Thursday, December 15, 2011

GHANA: NEW GOSPEL CHARIOT

Our goal has always been to build a New Gospel Chariot for West Africa. Well, God has provided and we will be building one in 2012. But what country will it be based out of and who will oversee it? Once again, God has provided. I have been communicating with brethren in Ghana and was then invited to speak at the Heritage Christian College, but also invited to meet with the board and elders. I traveled up in early December and was very well received. Some of the key leaders and I met back in 2000 in South Africa when we hosted the Africans Claiming Africa Conference. So it was great visiting with them. These brethren have agreed to oversee the new Gospel Chariot. I am so excited because these brethren are mature and very evangelistic. Imagine the many unevangelized countries we will be able to reach. Many of them French speaking. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEW GHANA GOSPEL CHARIOT.


Above shows myself and some of the key leaders at the Heritage graduation. The brother on the right is brother Evans Lartey, who is the acting principle and the brother who will report to the board regarding the new Chariot. He was the brother who made my trip so pleasant and set up all our meetings. Thanks bro Evans. We appreciate your networking abilities and love for lost souls.


Above shows the 45 students ready for graduation. God is working through Heritage.


Students receiving their certificates and diplomas. There were over 500 in attendance.


Elders and preachers praying over them before they go out into the world to preach. Amen.


Above shows the Heritage College Board and elders who will oversee the New Gospel Chariot.


Above is the new Church building in Accra Ghana. This building is funded by the members of the Nsawam Road Church of Christ. They have around 1500 members. Gospel Chariot Missions is very fortunate and blessed to have such a wonderful congregation behind the New Chariot.


Above shows myself and brother Douglas Boatang having a lighter moment after our meeting. Brother Douglas is one of the elders and a well respected brother in the brotherhood.


50 YEAR CELEBRATION AND 11,614 WORSHIP TOGETHER IN THE SOUTHERN REGION.


Above shows the Independence Square in Accra Ghana. 11614 met at this venue. Christians also met in the Central and Northern regions as well on the same day. Who knows how many met there and what the final total was.


Above shows many of the worshipers sitting in the middle section of the square.


Above shows the stage in the middle of the square. People then sat all around. As well as filling 8 grandstands surrounding the square.


They came in buses cars and taxi's to worship God together. What a sight and experience.


Above shows many of the preachers and elders that went forward for a photo.


Above shows the grandstands surrounding the square. All 8 were full of Christians. Myself being the only white in attendance. Making it a really special occasion.


Above shows the Wold Bible School stand with many people wanting christian literature. On the day there were over 35 people who came forward to be baptized. Making it even more special.



Above in the middle shows brother Fred Asare who was the guest speaker on the day. Brother Fred is the director of the Village of Hope a wonderful work near Accra. On the right is brother John Tamakloe, a well known leader in Ghana and on the left one of the elders of the Church


VILLAGE OF HOPE


Above shows the Village of Hope. Brother Fred Asare directs this ministry. It is an orphanage, children's village, community clinic and christian academy. Friends, this must be the best, most well run and healthy looking ministry I have ever seen in Africa. I have traveled extensively and this is the best I have seen. Well done brother Fred and all involved. To God be the Glory. Keep it up and touch those little lives and help that community. I love it when I see Gods Goodness.



They have a number of homes that house staff and many of the little children. Very well maintained buildings and very clean and well kept. An amazing sight to see.



Above shows the school with its classrooms. Many of the community children also attend at this christian school. All the children are well dressed with school uniforms. Looks so neat.


Above shows the medical clinic where people from the community can receive assistance. Once again, very clean and well run.


Then there is the dispensary where one will stop and pick up their medication on their way out.


Some of the beds for patients that need to stay for observation.


Then there are the children and they are touching many of the little ones....AMEN


More precious children. And more. Some of the bigger children at school. There is a boarding school where members can send their children to. They also take children from outside the church. Just an amazing work.




Every dorm houses a number of children. There is one husband and wife for each dorm. Above is one of the TV rooms for the children. Once again, first class, well run and clean.


Above one of the many bedrooms for the children. All nice and neat.


