One of the Diaspora Network's key values is prayer and fasting. We believe one of the most important and renewing gifts the immigrant church brings to North America is a deep commitment to prayer and fasting. We want to invite the broader Church to join in on what God is doing, and so each week as a network we pray with and for a specific group in diaspora. We often highlight a leader and church of specific diaspora group here on this blog and share how they have invited us to pray with and for them. All are invited to participate every Friday over Zoom (10-10:30 am CST). Click the link below to join us!
In honor of Black History Month, we will pray with and for an African diaspora community each week in February, thanking God for their cultural heritage and rich, diverse gifts that they bring to the church in North America. We will start by highlighting the Ghanaian diaspora! 🇬🇭
Over 235,000 Ghanaian immigrants (both first and second generation) live in the U.S., with the largest populations settled primarily in New York.
Second-generation Ghanaians (U.S.-born with at least one Ghana-born parent), represent some of the youngest second-gen populations so far in the U.S., with most being under 18 years old.
Around 2,300-2,400 Ghanaians live in the Greater Houston area, primarily in the southwest side of the city or in suburbs like Katy or Sugar Land. The Ghana Association of Houston is just one example of how Ghanaians foster unity and promote their culture in Texas.
Exact numbers for Ghanaians in the Austin community are difficult to pinpoint, but reports indicate a growing West African population in recent years (immigrants from nations like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana).
Peter White1 says this about one of the strengths of Ghanaian Pentecostals in particular: “Unlike the Western missionaries’ exclusive mission approach, Ghanaian Pentecostals approach mission in an inclusive manner. This is achieved through the emphasis on ministry of all believers. In their understanding, every believer is gifted and anointed to participate in the missio Dei according to their gifts and talents. Pentecostals’ view of missional inclusivity says that God is an extra-ordinary God Who uses ordinary believers who avails themselves to Him for extraordinary activities.”
Marian Adusei, a first generation Ghanaian immigrant and close friend of Fatima Glass (Diaspora Network’s Program Associate) shared this when asked about the gifts of her community: “Hospitality is engrained in our culture. We will always find a way to serve the Church with our talents or whatever kind of assistance we can offer.” Marian currently serves her church by helping lead worship on Sundays.
Austin churches
All Nations Church (Round Rock)
The Church of Pentecost, Austin district (The Church of Pentecost is a Ghanaian denomination)
Houston churches
Church of Pentecost- Bellaire Assembly
Pentecost International Worship Center (Church of Pentecost)
Presbyterian Church of Ghana - Houston
Prayer Points:
Gratitude: for joyful hospitality, and their collaborative and inclusive approach to serving missions & the Church
Multiplication: for the flourishing of existing Ghanaian churches in Houston & Austin, and the growth of more to come!
Next Generation: grace & boldness for younger generations as they embrace their heritage and navigate cultural differences with their parents/elders in the communities.
Mutuality: that Ghanaian congregations from different ethnic backgrounds would work together peaceably and with joy, sharing gifts and resources with one another and with non-Ghanaian churches in Austin & Houston.
Peter White, ‘Decolonising Western missionaries’ mission theology and practice in Ghanaian church history: A Pentecostal approach’, In die Skriflig 51(1), 2017, p. 5. quoted by Dr. Kwiyani: harveykwiyani.substack.com/p/101-missional-aint-the-answer
Share this post