Ghana/Lake Erie partnership brings fresh perspective to mission service and Christian living
June 23, 2018
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. — Romans 14:19
Motorcycles allow for evangelism and pastoral ministry to rural communities like this one, where the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana congregation meets under a tree because they do not have a church building. (Photo provided by Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana)
The theme for mission partnership between the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) and Lake Erie Presbytery is “Joining Hands in Faith and Friendship.” Since 2012, this theme has defined our partnership in mission and our relationship with the Ghana Mission Network, a collaborative of Presbyterian churches in Ghana and the U.S.
This theme in many ways brings to the forefront our understanding of partnership in God’s global mission. Understanding mission as holding each other’s hand in faith and friendship enhances our faith journey culturally, spiritually, materially and in many other ways. It allows for a building up of one another’s capacity in the mission and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The EPCG has been traditionally referred to as a mission church. From the beginning, the mission of the church has focused on conversion-oriented evangelism, church planting, education and socioeconomic development. The EPCG originally was characterized by much receiving from partner churches in Europe and America and little giving.
Pastor Gladys Lariba Mahama (center) led this Presbyterian congregation in Fumbisi, Ghana, to support the ministry of mission co-worker Josh Heikkila. The congregation sold two sacks of peanuts it grew and gave the proceeds to his work. (Photo by Josh Heikkila)
However, it did not take long for the EPCG to start moving away from merely receiving to also becoming a missionary church, operating its own mission and ministry programs with partner churches.
Mission is no longer regarded by the EPCG as a Western movement of evangelism and church planting, but as the participation of Christians in the liberating mission of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
The EPCG understands we are called together with all God’s people to work with God and one another in the fulfillment of God’s purposes for humanity. Our life as Christians in this world is a life in mission together. I believe that it is with this understanding that the World Mission Conference, which met in Mexico in 1963, stressed that mission is to be carried out by the whole church because the mission Dei (mission of God) takes place in every continent.
The fact that the Christian church is by its very nature missionary means that the church is one — the PC(USA) and the EPCG are partners and friends in the mission of God. This is critical because the links that bind us together are many and varied. The most vital of these is our commitment to one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one Eucharist. In addition, we are reminded of and conscious of Christ’s priestly prayer that all his disciples be one (John 17). The unity of the church is a challenge to the mission of the EPCG and the PC(USA) to work together as a family.
The EPCG sees and practices mission with the PC(USA) as “joining hands in faith and friendship”: participating in the liberating mission of Jesus Christ; relating to, with and for each other as brothers and sisters in God’s extended family; sharing worship experiences; influencing each other’s faith journey socioculturally and spiritually and by building up each other’s capacity in the mission and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
During fraternal visits, the two sister churches identify areas of collaboration, such as understanding each other’s social and cultural contexts; evangelism, education and training of church agents; scholarship for children; transportation for church agents to remote areas of the country; renovation of health facilities; and assisting in providing clean water to villages in Ghana.
The presence of Joshua Heikkila, the PC(USA) regional liaison for West Africa, provides an opportunity for a unique relationship. Joshua and visiting friends from the U.S. participate in almost all activities of the EPCG. We worship together, eat together, sing and dance together. Joshua has pastoral oversight of one of our congregations. He speaks our language. We, in turn, learn more about the U.S. and the global church.
In the faith journey of the Ghana/Lake Erie partnership, we are mutually empowered and enjoy each other’s unique hospitality. Our American friends are welcome to Ghanaian homes with generous smiles of “Mia woe zor” (welcome). This relationship continues to develop into individual and family ties. We mourn, comfort, rejoice with, support and mutually build up each other in our journey of faith and friendship.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Seth Senyo Agidi, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
Today’s Focus: Ghana/Lake Erie partnership
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Rebecca Rayner, PMA
Dreama Reams, PMA
Let us pray:
Dear God, please open our eyes to the mission fields in our neighborhoods. Help to make us bold in sharing Jesus’ love by giving our time and smiles as your missionaries. Amen.
Daily Readings
Morning Psalms 104; 149
First Reading Numbers 13:31-14:25
Second Reading Romans 3:9-20
Gospel Reading Matthew 19:1-12
Evening Psalms 138; 98
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