Ghana Campaign 2003 Reports
Ted Wheeler Reporting on the Current Efforts to Further
The Lord’s Work in Ghana, West Africa

[I thought it might be interesting for our readers to know of some of the work done during the summer months by members of the staff of the Florida School of Preaching. Bob Bauer, preacher for the Orange Street congregation in Auburndale, Florida, and teacher of the extension class that meets there, spent three weeks in Ghana with his wife, Shirley, and Jim and Janie Hall who are members at Auburndale.
      Ted and Renee Wheeler and two of their children (Trisha and Troy), along with my wife Joyce and I spent two weeks in Ghana. Ted has been added to the Board of Directors of the school and is now teaching Mission classes for the school. Following is some of his report that was sent to the States while we were in Ghana, and some of the response to our efforts. Editor]

June 21 - Sat - Arrived safely in Accra after a long and tiring journey from the States. We were able to clear immigration and collect our bags fairly quickly and were soon outside and were met by a number of brothers and sisters from Tema and Ashaiman. Thirty minutes later we were at the home of brother and sister Apeadu in Tema. A number of brethren were waiting there to greet us. By the time that we had showers and got to bed it was around 1 am.

June 22 - Sun - We worshiped with the Accra Road church of Christ. They had a special Sunday planned. After an hour of worship the entire church was planning on going house to house to do personal work. After services we returned to Ernest and Lucy’s house for lunch. Around 2:00 in the afternoon a tropical rainstorm blew in and we were stuck in the house for the rest of the day. Unfortunately due to the rain we were not able to meet with the church in Sebrepor.

June 23 - Mon - We woke early and began packing for the trip to Takoradi. We finally left the house around 10:30am. Traffic was extremely heavy both in Tema and Accra. After passing Accra the traffic was much lighter. We stopped at the fort in Elmina and took a brief tour. It is the oldest fort in sub- Saharan Africa and was a place that was used by the Portuguese and Dutch for deporting slaves to the Caribbean and South America. A very sad history. After visiting the fort we continued on to Takoradi and finally reached the home of Emmanueal and Alice Nuako around 7:00 pm. When we arrived the elders and deacons from the Kweikuma church were there to greet us. After the customary exchange of greetings we found that our hosts had prepared a nice dinner for us.

June 24 - Tue - Today was the first day of our seminar on Eschatology. About 60 men were present for the seminar. Bro. Jackie did an excellent job of presenting his lessons and answering the good questions that arose during the studies. This evening the ladies met at the Kweikuma church and we drove to the town of Beahu, where I preached. We are now on our way home.

June 30 - Mon - Today we got up and made a trip to Accra to do a little shopping. Jackie was still a bit tired from the trip back from Takoradi so he decided to stay in Tema and rest up and study. We enjoyed the day. Issac Adjei and Martin Oppong and Addo Adela accompanied us to Accra. Monday night Renee and Joyce met the ladies at Accra Road in Ashaiman. Jackie and I had a meeting with the elders at Vertical Centre to make the final preparations for the seminar on the Occult. Many of you know Dr. George Amuasi - he serves as one of the elders along with brothers Samson, Simpson and Sackey. They are all doing very well and they and the church have been working hard and made a lot of preparation toward hosting the seminar.

July 1 - Tue - Today was the first day of our seminar on the Occult in Tema. It is being hosted by the Vertical Centre church. Today was a holiday, Republic Day, so there were many in attendance - 140+. There is a lot of interest because there are a few brethren in the country who are now teaching that people are demon possessed today and claim to be able to identify such people and be able to cast out the demons. At the end of today’s session there were several questions by some who had witnessed such activities at a prayer camp. In the evening I preached at Kpone. Afterwards the church had a small fellowship for us to say good-bye and served us with ice-cold Coca-Cola. Jackie brought his laptop and we showed them the pictures that he had taken thus far in the trip. They really enjoyed seeing themselves on the screen.

