Dear Friends and Supporters
PRAY FOR GHANA
I will be traveling to Ghana on September 5. I will be there until September 20. There are four purposes for this trip:
(1) Participate as a board member in the annual board meeting of the Christian Leadership Training Institute – the Institute facilitates leadership development in Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Ivory Coast using the three-step method of TEE (Theological Education by Extension).
(2) Meet with Ghanaian mission directors and church leaders to see how we can move forward to choose the best person to be the supervisor for TEE in Ghana.
(3) Check on the work of two church planters in northern Ghana who are supported by Ivory Coast Christian Mission and supervised by Training Tomorrows Leaders – Kingsley Laryea and Daniel Marley.
(4) Look at the plot of land in Tamale where we will build a residence and office for the Supervisor of TEE in Ghana so he can live in northern Ghana and focus on the greatest needs and greatest opportunities that exist for leadership development in Ghana. Independent Christian Church missions are aggressively planting new churches among unreached people groups in this area.
PROJECTS FOR 2017:
Austin Ganyo, field director for Training Tomorrows Leaders, and Godfred Mintah, director of Christian Leadership Training Institute, standing on land I will visit in Tamale.
I am thankful that we have enough funds donated to set up a Supervisor for TEE in northern Ghana and place his family in a rented house. We still need funds to build a house and office on the plot of land in Tamale to provide proper housing and an office for the Supervisor of TEE.
We still need about $29,000 to complete the nursery school project in Nigeria.The concrete building is ready for the next steps of plastering, finish work and furnishings. The pillars of the building were reinforced and a concrete roof was poured over the top of the building so that it can eventually be expanded with a second floor. The second floor will be used for class rooms for the Cross River Christian College which now meets in the church building on the same property.
NEW CHURCH PLANT PROJECT IN NORTHERN GHANA
A new church is being planted in a district capital in northern Ghana called Kintampo. Kintampo is located on an important north-south transportation route.Daniel Marley, whom I will visit on this trip, is starting the church. Daniel Marley is supported by Ivory Coast Christian Mission and supervised by our sister mission, Training Tomorrows Leaders.
We are in the process of purchasing land in the city at a key location while the price is still reasonable. We will need funds to construct a starter building for the congregation. The building will be of sufficient size for the congregation to grow to the point where it can afford to pay for the expansion of its own building as the congregation grows. About $30,000 will be needed for this starter building.
Wise mission strategy is to start congregations in larger cities where there are potential members who have leadership skills and financial resources to support themselves. As these city congregations grow, they can afford to help start congregations in the rural areas where financial resources and leadership skills are limited. In order to start these city congregations, it takes a large investment to purchase land, build buildings and support an evangelist on a level that can relate to city people. However, in the long run, it will enable Ghanaians to finance their own church planting.
NIGERIA
Men of the Calabar congregation who participated in Men’s Day
The 2017 Men’s Day was celebrated in all churches with a theme of “THE MAN GOD USES.” The men are growing in understanding and maturity. Men were challenged to use their spiritual gifts and talents to serve God.
A seminar for leaders was organized on the topic of “SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS AND IMPACT OF LOANS AND BORROWING.” Leaders were challenged to avoid debt which can be a trap of Satan. Advice was given on how to come out of debt and live debt free.
The devil is active but unsuccessful because his efforts were challenged and reversed:
Discord within the Mkpani congregation was overcome via an open discussion between leaders of the congregation, interested parties and area church leaders. Corrections were made and solutions found.
Charms to bring evil were hidden in gifts for a newly married Christian couple. The charms were discovered and destroyed before they could have their evil effect on the couple.
PRAISE AND PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Thank God that the nursery school in Nigeria is ready for finish work.
2. Thank God that funds are ready to establish a supervisor for TEE in northern Ghana.
3. Thank God for the wisdom and spiritual maturity of leaders in Nigeria that they are able to prevent Satan’s plans from succeeding.
4. Pray for the success of the new church being started in Kintampo, Ghana.
5. Pray for the completion of the nursery school in Nigeria.
6. Pray for the wise selection of a new Supervisor for TEE in Ghana.
7. Pray for Bob and the success of meetings he will participate in while traveling in Ghana September 5 through 20.
web sites: grassrootsld.org and cltigh.org
