Going to church every Sunday was not just a tradition for Andrew’s family in Ghana, it was a guarantee of Sunday dinner. No bowl of food would be set before the child who wouldn’t attend. While at Sunday School, Andrew was taught that the only way to get to heaven and be with God was to obey the commandments and to respect your parents and be obedient to them. This teaching put fear in Andrew. For a time, he determined not to sin. Instead he slipped into it all the more.
Andrew grew frustrated and confused about his salvation. He was doing all the right things, it seemed, but he was never sure of his eternal security.
One day, his friend Benjamin invited him to worship at Emmanuel Baptist Church, pastored by missionary Dan Mapes. Believing righteous living could earn him eternal life, Andrew was delighted to go. His parents were not delighted that he was leaving the church he was born into, but Andrew became convinced of the new truths he was learning. Instead of making him fearful, this teaching generated a greater interest in the Lord.
God was drawing Andrew closer. After one Sunday service, Pastor Mapes invited Andrew and Benjamin over for a meal. Sitting around a table with the men, Dan explained the basis of salvation. The meaning of John 3:16 opened up beautifully to Andrew.
Although it still took some wrestling with doubt, Andrew eventually became a genuine child of God. Andrew says that the joy he has surpasses everything in the world. He shares this joy with others on Emmanuel Baptist’s visitation team and serves as a leader at church. Andrew is eager for others to understand what he now knows: that when they know the truth of Jesus Christ, the truth will surely make them free.