“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
National CHE Conference
Samson and Silas participated in the National Community Health Evangelism (CHE), which was held in Kumasi. There was a clear call on participant for something more to be done to get communities transformed through CHE. Towards the end of the conference coordinators were chosen for the various sectors of Ghana. Samson was chosen as the Assistant Coordinator for the Northern Sector of Ghana.
Distribution of Goats
Families of beneficiaries of the goats project are still giving thanks for the mercies of the Lord over their lives and for the great love shown to them.
Holidays Tuition for Students
Samson had time with students from the Junior and senior high school who participated in the holidays tuition provided by the youth of the Ghana International Baptist. He took time to offer them hope in their education and future as well as guidance for their studies and choice of programs.
Prayer Needs
Pray for rains as the crops of farmers in parts of the Northern Region need rain but for sometime now there has not been rains.
Continue to pray for more grace as we trust the move of the Lord in the CHE programs in Ghana.
Keep praying for orphans receiving goats through the partnership between U4A and Pantano Christian Church that they will be healthy and multiply to be a blessing for them.
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” (Proverbs 28:27)
Bridges For Neighbors Training
Samson had the opportunity to participate in bridges for neighbors training facilitated by Mike Forster of SIU in collaboration with some brethren from Nigeria. The training brought together a greater number of MBB. It created a platform for the scaling up of the training in Northern Ghana. Several participants expressed interest in the training and will be contacting Samson and two others who will see to the facilitation of the trainings that will be requested by the participants.
Distribution of Goats
The purchase, distribution and the presentation of goats to identified categories of orphans continued by the Ghana. It has always been a great joy seeing people being assisted with a hope of a blissful future for them and their families.
Celebrating Families
Silas and Samson were privileged to be part of the Celebrating Families training held at Savelugu by the Local Council of Churches in collaboration with World Vision International. The training afforded participant the opportunity to learn practical ways by which parents can biblically raise their children and also promote the wholeness of life promised by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Needs
Pray for the victims of the recent floods in Northern Ghana that the Lord will continue to comfort those who lost their loved ones and be the provision for those who were displaced.
Continue to pray for farmers over here in Ghana as they continue to fight the invasion of armyworms on their crops especially, maize.
Pray for orphans receiving goats through the partnership between U4A and Pantano Church that they will be healthy and multiply to be a blessing for them.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27) NLT)
Today we are so focused on religion and its associated rituals to the detriment of what pure religion actually is in the sight of the Lord. The desire of the Lord is that we will practice pure and genuine religion not by any person’s standard but His and that we will not be corrupted by the world.
Distribution of Goats
The Ghana Team began the purchase, distribution and the presentation of goats to identified categories of orphans. It has been a good and impactful moment interacting with beneficiaries and listening to their stories.
Funeral/Outreach
Two weeks after the return of the Team of Pastors led by Samson to the “overseas” area for leadership and discipleship training, he had to lead another group back to the place for a funeral and an outreach. Samson had the privilege to encourage the bereaved and present the gospel to about 300 people in an open crusade.
Sustainability Project
The piggery started by Samson is beginning to experience expansion. Some efforts are being made to improve on the management of the piggery. A veterinary officer was taken to vaccinate the pigs to improve on their health and to prevent them from diseases.
Condolences
The Ghana Team received the news of the passing to glory of the mother of the founder and president of U4A Samson Okongo. From everyone over here we express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Okongo, David and the entire family. May our mother rest in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Pray for the unreached areas of Northern Ghana that the Lord will continue to work on the hearts of the unsaved.
Continue to pray for farmers over here in Ghana as they about their farming activities.
Pray for orphans receiving goats through the partnership between U4A and Pantano Church that they will be healthy and multiply to be a blessing for them.
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” (James 5:7) NIV)
Introduction
In an era of fast everything, the Church will have to be different and be patient when it comes to matters of helping people grow in the Lord. Just like the farmer, we need patience to see some of our labour produce the desired fruits. It is not easy to wait but indeed, it pays to wait especially, when we have to depend solely on the Lord and His timing.
