November 2016 marked our church’s 10th anniversary. In 2006, the First Baptist Church of Hammond sent out a team of missionaries, under the leadership of Dr. Doug Kalapp, to start a work in Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa. Fundamental Baptist Church International was started in November 2006. In order to commemorate this occasion, our church held special services on November 12 and 13. Pictures of this special day are available at tinyurl.com/Kumasi10th.
Generations of Converts
On Saturday, the 12th, we invited our daughter churches to join us for a service including testimonies and preaching by pastors of these churches. We wanted them to realize they are a part of something great. Ten of our 38 church plants were able to be represented at this event.
• Pastor Rexford Aning was reached by our church, graduated from our Bible college in June 2012, and started a church in Fiapre in July 2013. He brought 32 folks from his church in Fiapre, as well as 11 from a brand-new work he has started in the village of Sosuano.
• Pastor Gyasi Boateng was one of the first converts baptized by our church in 2006. He graduated from our college in 2011 and now pastors a church in Asawase. Last year he won Paul Afful to Christ. Earlier this year Paul received a certificate of evangelism from our Bible college. Pastor Gyasi introduced us to Paul’s convert Kwame and Kwame’s convert Adieku, both of whom now faithfully attend Pastor Gyasi’s church!
Parade
One Sunday in January 2010, our church held its first service on our property in Bohyen, Kumasi, after parading the 1.8 miles from its original location in Bantama. That was so enjoyable to our people that we decided to parade to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Along the way, we handed out invitations to our church and sang praises to our God. I was so pleased that even our newest converts were so excited to hand out tracts to those in the community.
Honor to Whom Honor Is Due
Throughout our anniversary Sunday, we honored groups of special people.
• We recognized the more than 60 people who have been in our church for 10 years.
• Three men who were baptized in our church’s very first service are still members of our church today!
• We unveiled a plaque recognizing Dr. Kalapp and the missionary families who helped get this work started.
Thank You!
We appreciate so much the scores of churches and thousands of individuals who have given to help support our team of missionaries. Every soul saved, every life changed, and every church planted are fruit that abounds to your account. And as we begin our 2nd decade, two families plan to join us on the field next month—the Christiansens and the Halls. The Christiansens will fly into Ghana on January 26. Pray for them!
Yours for souls,
Ted Speer
Team Leader
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- Pastor Gyasi (on right) with three generations of converts
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- 60 Who Still Attend FBCI 10 Years Later