GC Session 2015 - West-Central Africa Division Report

(Rosa T. Banks)
Brothers and sisters in Christ,

it is my privilege, once again,

to make introductory remarks
prior to the presentation

of one of tonight's Division reports,

the West-Central Africa Division,

which I, myself, call home,

because within this vast territory

is the country from whence
my ancestors came.

From Mauritania in the north-west,

to the Republic of Congo to the south

and Chad in the north-east

and 19 other countries in between,
is the West-Central Africa Division,

comprised of 22 countries.

Its headquarters is in Abidjan,
Côte d’Ivoire,

known in English as the Ivory Coast.

The territory of WAD, as the Division

is affectionately called, has a population

of about 300 million people,

which is about 30 million more people

than we have residing
in the United States of America.

The church membership
is just over 800,000.

For the past ten years,
it has been my privilege

to serve as General Conference
Secretariat Liaison

to this great division of the
General Conference,

and during this time,

I have seen much of the development

that you will see in the report tonight.

The dynamic President of the West-Central
Africa Division, during this period,

is the gentleman standing on the platform
behind me tonight, Dr. Gilbert Wari.

Prior to serving as president,

he was the executive secretary
of the division.

Dr. Wari is a native of
West-Central Africa himself,

hailing from the country of Cameroon.

He is an evangelist, a preacher,

a teacher, a scholar, having an earned
doctorate degree.

He is married to Josephine Wari.

Let's welcome her - Josephine,
wave so they can see you.

(applause)

(Rosa Banks) They are the proud
parents of three young adults.

He is also joined, on the platform,

by the executive secretary
of the division,

Dr. Onaolapo Ajibade,
whose wife, Tawu, is by his side.

Will you wave?

(applause)

(Rosa Banks) And the last, but by
no means least, is the treasurer

and chief financial officer
of the division, Emmanuel Manu

and his wife Elizabeth.

(applause)

Let us now welcome Dr Gilbert Wari,
as he comes forward

to share with us the report of the
West-Central Africa Division.

Doctor Wari.

(applause)

(Dr Gilbert Wari)
Good evening, everybody.

We want to greet you from the West-Central
Africa Division, we have come.

Let the people from West-Central Africa
Division come and join us on this stage.

(applause)

(applause)

♪ music, birds chirping ♪

♪ child singing ♪

♪ drums, music ♪

(Narrator) I'd like to invite you to visit
the West-Central Africa Division,

and learn more about some
of our countries, institutions,

schools and much more.

Our people and our hope.

♪ music and drums ♪

(Narrator) If you live in a free country
or continent, you may not have

any idea of what it's like to fight
for survival on a daily basis,

just because you are a Christian,

but this is one of the challenges
we face here.

In this quinquennium, we have faced
serious battles with Ebola,

Boko Haram attacks, war, anger,
and political instability.

We are not a closed group
of Seventh-day Adventists.

Anyone can come to us, if they need help,

food, emotional comfort, or even
if they need a simple hug.

These are people who are in need of hope,

especially when you have to fight against
your own family and community

to survive serving the Lord.

(Mohamed) When Muslim citizens
come into the community,

in which I live, they don't want the work
of God to carry on there.

They always try to stone the gathering.

And then they will all run away and
then the crusade will not take place,

for the Muslims to be saved
and then become Christian.

So I started destroying the Bible, when
I got to the gospel according to John.

So when I started reading the gospel,
and it was stated in the gospel that,

"In the beginning was the word, and the
word was with God, and the word was God,"

that particular portion of the Bible
was very, very interesting.

I started reading, something told me
to read that particular verse, so I read

the whole book of John, the gospel,
and that is where I was arrested by it.

♪ music and drums ♪

(Narrator) But why talk
about sad situations.

Why talk about problems?

Where the majority saw darkness,
we saw light - a bright light,

shining through the way,

a lamp to our feet, based on God's Word.

The harsh environment could not stop

the initiatives that took place once the
theme "Revival and Reformation"

became our main thought, five years ago.

