From Ghana with Love

Last week I was a part of a team of 4 people from Crossroads Church who traveled to Accra, Ghana to serve with the Agape House New Testament Church and the Agape Children's Home and Academy. It was a fruitful and productive trip in so many ways! Here are a few highlights...

The overall highlight of the trip wasn't any one particular ministry event or serving opportunity (although there were many of them that were fantastic). The overall highlight was our growing relationship with the ministry staff at Agape. This was the third trip for a Crossroads team and we certainly felt the blessings of growing friendships and a kindred spirit. Trust is so valuable and only gets built over time.

There are two specific areas we are focused on in Accra. The church and the children's home and school.

Agape House New Testament Church was planted in 2007 by Rev. Richard Whitcomb and his wife Donna. Rick and Donna have been faithful missionaries in Africa for more than 30 years. The church is located in an areas adjacent to the University of Ghana

and has grown to thousands in attendance each Sunday. One of the discussion I was able to have with the Pastoral team was regarding the multi-site model Crossroads has used for the last 6 years to reach more people in more communities. Agape plans on launching their first satellite campus in 2023!

In addition to reaching their own community with the Gospel Agape also provides a Pastoral Training School for 30-40 Pastors from Ghana and other African countries. After completing the two year program these Pastors will be equipped to go and plant new churches in their local communities. I had the privilege of leading several sessions with this amazing group of

men who have felt God's call on their lives. I'm sure I received more than I was able to give! It was amazing tho consider the potential impact of these faithful servants as they begin their Pastoral journey AND I was so thankful for the 20 years of ministry at Crossroads. The best is yet to come- in Ghana and in Maryland!!

The Agape Academy International and the Agape Children's Home are ministries of the Agape House Church. The Academy is an accredited K-12 school where children from the Home and the surrounding community can get a great education that opens up many opportunities for them, including going on to University either in Ghana or in the U.S. Our team was able to support and encourage the teachers and provide resources and training that will help them serve the children.

The Agape Children's Home is a residential care facility for orphaned or at risk children. The Home is exactly that... a place to call home for these beautiful kids. I've been involved with and aware of several "orphanage models" over the years and the Agape Home is one of the most unique, loving and effective I've ever seen. Some of the children are economic orphans and some are former slaves. The International Justice Mission (IJM) is currently involved in stopping the enslaving of kids on Lake Volta. IJM finds and frees children and works with the local judicial system to prosecute those responsible. Agape Children's Home is one of the great options for kids who are freed.

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