Wow!
I don't know where to begin to describe the last couple of weeks. This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I saw God do some incredible things, and use us in ways I never thought He would. I'll be uploading pictures and videos, etc. from the trip soon, but this trip was not about pictures and videos, it was about our Lord Jesus Christ. It was God who divinely orchestrated this trip in the first place. I wanted to go to Bangladesh....I didn't have any interest in going to Africa. But God intervened, and clearly showed me this was where we needed to go.
In all, we shared the gospel and ministered to nearly 3,000 children. I had the opportunity to provide disciple-making training to 78 pastors and church leaders, from over 30 different churches in 3 different villages in the Volta Region of Ghana. Our team preached in four different churches during our time in country. And last but certainly not least, we were able to forge what we hope to be a long-term relationship with an amazing missionary family, Lloyd and Jan Chinn.
In the coming days, I will be sharing on here some of the lessons God taught me about Himself, about myself, about His heart for the nations, about our church, and about the state of the 21st century American church in general. Many lessons....I just hope God will give me the grace to learn them all and apply them all.
For those who helped send me and for those who prayed for us, I cannot begin to thank you for your support. Your were truly there with us. Know that your participation, however great or small, is pleasing to God.
For now, I think I need some more rest. Jet-lag, coupled with this residual African intestinal "thing" I've got is enough to bring down a water buffalo....and certainly me.
To Him be all glory!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 23-24
This is our final day in Ghana. Today we will travel from
Anomabo to Accra. We will have an hour or so to visit a
local market in Accra, have our last Ghanaian meal together
and then check in at the airport. We will be departing
Ghana at 10:35 PM back to England and then onward
to Atlanta arriving around 4:35 PM on June 24th.
Ask God to keep us safe in our travels, once again. Please
also lift up prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting
us, revealing His heart to us and ministering to
His Ghanaian people through us. Pray that each and
every member of the team will always remember what
God did within them on this mission trip. Lastly, pray
that the team would return to the U.S. full of stories
about how God spoke to us and worked through us on
this journey and that we share them with passion to encourage
other believers to “Go make disciples of all nations.”
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17
Anomabo to Accra. We will have an hour or so to visit a
local market in Accra, have our last Ghanaian meal together
and then check in at the airport. We will be departing
Ghana at 10:35 PM back to England and then onward
to Atlanta arriving around 4:35 PM on June 24th.
Ask God to keep us safe in our travels, once again. Please
also lift up prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting
us, revealing His heart to us and ministering to
His Ghanaian people through us. Pray that each and
every member of the team will always remember what
God did within them on this mission trip. Lastly, pray
that the team would return to the U.S. full of stories
about how God spoke to us and worked through us on
this journey and that we share them with passion to encourage
other believers to “Go make disciples of all nations.”
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 21 - 22
These are travel days from Nkwanta to the Cape Coast
area where we will visit Kakum National Forest and visit
the Cape Coast Slave Castle. We will also be meeting together
as a team to reflect on how God has used us in
Ghana and to praise Him for His goodness toward us.
Pray that God will continue to help us grow spiritually as
we consider these things. Pray that our hearts will be full
of thanksgiving for the answered prayers and for the accomplishment
of the ministry we came to do. Thank
Him for his provision of safety and for the relationships
that were established in Ghana. Pray for a time of rest.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father
is seeking such people to worship him.” - John 4:23
area where we will visit Kakum National Forest and visit
the Cape Coast Slave Castle. We will also be meeting together
as a team to reflect on how God has used us in
Ghana and to praise Him for His goodness toward us.
Pray that God will continue to help us grow spiritually as
we consider these things. Pray that our hearts will be full
of thanksgiving for the answered prayers and for the accomplishment
of the ministry we came to do. Thank
Him for his provision of safety and for the relationships
that were established in Ghana. Pray for a time of rest.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father
is seeking such people to worship him.” - John 4:23
Friday, June 20, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 20
This is the last major day of ministry for us so please pray
that we are able to give ourselves entirely to this day, that
we have strength and good health. Today will be another
village outreach to children. Ask God to open their
hearts and eyes to the message of hope in Him.
