Ghana (MNN) ― School hasn't even started yet, but planning for a second annual Christmas parade in Ghana is already underway.
Oasis International's Ambrose Brennan says their evangelistic training at Oasis Training Center extends to the practicality of helping their community, even in areas like celebrations.
Last year's parade festivities in Prampram were aimed at jump-starting a community health facility. This year, it's about growing the project that started it all. "We really wanted to draw in more churches just to present a unified witness of the body of Christ to the whole community, and that's a great time that we can evangelize by passing out tracts, Gospel literature and inviting people to the different local churches. All the proceeds we raise are going towards helping finish the recovery ward of the Prampram Health Clinic."
Last years' event jump-started the clinic by a year. Brennan believes the united body of Christ is what paved the way for new outreach opportunities. "Just from last year's parade, we had different people come and say, 'Hey! Could you come and speak to my youth group? Could you come and share at my church?' It obviously has opened some doors for us. I think it would also even open doors for other pastors who get involved."
One pastor who participated last year said the parade "created a sense of awareness to the people, especially coming together as Christians with one purpose for Christ. Then we also noticed that it fostered a good spirit of unity, and they are now asking more about Christ."