Discipleship and Leaders Training
Samson led some Pastors for a continued discipleship and leaders training for the members of the church plant that was done at the “overseas” area in 2016. This is to help them in their walk with the Lord as well as offer leadership for the body of believers of the area.
Faithful Friends in church
These two faithful friends have always been present anytime we visit the “overseas” area for any evangelistic activities. They need our prayer and physical support. Both of them need wheel chairs as one’s own is completely unusable and the other is not in good condition.
Team Meeting
The Ghana team of Unite 4 Africa had a meeting to discuss issues of operations and activities that will promote the activities of the mission. Key in the discussion was scaling up training to meet the target for 2017 and a smooth implementation of the animal distribution for orphans.
Preparation for animal Distribution
With lessons from the previous implementation of the orphan’s project, the Ghana Team met and put in place strategies that will help them to ensure that the U4A partnership with the Pantano Church offers hope to orphans and gives them a future filled with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Needs
Pray for Muslims in Northern Ghana and around the world to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ as they embark upon their annual fasting.
Pray that all new believers will continue to learn to imitate Jesus through intentional discipleship efforts.
Pray for the raising of effective servant-leaders for the Church of Jesus Christ.
Pray for farmers over here in Ghana who are beginning a new farming season and that their efforts will blessed with good yields.
“My food” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, four months more and then the harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.(John 4:34-35 NIV)
Introduction
The death and resurrection of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ is not just the hope and foundation of Christianity but the hope of the entire humanity. It has been clearly stated in scripture that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin. The finished work of the cross was what offered all humanity the basis for a claim on the mercy of God for all humankind.
Pastors and Leaders Prayer Retreat
Samson led 32 Church Pastors and Church leaders for a 3-day prayer retreat. The retreat offered the participants an opportunity for self-examination and commitment to the Lord and the offering of corporate prayer to the most High God for doing something new in His Church. It was a moment of great joy and a first hand experience of what has been recorded about Jesus Christ’s ministry on the mountains.
Easter Convention
The Ghana International Baptist Convention under the leadership of Samson marked the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a convention which brought together over 500 participants to remember the great work Christ did for mankind and to remind everyone the task he left for those who trust in Him. Two nights were used to share the Good News of Christ to the inhabitants of the community where the program was held.
The Timothy Initiative Program
The Timothy Initiative Church planting Class that Samson is leading is getting closer to finishing the 10-book curriculum on church planting. Thankfully, another fellowship of new believers who have just said yes to Jesus Christ has just been started by one of the participants in a community that do not have a Church and there is still hope that by the close of the entire program several other fellowships will be starter.
Prayer Needs
Pray that all new believers will continue to be strengthened in their faith and growth in the Lord.
Keep praying for the Gospel work in Northern Ghana, which remains a very hard ground for the Gospel.
Pray for the raising of more labourers for the harvest.
Leaders working in very difficult and hard places that they will continue to be encouraged to receive strength from the Lord as they look forward to a great harvest and open doors for the Gospel.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
Country Director, Ghana
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“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NIV)
Introduction
What a love? Easter is sometimes a period that we can easily forget the kind of sacrifice that was made on our behalf by the good shepherd who told us in the Gospel of John what the good shepherd does. It was for this reason that Christ died for the world that we may have eternal life and privilege of being called the children of God.
Bridges for Neighbors TOT Training
We were able to start our targeted Bridges trainings specifically, for the areas that need the bridges for neighbors training. Five young men took part in the three days training and all of them gave their intentions of not just training others but to identify some neighbors they have come across but never took notice that they could share some Bible stories with them to help them say yes to Jesus.
Chief Warrior Turning into a follower of Christ
The “Chief warrior of the Sadugu community the “Sadugu Kabonnaa” (Chief Warrior) whom we spoke with you about last month, has since surrendered everything to Jesus the Messiah.” He is the one in the middle of the picture below.