Many people, from far and near,

joined efforts to promote our faith,

the true message, and to improve
the mission field for God's work.

♪ music and drums ♪

(Narrator) Since then, we've been able
to witness God's wonders.

In the beginning, we had 6 unions,
and now we have 10;

we had 39 local fields,
but today we have 66.

With new headquarters,
we are able to reach more people

and give special attention to the members,

especially to those in the most need,

like this church, tailored
for the Deaf-mute members.

(Interpreter for Deaf Narrator) It is not
easy for us, even understanding things

taught in the hearing church.

And so now we thank God, that we,
Deaf people, can also worship God

on every Sabbath.

(Narrator) In order for our stats
and records to be more accurate,

a membership audit is constantly
being carried out.

Today, we have more than 600,000
members in almost 4,000 churches.

These people also have different
lifestyles.

They live in small groups, and strengthen
each other in love and knowledge.

This knowledge is shared through preaching

and also through different pathways,

like the one that crossed Fred's way,
at a football stadium's gate.

(Fred Djan) He was holding
some pamphlets, some books.

So he came to me, and he greeted me,

and then he asked me if I would
like to take one.

I said, "Okay."

The book was The Great Hope.

(Narrator) He also accepted
an invitation to visit a church.

(Fred Djan) We went to the Bible
to see what the man was telling us,

because we, every quotation that he said,
we put it down, so that when we came home

we went through it and we saw that "Yep."

So my wife told me she thinks this is
the right way, for the remnant church.

We can not all be pastors, we can not all
be evangelists, but through that,

you can win a soul for Christ.

(Narrator) Our territory speaks
several dialects

and has at least four main languages,

such as English, French,
Portuguese and Spanish,

thus having material printed
in all languages is a big challenge

and creates logistical issues.

We have two publishing houses,
one in Accra, printing English materials,

and one in Yaoundé, printing in French.

And despite not having many resources
we keep moving forward,

doing our best to reach everyone,

and setting this ideal
in our members' hearts.

This is what happened to Brother Bediako,

who enjoyed each opportunity
to share the message.

(Yew Bediako) These days, when you
preach the Word, people do not believe.

But when they read it for themselves,
they become convinced.

Most people do not want to buy
these messages,

but when you give them free,
they gladly accept and read them.

(Narrator) Bediako doesn't know
how to read, but he asks his friends

and sons to read the magazine to him,

so he can familiarize himself
with the material,

and get an idea of who could
benefit more from the subject.

♪ singing ♪

(Narrator) Here in the West-Central
Africa Division, we comunicate

our message in print, but we also have
our video messages.

This quinquennium was remarkable
because of many investments,

including one to our Media Center,

which now produces outstanding
TV shows, musicals and content

for Hope Channel TV.

In Babcock University, an evangelistic
channel spreads the message

from a simple house
to thousands of houses.

For safety reasons, it is not possible
to be present in certain areas.

The three angels' message
reaches these areas, anyway,

thanks to our TV signal.

The message is not transmitted
just via television.

The radio is also important, and when
voice travels through the radio waves,

it touches hearts and changes lives.

Only when we are in heaven will we be
able to understand how hard

the Holy Spirit has worked for us,
through us.

(Sidonie Alima) I listened
to the prayer on air.

That very evening, the presenter,
Abraham Bakari,

was praying for people who had problems
in finding good sleep and peaceful nights.

I was captivated.

I was wondering how did the person
know my problem - he was referring to me.

I did not sleep for more than 20 years.

My husband died twenty years ago.

Since that moment, my nights
had become a terrible hell.

I tried sedatives of all kinds,
but still the problem remained.

I tried alcohol and liquors,
but still I could not sleep.

The night was such a big suffering for me.

(Radio announcer) O Lord,
our kind and merciful God,

we praise You for allowing us to come
together and listen to this program,

as we pray for each one of Your children.

(Narrator) It was this very prayer
that kept our sister

from taking her own life.

She discovered a new purpose for living.

(Sidonie) I think I have made
an encounter with Lord Jesus.

I have met Jesus, the Master of my life.

