Training hub opens as Christianity in Global South 'thrives'

Mission has traditionally been seen as "from the West to the rest". But in Ghana, there's a different story playing out – and it's one that BMS World Mission is thrilled to be part of.

As a young Christian, Ghanaian Kwame Adzam dreamed of being involved in sharing the gospel. These days, he heads up BMS World Mission’s Heart for the Gospel ministry, building strong evangelism and discipleship programmes. But he also had another, more specific dream: "When I became a believer, I was thinking, 'When will Ghana send mission workers to other places?'" he remembers. "I've always been praying, 'Lord, would you open the doors for the Global South church so we can become significant partners in fulfilling your mission?'"

Now this vision is taking shape.

Stronger together

Over recent decades, mission agencies have begun thinking of mission less as something belonging to the West, and more as an enterprise "from everywhere to everywhere". Christianity in the Global South is thriving and growing. And with this vibrant faith comes the desire to spread the gospel.

"BMS was beginning to think about the gift of God that lies within the Global South church," says Kwame. In 2024, with support from BMS and local partners, the African Oasis Mission Hub was born. It’s a centre in Ghana where Christians from across Africa can gain the knowledge and skills needed for engaging in mission – in their own continent and beyond. The training includes a placement and modules on evangelism, discipleship, world religions, risk management and community transformation.

"This is the beauty of the Oasis Hub: it’s intentional," says Kwame. "It’s the first of its kind. It’s deliberately and strategically working with churches, mission agencies and the Ghana Evangelical Mission Association (GEMA) to identify, recruit, train, send and support mission workers from Africa to other places."

Strategically minded

Having a mission hub in Africa brings all kinds of benefits. For instance, it’s easier for African Christians to access certain countries where Western workers might struggle. There are often fewer linguistic and cultural barriers. And in areas that are less open to the gospel, African Christians can share the good news of Jesus without ringing the alarm bells that Western workers might.

This is where the hub can be strategic – for example in reaching into North Africa, where many countries are hostile to Christianity. "We are hoping to energise the sub-Saharan student population, who know life in the countries and have built relationships," says Kwame. "They can then begin to connect, albeit in a sensitive and discreet way, with the nationals."

A harvest for generations

Graduates from the hub are already sharing the gospel enthusiastically across Africa. One student, Ife, came from Nigeria to train at the hub. He’s now serving God in the Gambia, a Muslim-majority country where less than four per cent of the population identify as Christian. It’s somewhere BMS would never otherwise have been able to send a mission worker. "The gospel harvest that will happen in the Gambia for generations to come is because BMS was generous with the resources God has given us, but also generous in our heart posture to see God’s Kingdom expand," says Kwame.

Other hub graduates are serving in countries as diverse as Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

The story doesn’t end with the Ghana hub. BMS has started making plans for a second mission hub in Thailand, which could reach 1.6 billion people.

"It’s really exciting for me to be part of this," says Kwame. "It feels like it’s a call God gave me decades ago, coming to be."

This article has been published as part of en's 'Updates from the Mission Field' online column, which sees contributions from various mission organisations.