Working Together
I began my official ministry in the Church of God as a young man in England in the 1950s…Subsequently, I was appointed a missionary and served in several positions:
• First missionary and overseer of Liberia, West Africa (1974-1982)
• National Overseer of Nigeria, West Africa (1984 – 1994)
• Superintendent of West/Central Africa (1996-2006)
As any missionary can attest, without the support and cooperation of the World Missions officials, it is almost impossible to accomplish one’s goals on the mission field. As superintendent, I had many goals. One was to obtain land for the Church of God for a West African headquarters. Another was to start an educational institution where African ministers could receive genuine theological training on the college level.
Brother Roland Vaughan, who has served many roles within World Missions, gave me the encouragement, support, and assistance to meet these goals.
I had most of the funds needed to purchase 22 acres of land that was offered to the church. Brother Vaughan (then field director) not only approved the purchase of that land in Ghana, but he also raised the balance of the funds needed. I am grateful that he saw something of the vision I had for the Church of God, and for that beautiful piece of land. He listened with interest, he agreed with the vision, and he acted upon it. Today the Church of God has an outstanding, choice piece of property in Winneba, Ghana, West Africa.
My other vision for a college was later presented to Brother Vaughan (then World Missions Director). He again listened with interest, caught the vision, and agreed with it. My wife and I raised funds, mostly in North Carolina, to begin building. However, we needed more funds and support for this huge project.
Brother Mark Abbott (then international director of the youth department) was moved by the Holy Ghost to make our needs the YWEA project for 2006. But, of course, he needed the director of World Missions to sanction and approve our project. Brother Vaughan, as director, approved it without hesitation – thereby approving and sanctioning our efforts to establish a Church of God Theological College in West Africa.
Today, the Pan African Christian University College has several buildings, about 200 students, a number of qualified faculty members, and is accredited by the government of Ghana.
Without the understanding, vision, and cooperation of Brother Roland Vaughan, we could not have done these things. Now that I am retired, I often spend time reflecting on the past, and I am grateful for the dedication, insight, wisdom, and cooperation of Brother Vaughan. It was a blessing being a colaborer in God’s vineyard with such a man of God.
Rev. Dr. Curtis Grey
Retired Missionary
Each member of the leadership team and personnel staff of World Missions care deeply about working with missionaries around the world to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. The World Missions team seeks to help in any way they can to further the call of Christ. We each have a heart for the lost and know it cannot be done alone. We must all work together to complete the Great Commission.
© 2010 Church of God World Missions
