Christian leaders from 15 different countries in West Africa came together in Accra to share and learn how they can work together to advance God's Kingdom in the region. For four days, 117 participants collaborated, educated, learned and enjoyed each other's fellowship at the first annual West Africa Transformational Development Conference, all under the leadership of the Dayo Obaweya

Messages were delivered by Dayo Obaweya, Daniel Kpowbie, David Bature, Kevin Komplelein, and Terry Dalrymple; with the focus of how to better and more purposely follow Jesus in your life and ministry.

Topics covered a wide range of emerging and compelling issues facing CHE workers in West Africa today. Mini seminars were delivered along the themes of shepherding wholistic congregations, women's health, children, economic and agricultural development, disabilities and HIV / AIDS.

Many important items were presented and discussed. Some highlights include:

"A fantastic case study was presented on work done in the Cross River State of Nigeria. A strong combination of CHE and following the Holy Spirit led to a community being transformed from a HIV/AIDS infection rate of 23% to 11% over a period of four years. The transformation of people suspicious and hostile to God to a place where people are coming to the Good News."

"A workshop was presented on oral learners. Two thirds, a full 4 billion people, are considered oral learners. Unfortunately, some 90% of all missionary work uses literate means to reach people. This means we are missing an enormous population in the sharing of the Good News. This workshop discussed ways by which the incorporation of stories instead of literate means can allow a much wider reach to other people groups. CHE is embracing this as a valuable addition to reach more people."

"The mini seminar on the disabled highlighted the biblical reminder that all are created in God's image and Jesus commands us to reach all people; adding to it some useful strategies and concepts for understanding and reaching the disabled."

These are just a few highlight of the powerful work being done and the enormous challenges being face in West Africa as presented at the conference. We encourage people to check out the full breadth of material presented, coming soon to the CHE network web page.