We may not all go into the nations physically, but we can push the work of missions by way of prayer, financial and logistical support, and any other means the Spirit of God may lead us.
Eugene Yakohene is a Ghanaian pioneer missionary of Pioneers Africa to the Republic of Guinea (for Pioneers Guinea). He says it grieves his heart when he sees Christians sitting in their comfort zone when there are uncharted territories and nations to be evangelized.
In an interview with this writer during a home visit (in Ghana), Brother Yakohene said the inspiration to become a missionary came to him when one day he heard the phrase “why should anybody hear the gospel more than twice when others have not heard it once.”
The son of a reverend minister and graduate in Laboratory Technology from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Eugene’s ardent desire to preach the gospel began some decades ago when he was only 10 years old. In class five, young Yakohene together with his friends formed a prayer and Bible study fellowship where they met regularly to pray and study the scriptures.
Some few months after he had graduated from the university and having finished his National Service, he set his heart towards the mission field. He arrived in Guinea in 2001 to begin work as the first missionary of Pioneers Guinea under Pioneers Africa, a mission agency under the umbrella of Pioneers International, headquartered in Florida, USA.
Recounting his first time experience in the Muslim-dominated Guinea (90% of the total population, (as at the time of this interview), Missionary Eugene says, “it is hard and sometimes frustrating, as you go miles just looking for the opportunity to preach the gospel.”
He said one day as he went out and was walking about looking for the opportunity to share the gospel, somebody called him and whispered to him, “Look, everybody you meet here is a Muslim.” And truly with time he got to know that people in that country really did not understand the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. “You have to do a lot of apologetics because they would not buy the idea of the Trinity (God-the Father, God-the Son and God-the Holy Spirit): they say Christians are worshipping three gods”, he said.
In spite of the challenges of missions however, Eugene believes that the greatest source of joy and fulfillment in life is to see the gospel preached in the uttermost parts of the world- to bring life to the souls who die daily without Christ. He decried the trend whereby many preachers are concentrating in some particular urban centers whilst other parts of the world remain un-evangelized.
“I believe the message of the gospel is the best news anybody can ever receive in his or her life time. Preaching the gospel to those who have not heard it for once should, for every Christian be paramount among all other duties: millions of people die every year without them ever having the opportunity to hear the gospel,” he noted.
The Ghanaian missionary maintained that his desire was to, not only preach but also raise disciples from among the indigenous people of Guinea, as in line with the mission of Pioneers Africa. He thus works in collaboration with some other locally-based international churches, other Christian agencies and volunteers to embark on short term evangelistic outreach and discipleship programs.
He was grateful in this regard, to the Church of Pentecost mission in Guinea who received him on his arrival, in particularly, among others who continued to be a source of encouragement in his effort.
Testimonies from the students (volunteers), according to the missionary, include but not only, the fact that they never thought they could preach the gospel to other people. Thus, to them it had been an exciting experience going on out with the missionary to minister the gospel. They collaborate with the Bible Society of Guinea, to among other things, hold Bible Exposition Week on the university campuses.
Brother Eugene is married to Djenabou, a Guinean and former Muslim who got born-again into the Church of Pentecost. And they have two children: Gideon and Susan. Together they operate a home cell, which is making a great impact (as other Christians are being challenged to do the same).
Reiterating his call for support for missions, the missionary says “Poverty does not do missions; Missions is very expense. It should not be left to a few people called missionaries; it is a call for all of us, and I’m calling on all who have received Christ by grace to support the work of missions- through prayer and financial wise.”
The Pioneers team in Guinea currently has the Yakohenes and the Blessings (from Pioneers USA) serving full time as missionaries. He said the low level economic development in the country poses great challenge to the work of the gospel, as he needs to travel always from one town to another without adequate logistical support.
Pioneers Africa, which was founded by Rev. Dr. Solomon Aryeetey, a Ghanaian, and his wife, Madam Leticia, currently has stations in Gabon, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Mauritania.
Website: www.piafrica.org. Blogsite: www.piguinea.org/mu/yakohene
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
© 2008 ASSIST News Service, used with permission
