Dear Friends of ACTS,
Peace to you! While 2020 was a year characterized by a global pandemic, we look forward to 2021 as the vaccine is steadily increasing in supply and life continues to recover towards a more normal state. Having been through this pandemic and experiencing such a dramatic turn of events, we have unexpectedly entered a “New Normal” way of life.
Following population statistics, along with the high reproduction rate in West Africa, it is estimated that by 2050 half of the world’s younger generation will be in Africa. In recent years, many hi-tech companies have been expanding into Africa as well.
In fact, our mission work in Africa has heavily focused on the younger generation. Since 2008, Pastor James Wang has worked alongside four West Africa youth pastors to establish the River of Life Youth movement and every year they have hosted a combined youth conference. However, due to COVID-19, this conference had to be cancelled last year.
Sadly, the youth were not able to connect and gather together as they would in the past. On top of this, due to the limitations in available technology, they were not able to hold online meetings; therefore, youth were unable to experience the same level of spiritual nourishment. Sensing the dire situation, Pastor James and the West Africa pastoral team established an online media ministry to serve the youth. They hope to continue to serve the youth and see them grow in their passion and faith as the world enters a New Normal.
In the past year, ACTS Togo training center was forced to comply with safety measures and put classes on hold. Classes have since resumed, and new safety measures have been implemented. Besides new required sanitary measures, class sizes were cut in half to maintain safe social distancing. The administrative costs have also increased as a result of these requirements.
Regardless of all the pain and troubles that came as a result of COVID, the pandemic cannot stop God from accomplishing His will. ACTS Ghana started to enroll new students this past year while under the grips of the pandemic; however, due to the resulting economic hardships, the tuition costs were lowered significantly with the hope that students eager to be equipped would not be limited by their economic situation. In the past year, 25 students finished their courses, and the new school year already started on January 18 of this year.
Seeing this New Normal on the horizon, ACTS reopened and has set up computerized, digital designing and multimedia related learnings in hope that students will be well-prepared to meet the demands of the marketplace. Not only is the goal for them to find jobs, but also to be market leaders in this new wave of web-based work. Thus far, the ACTS Togo graduates include those working in computer equipment management, media stations, and a few entrepreneurs who started their own media companies and achieved their dreams! We are excited for ACTS graduates who have been able to become self-sufficient and also continue to work hard at our goal of expanding ACTS to other countries in Africa to help the next generation become successful in their pursuits.
We sincerely invite you to continue to walk with us in Prayers and Donations, Forward! Africa, Forward Love! Support ACTS
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