Pentecost.
He believes that God is spirit, and that they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. He also believes in the doctrine of the Trinity

Trinity

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...

.
He also believes in the divine workings of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.

Qualifications and Certificates

In 1991, Agyin Asare was awarded an Honorary Doctor

Honorary degree

An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...

 of Divinity by Shiloh Ecclesiastical Bible College, London, and consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Malachi Ramsey, Primate of Shiloh Apolostolic Church Worldwide, at the Living Springs Chapel International, Great Britain.

In 1999, Agyin-Asare earned another doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...

 in Theology from the Vision International University

Vision International University

Vision International University is an unaccredited institution in Ramona, California offering academic degree programs designed to prepare men and women for professional service in Christian ministry...

, Ramona, California,USA.

Achievements and Awards

On 6 May 1999, he was named an Honorary Citizen of the City of Houston, USA, and given a Senate of Texas declaration (Senate Resolution No. 841) for his achievement in evangelism and social works all over the world.
In 2007, Agyin-Asare was awarded a Member of the Order of the Volta, by President J.A. Kuffour, for his outstanding achievements and helping to champion African Excellence as a religious leader.
Agyin-Asare has fellowshipped with and ministered to presidents and dignitaries of other nations, including:

i, President Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivory Coast

ii, President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo

iii, HE Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General in 2002