(Narrator) If saving one life makes a
difference, imagine being able to change

hundreds of thousands of them.

It's happening right now, via education.

♪ children singing ♪

(Narrator) Our mission is a big challenge.

Five years ago, we only had three
universities in three countries.

Now we have six universities
and 954 schools,

teaching over 246,000 students.

Without these schools,
many of these students

would never have learned about Jesus.

(James Makinde) Babcock University

currently is the largest
Adventist university

in the whole world, with about
9,500 undergraduates

and about 1,500 post graduates.

That makes almost 11,000,

and then the secondary school
is about another 1,500.

And then we have the elementary school,
which is about 500.

On this campus, at any point in time,
we have, the daytime population,

we say, is about 15,000 people,

that actually come to the campus,
every day.

And of those, 95% of them live on campus.

(Narrator) Our Universities are big,
but they are also simple.

Our schools are huge,
but they are humble ones.

With Maranatha's support,
we are growing in this area,

providing a high quality education
and enhancing our structure.

As a result, we have more students
in recognition from the authorities.

But above all, we have the certainty
that we are touching

the most valuable subject: lives.

Because of our work and beliefs, the
process of being close to the government

has been very successful.

Since 2013, our headquarters
in Ivory Coast were recognized

as a diplomatic entity.

We have received help with visas and
diplomatic issues - an obvious advantage

for a place like ours.

And because we are dealing
with religious extremism

on the continent, we promoted a Pan Africa
Congress of Religious Liberty in Cameroon,

with personalities, well known in
Africa and over the world,

including Presidents and Prime Ministers.

It is time to show the Kingdom we
represent, a Kingdom of love,

peace, and justice,

not because we will receive a blessing,
but because He has already blessed us.

We're working by a living hope
that moves us through the fire,

and our fidelity has been rewarded.

If numbers are needed to prove that,
we have them.

For a long time, the division has depended
on external appropriations,

but we've made a firm commitment
to break that habit.

We set a goal to achieve self-support
in our finances.

We started the quinquennium at 61%,
and the self-support has risen

to 150% in 2015.

Monetary gifts given in faith
thus return to increase our faith.

These monetary gifts are available
to apply in evangelism and reach people

like Akey Yao, who suffered
his entire life

under Animism slavery, and became free,

redeemed by Christ.

(Akey Yao) Before coming to Jesus,

I was an Animist and idol worshiper.

I used to make sacrifices
under Baobab trees.

Charlatans did a lot of rituals with us.

If we wanted to be successful,
we used to go to one of them,

who was telling us the kind
of sacrifices to make.

In case of an illness, the same charlatan
was asking us to bring chickens

for sacrifice.

Besides that, I used to drink alcoholic
drinks and have affairs with women.

At that time, I thought that
was a good way of living.

That was, before coming to Jesus.

(Narrator) People like Akey Yao receive
constant training to improve their skills

and better serve God.

The investments are made to save money.

A portion of it was used to build
a completely refurbished guesthouse

in Abidjan, fit to accommodate delegates
and workers for meetings and training,

thus saving a lot of money, which
would otherwise have been spent

in hotels.

(Narrator) Even if the future ahead
is not comfortable or safe,

we are moving forward, because we know
Who leads us.

We've had great moments to remember
this by:

a celebration, marking 125 years

of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church work in Ghana,

100 years in Nigeria, and 50 in Tongo;

presidents, authorities, pastors and
members united in celebration

for all good done for others
and all the hope we represent.

Simplicity, courage, improvement -
we have a lot of desire.

We want more for our people,
for our region, for each country.

But at this moment, we just have
a lot to be thankful for.

Every life and every step forward
is a great achievement.

We know there are richer places
and more beautiful places.

We also know that there are easier places
to work in, where people are free

to speak with no fear of persecution;
we know that.

The issue is, home is where our heart is;
God gave us this wonderful place to save.

This place is filled with joy, and nothing
will stop us from praying, preaching,

and sharing the gospel,

because we have a living hope,
telling us not to be shy or afraid.

He's coming again - just a while longer,
and He will come again.

