Comments on: Ghanaian Christians jailed after baptism drowning

By: Obed Anthony

Obed Anthony — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:13:54 +0000

There is a purpose why things happen the way they do. Man may see it another way because it is painful to him,but Our Father knows it all.
That incident could be god’s way of calling the Ghanian government authorities to salvation.

By: Quest For Eternal Life Proves Deadly Yet Again | AnAtheist.Net

Quest For Eternal Life Proves Deadly Yet Again | AnAtheist.Net — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:59:15 +0000

[...] NSRI and a police dive unit were continuing their search for the three. Ghanaian Christians Arrested After Baptism Drowning (Erik Tryggestad/The Christian Chronicle; July [...]

By: Erik Tryggestad

Erik Tryggestad — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:33:54 +0000

In case you haven't seen it, I have written an updated blog post about this. Thanks.

By: Steven Black

Steven Black — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:34:37 +0000

This is part of a email from Noah Mends:

Thanks be to God for the great things he has done. The late Derrick’s family was reminded the circumstances may be extremely difficult and they may have no clue why God is designing their situation the way he is, but they should remember Christ’s words in John 16:33 ‘You will have suffering in the world, be courageous. I have conquered the world.’”

After the end of the preaching the following were Baptized in the same river

The father
his mother’s sister
and a visitor.

The father was so touched by the work his son was doing for the Lord, that he promised to be closer to God then ever.

We need to continue to pray for the family and the church.

Glory be to God the Father, and His mercy.

By: Roy Davison

Roy Davison — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:45:07 +0000

A practical suggestion for anyone baptizing in dangerous waters. Tie a rope around the waist of the person doing the baptizing and another rope around the waist of the person being baptized. Each rope should be held by someone on land who is strong.
Roy Davison

By: Steven Black

Steven Black — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:59:35 +0000

Thanks Noah, I couldn’t have said it better. You hit the nail on the head. God Bless You and your family for the work your doing in Ghana

By: NOAH MENDS

NOAH MENDS — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:54:04 +0000

CHURCH MEMBERS IN GHANA REMEMBERED THE LEGACY AS THEY SHARED A MOMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE ”GREAT HERO”
HIS FUNERAL WAS A DAY WHEN .
WE USE THE DEAD OF DERICK ANYENSU TO PREACH MORE ON WATER BAPTISM FOR PEOPLE OF SSWEDRU,WHO ARE ASKING WHY ”WATER BAPTISM”?
IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN THERE TO BE HAPPY FOR WATER BAPTISM WHEN PEOPLE.
MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE GATHERED IN AND AROUND THE FUNERAL GROUND TO HEAR THE ”GOSPEL OF CHRIST”
CHRIST WARNED MEMBERS TO EXPECT DIFFICULTY.EVEN IN THE WORST OF TIMES,THEY SHOULD REMEBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND THAT ”HE WILL BE EXALTED” THAT VICTORY IS ASURED.
WHILE OBEYING GOD MAY NOT BE ALWAYS BE EASY,IT IS ETERNALLY REWARDING”

By: Ron Pottberg

Ron Pottberg — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:05:39 +0000

We also worked with a WBS campaign in that area in February of this year and baptized a number of people in that same area. As Steven mentions above, they use what they have. They have few buildings and non with an indoor baptistry as we use here in the US. So it is easy to find fault, but we have baptized in crocodile infested rivers, flooded rivers, contaminated water, and water that I would not touch. But we did it because the person so desired and the Lord so commanded. They are in His hands; as is our Brother Derrick. We are saddened by this news and our prayers are with these new converts and with the church there in Ghana.

By: Erik Tryggestad

Erik Tryggestad — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:13:19 +0000

Steven:

Appreciate the comment. Originally we received information that the drowning victim was one of the people who got baptized. I have changed the post to correct that, but I think the comments from John and Adam preceded that change. I don’t know if that changes anything for anyone, but I thought I should clarify that point.

Also, I would love to know any comments you have about Derrick (what kind of person he was, how he’ll be remembered) for the story I’m putting together now for our print edition. You can post again here or send me an e-mail. Thanks.

Also, I’m looking for a photo of Derrick if you or anyone else has one.

By: Steven Black

Steven Black — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:54:48 +0000

I was in Ghana in September with Joel Coppinger and Gary Heath and worked with Derick while in the Swedru area. This was a terrible tragedy but when someone wants to become a Christian and there is no facility available one uses the only water source there is. We baptized approximately 500 people during our campaign. Everyone was either baptized in the river or the ocean depending on our location. I think that it is important when someone realizes the need for baptism that they be baptized immediately. It is easy for us to criticize or second guess motives. However, the Ghanaians live with this situation regularly and, more importantly, their resources for baptizing is very, very limited. There was no problem with the two baptisms; the accident occured when Derick returned to the river to wash his feet. We will continue to do all we can, we have sent money, and more importantly we send prayers. I am very excited to be returning to Ghana in January with Gary when we will again be baptizing in the river by the grace of God.