Community Outreach

It is a joy to see those trained living out what they have been taught. The young men in a local Church did some series of outreaches to the communities, they have been reaching out with the love of Christ.

On one occasion they went to one of the communities with health kits to assist them to know their vital signs, after which they do a simple Gospel presentation and then pray with them.

In another community they went with a barber from the Church to give children in the community haircuts to make them look beautiful and handsome. Little did they know that God was going to use this simple act to minister to the community in His own way.

We are looking forward to seeing new church plants in these communities, with currently over 99% non-Christians, we believe that these acts of love have made the people very open to the Gospel.

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Radio Truly Make a Difference

It is always amazing to see and hear what the Lord is doing through the weekly Radio Broadcast dubbed “Seed of Hope Broadcast.”

Places we never thought we would be accepted to preach the Gospel and distances we never thought we could cover are all through the power of radio receiving signals of our weekly broadcast.

Countless testimonies are received week after week from both Believers and non-Believers about the impact of the broadcast on their lives. “A woman called into the program one of the weeks on the just ended series and said ‘I wished everyone who is already attending Church will make time to tune every week and their lives will not be the same. I say this because sound doctrine is what is taught here and most people even though they go to Church, they sometimes don’t get such teachings’”

Another man called and said, “I am not a Christian but listening this program today, I can confidently say that this is what the world needs.”

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Raising Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Lord will always count on man as His worthy representative on earth who will carry out His mandate as if He Himself is physically present on earth. It is for this reason that leadership development cannot be over emphasized.

It is a great joy when we have the opportunity to assist in raising people who strive in their daily lives to live like Christ in all that they do. As this is one of the effective means through which we can get the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished. Several leadership trainings and activities have been carried out to help us see this happen.

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A Gift That Looks Insignificant but is Very Powerful

When the ideas of helping orphans with a gift of goats as a means to show them Christ’s love and empower them for a brighter future I was very skeptical thinking that they might need something more than just a goat. However, some few years down the line I am more than overjoyed whenever stories of just how a goat has impacted not just the life of the orphan but an entire family and in some instances a whole community.

We have children who would not have been able to get their educational needs met going all the way to the senior high school level and beyond.

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Prayer Needs

• Pray for the sustenance of the Radio Program- that nothing will stop the weekly program from being on air and impacting lives.
• Pray for a peaceful election in Ghana and the process of it before, during and after shall all bring praise and thanks to the Lord.
• Pray for all evangelistic activities in the nation, that it will be used by the Holy Spirit to convict people unto the saving grace of Christ.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

REAL LIFE IN A SIMPLE GIFT

Most of the time things that are seen to be of value to others are insignificant in the sight of others. This is played out exactly in the goats’ project that U4A undertakes regularly. We have seen many appreciate a simple gift of a goat over and over again. However, something significant is happening not just among two or three families in the Gbulung area of northern Ghana. Beneficiaries of goats through U4A are not just hopeful for a better future in an improvement in their standard of living but they are also grateful through the project they are able to experience the unending joy of knowing Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. “We were initially excited about the physical gift of a goat, but after coming closer and asking questions as to why someone who doesn’t know you will be interested in your welfare, it led us to find something bigger than just a goat that we can only refer to as Real Life,” said by the grandmother of a beneficiary of the goats’ project. 

THE POWER OF RADIO

Little did we know that Radio had the power to touch a great category of people including those who would naturally not want to listen to you, those very far away from you and those who are secretly following to know more about what is being discussed among others. It was exciting to hear someone call from a distance over 150km to call in to say “Today is my first time of tuning in but I must say that some truths have hit me and I pray for grace to change.” Another person called and said “For me, I am not a Christian, but I have fallen in love with this program and I don’t care about the mockery others make about my love for this program”. 

