Nov 19, 2025 The Story of Yendi

It’s been nearly a year now since the mission has been working to establish a church here in Yendi, Northern Ghana. But despite several earnest attempts, success remained out of reach.  

The soil seemed hard—not just physically, but spiritually. Almost 90% of this community practices ancestral or spirit worship; traditions passed down for generations. 

As you walk through the village, evidence of these beliefs is everywhere. In many homes, loved ones are buried right in the front yard—or even inside the house—so their spirits will remain close to the family.  

Under large shade trees, altars built from stones where people toss their offerings to the gods. They watch closely, believing that the way the sacrifice lands reveals whether their prayers have been heard, or their sins forgiven. 

For the mission team, reaching Yendi felt like trying to plant a seed in ground that had never been tilled.  

But now they’ve found that perfect tool to breakthrough that ground. 

Audio Bibles. 

Pastor Ezekial one of the pastors in the area shares, “We received the audio Bibles four months ago and now we have an entire church community! 

Here in Yendi we speak Konkomba, there are only 1.2 million people in the world that speak this language.”  

That’s the size of Dallas, Texas. 

“You can imagine there aren’t many Bibles written in Konkomba,” explains Pastor Ezekial. “But this audio Bible reads in Konkomba! How amazing is that? 

That’s one problem this audio Bible solves for us in the mission field- but they also solve two more challenges that we face. 

Many of these village members aren’t formally educated; reading can be extremely difficult if not nearly impossible for most. 

Now with the audio Bible reading for them, they can study the Bible on their own, they can learn the truth for themselves.  

Thirdly, these audio Bibles have been donated, that means they are free.  

Minimum wage in Ghana, which not all employers abide by, is approximately GHS 540 which equals about $50 USD per month. 

And a Bible in Ghana can range anywhere from GHS 180-500, for many people this isn’t affordable. 

But because these audio Bibles are in a language they understand, are audible, and free currently 17 people have been baptized and many more are currently in Bible studies.” 

The story of Yendi is a powerful reminder that God’s Word always finds a way. For nearly a year, every attempt to plant a church in this community seemed to fall short. Yet, through something as simple—and as miraculous—as an audio Bible, hearts have been opened and lives transformed. 

Where there was nothing, just in four short months there is now an entire church. The mission that once seemed impossible has become a testimony to the power of accessible Scripture and the generosity of those who give. In Yendi, the Word is alive—and it’s changing everything.