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CLIPS: Press-time reports of need, opportunity, inspiration, and praise

Sitting in the Council of Chiefs

Under the shade trees of the Kodzabi village in Ghana, missionary Dave Totman sat in between the village chief and the queen mother and was flanked by three rows of chiefs on both sides. Togbe Dzegblade IV, the village chief, had convened the meeting to form a Christian chiefs’ association, which he wants to replicate in other parts of the Volta Region as well as in Ewé-speaking Togo. He has a vision to reach other chiefs with the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to influence villages with biblical principles and open opportunities for a church-planting movement.

Twelve years ago, Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania sent a missionary apprenticeship team to Ghana to do evangelism in the village of Kodzabi. As a result of their ministry, Togbe Dzegblade IV and others were saved. Togbe was then discipled by missionary Bob Dyer, and a church plant began.  

Now, at this gathering of chiefs, Dave Totman gave a message from God’s Word, and the chiefs responded with many questions. One in particular was about how to reconcile their responsibility to carry out fetish practices and still be obedient to God. Togbe said very forcibly, “I have not poured out a ‘libation’ (a fetish practice) in twelve years. I refuse when asked and explain I am a Christian.” For two hours Dave watched how the Lord used Togbe to show what it means to be a Christian chief.

Later in the day, Dave and Togbe ate a mashed corn meal together as Togbe spoke of the potential for a Christian chiefs’ association. He said, “The chiefs are the ‘gatekeepers’ of their communities. Having an association of saved chiefs gives you contact and an open door to many villages for church planting. If they are saved, discipled, and trained, you can multiply your work.” Pray that the Lord would continue to empower Togbe Dzegblade IV to realize the vision God has given him.

New International Church in Hong Kong

Harmony Baptist Church, an intercultural congregation in Hong Kong, met on Easter Sunday 2007 for the first time. They are averaging about twenty-five people, with Filipinos, Chinese, Indonesians, a Pakistani, and several Americans attending. The rooftop of Chris and Maylin Hartwick’s apartment is currently their meeting place. Pray God would grant them wisdom in knowing how to best reach the minority groups working and living in Hong Kong.

Medical Outreach in Ukraine

God wonderfully used a medical team in April to serve over 650 patients in one week. Dr. Miriam Wheeler, writes, “It was a joy to see the Ukrainian evangelists’ love for the people they serve on a regular basis, to see patients hearing the Good News for the first time, and to see the growth of local preaching points. These clinics provide contacts with people who would never visit a preaching service.” Pray for the salvation of souls and the establishment of local churches through this compassion ministry.

God’s Provision in Colombia

The Bogota Camp and Conference Center has been greatly used of God throughout the years since construction began in 1998. God has used over 800 volunteers from over forty churches and gifts in excess of $700,000 to make this facility a reality. 

About 5,000 campers annually take advantage of the opportunity to get away from the Bogota megalopolis of ten million people to spend time at this retreat center. The center is now in its final stages of construction. Please join us in praising God for His provision! Continue to pray that God will supply the final $12,000, as well as the workers needed to complete the center.

Pray for the Home Office: Marilyn Scraver, MK Education

During the summer Candidate Seminar, Marilyn will lead a seminar on MK education and interview parents. Pray that God would give wisdom to Marilyn as she assists parents in finding the best educational options and programs for their children while they are on the foreign mission field. This is an important ministry in caring for our missionary kids and their families.

Teaching Creation in the Philippines

The inauguration of the Creation Science Training Center in Iloilo (within Doane Baptist Church) was held on May 8, 2007. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and program was held for over 100 people, and immediately after the program and feasting, a two-day Creation Science Institute took place in the new facilities. Pray that this ministry would train many people to introduce the world to our Creator and Savior.