Pastor Ken will again be training a new group of area pastors
in a different village. In the afternoon
we will have an opportunity to either rest (much
needed) or to visit the Kyabobo National Forest. Pray
that we make the wise choice about what to do.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to
myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel
of the grace of God.”
- Acts 20:24
that we are able to give ourselves entirely to this day, that
we have strength and good health. Today will be another
village outreach to children. Ask God to open their
hearts and eyes to the message of hope in Him.
Pastor Ken will again be training a new group of area pastors
in a different village. In the afternoon
we will have an opportunity to either rest (much
needed) or to visit the Kyabobo National Forest. Pray
that we make the wise choice about what to do.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to
myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel
of the grace of God.”
- Acts 20:24
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 19
We will continue today ministering to children with Pastor
Hope Ameyao with CEF. Pray that the children at
this school have hearts that have been made tender by the
Holy Spirit to the message we share with them. Continue
to pray for our well being so that we are all able to serve
the children today. During this time, Pastor Ken will be
training indigenous pastors in a neighboring village. Tonight
we will be participating in an open air outreach in a community
that is strangled by fetish priests. Pray the power of God
will be made known in this village tonight. Ask God to empower
us to withstand any evil waged against us. Pray that we will be able
to share the gospel in a relevant way and that it will be received
by the lost in this village.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not
your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so
that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8—9
Hope Ameyao with CEF. Pray that the children at
this school have hearts that have been made tender by the
Holy Spirit to the message we share with them. Continue
to pray for our well being so that we are all able to serve
the children today. During this time, Pastor Ken will be
training indigenous pastors in a neighboring village. Tonight
we will be participating in an open air outreach in a community
that is strangled by fetish priests. Pray the power of God
will be made known in this village tonight. Ask God to empower
us to withstand any evil waged against us. Pray that we will be able
to share the gospel in a relevant way and that it will be received
by the lost in this village.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not
your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so
that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8—9
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 18
It’s mid-week and we will be participating in the Pastors
Prayer Breakfast in Nkwanta. This is a time of prayer by
and for the local indigenous pastors. Pray that their
prayers will be heard and accepted by our Father. Pray
for Pastor Ken as he will be speaking at this event. We will
also be involved in a “surprise” Service Project today. Pray
that no matter what work we are tasked with we will do it
with the joy of the Lord in our hearts and we radiate the
very hope of Christ that we have come to share.
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8
Prayer Breakfast in Nkwanta. This is a time of prayer by
and for the local indigenous pastors. Pray that their
prayers will be heard and accepted by our Father. Pray
for Pastor Ken as he will be speaking at this event. We will
also be involved in a “surprise” Service Project today. Pray
that no matter what work we are tasked with we will do it
with the joy of the Lord in our hearts and we radiate the
very hope of Christ that we have come to share.
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 17
Today we will be ministering to children in Kecheibi.
Please continue the prayers of yesterday for the children
of Kecheibi. Tonight we will be participating in an open
air outreach with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF)
director in Nkwanta, Pastor Hope Ameyao. Pray that
our testimonies will stir the hearts of the children here to
want to know Jesus Christ personally. Ask God to keep
our attitudes, our hearts and our message pure before
these people. Pray that all those we minister to today will
receive us as servants of the King of glory. Pray that they
would hear the spirit of God and ignore the spirit of the
world. Pray that they accept the free gift of life eternal
and not settle for death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 6: 23
Please continue the prayers of yesterday for the children
of Kecheibi. Tonight we will be participating in an open
air outreach with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF)
director in Nkwanta, Pastor Hope Ameyao. Pray that
our testimonies will stir the hearts of the children here to
want to know Jesus Christ personally. Ask God to keep
our attitudes, our hearts and our message pure before
these people. Pray that all those we minister to today will
receive us as servants of the King of glory. Pray that they
would hear the spirit of God and ignore the spirit of the
world. Pray that they accept the free gift of life eternal
and not settle for death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 6: 23
Monday, June 16, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 16
Today is our first planned outreach in Ghana. Pray that
we would all be well rested and free of illness as we begin
this week. Today we will be ministering to kids at New
Life Preparatory School while Pastor Ken Rucker will be
teaching indigenous pastors in Kpassa. Pray that the Holy
Spirit will cause the children to be receptive to our ministry
and that the message is relevant in their culture. Pray