July 2 - Wed - Finally have been able to get online and send an email. Sorry it has been so long. The internet access in Takoradi was very slow and I spent almost 30 minutes late one night sending the last message. We arrived back in Tema to find that most of the telephone lines were not working and when I would finally get a phone that was working I could not get a call through to the States. Today was the 2nd day of our seminar on the Occult at the Vertical Centre church in Tema. We have had brethren from about 15 congregations in attendance. Most are from the Tema and Accra areas - but some have come from as far away as the Eastern Region.

Renee and Joyce just left to teach the ladies at Kpone where brother Owusu-Ansah preaches. Jackie, Owusu and I are at George & Theresa Amuasi’s house and he will be sending this email for me later tonight. Trisha hasn’t been feeling well the last couple days - but seems to be feeling a little better this evening.

Jackie & Joyce are doing great! Around 3:00am the power went off and the fans stopped! My entire family woke up. Around 4:00am Trisha and I went outside to cool off a bit. The power finally came on just as the sun came up at 5:30 and the traditional sweeping began - Every household is swept inside and out each morning around that time. I know Bob is looking forward to this morning wake-up call.

God bless.
Ted Wheeler

***

[The ladies were well received and had more that 150 ladies in attendance in many of their evening sessions.]

***

June 28, 2003
“We have really benefitted in your in-depth studies on Eschatology. We shall be grateful if you would come here annually for such seminars. Thank you, God richly bless you.” [From Kenneth Dadzie, Minister, Kweikuma church of Christ, Takoradi, Ghana.]

***

August 19, 2003
[Dr. George Amuasi, an elder of the Vertical Centre church in Tema, writes to Ted as follows]:

“We enjoyed having you here for the seminar. Though I could not attend full time the hand outs have filled me in where I missed. Brother Stearsman is a great teacher. He made the subject so simple and straightforward. We are looking forward to more of such teachings. The leadership is using the handouts for personal studies at the moment, but we hope to also use them as teaching material for the rest of the church. Thank you very much.”

***

August 1, 2003
[Edward Owusu-Ansah wrote the following]:

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stearsman,
“My sincere greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The one who desires that our souls be with Him in heaven. I hope this finds you all well as we are here.

I am writing to thank you very much for taking time off your tight schedule to come to Ghana to encourage us and also to give us a good insight about some things taught in the Bible.

I was personally blessed to have the opportunity to study under your feet for those two weeks and for those lessons. It will help me to help others also. It is my prayer that the Almighty God continues to bless you with good health and spiritual understanding for you to study more for the benefit of His church.

Again, my wife and I are very grateful for the dresses we received from you and your wife. We thank you very much and say God bless you richly.

Our regards to every one. The church at Kpone, Haana and Dawhenya sends their warm greetings.

Yours in His service,
Edward Owusa-Ansah

***

“Thursday, July 31, 2003

“Thanks and appreciation to you and your lovely wife.

“Dear brother and sister Stearsman I want to express my thanks and appreciation to the Almighty and to you for the lovely and good fellowship you had with us during your stay in Ghana to help with the Lord’s work in Ghana. It has been my gratitude and continue to be as you left all the busy schedule you have on hand as a Director of a PREACHING SCHOOL and came down to Ghana to help us with the wonderful experience you have in the word of God.

“Brother Stearsman, the only thing I can say is that GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS TO BE ABLE TO DO BETTER TO HIS GLORY. You really mean a lot to us and we cherish all that you were able to do for us. It has really uplifted our course in the work of the Lord. We continue to pray for your upkeep in the Lord and to guide and guard you in all your deliberations to able [you] to do more to His Glory. I also extend my very much thanks and appreciation to your wonderful and loving wife who help in so many ways, in encouraging you and also taking turns to teach our women to [better enable them to] teach our women. Really, you are a source of encouragement to us and we pray that the Lord Almighty will continue to bless you all in all your endeavors.

I have known brother Ted for sometime and really enjoy being with him and you also, together with your wives who are helping tremendously in the work of the Lord. . . .”

