Leadership Conference Conakry

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On a warm Monday morning in Conakry, Guinea, the crew of the Africa Mercy set up the Winner’s Chapel auditorium for the Leadership Conference organized by Mercy Ships. On the foundation that the church is God’s agency in the community, the conference focused on church leaders and how they can affect their community. 

I was impacted several years ago by a statement from Luis Bush that “education is the last frontier in mission”.  He stressed that church growth in the developing nations was (is) going in such a fast pace that discipleship (education) become a great challenge to be conquered. This is obvious for to those working in West Africa where churches have been planted despite great challenges. 

Mercy Ships partner with the Samaritan Strategy West Africa since 2007 organizing leaders conferences. The conference in Conakry, Guinea has the goal is to bring a fresh understand of God’s purpose for his church and encouragement to the leaders in what they are already doing.
Chris Ampadu, Director of the Samaritan Strategy Ghana, the conference’s key note speaker, spoke on the theme of Hope for Africa. A native of West Africa he understands the importance of a Biblical worldview in a society where animism prevail. He pointed out the need to see the world through God’s eyes and how God blessed the continent with all kind of minerals, flora, fauna and fertile land. 

The participants had the opportunity to participate in group discussions and to share their own ideas on how the bring change to their communities. At the end of each section they shared with the Mercy Ships team how impacting the conference was for them. Over 1,300 Pastors and church leaders participated in the three days conference on 11 to 13 of September, 2012. 

The Conference provided West African Pastors and Leaders the opportunity the hear teaching and instruction by high caliper speakers. It also created a forum for discussion and processing for the new knowledge.  Mercy Ships follows the example of Jesus, our hope is that the conference participants will to embrace the challenge of bring hope for Africa themselves. 

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