that God will use us to show them His love. Ask God to
use Ken’s teaching to the indigenous pastors to increase
their own ministry effectiveness to people that they minister
to. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the pastors
understanding to the truths that Ken shares and that they
can apply those truths in their respective churches. Ask
the Lord to make His message heard. Pray for our safety
during travels today.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- Romans 3:23
we would all be well rested and free of illness as we begin
this week. Today we will be ministering to kids at New
Life Preparatory School while Pastor Ken Rucker will be
teaching indigenous pastors in Kpassa. Pray that the Holy
Spirit will cause the children to be receptive to our ministry
and that the message is relevant in their culture. Pray
that God will use us to show them His love. Ask God to
use Ken’s teaching to the indigenous pastors to increase
their own ministry effectiveness to people that they minister
to. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the pastors
understanding to the truths that Ken shares and that they
can apply those truths in their respective churches. Ask
the Lord to make His message heard. Pray for our safety
during travels today.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- Romans 3:23
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 15
Today, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, we will be worshipping in
a local church fellowship in Nkwanta. We will most likely
be asked to speak and share our testimony. Pray that our
testimonies will be pleasing to God and will encourage
the believers in this local church gathering. Pray that the
Holy Spirit will move among the worshippers to convict
any who are not saved that they may have life eternally.
Ask God to continue protecting us, giving us strength in
the days that are ahead and for all cultural barriers to be
broken down. Pray that we would continue to look to
Him when weariness is upon us.
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not
have the Son of God does not have life.” - 1 John 5:11-12
a local church fellowship in Nkwanta. We will most likely
be asked to speak and share our testimony. Pray that our
testimonies will be pleasing to God and will encourage
the believers in this local church gathering. Pray that the
Holy Spirit will move among the worshippers to convict
any who are not saved that they may have life eternally.
Ask God to continue protecting us, giving us strength in
the days that are ahead and for all cultural barriers to be
broken down. Pray that we would continue to look to
Him when weariness is upon us.
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not
have the Son of God does not have life.” - 1 John 5:11-12
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 13 & 14
Today and tomorrow the team will be doing community
service projects. This means we will be partnering with local
Ghanaians and working side-by-side with them. Pray
that this work will be glorifying to God, that it will show
our servant hearts to the people and that because of our
willingness to work with them opportunities will be provided
to share Christ. Pray that during this time of work
we will remain focused on the mission and not discouraged
by the heat and conditions. Pray that God will protect
us from injury during our work.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him whom they have
never heard? And how are they to hear without someone
preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As
it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
good news!” - Romans 10:13-15
service projects. This means we will be partnering with local
Ghanaians and working side-by-side with them. Pray
that this work will be glorifying to God, that it will show
our servant hearts to the people and that because of our
willingness to work with them opportunities will be provided
to share Christ. Pray that during this time of work
we will remain focused on the mission and not discouraged
by the heat and conditions. Pray that God will protect
us from injury during our work.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him whom they have
never heard? And how are they to hear without someone
preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As
it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
good news!” - Romans 10:13-15
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 12
Today, Thursday, we will be traveling from the Baptist
Guest House in Accra to our area of ministry in
Nkwanta. Our travel time is approximately six hours.
Today pray that we will be well rested. Pray for God’s
protection of our team, our driver, our hosts, and the vehicle
we will be traveling in. The roads are not very good
and thus the ride will be slightly bumpy. Pray for our
safety and comfort. Pray that those with bad backs and
other aching parts will be free from pain and discomfort.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen our hearts for the
work ahead beginning tomorrow. Ask God to begin to
prepare the hearts of the people we will be ministering to.
Ask Him to remove any and all barriers to the truth
which we have come to proclaim in the name of Jesus
Christ.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous
works among all the peoples!” - Psalm 96:3
Guest House in Accra to our area of ministry in
Nkwanta. Our travel time is approximately six hours.
Today pray that we will be well rested. Pray for God’s
protection of our team, our driver, our hosts, and the vehicle
we will be traveling in. The roads are not very good
and thus the ride will be slightly bumpy. Pray for our
safety and comfort. Pray that those with bad backs and
other aching parts will be free from pain and discomfort.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen our hearts for the
work ahead beginning tomorrow. Ask God to begin to
prepare the hearts of the people we will be ministering to.
