After 11 incredible years of ministry in Texas, the Consford family is heading back to the place that has always held their hearts—Ghana, West Africa. Our story isn’t just about a move across continents; it’s a revival of a mission, a return to the calling God placed on our lives decades ago. We’re thrilled to share the journey with you and invite you to walk alongside us as we return as Baptist missionaries in Africa.
From Texas to Africa—Again!
In 2001, we began our missionary journey in the Ivory Coast and later in Ghana. For 13 years, our family served faithfully, preaching the Gospel, planting churches, training national pastors, and discipling new believers. But in 2014, God brought us back to the U.S., where we continued ministry at Central Baptist Church in Center, Texas (our amazing home church—centralbccenter.com).
Now, after more than a decade of stateside service, the Lord has made it clear: it’s time to go back.
Why Africa? Why Now?
Africa isn’t just a place on the map for us. It’s home. Ghana the place where our kids grew up speaking Fante. It’s where we saw souls saved, churches established, and lives transformed by the Gospel.
In Ghana today, the need is still urgent. While many people are religious, most do not truly understand salvation by grace through faith. The field is ripe, and the laborers are few.
We believe God has uniquely equipped us—through years of language learning, cultural experience, and ministry training—to make an eternal difference as Baptist missionaries in Africa.
What Will We Be Doing in Ghana?
We’re not starting from scratch. We’re partnering with our longtime friend and co-laborer James Ruckman and the team at Hope of Africa Baptist Mission. Here’s what our work will look like on the ground:
- Church Planting: Starting new independent Baptist churches in underserved regions
- Bible Institute: Training national pastors and church leaders with solid doctrine
- School Ministry: Supporting Christian education through school outreach and mentorship
- Evangelism: Door-to-door, open-air, and tract-based Gospel outreach
- Discipleship: Building strong believers who can, in turn, teach others also
Our hearts are full, our hands are ready, and our calendars are already filling up with deputation meetings as we raise support to return.
Yes, It Takes a Team
Being missionaries doesn’t mean we’re solo heroes. We need a team—and that’s where you come in.
One way we’re raising funds is through our family businesses. HOTS Coffee, located in San Augustine, TX, is more than just a great coffee shop with loaded teas and snow cones—it’s a mission-supporting machine. Stop by or check us out at hardwareonthesquare.com to see how your morning coffee can help carry the Gospel to Ghana.
Another way we’re creatively funding the mission is through Bland Lake Hideaway—a peaceful lakeside cabin retreat in East Texas. Guests enjoy nature, rest, and family time, and proceeds go directly toward our return to Africa. Find out more at blandlakehideaway.com.
So whether you sip, stay, or support—you’re a part of this mission.
Meet the Family Behind the Mission
We’re the Consfords—Joseph and Laura, with our three amazing kids: Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie. Each one of us is diving in with all we’ve got.
- Joseph (that’s me!) will be doing the bulk of the preaching, teaching, and outreach.
- Laura brings a wealth of knowledge from years in Christian education and will help with school ministries and women’s discipleship.
- Gilbert is in Bible college, studying missions with plans to join us after graduation.
- Danny is pursuing medical training, preparing to help meet physical and spiritual needs on the field.
- Bonnie is finishing high school and is excited to spend a gap year in Ghana before college.
We’re not just going back as individuals—we’re going back as a family of Baptist missionaries in Africa.
How You Can Get Involved
We’d love to invite you to be part of our mission. Here are a few ways to jump in:
- Invite us to your church: We’re currently booking meetings and would be thrilled to share our vision.
- Join our prayer team: Sign up for our updates and pray specifically for our needs and victories.
- Support financially: Monthly or one-time gifts make this mission possible.
- Visit us online: Learn more at consfords.com and watch our video introduction.
This Isn’t Goodbye—It’s Go Time!
Leaving Texas again isn’t easy. We’ve made lifelong friends, enjoyed meaningful ministry, and seen God work in powerful ways here. But the call to Ghana is louder, clearer, and stronger than ever.
It’s not about leaving—it’s about going. And we’re going with joy, with faith, and with YOU alongside us.
Whether you’re sipping HOTS Coffee, booking a weekend at Bland Lake Hideaway, or praying over our latest update—you are part of something eternal. Thank you for being a part of this journey.
We are the Consfords, and by God’s grace, we are returning as Baptist missionaries in Africa. Let’s reach Ghana—together.