Church Consultation
Samson led the delegation of the Ghana International Baptist convention to a Church consultation held in Yendi for the Eastern Dagomba area. This afforded Samson an opportunity to see the need for more strategic bridges for neighbors’ training, in order to affect those areas which are occupied by our neighbors and are yet unevangelized.
Missions Summit
Samson was one of the facilitators for the 2017 Tamale Missions Summit organized by a Para church organization to target indigenes leaders to reach out to their own people and beyond with the Gospel. Samson spoke on the topics “The concept of Orality on the harvest” and “Culture, Tradition and the Harvest”. Strategies from all the various bridges concepts were shared and that has opened opportunities for other Pastors and Church leaders that were present to begin talking on how we could collaborate so that their churches can be better equipped for the task of sharing their faith in very simple ways.
Prayer Needs
Remember to lift up these prayer needs before the Lord. Pray for:
Missions efforts around the globe especially, among our neighbors.
The youth who are getting interested in missions that the Lord will continue to be their source of strength to keep them going.
God’s guidance as we continue with efforts to identify grass root people who are ready to catch the vision of U4A.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
Country Director, Ghana
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“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” (Psalm 12:5 NIV)
Introduction
We do have the weak and the needy in the society today just as in the days of the Psalmist. We the inhabitants of the society are the feet and hands of the Lord who He will use to respond to give the weak and the needy the needed help. My prayer is that we will respond appropriately to the call of the Lord as He arises to the defense of the weak and the needy through us.
Bridges Training
We were able to hold a bridges training for the Church in the Sadugu community. It was great joy see the people retelling some of the parables of Jesus in their mother tongue.
A community in need of potable drinking water
The Sadugu community which has a population of approximately 500 people does not have a potable drinking water. Samson inquired from them what their top most challenges are and they unanimously respond that potable drinking water, education and road. We passed to their water source and the picture below tells what their water looks like. Pray with us as we plan to head back to the community with the CHE strategy to see how best solutions or remedy can be found for the challenges facing them.
Chief Warrior attends Bridges Training
The “Chief warrior of a community is mostly the one who believes in idols more than any other person and has the mandate to lead the community to battle. However, on the second day of our training, our team encountered the “Sadugu Kabonnaa” (Chief Warrior). As we engaged him in a conversation he finally agreed to go with us to Church and he told us in his own words “today I surrender everything thing of mine to Jesus the Messiah”. Most people who know him were surprised seeing him in our company but he sat in the Bible Story telling training from the beginning of the session to the end. And the following Sunday a check with the Pastor in –charge of the community Church (the one wearing an orange shirt in the picture below), he confirmed that the chief warrior was in Church. What an amazing God that we serve?
Church Pastors’ and Leaders Training
It was a great joy and privilege for Samson to share with over 40 Pastors and Church leaders drawn from the Ghana International Baptist Convention member Churches on the topic Bill Hybels spoke on during the 2016 edition of the Global Leadership Summit “the Lenses of Leadership”. The participants were challenged to work on their passion for what God has called us to accomplish in Northern Ghana and beyond. One of the Pastors at the end of the program said “I know everyone has been touched just like me. For me I was greatly challenged when he said God is expecting to see Pastors in all the different sectors of our lives being it in business, military or whatever occupation”
Prayer Needs
Remember to lift up these prayer needs before the Lord. Pray for:
* The Sadugu community that solutions will be found for the challenges facing the community.
* The Bimbila community in Northern Ghana which is going through some chieftaincy conflict.
* More grace as we continue with the Bridges training for 2017
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love has predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”. (Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV)
Introduction
The Lord has been gracious to us that we are counted worthy in Christ not by virtue of who we are or what we have been able to do but what He has done for us in Christ right before creation. It is our prayer that many more will come to the realization of who they are in Christ Jesus in accordance with the pleasure and will of God.
Outreach Program
Samson led the Ghana International Baptist Convention to partner with the Church community in the Gushegu area for as outreach program in the Manchugu community near Gushegu in the Northern region of Ghana. The program became necessary as a result of the passing away of the only Christian in the community. By the end of the program 6 persons gave their lives to Christ and we trust the Lord that this will mark the beginning of the establishment of a Church in that community.