LEADERSHIP CONNECTION

It was all joy when I had the privilege to meet with Rev. Moses Rianto in Nairobi, Kenya in person for the first time! This happened on the sidelines of the TTI Regional Leadership Meeting which was held in Nairobi East Africa. It was an encouraging moment sharing that brief time together and hearing what the Lord is doing and what He is yet to do in us and through us as we keep on holding fast to the Lord. We both are in anticipation looking forward to all leaders meeting one day.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Praise God for the continued impact that the Seed of Hope Broadcast is having in the lives of listeners that- the Lord will through it draw many to Himself and build up those who are already Believers.
• Praise God for the beneficiaries of the goats’ project that the Lord sustain the goats and cause an increase that will guarantee sustainable livelihood to take place in their homes.
• Ask for fruitful mission and journey mercies for Samson Abukari as he prepares to live for Sierra Leone to facilitate some TTI trainings.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

‘The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. ‘

(Nehemiah 2:4-5, 7-8)

Introduction

In this season and time, we ask for the ability to make the right prayers for the Church and the nations so as to be in tune with the move of the Holy Spirit and the agenda of the Lord Jesus Christ. The identification of the people who are in charge of the needed resources and the rightful way to seek them for carry out the God given vision is very essential even for the great commission.

The Goat Connection

The Lord has His own way in taking simple things done by man to create an eternal impact for a family or community. Aside the direct impact of bringing hope to families and orphans through the goat’s project, there is another impact of it that was unnoticed. Our contact person in one of the areas where orphans have benefitted from the project reported that the project has another dimension of impact that we have not paid attention to that aspect. Eager to know what it was I asked for what it was. He said we have had a number of the orphans coming to Christ. As many as 48 orphans who received goats have given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, he added.  I am convinced that the eternal impact might go beyond just the orphans to their families and communities. To God alone be the glory!

Seed of Hope Broadcast

It is always a delight using the opportunity we have had so far on radio to reach out to a wider audience and people who would not have made their way to any Christian gathering but through the power of radio are listening to the Gospel message right in their homes. Recently we have received two calls, one from a new believer and another from a Muslim. The new believer said “I just want to thank God for this radio program for it has taught me great lessons and made the word of God very simple to understand and obey, I am very grateful and pray for God’s blessings and resources for it to continue to be air for my growth and that of people like me”. The Muslim also said “I am thankful for your radio program and I am keenly following it and learning and I want to learn more about Jesus Christ (whether he is Lord or God or both Lord and God).” We have established contact with him and are hoping to use the opportunity to search the scriptures with him for him to discover Christ for himself through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Leadership Training

Leadership needs for the Church and our world has continued to increase and that has called for intensifying efforts for the training of more leaders for the Church and the nations of the world. Samson has been involved in the training of leaders across Ghana.

Prayer Needs

• Thank God for the spiritual impact of the goat’s project and pray that many others will come to know the Lord through the project.
• Pray for farmers across Ghana, that they will have good rains for their farming activities this year.
• Pray for those seeking to know the Lord as a result of the radio program, that there will be a great connection and move of the Holy Spirit which will lead them to becoming disciples of Christ Jesus.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

“ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee?” (Luke 24:5-6)

INTRODUCTION

Indeed, why do you look for the living among the dead? Yes, He is not here; He is risen! We serve a risen Lord and His resurrection offers us eternal hope. And we pray that anything that is also dead in our lives will rise as the Lord rose.

PRAYER SUMMIT

Corporate prayer by the Body of Christ is something that is very needed at this time and season. So, the invitation to participate in this year’s non – denominational Prayer Summit held in Savelugu in Northern Ghana was a welcoming news. Samson was given a session to speak on the final day of the Prayer Summit which brought together different denominations and communities.
It is prayer and hope that the unity Christ prayed for in John 17 will become a reality and make the Church stronger even in the midst of a fierce opposition.

THE GREAT COMMISSION TASK

The task of the Great Commission must continue even as we wait for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also an awakening and a great reminder of what our Lord had commanded us to do as he was departing from the universe. Samson gave the keynote address at the graduation of Church planters in the Upper East region of Ghana. These were Trainees under The Timothy Initiative Church planting and Leadership Development training model. It was a solemn moment for reminding the Church to rise to the occasion and to see the task of the Great Commission advance towards completion. The need for the just to come together and rally around the great commission irrespective of the denomination was emphasized.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Leadership is very critical for the Church and our world at large. Samson participated in the West Africa Regional Leadership Conference in Accra under the auspices of The Timothy Initiative. Samson was one of the people given an added opportunity of service as a coach for the leadership team in Sieera Leone. It is our prayer that the Lord will lead him as he serves in that capacity to see the Kingdom work of our Lord expand to bring about liberation to the oppressed and lost.

