“Missions” is at the very heart of God. From the moment sin entered the world, the mission to redeem and restore began. And today, through the Church, that mission continues—one soul at a time, one village at a time, one prayer and one offering at a time.”
‘Friends of Missions’ in The Church of Pentecost (COP) a vital group of people who make Missions work possible by support missionaries and their work in diverse ways.
These are not the preachers on the crusade grounds, nor the church planters deep in the hinterlands. They may not wear clerical collars or stand behind pulpits. Yet, they are present in every soul won, every church built, and every Bible distributed. They are the silent pillars holding up the structure—bearing the weight and ensuring the work does not stop.
In November 2023, I had the honor of joining the Pentecost Youth in Missions initiative. I was deployed to Kparigu, a village in the North-East Region under the Walewale Area. Together with a few passionate young people, we ministered in this community—preaching, praying, encouraging, and supporting the work already being done there.
What I encountered during that period changed my view forever. Two truths became real to me: first, the sacrificial lifestyle of our missionaries, and second, the uncelebrated but crucial role of the Friends of Missions who support them from a distance. I realized that even though I had always believed in giving to support the Kingdom, the impact of that giving truly hit me when I stepped into the field and saw how far even the smallest monthly contribution can go.
Our missionaries have left the comfort of their homes to settle in unfamiliar lands—learning new languages, adapting to new cultures, and sometimes enduring hostility or extreme loneliness. And yet, they keep going.
‘Missions’ is beautiful, but it is not always easy. Many of our field workers face challenges that we may never fully understand unless we walk in their shoes. Here are just five among many:
- Transportation Difficulties: In some communities, the only means of movement is by motorbike, canoe, or on foot. Imagine trekking for hours just to visit a soul or reach a new village.
- Inadequate Healthcare Access: Falling sick in these areas is a serious issue. Some missionaries have to travel several kilometers just to access basic medical care.
- Feeding and Sustainability: In some places, there’s no regular market or access to common food items. Missionaries and their families sometimes have to make do with the little they have.
- Emotional and Social Isolation: Being far from family and friends takes its toll. Not every missionary gets regular visitors or emotional support.
- Lack of Ministry Tools: Simple tools like Bibles, tracts, megaphones, or sound systems are not always available. These affect outreach effectiveness.
What Friends of Missions Really Do
This is where the Friends of Missions shine—not loudly, but with steady, reliable impact. Their monthly giving:
- Motivates missionaries emotionally, reminding them that they are not forgotten.
- Lifts psychological burdens, reducing the stress of constant financial need.
- Sustains ministry logistics—from fuel to flyers, food to follow-ups.
- Promotes church planting and discipleship, because funds can support outreach beyond the first contact.
- Secures the long-term vision, helping missionaries stay and thrive instead of burning out and withdrawing.
Think of a Friend of Missions like Aaron and Hur, holding up Moses’ arms during battle (Exodus 17:12). While Moses stood visibly in leadership, it was their support that brought victory. That’s exactly what Friends of Missions do for our modern-day “Moses” on the mission field.
While in Kparigu, we visited a nearby village that had just received its first contact with the gospel through one of our pastors. They had no chapel, no chairs, not even a Bible in the local dialect—but the hunger for Christ was evident. After the service, one young man approached us and asked, “Will you come back again?” That question broke me. It wasn’t just about us returning; it was a cry for consistent spiritual nourishment.
But for a pastor to return, he needs a means of transport. He needs time and resources. And that’s where the Friends of Missions come in.
A Call to You and Me
My aim in writing this is simply to bring to light the powerful role that ‘Friends of Missions’ play and to encourage more people to rise and join this quiet but mighty force. Not everyone can go to the field—but everyone can be part of the mission.
To all current Friends of Missions, whether in Ghana or beyond, I say: God richly bless you. Your work has not gone unnoticed. “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people” (Hebrews 6:10). May the Lord make you great and reward you openly.
And to you reading this, this is your moment. The field is waiting—and your hand can be the reason someone receives Jesus.
Will you become a Friend of Missions today?
Written by ELDER BLESSING AGYEI (KUTUNSE DISTRICT, NSAWAM AREA)
