In my earlier blog on Ghana entitled "Akwaaba Ghana" I briefly mention on evangelical work in Accra. Below is an email from Pastor Ferguson Kcofie of Truth Missionary Baptist Church, a Reformed Baptist Church in Accra, Ghana. Please read and pray for the work.
On the left is Pastor Ferguson Kcofie with his wife and daughter (June 2008)
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Dearly Beloved,
It is a great joy to know that the Lord is still with you, and keeping you in good health for the sake of His name and ministry. For my part, the Lord is pleased, in a measure, to show me the suitableness and necessity of a humble, dependent frame of heart. A ceasing from self, and a reliance upon him in the due use of appointed means, I am far from having attained—but I hope I am pressing, at least seeking after it.
I have attached a brief report of our activities since last July.
• Church Business Meeting. We had a Business Meeting on the 19th, July 2008, two days after my arrival from attending the School of Theology in London. New officers were appointed and some old ones retained.
• Baptism. We baptized three candidates on August 3rd 2008 – two men and a young woman. We thank the good Lord for adding to His church those that He has called.
• Conference In Kumasi. We attended the 9th Annual Day Of Special Studies organized by the Reformed Baptist Church under the theme: The Warring Kingdoms. The date was August 30, 2008. I gave two addresses - Satan’s Strategies and The Christian’s Weapon For Warfare. All went well, and we trust the messages went down well with our people who were present at the meetings.
• Baby Dedication. On August 31st, we dedicated the baby girl of our brother Frank Okae-Kyei and his wife. We thank God for the life of this little girl, especially after a difficult pregnancy.
• Called To Glory. On Monday September 22nd, 2008, our dear and faithful Brother Anthony Ansah was called to glory. He was a faithful soul winner, dedicated and committed to the cause of the Lord. He served for many years as a Sunday School teacher, and later Superintendent. He was 69 years old. We thank the Lord for his testimony and love worthy of emulation.
• Grace Reformed Bible Conference, Cape Coast. This year’s Grace Bible Conference, organized by the Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Cape Coast was under the theme, The Foundations Of Faith And Life. The two-day conference was held on the 24th – 25th October. I gave two addresses - Deepening Daily Devotions, and Necessity And Elements Of Regular Repentance. We thank God for the positive responses to the messages. It is our prayer that our people will be helped spiritually.
• Memorial And Thanksgiving Service. We held a memorial and thanksgiving service for our Brother Anthony Ansah on 1st November 2008. Many Pastors and churches who knew him so well attended. We are grateful to all.
MINISTRY AT NEW BORTIANOR
Our desire to kick start a new branch Sunday School ministry at New Bortianor suffered a slight hitch. We needed to put a few safety measures to the meeting place. Since we were cash-strapped, we decided to look for another place. We have just concluded negotiations with the Proprietors of Believers’ International School for the use of their premises. We are now ready to intensify our visitation in the vicinity before we finally get started. We are timing January 2009. Pray with us.
Meanwhile, the few visits we have had in the vicinity are yielding positive results. Indeed, we are now more inclined to win over many of the young people in the area in order that they might help with visitation and the ministry, instead of taking some members of Truth Missionary Baptist Church to the place. This, we believe, will serve us well in enhancing the work of the ministry there.
MATTERS OF BLESSING
Despite great difficulties in ministry, we are thankful for the Lord’s blessings upon the work of the ministry. These are just a few:
• Faithful Gospel Preaching And Results. We thank the Lord for the work of conversion in the faithful preaching of the gospel. Just two Sundays ago, a young man and teacher by profession came and heard the gospel. He was convicted and talked with me afterwards. He has since been faithful in ALL church services though he lives quite far. He was here even for visitation last Saturday. We pray he will be eventually drawn to the Lord. His name is Kwaku Duah.
• The Faithfulness Of A Working Few. Again, we are thankful for the faithfulness of a few members who have shown great sacrifice and loyalty to the church and the Lord. Their obedience is a great encouragement to us. They are the ones who serve in almost every ministry, particularly the Children’s ministry and Sunday School.
• The Goodness Of The Lord. We are grateful to the Lord for His love, mercy, and kindness is preserving the peace of the church, our very lives, and my family.
“The LORD is good to all; and His tender mercy is over all His works” Psa. 145:9
MATTERS OF PRAYER
Faithfulness To The Lord. It is our prayer request that many of our members will be faithful to the Lord. Lack of faithfulness is greatly hampering the onward march of the Gospel.
Love And Zeal For The Lord. This is also a great need. It seems the “love of many” is waxing cold. Many are more concerned with their own ambitions and pleasures than the cause of the Lord.
Faithful Preaching Of The Gospel. In the face of many intimidating and almost overwhelming ungodliness, please pray with us that our faith will not fail and that we may have boldness to “preach the word”.
Opportunities To Minister. Please pray with us that the Lord may open further doors of opportunity to reach out to many with the Gospel using whatever means available to us, e.g. Radio ministry.
Sunday School Ministry. We desire a spiritually fruitful work with children.
General Elections On Dec. 7th. Our nation Ghana will head for the polls on December 7th to elect a President and members of parliament. Please pray with us that nothing untoward may happen to derail the progress made so far in our part of the world.
MATTERS OF ASSISTANCE
• Accommodation. My family and I are still looking for a modest and roomy accommodation.
• Means Of Transport. We need a strong vehicle or mini bus to help us in the work of the ministry, particularly with the New Bortianor outreach.
• Other Logistics. We need other things like an organ, computer and printer, photocopier, projector, etc.
• Finances. We are also having our fair share of the global financial and food crisis as a developing third world economy. Life is becoming increasingly difficult and problematic. We are having a lot of dependants, lots of people to help and feed. If there is any way you can assist us, it will be greatly appreciated.
ASSISTANCE FOR BROTHER AUGUSTINE OWUSU – ADDO
I write also on the behalf of Brother Augustine Owusu-Addo to request urgent financial help for him and his family. Presently, his landlord is threatening to eject him and his family from their present house. He is dire straits and need urgent and immediate financial help. By the end of the month he needs to quit his house. You might recall that I raised the issue of his need recently to you.
Brother Augustine Owusu-Addo has been a great encouragement and help to us. He is actively involved in the work of the ministry here and will soon undergo training for the pastoral ministry.
All these matters I have placed before you to solicit your help and prayers. I trust I shall hear from you.
The Lord bless and keep you faithful to Himself till His face we see.
Ever In Christ’s love,
PASTOR FERGUSON KCOFIE
Truth Missionary Baptist Church
Dansoman Estates, Accra, Ghana.
November 20, 2008
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