A Harvest of Faith:

Reflections on the 2025 Ghana Mission Effort Trip

From May 17th through June 1st, the Ghana Mission Effort team embarked on a powerful journey of faith, service, and fellowship. The American team included Richard and Vickie Libby, James Libby, Jarrod and Andrea Pryor, and Owen Yandell. While Owen and two local brethren focused their work in the Central Region, the rest of the team concentrated their efforts across multiple congregations and villages in the Western Region. Though often separated physically, we were united in our mission—to teach, encourage, and seek souls for the Lord.

Each member of the team poured themselves into this work. On Sundays, all three men preached at different congregations while the women gathered with the sisters to teach and encourage. Throughout the week, the team split into smaller groups to cover more ground—conducting house-to-house Bible studies, children's lessons, group classes, and personal follow-ups from previous years’ efforts.

The Fruits of the Labor

This year, to the glory of God, a total of 64 souls were baptized into the Lord’s church. Owen’s group alone reported 29 baptisms—15 men and 14 women—during their 10-day gospel campaign. Despite extreme heat, poor roads, and exhausting travel, the gospel was preached in towns, schools, marketplaces, and even roadside rest stops. In one such moment, a soul named John Amissah decided to be baptized after a study on the journey inland.

One evening, a man, we had studied with two nights before, knocked on the door, wrestling with repentance and convicted by truth. That night, he was baptized in the cold ocean under the stars. “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16, NKJV).

These moments are not about numbers—they are about souls. And this trip reminded us that the field is ripe for harvest, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2).

Reflections on Faithfulness and Planting Seeds

Richard, Vickie, James, Jarrod, and Andrea spoke to over 1,700–2,000 individuals during this short trip. Only 35 chose to obey the gospel. That’s about 1.75%—a small percentage, but each soul is priceless to God. And yet, we must ask: when was the last time we shared the gospel with even one person?

In America, we often speak to the same people on Sunday morning without planting seeds elsewhere. But in just 11 days, this team shared the gospel with more people than many Christians might in a year. Not everyone will respond immediately, but teaching isn’t about instant results—it’s about sowing seeds in truth (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Like teaching children in different learning styles, you may have to explain a passage in multiple ways. But make no mistake: while methods of explanation may vary, the message of salvation never changes. God's plan for joining His kingdom is not optional—it’s commanded (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

We’re not in the business of “getting people wet.” We’re in the work of guiding hearts to true repentance. If they haven’t turned from sin, it’s not baptism—it’s just water.

United in Purpose

We are thankful for the Lord's strength through every mile traveled and every soul encountered. As a team, we also provided help beyond the pulpit. Andrea and Vickie distributed reusable cloth napkins to women and girls in remote villages, empowering them with both hygiene and hope. We’ve gifted preachers’ wives with hand-crank sewing machines to help them mend and make clothing. Our goal is to equip these women with skills that can support their families—allowing their husbands to continue preaching full-time without the added burden of being the sole provider.

Galatians 6:10 reminds us, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” By helping meet their day-to-day needs, we free up our preachers to focus fully on their mission—spreading the Word of God.

One Body, One Family

One of the most beautiful reminders this trip offered is that we are all part of the body of Christ—whether in America or Ghana. Culture, distance, and language may differ, but our Lord is the same. We worship the same God. We live by the same Book. And we strive for the same heaven. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:20, “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.”

Let this mission trip remind us that our work doesn’t end at the water’s edge or the church building door. Souls are waiting outside your front gate, just as they are in Ghana. Will we answer the call?

To God be the glory—great things He has done.