Central and West Africa

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Today we call them “mission co-workers” instead of “missionaries” to reflect the partnership nature with which we go to share the good news. And yes, the PC(USA) is still sending out mission co-workers, fewer than we need to, but God is faithful and many are hearing God’s call. Central and West Africa has a glorious past and present of witnessing to God’s love through evangelism, education, and health ministries.

The center of gravity of Christianity in the world has shifted to the south from the north and west. There is still much work to be done. Today the PC(USA) walks alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in countries across Central and West Africa. On a recent trip I was told of missionaries from the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria who presently serve in unreached areas of Nigeria and in three surrounding countries. The PC(USA) has been asked to walk with them as they seek to build God’s kingdom. In Ghana the PC(USA) works with our Presbyterian partners as they encourage people to “go back home and tell” others of God’s faithfulness and love.

What is your calling? Are you called to support the ministry of one of our partners through prayer? Through resources? To give support to our mission co-workers in their work or upkeep? To challenge someone in your community to respond to God’s call? Or is God calling you to full-time international mission service? Even if it isn’t to Central and West Africa that you feel called, I encourage you to respond to God’s calling in your life because God is faithful and will be there with you as you step into what you have not previously done or known.

Many of the stories in this section present you with a rich history and example of God’s faithfulness from age to age. As you pray for the various church leaders, institutions, and PC(USA) mission personnel, consider how many have gone before them to build the church in this place.

—Elder Douglas M. Welch, area coordinator, Central and West Africa, Worldwide Ministries