♪ children's choir singing ♪

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) Yes, my brothers
and sisters in Christ Jesus,

the blessed hope has always characterized
the Seventh-day Adventist Church,

and from the West-Central Africa
Division, we are the people of hope.

It is all about mission.

It is about mission, because God
has called His children

to become mission-conscious,
mission-focused,

mission-driven, because the reason
for our being here is to make sure

people get to know Jesus and get ready
for His soon return.

That is why, from the West-Central Africa
Division, we came with these results,

not because we were intelligent,
not because we were strong,

but we discovered the promises
of the Lord, in His own Word.

And in taking His promises at His word,
I am taking Him at His word.

The Lord made things happen,
and because we read from the book

of Zechariah 4:6, 7, God says, "'It is not
by might, it is not by power,

but it is by My Spirit,' says the Lord
of Hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain?

You shall become a plain
before Zerubbabel.'"

In taking this promise, we said, in the
context of Revival and Reformation,

we took God at His word, we asked God
to do mission, Himself.

Because we are not to do mission,
we are to follow God in His mission.

Are you with me?

(applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) So, in taking back the
mission of the Lord to Him, God was able

to perform wonders in the West-Central
Africa Division, as you just watched,

on the screen.

Because, when you plant your eyes
in the Word of God,

since He is the same yesterday,
today and forever,

since He is the God who never changes,
when you call upon His name,

when you take Him at His word,
He makes things happen. Hallelujah!

And because of that, we were able
to discover the marvelous promises

and in calling upon His name,
He, Himself, implemented them.

You saw the finances, you saw everything.

From the Central Africa - you can see
this is the Central Africa Union -

Pastor Joseph Parfait, where are you?
Raise your hand and greet God's people,

and people from West-Central Africa.

And then, from Cameroon Union Mission,
Pastor Assembe Valere, where are you?

Greet God's people and the delegation
from Cameroon.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) From Nigeria, from
the Eastern Nigeria, Pastor Bassey,

Bassey Udoh, from Eastern Nigeria,
greet the people.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) And from, you can see
because of the segments there,

Nigeria has 3 Unions, so we come from
the Northern Nigeria Union Conference.

Pastor Bindas, could you
greet God's people?

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) And then, we move from
the North, and we will go to the West.

Nigeria has three Unions,
and from the West we have

Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi -
greet God's people, and the people

from West Nigeria Union Conference.

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) We are coming
because we have ten Unions now,

and then from the Eastern Sahel
Union Mission,

Pastor Assienin, where are you?
Greet God's people, from here, Ok.

And then from the Northern
Ghana Union Mission,

Pastor Kwanin, where are you?
Greet God's people.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) And then from the
Southern Ghana (the great Ghana)

from the Southern Ghana,

Pastor Samuel Larmie, where are you?
Greet God's people.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) And then we move
eastward and we come

to the West Africa Union Mission.

Pastor James Golay, where are you?
Greet God's people.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) The representatives of
the Sierra Leone Mission couldn't come

because of the Ebola situation,

but Liberia is here.

And then from the West Sahel Union
Mission, Pastor Guy Roger,

where are you? Greet God's people.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) Yes, we have come to
rejoice with our brothers and sisters

in the world.

We have come to sing to Your glory,
we have come because we

are the people of hope.

Let us stand, now, and sing
to the glory of Jesus.

♪ singing (Lift Up the Trumpet) ♪

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) Now...

(cheering) ♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) Now, may I
tell God's people,

the quinquennial mission is over,
and starts a new mission,

a new quinquennium.

And I want to call Pastor Elie Weick to
come forward and greet God's people

with his wife, because he is now
taking over the leadership

of the West-Central Africa Division.

Where is Mrs Weick? Let her come.

♪ drums ♪ (applause)

(Dr. Gilbert Wari) Kingsley Anonaba,
and Elder Manu and his wife, please come.

Here is the leadership of the
West-Central Africa Division,

for this coming quinquennium.

May the Lord bless each one of them.

May the Lord bless each one
of us, till we see him face to face.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord!

(applause)