Pray for Ghana on Sunday, October 20, 2013
Lectionary Selection: Luke 18: 1-8
Prayers for Ghana:
God, we have heard the parable where Jesus encourages us to pray always and never lose heart. Thank you for the strength to obey this teaching. Today, God, we pray for Ghana and the work of our mission partners, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana. We recognize your mighty work in Ghana and we bless your name for answering our prayers for peace after the election trial. Thank you for bringing together many tribes with diverse languages forming them into one nation working together in peace and acceptance, in the face of different cultures and customs. You have taken the work of German missionaries from so long ago and blessed the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in its work for justice and the spreading of the good news of Jesus. God, please bless their work in education, bless their primary schools all the way up to the new college they have established. Please bless their efforts for social justice and the efforts to minister to those marginalized in their culture. Bless their seminary in its work to educate their ordained ministers, licensed ministers and music leaders. We thank you for the chance to share in the ministry. In the name of Jesus who taught us to pray, Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Ghana:
As mission partners we have responded to the request from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in their efforts to establish a Church College. Looking to the needs of the future growth of the church in Ghana, where things are changing at a breakneck pace with technologies every year, it was prayerfully decided there was a need for the Evangelical Presbyterian University College.
In order to meet the needs of accreditation, lecturers with advanced degrees were added. This also improved the student/teacher ratio in a swiftly growing student population. Since the seminary in Peki (which will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year) has become part of college, my master’s degree helped the ratio and I was invited to teach Old and New Testament.
It is a great honor to teach this diverse group of students who make great personal sacrifices to be here. The courses are condensed into six weeks of day-long lectures. This is so students can keep their regular jobs and support their families. It is also expensive to provide this kind of training for a number of reasons. Two months ago the cost of electricity tripled in one month. The cost of water just doubled and the cost of fuel is on the rise every year in Ghana. Families, churches, presbyteries and the general church all contribute to making this possible.
Your contributions to mission make it possible for us to provide education and encouragement, both are greatly appreciated here! I am personally thankful for your support and the growth I have experienced in my spiritual life being part of the global church in a different culture. May God bless you for your prayers and financial support for this work in Ghana.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Gary Luallin)
Mission Partners in Ghana:
More information on Ghana: http://globalministries.org/africa/countries/ghana/
Global Ministries Missionary in Ghana:
Gary Luallin, a member of Southside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Jacksonville, Florida, serves with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, as a university professor.