Ask Him to remove any and all barriers to the truth
which we have come to proclaim in the name of Jesus
Christ.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous
works among all the peoples!” - Psalm 96:3
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Ghana Prayer Update - June 10 & 11
Today, our flight departs Atlanta at 6:35 PM in route to
London, England—Gatwick Airport. We will have a 6.5
hour layover and will have to leave Gatwick Airport and
travel to Heathrow Airport. We will have to enter into
customs, transfer airports and reenter through customs
again. Pray that God will keep us safe in our travels, that
the airport transfer with luggage and customs issues will
be without trouble. Once in the air again we will arrive in
Accra, Ghana’s capital, on June 11th at around 8:10 PM
local time. Ask God to renew our strength when we arrive
in Ghana and to provide us with joy during our entire
journey. Ask Him to help us adapt to the Ghanaian Culture,
to tenderize our hearts, so that we will have compassion
on the people of Ghana. Also ask Him to remove
any and all fear that we may receive from the initial culture
shock when we arrive. Finally, pray that each team
member would grow spiritually during this trip. The team
is: Chris Holloway, Hannah Holloway, Angie Sallee, Tim
Sherwood, Lea Ann Sherwood, Nicole Sherwood, Alex
Sherwood, Ken Rucker, Tyler Recker & Kevin Sanders.
London, England—Gatwick Airport. We will have a 6.5
hour layover and will have to leave Gatwick Airport and
travel to Heathrow Airport. We will have to enter into
customs, transfer airports and reenter through customs
again. Pray that God will keep us safe in our travels, that
the airport transfer with luggage and customs issues will
be without trouble. Once in the air again we will arrive in
Accra, Ghana’s capital, on June 11th at around 8:10 PM
local time. Ask God to renew our strength when we arrive
in Ghana and to provide us with joy during our entire
journey. Ask Him to help us adapt to the Ghanaian Culture,
to tenderize our hearts, so that we will have compassion
on the people of Ghana. Also ask Him to remove
any and all fear that we may receive from the initial culture
shock when we arrive. Finally, pray that each team
member would grow spiritually during this trip. The team
is: Chris Holloway, Hannah Holloway, Angie Sallee, Tim
Sherwood, Lea Ann Sherwood, Nicole Sherwood, Alex
Sherwood, Ken Rucker, Tyler Recker & Kevin Sanders.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Packed and ready to go to Africa!
Well, the suitcase is zipped up, and I'm sportin' a new even shorter hair cut, Can't imagine what else I need to do....except maybe go pack my Krispy Kreme frequent diner's card.
I'm Psyched, pumped, and ready for the adventure ahead. With your help, I'm also prayed-up!
I just heard today that I will also be preaching on Sunday in Ghana. That means about 5 or 6 speaking engagements on this trip. What a privilege! Please pray that the Lord gives me the right words at the right time, and that His Word does exactly what He intends for it to do.
I met with a wonderful Christian Ghanaian man today named, Michael. I was put in touch with him through one of the folks on my support team. Michael immigrated from Ghana along with his wife 3 years ago. He is still trying to iron out the paperwork issues in having his children come to the USA as well. He shared some spiritual insights from his homeland, and I believe that God will use them to help me reach the lost in Ghana, and encourage the believers. He said that some of the Christians there also worship other gods. Most of the villages have "fetish priests" where villagers can go offer a goat or some kind of "offering" in exchange for prayers and incantations to help meet their needs. Michael told me that even some Christians do this because sometimes they pray to God (the Lord Jesus Christ), and yet still have very little food, or no job, or whatever, so then they go to the fetish priest for help. It seems that they have trusted in Christ, but not fully. It remains to be seen whether those people are truly believers in Christ or not, but it struck me how similar this was to the American church.
We say we believe, and we give lip service to faith, but how many of us sometimes end up placing more trust in other "gods". Our gods may not be fetish-priests, but they are "other gods" nonetheless. They are things like money, influence, career, drugs, alcohol, relationships, or anything else that we end up running to instead of Jesus.
