Missionary profile – Samuel Afrifa

By Mercy Kambura

Ghanaian Ashanti missionary among the Mamprusi

As a short-term missionary in northern Ghana, my heart was broken for the unbelieving nation I was reaching. I cried to God, “Lord, please send your Church here!” This became my daily plea until one day, God asked me, “How about I send YOU?” I was baffled, and it ironically took me eight more months to accept that call. I’m now serving in northern Ghana as a missionary.

Having grown up under strict Methodists, church attendance was compulsory. I gave my life to Jesus countless times, and every touching sermon drove me to answer the altar call. I didn’t enjoy church much, though, and was always very self-conscious about how others saw me. I kept my posture and attitude “honourable.”

When I was in Junior Secondary School, we were praying with friends when I finally gave my life to Christ. I got a profound joy that I couldn’t explain; I no longer cared what people thought of me when singing to God. I just wanted to make God happy.

I first heard about cross-cultural missions when I was in college. I had never been told about taking the Gospel to other people; this was my first encounter with people living and dying without Christ. I joined Excellent Youth Outreach (EYO), and we used to pray for the nations during camps and other meetings. I didn’t have a personal conviction to be a missionary myself.

I joined Operation Serve after university and signed up to do my Youth Service among an unreached people group in northern Ghana. I saw many communities without churches, lots of Islam and idol worship, and my heart was moved for them. I asked God, “So many people need salvation; what would you want me to do?”

I did more short-term mission trips to the region, and the people would ask us, “Can you bring us a church?” I went to God on their behalf and asked Him, “Lord, when are you sending the Church? You have to touch the Church. The Church must come to this place.”

I didn’t think it’d be me. But the fire in my heart started intensifying. Knowing the challenges ahead, I wanted to be 100 per cent sure that God was sending me there. I didn’t know how to hear and know that it was God and not my emotions talking.

Many people told me to get my life in order, get a job, save some money, and secure my future.

Some said, “It’s risky; how will you get a wife?” After praying and fasting, I signed up as a full-time missionary. I have been here for six years now. We have a target to share Jesus with every nation that doesn’t know Him. We show them the Jesus Film in their language and preach Christ.

We have seen people healed; the Lord is still saving people. We’re on this earth for a short while; the people who don’t know Jesus will spend eternity without God. This is urgent—put your hands to the plough and work! We must go to the unreached.

#Pray:

For the unreached dying without Christ.
For more labourers to go to the mission field.
For God’s provision and protection.