Bishop Festus Yeboah Asuamah is a member of the Gafcon Church Planting Network and from 5th – 7th December led a church planting conference with 39 members of his diocese on the theme of Psalm 126:5:
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
Each member was given an evangelism kit with training on how to show the Jesus Film, which can be shown in different languages.
Bishop Festus explained church planting focusing on four key elements: Church planting is joining in God’s mission and that Church planting is a process to establish a new congregation. That church development is putting in new strategies to improve the existing church. The background and history of church planting, how Christianity spread to the other parts of the world, and evangelistic courses including Alpha and Christianity Explored.
Bishop Festus also led a session specifically on Gafcon, when Gafcon started, why it was formed, the Jerusalem Declaration and its ten global networks.
The focus was on the diocese of Sunyani including the vision and mission of the diocese, the 2020 – 2025 strategic plan and the following motto:
“In God’s way and power.”
The following 4 core values of the diocese were agreed:
1. Servant leadership
2. Unity in diversity
3. Commitment and integrity
4. Innovation and creativity
Evangelist Henry Omane Donkor from the Great Commission Movement of Ghana spoke on how to follow up with new believers and discipleship. He stressed that Jesus’ words “go and make disciples” is a command because disciples are made, not born. Follow-up is done intentionally, prayerfully and purposefully. It is a process rather than an event.