Each issue of THE MINISTRY gives many suggestions on the latest evangelistic equipment. Perhaps the readers of this progressive publication could for a bit of diversion push aside the advertisements on the latest projectors, films, portable tabernacles, and a multitude of other accessories, to listen to a report on the work of a pastor who invaded a village with cutlasses two feet in length.
Kotwia is a small village nestled in the forests of the ancient nation of Ashanti. In 1947, J. K. Amoah, Bible teacher in our training school at Bekwai, accompanied by students, entered the village to bring the message of salvation into the darkened heathen compounds. As a result each compound had at least one Adventist in it. Over two thirds of the village was converted.
With the passing of time some of the members fell back to their heathen ways. Their little bamboo church fell down and with it went the spirit of the members. Some time ago Pastor Amoah, with seven student evangelists, again invaded the village with burnished cutlasses (long knives used for cutting wood, trees, et cetera). During the day the pastor led the young men to the bush and cut down the bamboo. He then called the members to help carry the cut bamboo back to the village. There with the help of the students he constructed a church, sixteen by thirty-one feet. The roof was constructed of bamboo split in half and placed like corrugated tile. The floor was packed earth finished off with a red clay mixture. This type of building is well ventilated. No air conditioning is necessary. Yet it is very comfortable, protecting one from the blazing tropical sun or the torrential rains.
The days were spent in building and the nights used for evangelism. After three weeks the building was completed, a lesson was taught in practical evangelism, and the enthusiasm of the members was revived. There were also four souls won to God's fold.
Success in the Gold Coast is dependent on one tenth of 1 per cent inspiration and 99 9/10 per cent perspiration. Equipment here is very expensive and not within the reach of the evangelist's salary; thus simple means are used to reach the people. It warmed my heart to see the great enjoyment and satisfaction of the members as they met in their bamboo church. The cutlass did a work that could not be accomplished by elaborate evangelistic equipment.
