Ghana - sunshine and smiles

Last September, Geoff King and Clive Bullock visited Ghana at the invitation of Enoch Nketiah, pastor of Global Baptist Church, Kumasi, a church affiliated to the Ghana Baptist Convention.
Geoff and Clive were asked to teach on the attributes of God during the second week of the church's annual Bible Convention/ Pastors' Conference. They were also able to explore the possibility of establishing a continuing link between Global Baptist and Radcliffe Road Baptist Church, Bury, where Geoff is the pastor.

Recent background

Do you remember the early 1980s? Mrs. Thatcher and the boom years, the 'economic miracle'? It wasn't quite like that in Ghana. The disastrous economic conditions of the early 1980s remain a painful memory for many ordinary Ghanaians. People told us about the severe food shortages of 1983, and the very real concerns that the economy was on the brink of collapse. In their distress, many people turned to the Lord and evangelical churches in the south of the country experienced remarkable growth.
At tha t time, the preaching of an itinerant evangelist, Francis Amoako, achieved national prominence. Amoako was a bold and fiery critic of Father Damuah, a government minister who opposed the revival. Father Damuah was originally a Catholic priest but he became the founder of the Africania religion, a syncretistic combination of elements of Christianity and fetishism. Damuah claimed that Ghana was experiencing economic hardships because the people had abandoned the ancient beliefs of their ancestors and 'sold out' to Western religion. Between 1985 and1987, Francis Amoako was at his most effective in defending the gospel against Damuah's 'official' propaganda, and in calling many people to repentance and faith. Amoako died in a road traffic accident in 1987.

The situation today

The Ghanaian economy has experienced a very significant recovery from the disastrous days of the early 1980s, largely through the government's resolve to implement stringent remedial measures. The spiritual revival of the 1980s has no doubt aided the country's continuing recovery as Christians have practised their faith in the workplace. It was a thrilling experience for us to visit on two occasions one of the premier banks in Kumasi and minister the Scriptures to a large staff meeting before the start of the day's business. Brother Joe Wiafe-Akenteng, the man who 'pastors' this group, explained his vision to us. He wants to see Christians modelling integrity in the workplace. At the bank, after our study in the Scriptures, we committed the day's work to the Lord and prayed with the staff and manager.
Revival has left its mark on Ghana in more obvious ways too. In Kumasi, a great sprawling city of about a million people, religious slogans abound. Many if not most of the city's taxis are emblazoned with Scripture texts or slogans like 'God's time is best' or 'Blood of Christ'. 'Oh Lord, save me' was the inscription on the tailgate of one beaten-up old jalopy as it bounced along the road! These slogans are replicated on the sign boards of the innumerable roadside businesses e.g. 'Grace Baptist snack' 'Holy Spirit spare parts' (Autoparts!).
By now, you will have gathered that Ghanaian society (in the south of the country) has a slightly different 'feel' to it from contemporary British society!

What's exciting . . .

* Spiritual life:

Many people are thirsty for God. At Global Baptist, new converts meet daily for prayer and Bible teaching. There is a six-month discipleship programme preceding baptism. Again, many attend on a daily basis. And yes, these Christians do have families and some of them jobs, just like us. There was a very real sense of community at the church's shared life. As is worship. The worship was joyful, demonstrative, often loud, and there was lots of it!

* Evangelism:

There is a great enthusiasm for reaching the unsaved, and many churches are being planted. Global Baptist Church was founded 10 years ago. Since then, Pastor Enoch has overseen the planting of eight other congregations: six in Kumasi and two in the neighbouring country of Cote d'Ivoire. In the south of Ghana, there is an openness to spiritual things and great opportunities for preaching the gospel.

* Compassion:

We discovered some very practical concerns for the most vulnerable, both inside and outside the church. Global Baptist has sponsored some self-help work schemes for unemployed young people in the church. Also, there is a practical ministry to single mothers in the church. This scheme recognises the special temptations that such women are often subject to, and through emotional and financial support, the women are encouraged to develop ways of earning a viable income. In its work with outsiders, the church has targeted the Frafa community in Kumasi, a group of very poor people who have recently migrated from the north.

What's concerning . . .

* Problems of growth:

Rapid numerical growth in the churches brings its own set of problems. It may be very difficult to pastor a church effectively where there are lots of new converts, but relatively few mature Christians. Even in an 'established' church like Global (10 years old), the statistics tell a story - Sunday congregations number between 300 and 400 but there are 500 people in membership. Where are the missing members?

* Lack of expository preaching:

We visited a midweek Bible study at a large and growing church which had a reputation for attracting 'professionals'. One of the assistant pastors delivered the Bible study. Positively, it was characterised by lots of illustrations and practical exhortations. Its weakness was a lack of exposition, and consequently a loss of authority. We tried to preach expositorily during our visit and the feedback we received was interesting. One pastor was clearly fascinated by this 'new' way of preaching.

* Need for increased discernment:

A climate of spiritual openness brings both opportunities and problems. People are more open to error, as well as to all that is helpful and edifying. One wonders whether some of the more sensational charismatic 'miracle ministries' are leading Christians into spiritual cul-de-sacs.

The new deal

200 years or so ago, white missionaries brought the gospel. Since then the church has grown and leadership has transferred from the pioneering missionary agencies to indigenous pastors. African modes of worship have developed.
The relationship between the Amero-European church and the indigenous church has therefore changed dramatically. But this doesn't mean that indigenous church leaders no longer see a role for 'Western' churches in the furtherance of God's work in West Africa . . .
Pastor Enoch shared with us his vision for the kind of partnerships that are needed between African and 'Western' churches. The church in Ghana is numerically strong and the potential for missionary advance at home and abroad very exciting, especially when we consider the serious commitment of many Africans. However, among other factors, the greater realisation of this missionary potential depends on the development of strong indigenous leaders, and, not surprisingly, money. In both these areas, 'Western' churches can make important contributions.
West African churches are materially poor by Western standards. Money is needed to support pioneers and pastors and some of the 'social' programmes provided by evangelical churches.
With training, the areas of theology and preaching were identified as particular needs. Occasional 'teaching' visits such as ours can be helpful. But they are very expensive. The provision of good books and 'model' sermon tapes probably represents a better value investment! Having said that, personal links often count for a great deal in stimulating ongoing concern, prayer and material support.
Ghana was warm in every sense. I don't think it was possible for our Ghanaian friends to make us more welcome. Preparing for the trip to Ghana, I thought: 'What can I offer these people?' I will always remember the enthusiasm, joy and spiritual dependence of the believers we met. But, as we were told and as we came to see, there is still something 'we British' can do to further the Lord's work in Ghana. For a small evangelical church in the cold, wet and windy north, that's an exciting prospect!