14,506 Decisions for Christ!
Team Harvest Ghana standing in front of our new Land Rover gets ready to leave for a two week project into the remote regions of the country.
Hohoe, Ghana [GEM] In what might be described as our best project to date, Harvest Ghana 2008 was a tremendous testimony to the grace and power of God! During the two week project in the Volta and Eastern Regions of Ghana our ministry team was able to participate in 69 separate venues which included school assembly programs, nightly film crusades, and our first-ever dental clinics.
Our team included both veteran and new members. In addition to our regular team members of Roy Mason, Jeff Andler, and Mark Chase, we had third-time project member, Pastor James McLean of Grace Baptist Church in Benson, NC and newcomers, videographer Andrew Poe of Apex, NC and Dr. David Ney of Davidson, NC. All the members worked remarkably well together and each contributed to the overall success of the ministry project.
Ghana Director, Rev. Sammy Lartey did an outstanding job in the preparation and implementation of the project. The incredible work in Ghana would be impossible without his tireless work. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to brother Sammy" said GEM President Dr. Roy Mason. "Our ministry would simply be a trip to Africa without the deep spiritual, physical, and logistical preparation by my dear friend Sammy," Mason continued. It should be noted that all of Rev. Lartey's financial support comes through the gifts of Global Evangelism Ministries.
 Dental Clinic reveals great needs and opportunities
As mentioned, Dr. David Ney, a dentist from Davidson, NC made his first mission trip as a part of our team. In reflecting upon the project, Dr. Ney revealed, "It is hard to describe the incredible impact this trip has had upon my life. I did not really know what to expect to accomplish but knew that God had called me to join Dr. Mason and his team in Ghana. I knew I wanted to be used of the Lord to reach people with the love of Jesus. I am not a preacher, but I know God can use us all if we allow Him to do so."
Each day, Dr. David was able to see around 40 different patients who desperately needed dental care. While extremely limited in what he was able to do (he simply extracted teeth) he was able to effectively minister to so many people and give GEM yet another platform to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each day another of our team members joined in helping Dr. Ney and also shared the gospel with the people waiting to be seen by the dentist.
GEM Evangelist Mark Chase who served as Dr. Ney's "dental assistant" several days summed up the experience. "God has caused me to do something that I would never think about doing in the US. I stood alongside this dentist, handed him his tools, cleaned instruments, and watched people who had never before seen a dentist, wait and be seen by him. Sometimes it was hard to see what he was doing, but it again gave GEM the chance to show people the love of God."
One of the highlights of the project was the opportunity for ministry partner James McLean to baptize many new believers. On Saturday morning a large crowd from a newly formed church in Peki assembled along the banks of the murky water of the Volta River where both James and Mark shared in the baptismal service. Pastor James said, "It was great to be able to join these brothers and sisters in their walk of faith. I thank God for the chance to baptize these new believers into the church of Jesus Christ."
While it is impossible for GEM to participate in the baptism of all the new believers in Ghana, we do honor the wishes of the various churches who ask to help them in this way. Always remember that the local churches in Ghana have the extreme responsibility to disciple all of these who make decisions in our various ministry venues.
Never think that the work of the ministry is confined to the small amount of time that we are on the ground in Ghana. The work of the church in Ghana continues day-by-day just as it does throughout the world. Your financial support of GEM goes to help numerous pastors and churches in Ghana on a monthly basis.
THANK GOD FOR THE BIBLES!!!
 This phrase was repeated over and over again by our friends in Ghana. Whether it was coming from the students in the schools, or the villagers during the evening crusades, when people heard the gospel message they wanted to know more about God's love for them. They asked for it and you gave it to them -- the blessed Word of God!
Because of the generous support of our friends in the US we were able to purchase and distribute bibles to each school where we conducted school ministry. In all we distributed over 15,000 pieces of literature which included whole bibles, New Testaments, Gospels of Luke and John and gospel tracts.
Your gifts enabled us to purchase and distribute over 10,000 bibles and New Testaments.
Pictured here is ministry partner Jeff Andler presenting cases of bibles to the headmaster of a large school in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Please member that our need for bible funds never ends. Each project brings the need for additional bibles and New Testaments. Your gift of 25 cents will purchase a New Testament in Ghana.
Pictured from left, David Ney, Jeff Andler, Tribal Chief, Roy Mason, Andy Poe, and James McLean.
One of the most memorable moments of the project was when the team was invited to sit with the village chief in the remote regions of Hohoe, Ghana. The Chief, who is the absolute authority in Ghana asked us to come in and talk with him and his elders. Once he had learned that GEM had brought a "medical team" into this village he was open to hear whatever else we had to say.
After meeting with him for a few moments, we presented him both the gospel and a copy of God's Word. He was very appreciative for our coming and issued this decree: "I hope and pray that every person in this village will come to Jesus Christ! He is the only hope we have."
This is the only message of Global Evangelism Ministries. Thank you for helping us bring the message of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.
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Glimpses of Ghana
GEM's new Land Rover
Preaching the Gospel is always primary!
Mark Chase as a Dental Assistant
Dr. David takes a closer look
Just another day at the office
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 Straight from my heart ...
Dr. Roy Mason, President
Global Evangelism Ministries
A trip to Ghana never ceases to amaze me. It is a marvelous testimony to the amazing power of God. All of the "little things" that have to come together to make the project successful are just overwhelming to me. I really do not think that I will ever know all that Sammy Lartey and his national team do in getting ready for our team to arrive each time. I want to express my deepest appreciation to Sammy and all of this team.
On this particular project we were blessed to have my dear friend and brother Andy Poe of Apex, NC. I have know Andy all of his life. He was a teenager in my first-church, New Hill Baptist (1980-1984). His family has always been so precious to Mary and me. I count his dad, Bobby like a "second daddy" to me. Andy is a professional videographer who has worked on several well-know movies and films. Today he serves on the staff of Explore Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
On this trip to Ghana, Andy shot hours and hours of video footage and thousands and thousands of still photographs for us and is currently working on putting videos together for our ministry. I cannot adequately express my appreciation for the outstanding work that he did for us on this project. Only time will tell the benefits of having this work done.
However the greatest thing I witnessed in regards to Andy was when he stood and clearly shared the gospel in school assembly programs in Ghana. Here stood a man whom I had seen grown from a boy in my first ministry share with passion all that Jesus had done for him and would do for others. He reminded me once again how far God has brought us all. Thank-you Andy!
On behalf of everyone connected with Global Evangelism Ministries and with my warmest personal regards I am |
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Yours, in the fulfilling of the Great Commission,
Roy Mason | |