Tamale Crusade
The Ghana U4A team members played active role in a city wide crusade in Tamale which exposed over 100,000 people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which was held by the Christ for All Nations in partnership with the Christian community in Tamale. Several hundreds of people gave their lives to Christ.
Fulfilment of commitment
Just before the 3rd quarter of 2016 a bridges training was carried out in Zabzugu and a number of people made a commitment to go and also train at least 10 other persons. A prayer was said for them and by the end of the 4th quarter of 2016 five (5) new churches were started by some of the persons who made this commitment. One of them had this to say “we decided to go a try what you shared with us in the Bible Story telling training in a community which had no Church and to the glory of God that led to the establishment of a Church in that community”.
Goats Project
We are looking forward to wonderful testimonies from the beneficiaries of the goats project as we anticipate multiplication (delivery of kids) soon.
Prayer Needs
Please pray with us that:
The unity that was experienced by the body of Christ in Tamale during the crusade will be sustained.
The Lord will strengthen the new converts of the crusade and also cause the churches to do a thorough follow up on the new converts.
This year’s plan to scale up Bridges training will see us meeting our target.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the Westland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)
Introduction
What a joy to be sharing in the grace of another brand new year handed over to us by a loving father who has always loved us and gave Jesus Christ unto us. Praise be to the Lord for a beautiful new year filled with hope not just for blessing in our economic and social lives but in our relationship with the Saviour of the world.
Appreciation
We want to use this opportunity to appreciate all the partners and donors of U4A for their continuous support for the work in the field to see leaders equipped and grass root church planters empowered locally to impact our world. We are indeed grateful and cherish your efforts. May the Lord continue to bless you in all your endeavours.
Christmas Convention
Over 250 youth of the Ghana International Baptist Convention gathered for their annual Christmas camp at the Bogkurugu School complex. Samson was one of the facilitator for the program which was under the theme: “We are appointed over the nations and kingdoms” The youth were challenged to go and multiply the talents the Lord has given to them in their various communities.
Suitability Project
The prospects of the sustainability project envisioned by Samson as a means of raising some local funds to support U4A operations in Ghana locally through the cultivation of crops and raising of animals (pigs) is becoming brighter year after year. We are looking forward to a good turn around in 2017.
Prayer Needs
Remember to lift up these prayer needs before the Lord. Pray for:
Thank God for a peaceful election in Ghana and pray for God’s direction for the new government.
For strength and the leadership of the Holy Spirit as we try to scale up our Bridges trainings this year.
God’s provision as the needs and challenges of our Early Childhood training centers continue to increase year after year.
For the city of Tamale and its environs for receptive hearts towards the gospel as the Reinhard Bonnke’s Gospel Crusade takes place in the city early this year.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. (Philippians1:3-6 NIV)
Introduction
Like the Apostle Paul I always thank God anytime I remember you and your partnership with Unite 4 Africa bring us great joy at every moment. We are thankful that the Lord who began the year has brought us thus far and we are confident that He will surely carry us to the end of the year. We appreciate every effort of yours in whatever way be it in the form of prayer, word of encouragement or your substance.
Outreach Programs
Outreach programs carried out at the Sadugu and “Overseas” areas in partnership with the Ghana International Baptist Convention, the Tahima Clinic and rural communities. Several approaches including showing the Jesus film, providing dental care and having time of fellowship with people in the various communities and worshipping the Lord together were used to present Jesus to the people. 7 fellowships were started through these outreach programs.
Goats Project
There are very encouraging reports of hope from the beneficiaries of the projects. Parents of some of the beneficiaries had this to say. “The gift was timely and I trust the Lord that as they keep multiplying we will be able to meet our basic needs from the sale of some of the offspring”. “ I am grateful for this show of love and for counting us worthy for such a gift and may the Lord provide for others too.”
Scholarship Fund
The $20,000 scholarship endowment fund Samson led the International Baptist Convention to establish during Easter to assist in the education of needy students has so far yielded about $2000 from the
contributions by the members. It is anticipated that the educations will be used as a means of reaching out to people with the love of Jesus Christ and helping many to have a better life.
