Peter deVries Ghana, West Africa 7/4/05 - 8/4/05

I spent a month in Ghana, from July 4-August 4, 2005.  This was my third mission trip to Ghana, and I traveled alone.  I worked with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, which is a partner denomination of the PC(USA).  Fourteen hours after landing in the country I lectured at their annual pastor retreat (picture on left) on the philosophical problem of evil.

The main purpose for my trip was to teach catechists (lay church leaders somewhat similar to our commissioned lay pastors) at the EP Church Seminary in the village of Peki. (picture at top of page)  I taught two courses: "Gospel of Mark" and "From Text to Sermon," which dealt with exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics.  The courses were each the equivalent of three-credit courses taught at the university or seminary level in the US.

On the four Saturdays that I was in Ghana I led seminars on Reformed theology for elders, pastors, catechists, and other church leaders.  I presented the seminars at four different locations for the benefit of five different presbyteries (one seminar was jointly sponsored by two presbyteries).  On Sundays I led worship at different churches, including one service to consecrate a new class of presbyters for one of the EP Church's largest congregations.  I also preached and served communion at two of the Wednesday evening services at the seminary.  A church band is pictured at the right.

Peki Aventile Church

Bumper Sticker in Ghana

If you would like to read my journal, click here.

I would be very happy to speak about my trip to any interested congregation or group in the synod, and to suggest ways in which others can be directly involved in mission support with the EP Church, Ghana.

Submitted by the Rev. Peter deVries, Contact

Peter is a member of Old Union Presbyterian Church, part of Beaver-Butler Presbytery.

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