In terms of doctrinal presentations, the following were offered:
• Essentials (Rt. Rev. Peter Buss Jr.)
• Growth of the Church—How Do We Define It? (Rev. Segno-Kodjo Ayi)
• The Internal Sense and the Literal Sense—Strengths and Weaknesses (Rev.
Roger Koudou)
• Divinity in Humanity (Rev. Adu Amoako)
• The Lord Leads the Church through Charity and Good Works (Rev.
Edward Akotey)
In terms of practical learning, the Rev. David Lindrooth led a seminar
on How to Use Small Groups to Build a Healthy Growing New Church. We also
took time to hear reports of church activities in each country represented.
These in turn led to discussions about the relative scarcity of resources against
the many projects that these ministers would love to do.
The Church in West Africa has grown, in terms of clergy, from 11 priests
in 2009 to 27 ordained today and others soon to join those ranks. Imagine all
these pastors or pastors-in-training sharing ideas and renewing relationships
with one another. Imagine sessions presented in French and translated into
English, or the other way around. Imagine the support that comes from
exploring challenges and successes with others who have been there.
It is an understatement to say that the time was inspirational and fun. Our
sincere gratitude goes to the Togolese delegation which hosted the meetings,
and our support goes to all these people as they carry on the Lord’s work.
living gratefully pageant at the kainon school
Justina Wasserman, head of marketing for the Kainon School in Durban,
South Africa, wrote about a special pageant at the school is September
celebrating the theme of Living Gratefully.
“One way we experience gratitude,” she said, “is when we notice and
appreciate the many ways the Lord takes care of us and how His guidance
is most important when we are struggling or trapped, and realize we cannot
succeed on our own.”
This year’s pageant focused on the Exodus story about the Lord freeing the
Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. This is a metaphor for how He frees
us from spiritual enslavements and shows how He gradually leads us to hope
and freedom.
The Rev. Erik J. Buss, former pastor of the Westville society and a visiting
minister there earlier this year, wrote the pageant.
See photographs on page 585.
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