Maybe my experience as a Christian in 21st century America will have some carry-over to the culture of Ghana after all. Well, except for the lack of Krispy Kremes....I guess I'll leave that frequent diner's card at home after all.
I'm Psyched, pumped, and ready for the adventure ahead. With your help, I'm also prayed-up!
I just heard today that I will also be preaching on Sunday in Ghana. That means about 5 or 6 speaking engagements on this trip. What a privilege! Please pray that the Lord gives me the right words at the right time, and that His Word does exactly what He intends for it to do.
I met with a wonderful Christian Ghanaian man today named, Michael. I was put in touch with him through one of the folks on my support team. Michael immigrated from Ghana along with his wife 3 years ago. He is still trying to iron out the paperwork issues in having his children come to the USA as well. He shared some spiritual insights from his homeland, and I believe that God will use them to help me reach the lost in Ghana, and encourage the believers. He said that some of the Christians there also worship other gods. Most of the villages have "fetish priests" where villagers can go offer a goat or some kind of "offering" in exchange for prayers and incantations to help meet their needs. Michael told me that even some Christians do this because sometimes they pray to God (the Lord Jesus Christ), and yet still have very little food, or no job, or whatever, so then they go to the fetish priest for help. It seems that they have trusted in Christ, but not fully. It remains to be seen whether those people are truly believers in Christ or not, but it struck me how similar this was to the American church.
We say we believe, and we give lip service to faith, but how many of us sometimes end up placing more trust in other "gods". Our gods may not be fetish-priests, but they are "other gods" nonetheless. They are things like money, influence, career, drugs, alcohol, relationships, or anything else that we end up running to instead of Jesus.
Maybe my experience as a Christian in 21st century America will have some carry-over to the culture of Ghana after all. Well, except for the lack of Krispy Kremes....I guess I'll leave that frequent diner's card at home after all.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Ghana Prayer Guide
If you are part of our support team, or if you have a heart for taking the gospel to the nations, then we would love for you to enter into a season of prayer for our efforts in Ghana. Our amazing team leader, Chris Holloway, has prepared a Prayer Guide that will tell you each day what we will be doing and how to pray specifically for the efforts and activities of that day. The daily prayer updates will be automatically posted on this blog each day, beginning on June 10th. Just visit this blog daily, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get the daily prayer needs. If you would rather download the entire PDF, you can go directly to the NBCC website, and click on "Document Downloads" to pull up the Ghana Prayer Guide". We will have very limited access to the internet while on this trip, so live updates from the field may be very limited at best.
The Need: As a team, we feel that it is a necessity for this trip to be covered in prayer. The ten of us have been praying continually for this trip for several months. As we know the importance and power of prayer, we are asking you to pray for us while we are in Ghana. The following pages will guide you in prayer for us, the Ghanaians we’ll be ministering to, and the overall outcome of our mission trip. Please consider giving God a small amount of your time each day for the two weeks we are in Ghana—June 10th—June 23rd to pray for these things. Thank you for your willingness and we’ll be praying for you too.
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
At the same time, pray for us, that God may open to us a door
for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ on account of which I
am in prison.” - Colossians 4:2-3
At the same time, pray for us, that God may open to us a door
for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ on account of which I
am in prison.” - Colossians 4:2-3
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Ghana Missions - our team
We leave for our mission trip to Ghana a week from today. Man, am I excited! Its been crazy trying to get ready to go, but I can't wait now! Here is our team:
From the left: Ken Rucker (me), Hannah Holloway, Tyler Recker, Lea Ann Sherwood, Tim Sherwood, Alex Sherwood, Kevin Sanders, Nicole Sherwood, Chris Holloway, and Angie Sallee. Please pray for us as we make disciples in Ghana from June 10th through 25th.
Spiritual Boot Camp
Last month, we did a cool thing where we got together for 30 days straight, from 6:15 - 7:00am and had a Quiet Time together. The whole pourpose behind this was to develop the habit of a daily time with God. He's worth it, and we need it, so we committed to do this for 30 days straight to make it a habit. I taught for about 20 minutes, and then we broke and did about 20-30 minutes of quiet time on our own. It proved very helpful to me, and many others. I blogged for the first 19 of those days, and you can read through that teaching here.
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