“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18 -19)

MARRIAGE EQUIPPING SESSION

By the grace of God our marriage equipping session for singles happened to the glory of God. With lots of questions and lessons on the God’s intention for marriage and the Godly principles which are needed to help us honor the Lord in our marriages.

Time was spent to look at how true love actually comes from our genuine relationship with the Lord which can easily be seen in our relationship and how we treat each other in our daily lives.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

One thing that the Church has not been able to do very well is the intentional development of future leaders for ministry. It a call that cannot be ignored and we have to do it with all the passion and attention that it deserves. If the world has failed in the raising of true leaders, the Church cannot and must rise up to the occasion and develop leaders not just for the Church alone, but for both the Church and the world at large. Christ gave us examples to follow when it comes to diverse kinds of things that will help impact our world. Christ is our best bet from who tried and tested principles can be learnt and applied to our daily lives. However, we discovered that how Christ operates mostly is in sharp contrast to what the world upholds and teaches. For example, we saw that in the eyes of the world leaders are the ones who sit and are served but in the kingdom of Christ it is the leader who rather serves the lowly.

One of the participants said, “Now I see it clearly why sometimes leaders fail as what they are looking out for is the direct opposite of what Christ says we should be and do.”

Another participant also said, “We often miss it by trying to prove to others that we are in charge and are leaders, but what Christ modelled for us when practiced rightly makes leading very simple as compared to what we see.”

THE POWER OF THE HEART LANGUAGE AND MEDIA

We were just rounding up our Sunday service when a young man walked in sat at the back and as soon as the closing prayer and benediction was said he walked up to me and introduced himself. He then said “I have been following your preaching and short videos (reels). I have posted them on my wall and I began to ask myself some questions. If we have been told that people of the Dagomba tribe don’t become Christians how come that this preaching is so rich and clear and is by far the pure language than what we do hear daily. Again that message is not just for only Christian but everyone irrespective of your religion he added. I am on the other side of Christianity but I decided that today I will make my way to that church and to meet with you so that I can set up an interview with you.”

We had an interview on a later date that lasted for almost two hours that centred on diverse topics with the main one being the concept of God in Christianity. We left the interview with the hope that several lives will be impacted and that the main person who initiated it will encounter Christ Jesus with his friends and followers.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Praise God for a successful leadership training in Sierra Leone.
• Pray for the upcoming Church planters training in Cape Verde that Samson is scheduled to assist in facilitating.
• Pray Nanumba, Wala, Dagomba and Mamprusi ethnic groups in northern Ghana which mostly look very difficult to accept the gospel of Christ Jesus.
• Pray that as many who are denied the access to the gospel will encounter it through the media and other means.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

BAPTISM OF NEW BELIEVERS

As part of the Great Commission we are expected to Baptize those who believe in the Gospel message that we preach and then to teach them to observe or obey the commands Christ has given us.

It is blessing to participate in this command of Christ and to see the joy and excitement on the faces of the persons involved.

It is our prayer that the Lord will establish them in their faith and use the occasion to draw many more to Himself day after day.

Training Of Church Planters

It is always a great joy when the opportunity is given to inspire and challenge Church Planters who are passionate in seeing the Great Commission fulfilled.

As many people from diverse backgrounds gather with one common mission to see Churches established in places where there are no Churches and sometimes in very hard to reach areas.  It is not an easy task to assist them through facilitation, to see the urgent need and to go the extra mile to ensure that the Gospel goes unhindered to places that it is greatly needed.

One of the greatest joys is to listen to stories from Church planters, hearing about what the Lord is doing across towns, villages and cities through the simple strategies that are shared during these trainings.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Praise God for journey mercies for Samson as he traveled to two West Africa nations for leadership trainings.
• Pray for the efforts of evangelism across the nation that souls wills be won through the continued Gospel sharing activities carried out by the Church.
• Pray that our neighbors across the nations shall come to saving knowledge in this season.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

Skills for navigating life as a youth

Most of our youth today are saddled with a mirage of issues confronting a future of hope for them based on either their past choices or choices they are making currently which are very pivotal to the peace they desire in life.

It is for this reason that a day was set aside for Samson to offer them with ideas and skills they need to face future realities as youth. How to deal with difficult past in their lives in order to ensure restoration and healing were dealt with to guide the youth.

Participants had time to ask varying questions including questions on marriage relationship and career. Samson through the help of the Holy Spirit was able to share principles and truths that are able to help shape the future.

‘This was really good and insightful, we may have to hold another session again so that areas which have not yet been covered in today’s presentation can be addressed’ this was the comment of one the participants just after the session was over.

Church planting and leadership development

A careful review and study of the reason why sustainability of some Church planting efforts have not been so good point to the fact that leadership development and church planting are expected to go hand in hand.

Time was spent to assist church planters to see the need for intentionally developing leaders alongside church planting so that Churches that are planted will have leaders to sustain and improve on their growth and multiplication.

