This past week I returned from Ghana and Togo, two countries along the West African coastline. After landing in Accra, and meeting Prince Paul Konu, I made my way to the bus station and rode four hours in a minivan that managed to fit 15 people plus luggage. We arrived at the Ghana/Togo border, and after going through about seven stations, I exited Ghana and walked across to Togo.

Following meetings with several Togolese partners, I led an all-day training workshop for a group of pastors on Friday, and then met with a group of 24 denominational leaders on Saturday to plan the launch of Pathways in September.

This group was deeply committed to the three year course of Pathways trainings, and enthusiastically selected a team of four to be the coordinators for Pathways. I’m encouraged by their ownership of the program and their desire to see Pathways spread up into the rural northern region which receives far fewer training opportunities.

I must share with you that on Sunday I had the highlight of my trip. As great as it was to meet with the pastors and to cast vision for Pathways, it was so much greater seeing what God did on Sunday at church. I was invited to preach at a large church in Lome, the capital of Togo. There were about 300 present, and I preached from Mark 2, the healing of the paralytic. The group was unusually engaged, shouting allelujah’s and amen’s after every sentence as I preached. I emphasized the gospel message and the forgiveness of sins Jesus pronounces upon the paralytic, offering that same forgiveness to any who would trust in Christ and receive his gift of salvation through faith. At the end, I called for those who had never believed before, but wanted to trust Christ and be forgiven for the first time to come forward, and the pastor followed up the invitation, and over 40 adults came to the front of the church. We prayed for them, angels in heaven rejoiced, and the kingdom of God expanded, all praise to God.

It is so inspiring and humbling to see God work in miraculous ways like this. I am truly blessed, and this inspires me to take every opportunity to share the gospel with any who will listen. The pastors confirmed that all these were first time decisions, and committed to disciple all of these new believers.

Praise God for new souls who belong to him, and for the joy of seeing the kingdom grow, till all the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord (Hab.2:14). Pressing on, Eric