God wanted a relationship with me, Naa. This was nothing I comprehended until after my first Navigator’s youth camp in 2015. That year, the theme was “The Word”. I only decided to go for the camp because my older sister said so. I was a shy eighteen-year-old and very anxious about meeting new people. Well, that anxiety was short-lived because of the warm welcome I received.
At the camp, I experienced nothing like I had experienced before. Though I had knowledge of who Jesus Christ was, the truth of His finished work for me had not sunk into my heart. However, as we spent time in fellowship (in bible study groups, listening to sermons, playing games, and sharing meals), I could not help but notice that this Jesus I had heard about lived in the hearts of the people I had met, and I wanted that for myself too. I resolved after the camp that I was going to pursue Jesus and accept His invitation to be His friend, and the way I was going to do this was to spend time in His Word just like I had learned at camp. One of the verses that stuck and inspired me to keep walking with Jesus was one that assured me of my salvation: 1 John 5:11-13: And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
I started my undergraduate degree later that year and was blessed to have had a great community of believers to encourage me. I fondly recall the weekly meetings with John K and the time he took to teach me as a young believer. He encouraged me to make disciples, too, and though I often felt inadequate, I saw how it helped me build conviction and experience God in different ways. I also remember the likes of Eli, Herty, Bridget, Mary, and Clara, who modeled what it meant to follow Jesus and encouraged me to do the same.
After my bachelor’s degree, I was convinced that spending one year with the Navigators as a national service person was an excellent way to invest the first year of my life after school. I spent my days with the Tettedjies being discipled by them (and this continues today) and disciplining others. I built convictions during this period. One of them was that, no matter where I am or what I do, I am first called to make disciples of all nations.
I traveled to Sweden to study a year after completing my national service, and this conviction and all the others I have built stayed with me, carrying me along life’s changing scenes. I found a Christian community here and also stayed in touch with those who took the time to disciple me. I have had to put into action the things I believe, saying no to sin in a foreign land and praying for opportunities to share Jesus with others. God is faithful; He answered a prayer I had been praying for a while: Lord, is there any young woman around me who needs to know you? Open doors of opportunity for me to share Jesus with her. When I least expected it, a work colleague told me about her journey to accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She had also been praying for someone to walk with her on this new road she found herself on. It was a miracle! We started going to church together, spending time weekly discussing scriptural truths, and growing our friendship as believers. I keep praying for her and all the other young women God has led me to. God has given me the privilege of partnering with another friend, Calvin, under the supervision of Ken Dawson to disciple some young believers at a local church in Ghana. We meet them weekly and it has been amazing to see how God is working in them. Today, two of the members of our small group have also opened their arms to other young believers, teaching them the same things they have learned along the way.
Looking back, I recognize that walking with Jesus starts with accepting His invitation. It doesn’t end there but continues with disciplining oneself to obey God. Accountability is also crucial for every believer, and we must humbly submit ourselves to the authority of mature believers. I am excited for the days ahead and look forward to a deeper relationship with God.
By: Naa Kwaamah
Naa Kwaamah is a member of the Ghana Navigators family. She serves with the Ghana Navigators, leading a bible study group targeted at discipling young people in a local church.
Beautiful. We thank God for the transformation and what he is using you to do, Naa.
As a fellow Christian, these testimonies build my faith by knowing that my works in the lord will never be in vain????. Thank you for sharing your testimony ????????
Waaaw… So inspiring. May God richly bless you and give you strength to finish well.
I am encouraged reading this! More Grace, Strength and Fresh Oil for the task ahead
This is very refreshing. God bless you Naa!
Indeed; On Christ the solid rock we stand,
All other ground is sinking sand…”
Thank you for sharing Naa. We thank God for this amazing experience you’ve enjoyed in His holy name.
May He continue multiply the fruits you bear as you remain in Him. Amen!
Thank you for sharing this piece of inspiration.
You are welcome, Thomas