{"id":3989,"date":"2025-10-04T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/belzglobal.com\/ministry\/?p=3989"},"modified":"2025-12-23T13:01:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:01:55","slug":"word-work-in-west-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belzglobal.com\/ministry\/2025\/10\/04\/word-work-in-west-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Word Work in West Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A few days ago I returned from a very full and productive time in the west African countries of Nigeria and Liberia. I was joined by my friend and training partner Randy, and we were encouraged by the progress both groups made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Training in Nigeria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Nigeria, there was a larger group of 15 master trainers and 4 observers who participated in our Pathways workshop #2 focusing on 2 Timothy. We reinforced principles from workshop #1 and taught them new tools for understanding God’s Word, like “asking good questions” and “staying on the line.” Nigerians are much more vocal, expressive, passionate, and louder even than most other Africans, so there was a LOT of energy bouncing around the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The network in Akure, Nigeria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We stayed with coordinator Gideon on his compound where the training was held, which was very convenient. He and the group stated that they have a high level of commitment to the training, and hopefully we will witness evidence of that commitment through their participation, their practicing of the principles in their churches, their passing on the training to other preachers, and their preparation of the pre-assignment for next time. One interesting feature is that Christians are told that they must use the King James Version, since that is the only version that can truly be trusted. This creates problems since the pastors and much more their people do not understand 1611 English. We also heard that some church leaders feel threatened by their undershepherds learning things in Scripture that they do not know, and they may fire these upcoming preachers, which would be very difficult. Please keep them in your prayers, that God will grant wisdom and courage in the face of persecution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pastors preached through the book of Habakkuk in Liberia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From Nigeria, Randy and I made our way to Liberia for our final training and graduation with this network. We have been with them for three years, and the group has struggled but made undeniable progress. Each participant in the smaller group of seven preached two sermons in the book of Habakkuk. As a class we shared encouragement and also growth opportunities for the preacher. Then we had an informal graduation at the end, and the graduates spontaneously began to share testimonies of how they have been changed by Pathways. Here are their comments, as best I could capture them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n