In December 2013, Issah,* a missionary to Burkina Faso, reported on the ministry work being done there. Issah specifically addressed his immediate needs, highlighting the urgency of equipping leaders for the new churches in Burkina Faso, located in West Africa. He stressed that French-speaking Wesleyans were necessary for effective ministry and continued growth. By God’s perfect grace and timing, the Haitian National Church responded positively to these requests and formed a missions committee to begin a search for candidates.
The missions committee interviewed 15 possible candidates and after prayerful consideration and deliberation, three young pastors from Haiti were chosen to travel to Burkina Faso:
- Windel (pastor and law student)
- Edwige (pastor and missions student)
- Emilio (pastor and teacher)
The three men arrived in Burkina Faso on September 16 and are actively engaged in ministry.
Each of these men has seminary training and all have expressed a call to missions and a desire for work in Africa. These men are well-equipped to instruct on the Old and New Testament, homiletics, evangelism, the Wesleyan Discipline, and Wesleyan doctrine at the church plants in Burkina Faso.
Carl and Maya Gilles (missionaries to Haiti) took a strong leadership role in insuring the necessary training for these three pioneer missionaries to Africa. The Gilles’ also oversaw all preparations with respect to immunization, passports and visas. Dan Irvine (Global Partners Caribe Atlantic area director) and Joe Ocran (national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church in Ghana) were also instrumental with equipping these men through sharing personal experiences and knowledge, which is an invaluable tool while in the field!
All three of the Missionaries raised $900, which covered some of their field expenses. Most of the funds raised came directly from Wesleyan churches.
These men and those supporting them all understand a great truth: the Great Commission is not an option to be considered, but a command to be obeyed. To fulfill the Great Commission, some of us are called and must go, while others stay and support those who are called. It takes an entire support team to send just one missionary. Both financial and prayer support are essential for each missionary.
Here’s how you can pray for this team:
- Pray for the physical and spiritual safety of these men. Burkina Faso is a Muslim country and is not always open and receptive to new beliefs.
- Pray for their health as the threat of Ebola and other diseases is real.
- Pray for humility and teachable attitudes for these men as they encounter a new culture.
- Pray that the Burkina Faso Church will be positively impacted by the Haitian team and that the Church can reproduce Christ’s teachings to reach the African people for eternity.
*Last names withheld for security reasons.
