CHURCH PLANTS: Missionary pastors of our church plants meet once in a month to encourage one another, sharing challenges in ministry. Our region has been affected with teachings on false hopes and materialism. So called “Prayer Camps” in every corner. Nevertheless, we are preaching the Word of God with passionate boldness and the Lord is adding to church daily as He should (Acts 2:47). Those of us pastors in the Central Region tried to fill in for Pastor Josiah at Crossroads Baptist Church in Accra because of proximity while he was in the States. Thank God he is back and in the harness.
BIBLE INSTITUTE: Despite some challenges we face with operational cost, the Bible Institute is running wonderfully well. There are presently five men from four sister churches (four in second year and one in first year). Two ladies who are taking teaching courses in our school and vocational training courses in Government Institution are also doing great. In two years time, we shall by God’s grace have preachers for our Church plants and good Christian lady teachers to teach Vocational skills to create jobs for ladies in our Churches and the community. We are expecting Pastor Hammons and his wife from Grace Baptist Church of Laurel, MD to come to teach this year November school week, 7th to 11th. Mrs. Hammons will teach our NLBBI ladies and the church Women’s Fellowship.
ROGMA MINISTRY: The Free International Bible Correspondence Course (Paper Evangelism) is facing some challenges. Cost of postage and modern day ICT has slowed down the Rogma ministry a little bit. We are now doing more of travelling with Rogma to Rehab Institutions like prisons and special schools for boys and girls. Sometimes administrators in some Hospitals and circular schools would allow us to work with some concerned people. Our Bible School men have gone through the courses, so they help us to go collect lessons to grade them and return them with new lessons. ROGMA/MABMI Office in Accra, has now been relocated to Apam where I am based and with our church as the focus of our ministries in the Central Region. We are in the process of renovating and setting up things in the new office as the Lord provides the funds. Apam is about 80km to Accra, at least about 1hr. 30mins drive.
MISSION TRIPS:Just as we give progress report in our periodic updates, we would also love to see our partners in ministry (supporting churches and family friends) come to visit with us to see the reality on the ground and for our encouragement as well.
VBS 2011:In 2007, twelve men and women from First Baptist Church of Oxford, MI USA under the leadership of then Deacon Dan and Anita Wells, came to help us organize a Vacation Bible School in our church plants. It was really helpful. The church has prayerfully considered to send a team of nine again this year (July 20th to August 22nd), under the same leadership, this time Rev. Dan and Anita Wells. We praise God for their love for this unique ministry.
ALL-AFRICA PASTORS CONFERENCE 2011:The Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches (Ghana) will be hosting the 2011 All-Africa Region Conference, a joint program with GARBC here in Accra-Ghana at AWET Hotel on October 4th to 7th. I have been privileged to be one of the preachers.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Kindly pray with us for:
1.Good health and continuous closer walk with the Lord in His service.
2.Our local church plants spiritual growth, missions oriented spirit and to learn to give God’s way for God’s blessings. (Luke 6:38)
3.SPEEDY RECOVERY: *The President of our mission agency (MABMI) Dr. Mike Patterson who was hit with heart attack and has been in and out of hospital. *The pastor of our sending church (Grace Baptist Church, Yekepa, Liberia) who is undergoing treatment from severe burns which occurred in December 2010 here at 37 Military Hospital. Please thank God and pray for brethren who have contributed to buying plane ticket, hospital bills, surgery charges and other needs for him and his wife.
MINSTRY FUNDS:
* To complete our ocean view Guest House and Bible School building. (Funds needed about $20,000). We could do it bit by bit as the Lord provides.
* Work on church building for Mumford outreach. We have bought two plots of land already for about 4 years now.
* Purchasing land for Church building in Apam, Kasoa and Crossroads Baptist church in Accra.
* Supporting our Bible School and the Free Bible Corresponding course (Rogma ministry).
If the Lord is leading you to give to assist with any of our needs, you may contact our mission agency Mount Abarim Baptist Missions Int. P. O. Box 173067, Arlington Texas 76003. Tel. 817-419-0362 / e-mail: abarimbaptist@aol.com
Thanks and may the Lord richly bless you all.
John and Dorcas
Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches, Accra, Ghana