Above one of the dining rooms where the children eat with their dorm parents. Last but not least, me getting a coconut along the road. It was a first. Very tasty with a water liquid inside. Brother Evans drove me around and looked after me during my stay. Most important, we have strong brethren in Ghana who will run with the Gospel Chariot. There are 2000 Churches of Christ in Ghana. Thank you God. Thank you Ghana. Who knows how many will be reached in the coming years. PLEASE LETS ALL PRAY FOR THE NEW CHARIOT.

Year End Pretoria and Plett.

It has been a great year. We finished off with getting both Chariots 1 and 2 down to the Cape, to a town called George. They are both checked into a body building shop where they will get new bodies. Both trucks are worn and torn. It has been 10 years and it is time for some serious refurbishing. Before checking them in Laz and Bongani drove down to Cape Town and collected tons of literature that came in from the USA. Then we all headed to Pretoria for our Bible School Conference. After that I left for Ghana.


Above shows those who attended the Bible School meeting. It is important we look at ways to move forward. Each school had a chance to report on how things are going in their respective schools. We had leaders from 6 different schools sharing ideas.


Above shows Dimpo who chaired the meeting with Anton and Bongani on ether side.


Above are two of the most influential leaders in the Church in South Africa. Brother Malindi from Venda and brother Tebogo from Atteridgeville Pretoria. Good men who love the Lord.


Above shows Dimpo introducing me before I got to preach in Downtown Pretoria. On the Friday night the brethren took myself and brother Malindi out to eat with the young marrieds. Dimpo who works with GCM is one of the preachers of this growing congregation.


Brother Malindi did the Lords Supper and encouraged the congregation. He is from Venda and many, if not most of the congregation, are from Venda. They send their children to University and then they find jobs and settle in the big city.


Above shows the congregation that is growing. There are 3 different areas the members sit. On top where the congregation first started meeting. Then below looking up and now in the GCM office on the right hand side. It is growing and we met on the Sunday to look at ways to help make space for further growth. They are around 250 now and could be 350 in the new year. AMEN


This is the top section. Then you have the 2 lower sections as well.


Above shows the Church building from the outside. It is a GCM office in the week and place to worship on Sundays. There is a short term Bible School as well.


Whilst in Pretoria it was great to have our GCM year end meal together. Mams, Lydia, Machona, Dimpo, Laz, Bongani, Zonge and myself went out to eat.


Above shows the GCM family in Pretoria. So small yet so big when it comes to reaching out.



Above shows Lazarus and his wife Busi. I got to visit with him at home and have a prayer with them. They are a wonderful faithful couple heading in the right direction. God Bless you guys.


Then we have Dimpo and Kagisho with their son Morena. They are expecting their 2nd child in February. Dimpo has been with GCM for over 10 years and does a wonderful job teaching and working with Lazarus and Bongani. He is our main coordinator. We are hoping to groom Dimpo as the years go by. Please pray that he might become a visionary for missions in Africa.


Above shows Lazarus preaching in Plett after bringing the Chariots down for repairs. He gave the most encouraging lesson. In the background is Gladman who works in Plett with the Church.

Bongani drove the other chariot down for repairs. He did the Lord's supper. These are great men of faith. Bongani has a wife Sibongile and two sons Kabelo and Qiniso. Photo to follow next month.


Above shows the Plett young ones singing for us after church. Mandy, leading them, will be off to University in the new year. Young Innocent will also be going to University. Well done guys.


Then there was the younger ones. They put on a show for us. We love our little ones.


Then they got some year end gifts for good attendance. AMEN


It was a great day with much to smile about and much to laugh about.


Is she not cute!!!


Above shows some of the older GCM retired workers having some fun and food in Downtown Pretoria. Joseph, Joshua and Shanga. Thanks Tebogo and Mams for arranging it.


Joseph receiving a little gift. Remember Joseph from Downtown Johannesburg days. Good man.


Brother Shanga and Joshua also receiving something. God Bless them as they continue serving God in their congregations. We are all getting older as time goes by so fast. 2012 is upon us.