CHE FACILITATION

Samson was one of the facilitators for this year’s Community Health Evangelism Internship that took place in the Volta Region of Ghana. He facilitated the aspect of Micro Enterprise Development. Participants came from countries such as Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana. It was a great time of interaction and learning.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for His faithfulness and continue to pray for the Gospel efforts in Northern Ghana.
• Pray for Samson as he takes on the service opportunity as the Country Coach for the TTI leadership team in Sierra Leone.
• Thank God for the Seed of Hope Broadcast. Ask for continued grace for the program that many lives will experience transformation through it.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves,” (Luke 10:2-3)

INTRODUCTION

Having a good beginning especially, at the very start of a new year is very important and offers us the opportunity to anticipate great and wonderful things from our Master. New beginnings are amazing moments. May we all enjoy a great start in this New Year. Amen

CELEBRATING WITH CHILDREN

The annual gathering of children to celebrate the birth of Christ took place with over 150 children in attendance. The gathering most of the time brings together children from three different communities joining their counterpart in Janjori Kukuo where the Baptist Church is located.

In an answer to the question, “Why do we celebrate during the period of Christmas?”- one of the children who is a non – Christian said “It is in remembrance of the coming to the world of the Savior of mankind”

SEED OF HOPE BROADCAST

By the grace of God, the broadcast has continued week after week with great testimonies. “Listening to Seed of Hope Broadcast is a God given opportunity for one to build one`s faith in Christ”. “I sincerely thank God for this weekly broadcast and my prayer is that people will assist in keeping it on air. I am transformed by it and I know other listeners are also just like me through this broadcast.” Another testimony of a listener – “I am not a Christian but Seed of Broadcast is one of the radio programs that I cherish so much.” These are but a few testimonies from listeners across the regions in northern Ghana.

GROOMING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE

Intentional development of leaders is something that is bedrock of whatever we want the future to be and offer to humanity. In our leadership journey there comes a time you identify some individuals who are ready for the next level in terms of their leadership journey.

 Prayer Needs

• Ask God for special grace for Samson as he moves into areas of added responsibilities by TTI
• Pray for God’s abundant grace for the Seed of Hope Broadcast as we move into the coming weeks and months with a new series.
• Thank God for a successful TOT1 for Northern, Savannah and North East Regions

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

 

“Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

INTRODUCTION

It is easier to focus more on the elderly and forget that the very best time to reach out to the next generation and get things molded rightly is at their formative age. We can begin to ask the Holy Spirit to help us reach out to the young ones at the right time with the right message and to rekindle that which the Lord Himself has deposited in them concerning their love and desire for Him.

TIME WITH CHILDREN

Over 300 children were gathered and assisted with different activities geared towards helping point them to the Lord and His scriptures. It was amazing seeing children recite Bible verses and used them in singing. Sporting activities linked to practical lessons from scripture were added to spice up the experience of the children who gathered for the program. The older persons who were present got challenged to take steps to make time for God’s word.

SEED OF HOPE BROADCAST

The grace of God has been so great and amazing such that we are thrilled about what He is doing through the Seed Hope Broadcast. Some of the testimonies have given credence to the fact that the Lord is at work all the time and does what He wants in His own way beyond human understanding. A listener called into the weekly broadcast and said “I want to encourage you to continue the good work you are doing, in fact we are learning so many truths through this broadcast. I am a Muslim but I have been following keenly and I am not bothered by what people say because you are speaking the truth. Continue, those who will listen will do so. God bless you”. Sometimes others will call in and mention their location and the only conclusion that can be made is that if not for the Lord, who would have thought that the broadcast can reach that particular community.