It was so revealing as Church planters agreed conscientiously that leadership development should actually be integral in all church planting training that that we ever intended to organize for Pastors and church leaders.

Annual widows gathering

It was an honour for Samson to speak encouraging words and facilitate a Bible study lesson at this year’s annual widows gathering. This is an annual program that U4A has been supporting to offer hope and some form of relief for widows to enable feel loved at Christmas. After the Bible study one of the widows in testifying about the impact of the study on her life said ‘I used to fight with people but the study has helped to understand that God is my defender who defends me even in times I have no idea of what HE is doing for me behind the scenes’. I am a changed person.

Training of disciple makers

It is always a great joy assisting to train Pastors and Church leaders who are willing to be used by the Lord to make Disciples who make other Disciples and to help create the consciousness and desire to be like Christ in their daily lives in speech and conduct.

Listening to testimonies of transformed lives through the power of the Gospel always confirms what scriptures says…. “That if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, behold the old is gone and the new has come” 

 Professional counselling

Almost every passing day believers and unbelievers reach out to Rev. Samson Abukari to help offer them and guide as to how to navigate through the life challenges confronting them. In order to effectively blend knowledge of scripture and professionalism in this direction, Rev. Samson has enrolled in an intensive counselling course to help him become effective in offering the needed assistance to those who reach out to him for help. Recently a young man requested to see Samson and when theyfamily met he said “I am still young and do not want to die now so kindly make time for me and my wife to meet with you for I am confident that if it is you something positive can come out of our situation. I also believe that my wife will be ready to listen to you.”

To the glory of God, the program ended well and very soon the national body in charge of counselling will be offering Samson a licence to freely practice professionally in helping offer the needed counselling not just his Church members alone but all manner of people across the nation. This is certainly another avenue for the Gospel to reach those who hitherto will not want to go closer to a Christian program. Pray alongside that this resource will be used to bring spiritual healing to individuals, families and above all help people find true peace through Jesus Christ.

Relationship matters

Many young people gathered to listen to Rev. Samson speak on the theme “The Foundation for a Healthy Relationship.” With emphasis from scripture several Biblical truths on relationship were shared after which lots of questions were asked by the participants for clarity on what to do if one desires the foundation for a healthy relationship.

The organizers were so excited about the participation and the content of the presentation which helped to answer the questions most Christian young men and women have in relation to relationships and what could be done to stay in the will of God and live with future spouses with grace and genuine love.

Prayer needs

• Appreciate the Lord for a beautiful year and ask for grace to end the year well.
• Appreciate God for His sustenance throughout the year and that the blessings of the Lord will abound for His children before the year finally comes to an end.
• Pray for a beautiful start of the New Year and that the grace to continue diligently with the Great Commission shall be released over us.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

WHOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT (CHE) TRAINING

We spent time with over 25 young men and women to get them exposed to the basics for how the Church can be involved in helping people get developed physically, emotionally, spiritually and economically. Through the lessons participants got to realized that God’s intention and provision is all geared at the whole person and not some aspects alone.

Some of the topics discussed include the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, Evangelism in a CHE program, God’s vision for Community, Worldview and Development, Comparing Relief and Development, Needs and Resources of the community, and defining good health, among others.

On the last day of the training participants had the following to say: “I now understand why we have seen little transformation in the lives of most of the people in my community as they only focus on the spiritual and leaving out other aspects of their lives.” “I never knew that we have abundant resources in our community which are unnoticed.” “All along I was thinking I am healthy but now I know that good health goes beyond the physical outlook.”

Participants left with the zeal to begin to put what they have learnt into practice by doing simple projects in their communities.

TRAINNING OF TRAINERS

Time was spent to assist Trainers who will intend to go and train Church Planters and Disciple Makers. Skills for training are very crucial especially when it comes to the Training of those who have the task of training Church Planters and Disciple Maker.

It was a great time of learning together and picking up basic skills on managing a training center and helping people develop generational thinking when it comes to reaching the unreached and getting the Gospel across to all people.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Pray for Samson as he goes to Sierra Leone to assist in facilitating two separate trainings.
• Pray for the upcoming trainings in three different regions of Ghana.
• Pray for all those persecuted for their faith in Christ that nothing will cause them to waiver in their faith.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

SEED OF HOPE BROADCAST

When the radio station on which the Seed of Hope Broadcast is always aired got burnt. We have been off air until now. Many of the listeners called Samson personally, others called people they knew could have information to know why they are unable to listen to the program. Someone told me, ‘Pastor, something needs to be done because that program was exceptional in helping us know more about God and how to live to please.’

I had the opportunity to speak on a Radio station which is ready to partner with us. Many listeners called in after my short teaching with an appreciation to the radio station for allowing that program to be aired. We are discussing to finalize Seed of Hope’s slot on their airwave. Please do pray alongside.

CHURCH PLANTERS AND DISCIPLE MAKERS TRAINING

The unfinished task can only be finished when we are intentionally raising and equipping laborers to get the needed strategies backed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Training is one of the keys that we are currently using to ensure that what is needed by people who have made the decision to allow the Lord to work through them in bringing many more people into the vineyard in terms of basic tools through training are assisted to do so.