Your brother in Christ,
Kofi Kwakye

***

“Jackie, I just received this nice email from brother Daniel Ampadu-Asiamah, director of the West Coast School of Preaching in Takoradi. Thought I would share the encouraging words with you. It is nice to know that your labors are appreciated and helpful. These are great brethren working hard for the kingdom and truth. Daniel is among the first converts back in the early 60’s. Ted”

“Brother Ted:
“This is to acknowledge receipt of and thank you for the seminar material on THE OCCULT AND DEMONS. I got it this week and glancing through it, all I said was, I wish I were there with you all to hear brother Stearsman teach those lesson. Maybe I will get the opportunity yet some day.

“The seminar at Kweikuma was great. Brother Stearsman is an excellent teacher. I sat in those sessions and it looked like I knew nothing yet concerning those lessons he taught. I thank God for him and count those blessed who get to attend his classes. It is my prayer that he will come our way again soon.

“Let me hear from you when you are able, and may God continue to smile on your good work.

DANIEL”

Gene Burgett Report

After spending much of the month of June outside the state of Florida, July provided me many opportunities to speak closer to home.

The second week of July was the beginning of a week long trip along the west coast of Florida. The Central church of Christ in Clearwater has a special series of lessons every summer during their Wednesday night Bible study. I spoke at Clearwater on July 9. My subject was the Prayer of Jabez. It is always a joy to be with the brethren at Clearwater as they have been a blessing to the Florida School of Preaching for many years. In addition to their very generous financial support, one of their elders, Gordon Methvin, is the president of the board of directors of the Florida School of Preaching. Jackie Stearsman preached at Central for many years, and their current preacher, who is also an elder, Billy Davidson, teaches the Friday morning class in Lakeland. A number of former Central members are Florida School of Preaching graduates, and they are currently serving congregations in Florida and Alabama.

July 13th I spoke during the Bible class and morning worship assembly of the church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Brother Doug English had very kindly made arrangements for me to speak. The Port Charlotte church has faithfully supported the School for many years. At the end of the Bible class session an opportunity to ask questions was provided. Despite their long association with the School, they had many questions. One of the more valuable services I provide to congregations that support our work, is an opportunity for them to have their questions answered about the activities of the School.

I encourage brethren to make use of the services the Florida School of Preaching provides. In addition to the classes taught at the main campus, we have extension classes taught in various locations throughout Florida and Georgia. We have our monthly journal, the Harvester. Our web site has much information of interest. Finally, there is the Florida School of Preaching Lectureship, which begins every year on Martin Luther King Day in January. I encourage our readers to utilize these tools.

July 20 was a very special day for me as a Burgett preached during the Sunday evening assembly of the church of Christ in Alachua. My family and I are members of the Alachua church, but it wasn’t me that preached that night. It was my twelve-year-old son Drew. He did a great job and, needless to say, Cindy and I were very proud of him.

Drew did prove to be a tough act to follow as I preached the following Sunday morning (July 27) at the Alachua church. It was also my privilege to teach a couple of classes during their Vacation Bible School that week.

My schedule of speaking engagements is often printed along with my report in the Harvesters as follows:

Aug. 17 - Dunnellon, FL
Aug. 24 - North Melbourne church of Christ, Melbourne, FL
Aug. 27 - South Florida Avenue church of Christ, Lakeland, FL
Sept. 14-17 - Gospel meeting, Liberty church of Christ, Jasper, AL
Oct. 1 - Wesconnett church of Christ, Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 10-15 - Roundhouse, Birmingham, AL
Oct. 26-29 - Gospel Meeting, Alachua, FL

Several churches have mentioned to me that they would like to give me an opportunity to speak at one of their assemblies, but they have decided to wait after viewing my schedule. I would urge any congregation that would like for me to speak for them to go ahead and contact me. I have dates available in November of this year.

You can contact me by phone (352-339-3195) or the internet (burgett@atlantic.net).