One Million Village Challenge
Samson and two hub leaders participated in the one million villages Challenge training that took place in Tamale. It was followed by Community Health Evangelism (CHE) Training of Trainers (TOT) 2 which has spurred us on to consider doing some work at the North Eastern part of Northern Region of Ghana in the coming year.
Global Leadership Summit
The Ghana U4A Team had the privilege to participate in this year’s Global Leadership Summit and had these testimonies to give about summit. “What an opportunity to be part of such a great forum” “It was an awesome and insightful program” “The Global Leadership Summit has completely reshaped my view about life”. What each person was saying could be summed up this way “I will want to be a part of the Global Leadership Summit every year”
Sustainability Project
The Lord has been good to us this year and we were able to get good harvest of maize. This year we were able to make over 100% return on our investment into the farm project that we embarked upon. This has offered us an opportunity to directly affect the lives of 7 families.
Time with Widows
Listening to the widows in this year’s meeting with the widows drawn from the GIBC member churches helped me to understand the need for the body of Christ to go back to the Bible to do what scripture requires of us with regards to our support to widows and orphans. In the coming year there are plans to move beyond encouraging the widows with the word of God to empowering them to meet some of their basic needs.
Prayer Needs
Please pray with us that:
The Lord will grant the Nation of Ghana a peaceful moment before, during and after the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Lord will direct and lead the Ghana team as we consider opportunities for the coming year.
This year’s end of year retreat will bring a refreshing moment to the team.
Global evangelistic efforts will continue to grow and yield good results.
Yours in His Vineyard Samson Abukari (Country Director)
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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”(Isaiah 55:8-11)
Introduction
Today there are so many things that are happening in our system with most people including Christian leaders relying on their thoughts and opinions rather than on the word of God. The Lord has openly declared in Isaiah that His thoughts are not our thoughts and neither are our ways His ways. Sometime we often expect certain things to happen but yet the Lord knows best and that is why we have to rely on Him. Especially, when we don’t have the answers or understand why He has allowed certain things to happen around us. Be guided by the word.
Sustainable Agriculture Conference
Samson and Silas were privileged to be part of a sustainable agricultural conference organized by the West Africa Centre of the Economic Concern for Hunger Organization (ECHO) in partnership with one of the Christian NGO’s in Northern Ghana. Lessons learnt included farming God’s way, preparation of Biogas, the role of the Church in community development among other.
Sustainable Agric conference
Farming Project
In some few days we shall be heading for the harvest; this time not soul but crops. The Lord has been so good to us in that we have had good and enough rains and we are looking forward to a good harvest. This year we have had a very promising rice field even though not as big as last years. We trust the Lord for strength and labour to get everything harvested very soon. Plans are to also get the maize field harvested.
Rice Field
Bridges Training
The partnership that was initiated by Mike Forster of SIU begun to yield fruits with our first Bridges training in Bolgatanga the capital town of the Upper East Region of Ghana. In all we had 26 participants taking part in the training. Rev. Nsoh and Rev. Ben Annor alongside the participants were excited that the training was able to take place. It is our prayer and hope that we will be having a good number of trainings in that region of Ghana in new year.
Bridges Training at Bolgatanga
Graduation Ceremony
Samson successfully graduated from the International Leadership Development Institute affiliated with the Bethany International University Singapore with an M.A in Leadership and Missions and was adjudged the best Masters’ Student of the Tamale campus. It is our prayer that lessons learnt in the program will be used to offer leadership and direction to the Churches that he leads and also assist in mapping out new strategies to scale up the interventions of Unite 4 Africa by the Ghana team in the coming years.
Graduation Ceremony
Prayer Needs
Pray with us in the following areas:
Pray for God’s Leadership and direction as we plan for the New Year.
Pray for Ghana as the nation goes to the polls that a Godly leader will be chosen
Pray for families that as they prepare for Christmas their preparation will include their relationship with the son who was given to us.
