Report from Dr. Chris Feucht - May, 2004

Our New Life missions team has just returned from Ghana and God is doing amazing things among the Lobi people of Ghana. We have the privilege of partnering with our missionaries, Keith & Debbie Jaggers and local pastors, Pastor Victor of Fountain of Life Ministries and Pastor Ben of Fountain Gate Ministries, and being a part of what God is doing among these people.

 

We arrived in Wa, Ghana (northwest corner) on Saturday night, May 22nd after 3 flights and 15 hours by bus over very bumpy roads from Accra. The next morning we attended Sunday services at Zuprii, the first church planted among the Lobi 4 years ago. It was a combined celebration of all the churches planted among the Lobi. What an awesome sight it was to see 620 people in attendance and worshipping God beneath the tree at Zuprii! I believe it was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen --- made up of first generation Lobi believers who just over 4 years ago had never heard the name of Jesus. They worship God with their whole heart and are full of child like faith.

God has already given them a heart to share their faith. The church is growing because they are telling others about Jesus. At the end of the service I had the privilege to share with them about God's heart for the lost around the world and the Great Commission. I gave an altar call for those who felt God was calling them to go to another nation or culture. I was completely blown away when almost 300 people came forward for prayer. God has placed a missionary heart in these people! After prayer Pastor Victor gave them their first instruction on sharing their faith and passed out an evangelism bracelet to each of them. Wouldn't it be awesome to see this church send out Lobi missionaries to other parts of the world in a few years.

 

The next five days we held a medical clinic at a village named Djambosee with a desire to see a fifth Lobi church planted here. From the onset the people were very open and receptive to the Gospel message. Their medical needs were great with lots of malaria, low back pain and arthritis from hard work, gastritis, abdominal parasites, dysentery, eye diseases, and skin diseases. We saw cases of TB, leprosy, and onchocerciasis (river blindness).

Through the medical clinic we saw and treated 647 people. Of those, 441 prayed to receive Jesus as their personal Savior, 20 were miraculously healed, and 10 were delivered from demonic oppression or possession. Over forty of these had never heard the name of Jesus. Every afternoon we had a time of ministering to the children of the village, sharing Bible stories and introducing them to Jesus. During children's ministry and other ministry activities throughout the week, another 230 adults and children received salvation. It was exciting to me to see how God moved upon these people, how their hearts and lives were transformed, and how easily they did receive Jesus with a very simple faith.

The Chief of Djambosee was a little concerned about our coming. Though he agreed to the medical clinic for his people he wasn't sure about us or our motives. The first day he came to clinic himself to check us out and receive treatment for his medical problems. After hearing the Story of Jesus (We use a felt cross to tell the story.), he gave his heart to Jesus and prayed the sinner's prayer. He was so happy that the next day he sent his 4 sons to the clinic where they were treated and also accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. Because he was so pleased with what was happening through the medical clinic he presented us with a thank you gift of a ram and a tub of rice. The food was then cooked and given to the people as a celebration of God's goodness.

As always we are so grateful for those who partner with us in prayer, intercession and support. We couldn’t make it without them and as a result of this prayer support a fifth church was planted among the Lobi people of Ghana at Djambosee. Pastor Charles (who is Lobi) with Fountain Gate Ministries will be the new pastor of this church. Please continue to pray for him as he disciples these new believers and grows them in the faith. Also pray for Pastor Ben, Pastor Victor and Pastors Keith and Debbie Jaggers as they assist Pastor Charles and this church. And pray that all 5 Lobi churches will continue to share their faith and grow in numbers.

 

May we continue to be a light for the nations until all have heard.