GOATS PROJECT

The lose of a parent can be devastating and it is more devastating when both parents pass on at almost the same time and at an age that the child has very little understanding of what is happening around his/her environment. These are the stories U4A staff encounter as they move through communities and that is what makes the hope the goat project offers to be more meaningful and impactful to beneficiaries.
Alhassan Abukari is a 12 years boy who became an orphan and in addition to being an orphan he became seriously sick and that affected his speech and his ability to do many things other children of his age can do. However, he loves animals and caring for them. He was so excited that he was receiving a goat from U4A and its partners. His uncle who is now taking care of him was so thankful for the love that was extended to Alhassan Abukari and was very optimistic that it will greatly impact the life of the boy and open him up for a brighter future.

BECOME AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS OF CHRIST FOR YOUR “NEIGHBORS” CONFERENCE

It is a sad reality that most Christians are ignorant about the beliefs of other faiths and that has negatively affected how they engage them for the purposes of evangelism or effectively sharing Christ with them. Samson participated in a conference that brought Church leaders and Pastors together to equip them with knowledge of Islam and how use that knowledge to effectively relate with those who practice it and to effectively share the good news of Christ with them.

Prayer Needs

• Thank God for the weekly Radio Broadcast and pray that it will continue to impact lives for Christ across the regions of Ghana.
• Pray for safe travel for Samson as he travels to the USA for The Timothy Initiative global partners weekend conference.
• Pray for the new training ‘Cycle of Church Planters and Disciple Makers’ and the launch of new work in Ghana.
• Pray for the various regions of Ghana affected with spillage of water from some major dams.

Yours in His Vineyard

Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last….”. (John 15:16)

INTRODUCTION

Progress is very necessary in life and if it is not happening then, all those desiring transforming will be disturbed about the situation.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Leadership has continued to be the most needed commodity across the globe both inside and outside the Church. The periodic equipping of Pastors and Church leaders has been of great help to the participants and the body of Christ at large. A participant praised the program and said “if many more Pastors and Church leaders can submit to such trainings the Church will be able to accomplish great things”

GRADUATION OF CHURCH PLANTERS AND DISCIPLE MAKERS

Most of the training centres across the regions have come to the end of their training and have organised graduation ceremonies for their trainees. In all the ceremonies trainees have been challenged to progress to the next level of leadership as we seek to raise movement leaders in Ghana and beyond.

GOATS PROJECT

The goats project has been seen as something that is contributing to the dignity and transformation of individuals and families at large much more than what those implementing it might ever think. Beneficiaries of the project will always express their appreciation based on the kind of empowerment they have received through the project. An elderly woman whose grandson benefited from the project keeps praying for the donors. She said she didn’t know what the outcome would have been without the goats. My grandson would have stopped school. On behalf of all the beneficiaries I say thank you to all U4A partners who made it possible.

SEED OF HOPE BROADCAST

The program continues to offer hope to the listeners which keeps increasing day after day. Sometimes people call in and when asked they are actually calling from areas that the radio station staff never thought they get a signal of their broadcast. Lives are being transformed through the broadcast and week after week people call in to testify that by listening to the program hope has been restored to them. A man whose marriage has had so much challenge as a result of their inability to have children called in and said he thinks the program was designed for him and he is grateful for the hope that has been offered him through it.

TELEVISION BROADCAST

Samson was the guest speaker on a local television network sharing the word of God and helping viewers understand that the word of God has the power to bring about hope to world that is struggling with moral decadence. The host lamented the current trend where it appears as if nobody cares about where our world is going and whether there is any hope at all. In the course of the program several people sent in messages and this is what one of them said, “I am not a Christian but I must confess that these are the kind of messages that can shape our society. May God continue to give wisdom to do more.”

Prayer Needs

• Pray for Samson as he participates in Trainers’ conference in Togo.
• Praise God for the goats project and ask that there will be multiplication to greatly benefit the beneficiaries.
• Honor the Name of the Lord for the radio broadcast and pray for the move of the Holy Spirit through the broadcast.
• Pray for the new work to add new training centers for the church planting and disciple making training across Ghana.

Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari – Country Director, Ghana