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After the setback due to the lewd loose living by the Dutch Calvinists, as described in the devotional entitled “Voiceless Gospels”, the Protestant missionaries came into the picture.

Protestant missions was rooted in Pietism — a movement in Protestantism which aimed at the revival of devotion and practical Christianity. It was based on the Puritan legacy of putting the Bible in the centre of life, and inspired by Philipp Jakop Spener’s book Pia Desideria (Pious Desires).

The Pietistic movement sought to prove the authenticity of the Christian faith through positive deeds and exemplary life styles, including spreading the Gospel to other countries; and gave birth to the Moravian Missions, which were very zealous for missionary work.

The Pietistic thoughts and practices of the Moravians greatly influenced John Wesley, who spread Pietistic views in the English-speaking world, and had so much influence on the Wesley brothers that it culminated in the Methodist movement.

Many attempts were made by the Protestants, but the work of the Basel Missionaries — championed by Andreas Riss who arrived in Akropong-Akwapim in early 1835 – led to the first permanent and viable mission church in the Gold Coast. They however struggled to get converts. The arrival of the Moravian Brethren from Jamaica at Akropong-Akwapim and Christianborg in 1843 marked a new beginning. Their African decent made them more resilient to the tropical conditions; and they also convinced the indigenous people that Africans could become Christians. A modest Christian community had emerged by 1850, and remarkable progress had been made with the local language. Schools were established, catechist training begun, chapels were built and adults started getting baptized.  

According to Noel Smith, a former principal of the Presbyterian Training College at Akropong:    

“From the beginning the missionaries were convinced that a Christian community could only be built up in the future from among the children in the schools. Adult converts were very few and indigenous social and religious conditions were considered to be so depraved that the Mission made no attempt to work within the existing African social framework or to present the Gospel in African terms. The aim of the Mission was to build up segregated Christian groups dedicated to a completely new way of life, and it was accepted as axiomatic that such groups would emerge eventually through the education of the younger generation.”

The revival of devotion and practical Christianity, with the Bible in the centre of life; coupled with empathy, persistence and adaptation, finally rooted Christianity in the Gold Coast.

These were attributes Paul recommended to his young protégée Timothy.

READ 1 Timothy 4:12-15

”Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in WORD, in CONDUCT, in LOVE, in SPIRIT, in FAITH, in PURITY.

 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to  doctrine.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” (1 Timothy 4:12-15)

This letter of Paul the Apostle, to his young protégée stationed at the church in Ephesus was filled with practical instructions about the life of the local church; and rooted in the gospel.

By telling Timothy to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, Paul was basically telling Timothy to live what he preached!

Followers usually follow what we do, more than what we say; but find it very easy to follow what we say when we also do same.

MEMORY VERSE

“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

QUESTIONS

1. Are you having difficulties evangelizing others?
2. Why not be an example to them in word and deeds?

PRAYER TIPS

Father, please help us to be ambassadors of Christ; living the Gospel everywhere we go.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

CREDITS:

1. “HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN GHANA” By the Very Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Isaac Kpakpo Addo

URGENT CALL

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, you need to do that now!

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page. God bless you.

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission.