We experienced a moment of situation comedy last Monday. We had arrived in Kumasi and realized that the food prices at our hotel were astronomical! So, we decided to eat dinner at a less expensive local Chinese restaurant. (Prices for almost everything were increased because Ghana hosted the African Cup of Nations – a soccer event – in January.) As we waited for our food, we were suddenly struck with the hilarity of sitting in a Chinese restaurant, waited on by African waiters, sitting next to an Indian couple, while the stereo blasted American country-western music! The world is getting smaller all the time.
We were privileged in this final week to teach Romans to the leaders of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. The PCG is a large and well-established denomination with a strong evangelical bent. They continue to have a strong adherence to Scripture although many of their leaders have been educated in liberal seminaries overseas. So, a study on Romans was something they were strongly interested in. This opportunity was the result of Sam Oppong's friendship with the current Moderator of the denomination. Because of this connection, the denominational leadership opened the door for an EPI conference. They were the ones who suggested working in Kumasi (a city of over 2 million people) with the Asante Presbytery. Asante is the second-largest presbytery in the country, ministering to over 86,000 people in 410 congregations. If the conference was well-received in Asante, then the remaining 13 presbyteries would also be opened to EPI's ministry.
All of their senior pastors and key leaders – including the Presbytery chairman and a former Stated Clerk of the denomination - were in attendance and were very interested in what EPI would bring them. Perhaps because we were there on something of a trial basis, they were friendly but noticeably reserved for the first day and a half. As we began the instruction on Tuesday morning, there were only about 75 people there. But as the morning went on more people arrived so that, by afternoon, we had nearly 150 and the historic Ramseyer Memorial Church was filling up.
Since three of us were teaching this week, I had a bit more free time. (Both Allen and Chuck were very well prepared and, frankly, they didn't really need me to teach since the two of them had taught the same curriculum in Sunyani the week before.) I took advantage of that freedom to meet with another church leader in the Kumasi area on Tuesday. The Right Reverend Daniel Sarfo is the Anglican bishop of Kumasi and another good friend of Sam Oppong. He is also a warm and open evangelical, who greatly desires to see his church leaders be better trained in the Scriptures. Bishop Daniel agreed to meet with me briefly before he left on an international trip. We hit it off well, and as a result, we will be teaching a conference for the Kumasi diocese in the near future. (You may have noticed that virtually everything of substance that happens in West Africa, takes place on the basis of personal relationships. This is a cultural reality in Africa. Consequently, key church leaders don't just want to know about EPI, they want to MEET the guy in charge. If they like you, then the door opens for ministry. But this all requires time for the development of a good reputation, time for the contacts to develop and time for them to learn to trust you. After three years of regular work in Ghana, the doors are beginning to open. Praise God!) Meanwhile, Chuck and Allen taught through Romans 4.
Wednesday and Thursday followed the same general pattern, as we worked sequentially through Romans. By Wednesday afternoon, the folks were beginning to warm up to us and to the teaching. And it was then that the questions began to come. So, we fielded questions on predestination, eternal security, salvation in the Old Testament and many other topics. By Thursday, they didn't want the conference to end, and neither did we! As it was, we were only able to teach through the beginning of Romans 12. So, we may return later this year or early in '09 to do "Romans Part II."
Friday was a travel day, and we returned to Accra in preparation for our flight back to the U.S. There were some significant traffic delays due to road construction, but we arrived in time for an early dinner, enjoying the buffet at the hotel. Along with such delicacies as fried plantain and goat soup, the buffet included "seafood Provincale," a spicy sauce with shrimp and a mystery meat that we afterward learned was octopus! It was actually quite good. I met that evening with Ben Ahadzie, a pastor from near-by Tema, for some good fellowship. We talked about what the Lord is doing through his ministry, and I hope to see him involved with an EPI conference in the future. Saturday Sam, Chuck and I met with Pastor Wisdom Ameku, who trains Baptist pastors in the Volta Region (eastern Ghana). We made plans for a conference in the next year that will include pastors from Ghana as well as from neighboring Togo. Another open door! The rest of the day was LONG, as we waited to fly out at 10 pm.
The weather began to change during this final week of the trip. The dry season is ending; the winds are shifting from the northerly Harmattan winds from the Sahara to the more southerly monsoon winds off the Atlantic. So, we had several heavy afternoon showers with some impressive lightning and thunder. The dust was washed out of the air and the visibility began to improve. By mid-March the monsoons will be in full swing and the rainy season will have begun.
There was also a distinct shift in the nature of EPI's ministry during this trip. Previously, we have focused on conferences for local pastors that focused on practical Biblical instruction. That will continue to be a part of what we do. But on this trip we began the process of training national instructors, who we hope will significantly expand the reach of EPI's curriculum. The "Our Covenant God" curriculum excited the 48 leaders we trained in Nigeria and Ghana and they are on board with the vision of an African Reformation. God has confirmed our new direction by opening four new groups to the ministry of EPI: Agape Evangelical Church, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Anglican diocese of Kumasi and a fellowship of Baptist pastors in the Volta region.
I'm glad to be home and thankful for the safe trip. But I'm also thinking of West Africa and the doors for ministry that God has opened for us. With these new opportunities and the training of EPI national instructors, I need to at least double the time I spend overseas. That will require a significant increase in financial support and several new part-time teachers. But our God is able to provide ALL of our needs – we simply need to ask. As partners in this work, please join me in asking God for the people and the resources to meet these exciting challenges.
Grace and peace,
Dan.
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