Pray for a fruitful learning experience for the Ghana team as they attend the Global Leadership Summit.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”(Romans 5:1-5)
Introduction
Sometimes we wonder why as children of God certain trials and hardships come our way. Yes! A careful look at the life of Job whom we are told was a God- fearing person and that of Paul who wrote most of his epistles from the prison, we can be comforted that the glory that is set for us to receive when we finally stand before our maker cannot be compared to what we go through in this our frail bodies as we journey through life. The justification we have received constantly gives us peace with God and we believe that our suffering actually, takes us through a process that makes the best that the Lord has deposited in us to come alive.
Pastors Conference
It was exciting sharing time of brotherly love and fellowship with the Pastors of the Ghana International Baptist Convention in this year’s GIBC Pastors Conference. It was a moment of great challenge and a clear reminder to focus on the voice of God and what He wants us to do much more than conforming to mere human standards and pleasures. I had the opportunity to remind the Pastors of the Vision and Mission of GIBC and to update them on the Educational Fund that was launched and also encourage them to support it to succeed.
2016 GIBC PASTORS’ CONFERNCE
Time with Widows
Widows from the GIBC churches met together for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. I was privilege to join two other leaders of GIBC to lead in the encouragement of the widows and to facilitate a study of the book of Ruth for us to pick out lessons that could help the widows in their walk with the Lord and their relationship with their families. Listening to them helped me to understand the need for the Church to go back to the Bible to do what scripture requires of us with regards to our support to widows and orphans.
GIBC WIDOWS SEMINAR
Possible Partnership for moving into another region in Northern Ghana
Mike the East Africa Director of SIU was in Ghana this year and even though, we did not meet, his visit has opened a door for a potential partnership with Pastor Benjamin Annor who has some partnership with some pastors in the Upper East Region of Ghana. I was able to meet Pastor Ben and Pastor Nsoh and we are likely to have our first training in next month or two.
Pastor Nsoh, Samson & Pastor Ben
Prayer Needs
Pray with us in the following areas:
Pray for the Yong International Baptist Church which is experiencing a moment of testing that the Lord will help them to stand for Him.
Pray for Samson that he will be able to offer Godly leadership to the Baptist International as they seek to concentrate on doing the will of God through witnessing and discipleship.
Pray for evangelistic and missionary efforts by the Church that souls will respond positively.
Pray for our “neighbors” that the Lord will continue to do his work in their lives and draw them to Jesus Christ for salvation.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”(Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Introduction
For us to have the commandments of the Lord upon our hearts we have to engage with it as stated in scripture and to get it passed on to the younger generation so that they can grow with it and also live by it.
Bridges Training
Two Bridges Trainings were carried out at communities namely Baangiyili and the Kpana. The Kpana training was initially planned for Golinga but the leadership of the Church decided that the training be moved to the Kpana community. As usual many were grateful for the opportunity offered them to partake in the training.
Suitability Agricultural project
By the grace of God the sustainability Agricultural project is underway and we trust the Lord for a good harvest. The maize farm is doing well and we look forward to the Lord touching lives again through the harvest and also offer us something to supplement for our future operations.
Women Ministry of the International Baptist 2016 Conference
The Women’s wing of the Ministry Samson leads had their annual convention under the theme “And I know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” It was a moment of great learning and equipping of the women for service and for raising Godly homes and families.
Children’s Camp
Samson was the main speaker for the kids’ camp organized by the Tarikpaa International Baptist Church which brought together about 150 kids. Bible stories on simple basic principles on how to grow in Christ were shared with them. 15 of the children gave their lives to Christ.
Prayer Needs
We will want you to stand with in prayer in the following areas:
Praise the Lord for the Bridges trainings that were done and pray that the participants will put what was learned into practice
Pray for our Brother Isaac who is going through a period of trials and temptation related to job.
Pray for the leading of the Lord as we seek to identify diligent and committed brethren to train them as Bridges Trainers (Oral Biblical Storytelling) for the expansion that we anticipate to take place.
