“Missionary Training Center Dedicated in Ghana,” Ensign, Sept. 2002, 79
Missionary Training Center Dedicated in Ghana
The first missionary training center in Africa was dedicated in Ghana on 17 May. The center is the Church’s 16th and will serve missionaries called from West Africa.
Speaking at the dedication, Elder H. Bruce Stucki of the Seventy, President of the Africa West Area, quoted counsel from the Doctrine and Covenants: “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21). Then he added that the Lord has indicated the fulness of the gospel will be taught to people in their own tongue and their own language (see D&C 90:11).
Missionaries at the center will receive instruction in both English and French. Instructors will be local returned missionaries.
“The purpose of the training center is—under the influence of the Spirit and in an atmosphere of love, trust, confidence, and respect—to help missionaries draw nearer to God and begin to obtain power so that more of Heavenly Father’s children will accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, receive saving ordinances, and come unto Him,” said Stephen Merrill Hadley, president of the Ghana Missionary Training Center, in his remarks.
Also present at the dedication were Elder Stucki’s counselors, Elder H. Ross Workman and Elder R. Conrad Schultz of the Seventy; Area Authority Seventies Elder Emmanuel O. Opare Sr. and Elder Emmanuel A. Kissi; and other local Church leaders.