The fourth quarter of 2023 is marked by a distinctive focus on mission in the Adult Bible Study Guide. These Bible lessons have been meticulously crafted by the directors of the Global Mission study centers, which are integral components of Adventist Mission. It’s worth noting that Adventist Mission is the same General Conference entity responsible for producing the Mission quarterly.
A notable feature accompanying each week’s Bible study is the Story Tips sidebar, which delves into a key aspect of the mission story for that particular week.
Taking a closer look at the mission projects for this quarter, we shine the spotlight on the West-Central Africa Division. This division is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a remarkable 22 countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. This region is home to a staggering 472 million people, with an Adventist population of 889,196. This translates to an Adventist-to-population ratio of one Adventist for every 531 people.
In terms of financial support, this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will be directed towards vital mission projects in Cameroon and Ghana.
In Cameroon, the funds will be allocated to the establishment of a bilingual English/French elementary school in Bandjoun. Church leaders have emphasized the pressing need for quality education in Cameroon, particularly in the form of international schools that offer instruction in both English and French. The new school is poised to fulfill this crucial role. Isaac Yenge, the executive secretary of the Cameroon Union Mission, highlighted the value placed on Adventist education in the region during a tour of two Adventist schools in the capital, Yaoundé, each boasting an impressive enrollment of approximately 3,700 students.
The other mission project for this quarter is situated in Ghana. Here, the Seventh-day Adventist Nursing and Midwifery Training College is set to benefit from the funds, enabling its expansion with the addition of new classrooms and dormitories. Since its inception in 2015 with just 22 students, the college has experienced remarkable growth, currently accommodating 770 students. However, the demand for enrollment continues to outpace the college’s capacity. Notably, this institution serves as a true mission school, with only 30 percent of its student body identifying as Adventists. Nevertheless, each year sees several students joining the church. For detailed accounts of the experiences of three nursing students, including one affectionately known as “Madam Anatomy,” refer to pages 16, 22, and 24.
Youth & Adult Mission 2023
2023 Quarter 4: WEST-CENTRAL AFRICAN DIVISION