Thank God for the 2016 crop season and continue to ask God for sufficient rains and sunshine for a bumper harvest.
Pray for evangelistic and missionary efforts that souls will be opened and made receptive for the Gospel.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Introduction
Indeed, in His time He makes all things beautiful. The God that we serve is good at doing things according to His own timing and schedule. Sometimes we want things done our way but God’s has seasons for everything and we have to identify them and fit into it.
Bridges Training
The long awaited Bridges training at Gushegu finally took place with 45 participants in attendance drawn from 8 different denominations. From the discussions it became evident that there was a great need in that area and unity and consented effort is needed for the Gospel to be carried out to the numerous unreached parts of the area.
One Million Village Challenge
Samson was joined by two hub leaders to participate in the one million villages Challenge training that took place in Tamale. It opened the eyes of participants to the need that exist in Northern Ghana and the contribution that we can make in taking Christ into areas that still have not yet experienced him.
CHE TOT 2
Community Health Evangelism (CHE) Training of Trainers took place in Tamale. It helped equip us on how to train others as well as how to better initiate and implement CHE in the communities that we work.
Goats Project
Goats were presented to some selected orphans as a way of our commitment to be used by God to empower them and their families for a hope and a better future. Previous receivers were brought to testify how they cared for their goats and how God has caused an increase to take place.
Prayer Needs
We will want you to stand with in prayer in the following areas:
Thank God for the successful Bridges training at Gushegu and pray for those that have been postponed that they will all take place for the advancement of the Kingdom.
Pray for the planning process of the 2017 Bridges trainings that God will lead us to areas that He has designed to equip the Church to become effective witnesses.
Pray for communities in the nation of Ghana as we go through the raining season which has begun with floods which have claimed some lives especially, in Northern Ghana.
Thank God for the goats that were given and ask for good health and multiplication.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians1:13
Introduction
Christ is looking forward for everyone and every nation or people group in His father’s kingdom. God is ever ready to mark out people with His seal thus; the Holy Spirit. This can and will only happen as we share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the unreached around us. As we thank God for being marked in Him with a seal which is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance the redemption of those who are God’s possession, God still looks forward to more people becoming partakers in it. I call on you to do one or all of these three things thus; pray, give and then go tell others.
Mentoring and Discipleship
As Samson continues to mentor and disciple a group of Church planters through The Timothy Initiative, God is opening new doors for Church planting opportunities. Two of the Church planters have started fellowships that will eventually become Churches.
Picture 1: Samson and two of the mentors
Bridges Training
The Ghana team had three Bridges trainings at Zabzugu, Moglaa and Nafaring communities. Over 130 people participated in these trainings.
Picture 2: Bridges Trainings
Picture 3: Nafaring Presby Church after Bridges Training
Sustainability – Farming Project
This year’s farming season has begun and the team as usual has embarked on the cultivation of some cereals for the third successive time. I am glad to report that in the just past season this project has directly supported in the supply of the annual basic staple food stuff to 3 separate families. The indirect beneficiaries of the project have not been quantified yet. When one of the families received their portion the woman in charge of food preparation for the family remarked “we are grateful that this year we don’t have to struggle in the feeding of our family as we having been doing for the past years.”
Picture 4: Enjoying some support for the 2016 planting of our field
Micro Credit Potential
A group of women that Samson had shared the CHE micro Enterprise principles decided to mobilized funds through the SAIL (Savings And Internal Lending) model. The group now has mobilized a little over a thousand dollars and this has helped some of them to have some small capital to improve their petty trading.
Prayer Needs
Please do stand with us in prayer for:
• Thank God for the Bridges trainings that took place during the period.
• The two new fellowships that have been started that the Lord will sustain them and even cause them to continue to grow both physically and spiritually.
• Good and enough rains that will trigger bumper harvest this year
• The upcoming Bridges trainings in Gushegu and Tingoli communities.
• Those who made a commitment to train other people will be given the grace to do so.
Yours in His Vineyard
Samson Abukari
(Country Director, Ghana)
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