The rapid growth of the West Africa region of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to provide opportunities for ministry as well as leadership and leadership.
For 10 days this month, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles served in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast. There he provided spiritual direction and training to local leaders and members. He has spoken in devotions for missionaries, youth, and young single adults. He testified of the Savior and His work.
Elder Cook was accompanied by his wife, Sister Mary Cook, and joined by Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Rosalie Ringwood, the church’s Africa Newsroom reported.
While meeting with more than 340 young missionaries at the Ghana Missionary Training Center in Accra, Ghana, on February 17, Elder Cook said that five members of the Twelve Apostles had assigned missionaries in the week prior to their visit to West Africa. This was probably the largest number of missionaries ever assigned in one day.
Elder Cook reminded missionaries in training that the Savior was establishing the Church in their hands and exhorted them to serve with all their heart, strength, mind, and strength.
On February 19, Elder Cook spoke at the Ghana Accra East, Ghana Accra North, and Ghana Accra West joint missions, addressing more than 540 junior and senior missionaries. He acknowledged the 550 baptisms received in the last month and the more than 6,000 baptisms received in the previous year in these three missions alone, centered in Accra, Ghana. He testified that missionaries are messengers of the Savior Jesus Christ and strive to bring people to Him.
Later, in Togo, Elder Cook spoke both in person and virtually with missionaries from the Benin-Cotonou Mission. This is because this mission targets two countries: Benin and Togo. Youth and young adult devotions were held in Togo and Ivory Coast, and Elders Cook and Ringwood taught Church leaders throughout the region at meetings in Nigeria and Ghana.
As previously reported in Church News, Elder Cook was also welcomed by the President of Ghana at the Presidential Palace.
Speaking to Church officials at the Accra Ghana Christiansborg Stake Center on February 17, Elder Cook encouraged them to base their goals in life on the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 27:27.
Africa Newsroom reported that Elder Cook’s ministry provided the people of West Africa with an opportunity to receive direct teaching and an outpouring of the Spirit from the Lord.
