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)