The Lord in His own way has used these trainings to inspire and motivate people who either had given up hope or thought they were alone in the vineyard to know that they have countless people who have their backs in diverse ways.

A GIFT OF GOAT BRINGING HOPE IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Sayibu Azara is a girl who received 2 goats and now they have multiplied to 8 goats. She received them at a time she did not know the Lord but through this love extended to her she accepted Christ as her Lord and personal Savior. She has been able to also donate one goat to another orphan in her community.

She is able to afford her educational needs without much anxiety as she now has something to rely on when any needs arise at the school.

PRAYER NEEDS

1. Pray for the opportunity to partner with a different Radio station to have the Gospel preached every week and that the process will go on smoothly. Please pray also that the restoration works on the station that got burnt will speed up to the glory of God.
2. Pray for Gospel efforts across the nation- that the Lord will use every bit of it to touch lives and draw them into His kingdom.
3. Pray for Church planters and Disciple Makers across the nation that they will be encouraged to continue to share the Gospel and make disciples even in difficult areas.
4. Pray for Samson as he and the Regional Leadership Team members travel across West Africa doing leadership evaluations.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

The President of Unite 4 Africa comes for a visit

The President of Unite 4 Africa visited Ghana and spent time offering encouragement, equipping and mentoring several and diverse categories of individuals and groups. It was amazing that through the ministration of the President many in Ghana received the blessing of encouragement, love, affection and mercy.

With a combination of a sense of humor and seriousness, Dr. Okongo impacted lives with his dynamic, simple and straightforward presentations.

LEARNING BEHIND THE SCENES

The visit of the Dr. Okongo, the President of Unite 4 Africa, to Ghana was a unique one because of the dimensions it took. He visited alongside two young Pastors/Leaders, Pastor Titus and Pastor Kalu. Their presence added credence to the vision of U4A as the equipping and empowerment of grass root and raising next level of leaders for the nations and the universe at large. It also offered us a time of bonding and sharing at different levels with Pastor Titus and Pastor Kalu indirectly impacting the younger generation of leaders with the short period of interaction that took place within the period of the visit.

PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS CONFERENCE

Samson has continued to work on the training of Pastors and Church Planters in strategies that will help them be equipped for effectiveness in carrying out the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ and to see the Gospel preached across the nation. More and more leaders are now exposed to the gaps that exist in our efforts to see the move of God in our time and season.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Appreciate the Lord for the successful visit of the President of U4A and the team.
• Thank God for the safe travels for Samson for the TTI Regional Leadership Meeting.
• Pray as work is ongoing to replace the Radio studio where Seed of Hope Broadcast is normally broadcast. The studio got burnt due to electricity fluctuation.
• Pray for all those who participated in the different programs that were facilitated by the President of U4A, that they will implement the lessons learnt.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”(Daniel 4:34-35)

INTRODUCTION

The Lord is a mighty but merciful God. He lives forever, His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His Kingdom is from generation to generation. What He wants is what He does. It is awesome to acknowledge the greatness of the Lord in all that He does in our lives day after day. He truly deserves our worship for who He is and what He does.

LITTLE STRIDES OF HOPE ONE LIFE AT A TIME

‘I want to say thank you to U4A and their partners. I benefitted from the goat project. With the help of the goats I received, they sold 1 goat and bought a school uniform and bag. Through the love extended to me and my family I have decided to be a Christian. Thank you so much for your great support.

TRANSFORMED SECRETLY THROUGH RADIO

Week after week it is amazing to hear some of the stories that are received in relation to the weekly radio broadcast dubbed ‘SEED OF HOPE BROADCAST’. We are told of stories from both believers and those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior.

Recently someone called in and asked that the messages are so helpful and that a consideration should be made to record the various series so that present and future generations can benefit from it.

‘The messages of your broadcast has been so helpful to me even though I am not a Christian. I must confess that the wisdom I receive from this broadcast weekly has helped me become better in my home and at the work place.’ That is a message from a listener of the radio broadcast.

RASING LEADERS FOR THE UNFINISHED TASK

Indeed, everything rises and falls on leadership as intimated by John C. Maxwell. Most of the challenges confronting the Church and the local communities can be traced back to the kind of leadership in place. This is the reason why intentional focus on helping to raise leaders of integrity and especially, those who have the privilege to be the hands and the feet of Christ Jesus.

An intentional regular training with a set of young Christians who are willing to serve God in diverse forms of leadership including politics, has begun to help them understand that individuals can be different irrespective of the area in society they find themselves.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Pray for the weekly Radio Broadcast, that the Holy Spirit will continue work through the program to touch lives.
• Thank God for safe travels for Samson for a training in Sierra Leone
• Pray for the Muslims around the world as they have begun their fasting. Pray that the Lord will use this period to touch lives and reveal Himself to them.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari
Country Director, Ghana