Capital Christian Brings Local PEACE

As the “H” initiative of our five Daring Faith goals, we’ve been actively helping take the Good News to the last 3,000 unreached tribes on earth. It’s only when partnering churches help fulfill this vision that the Great Commission can be achieved.

That’s why in 2016 Capital Christian Church (CCC) in Olympia, Washington stepped up to partner with Ghana to install the PEACE Plan. Under Senior Pastor Dave Minton, their church accepted the role to teach national church leaders PD strategies and tools to reach communities and UUPG’s.

As one of PD’s Northwest Regional Directors, Pastor Dave is no stranger to helping churches build healthy foundations for ministry. In addition to regularly hosting PD courses, his team also coaches ministry leaders in the 8-month Essentials Training Program.

This time, it wasn’t a group of US pastors they were equipping — it was an entire nation. Despite the overwhelming task, CCC knew this was what God called them to do.

Now two years later, their efforts paid off with nearly 80 Ghanaian pastors graduating from the Purpose Driven (PD) Essential Training. Held on March 16 in Greater Accra and Obuasi, the graduation ceremonies drew nearly 200 people between the two locations.

Based on the PD level of completion, the event featured a formal presentation of Level 1 certificates, medallions, and coins of accomplishment. Graduates were recognized for their commitment to adopting and implementing the PD paradigm, and completing the PD Essentials Training in their churches.

Concluding the graduation was an opportunity for pastors to immediately join a 2-day Peace Skills Training course. Based on the 12 characteristics of church health, these PD graduates are now assisting other churches in becoming Purpose Driven. Already some churches have launched a regional program to build healthy churches in a designated geographical area, while others serve as a hub for health and sanitation programs.”

Playing a major role in equipping local pastors is Danielle Payment, Global Missions Director of CCC. Under her direction, CCC leaders travel to Ghana every three months to teach two levels of PD Essentials Training. So far they have mentored eight pastors within four of the 10 regions that will host their own PD Mentoring Networks.  

“This is all definitely Holy Spirit led,” says Danielle. “It’s quite an experience to watch leaders ‘own’ the PD movement for their nation.”

For the Greater Accra region, the next step for pastors is to introduce Level 2 of Essential Training. For those from Accra, they will move toward becoming PD Trainers.

In the coming months, CCC plans to launch PD Essentials Training in the regions of Kumasi and Tamale, with additional efforts to reach every region with help from the national PD Steering Team.

“Peace Skills Training has already started in Greater Accra and Obuasi,” says Danielle. “This means they are getting equipped with tools on basic health, clean water, sanitation, human trafficking, savings groups, and more. I’ll be going back in June with our team of five Peace Skills Trainers to see Local PEACE efforts in action.”

To learn more about becoming a Purpose Driven Church, visit pd.church.