I am excited about a new opportunity the Lord has opened up for me to serve in the African nation of Ghana.

Back in March of 2016, I travelled to California to attend the Shepherds Conference, an annual gathering of thousands of pastors and church leaders. Before the conference even began, I met a man by the name of Steve Van Horn. During our brief visit, Steve shared with me about his ministry and his work in Africa and it very much resonated with me.

Steve is founder and president of International Training & Equipping Ministries (ITEM).Since 1998, Steve has been making multiple trips every year to Africa to train pastors and leaders. ITEM is now in 12 different African nations and has trained more than 7500 mostly rural pastors. These pastors have little or no access to formal training offered by seminaries and Bible Colleges, and this is where the work that ITEM does is truly invaluable. Steve has raised up a team of over 80 African national leaders who train and equip pastors year around.

If I had my way, I would have been over to Africa already. However, God’s timing is not always our timing. 2016 turned out to be a rough year for my family as I suffered through a major health scare with my heart. I am happy to report that God has restored me to full health. I feel the best I have felt in many years….praise God! As Stephane and I have prayed about this, it appears as though God is now opening this ministry door and it is time to step out in faith.

This past March, I was able to reconnect with Steve at the Shepherds Conference and learn a lot more about ITEM and even meet a few of the trainers involved (both African and US based). I also met a man by the name of Stephen Kwakye, a pastor from Ghana. Like Steve, I really connected with Stephen and our family even hosted him this past June as he spoke at our church.

I am planning a trip to Ghana this October 14-23rd to work with Stephen Kwakye, both in his church and with the various ministries he is heading up. This will afford me the chance to preach, teach, and even speak in the schools to several hundred youth. In 2020, I would like to travel back to Ghana and begin working more closely with ITEM Ministries, but that is all in the Lord’s hands.

I would covet your prayers as I embark on this exciting opportunity. The need for gospel witness in Africa (just like everywhere) is tremendous. I am attempting to raise $3000 in order to cover my expenses for this missions trip and if you are interested in knowing how you can support this work financially, please contact me at: dsteg8@gmail.com

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers, loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5