Spiritual Family: What Ghana Taught Me About True Kinship

I remember the first time I truly understood what the Bible means by ‘brethren.’ We were in a small village outside Kumasi, Ghana, trying to set up a new preaching point. Our truck had broken down, and a torrential downpour had turned the dirt road into a river. My wife Laura and I were soaked, tired, and honestly, a little discouraged. Then, out of the driving rain, came a group of believers from the next village over, carrying tools and food, singing praises to God as they walked. They weren’t blood relatives, but in that moment, they were absolutely our family, proving that a spiritual family is more than biological ties could ever be. You can read more stories like this on our Consford’s blog.

That day, watching those men and women work tirelessly to help us, I realized something profound. Family isn’t just about who shares your last name or your DNA. It’s about who shares your burden, your joy, and your faith. It’s about the people God puts in your life to walk alongside you, especially when the road gets muddy.

Finding My True Family in the Ghana Church

When you move across the world to plant churches, you leave behind everything familiar. Your extended family, your childhood friends, the comfort of your home culture – it all stays behind. Laura and I knew this going in, but knowing it and living it are two different things. There are times, especially early on, when the loneliness can feel like another kind of spiritual battle.

However, God is faithful to fill that void. He brings new family into your life, often in unexpected forms. For us, that family grew out of the churches we were planting. We saw people come to Christ, get baptized, and then, together, we learned to live out the Christian life in a way that truly bound us together.

These folks became our confidantes, our prayer warriors, and our support system. They were the ones who showed up when we were sick, helped us navigate cultural misunderstandings, and celebrated every small victory with genuine joy. They taught us what it meant to have a spiritual family more than biological connections could offer.

The Bond Forged in Shared Purpose

The mission field clarifies things quickly. It removes the padding. There are no stage lights and no weekly affirmation that you are doing well. Only the work remains. I study again. I visit again. I preach again. I forgive again. I trust God again. The mission field does not reward drama. It rewards endurance.

This shared purpose of spreading the Gospel is a a powerful adhesive. When you are all striving for the same goal, facing the same spiritual opposition, and rejoicing in the same conversions, a unique bond forms. It’s a bond that transcends culture, language, and background. We have seen this happen time and again in Ghana.

We’ve spent countless hours in Bible studies, outreach efforts, and building projects with our Ghanaian brothers and sisters. These shared experiences, sometimes difficult, sometimes exhilarating, have woven our lives together. We learned to rely on each other in ways we never had to back home.

Language, Culture, and the Love of God

Learning a new language like Twi was a humbling experience, let me tell you. I thought I was pretty good at picking things up, but communicating the deep truths of the gospel, and even just simple jokes, takes real effort. There were plenty of times I said the wrong thing or completely misunderstood a local custom. That went about as well as you would expect.

Despite the communication hurdles, the love of God always found a way. Our Ghanaian church members showed us patience and grace, laughing with us when we stumbled and gently correcting us when needed. They taught us the nuances of their culture, helping us understand the unspoken rules and traditions that shape daily life.

This mutual learning process built trust. It showed us that we were all trying our best, relying on God’s grace to bridge the gaps. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). This verse isn’t just a suggestion; it’s the very foundation of how we became family.

“More than 3.2 billion people today have little to no access to the Gospel, meaning they live among people of the same religion and ethnicity with limited or no access to evangelistic efforts.”
International Mission Board

When Needs Become Opportunities for Kinship

Back home in the States, problems often get fixed through systems: forms, policies, and departments. But in Africa, systems do not run things; relationships do. When something breaks down, whether it is a vehicle, a water pump, or a relationship, you don’t just call a number. You go to a person.

This reality meant that our needs, and the needs of our church folks, often became shared burdens. When our vehicle needed repair, a brother from the church would know a mechanic and help us negotiate the price. When a sister needed help with school fees for her children, the church family would pool resources. This constant reliance on one another for practical needs cemented our spiritual family more than biological connections ever could.

You see, it’s easy to be “family” when everything is going well. The true test comes when things are hard. It’s in those moments of vulnerability and shared struggle that the deepest bonds are forged. This is what makes the church in Ghana so special to us, and why we encourage others to learn more about missions through resources like the International Mission Board.

We have seen God provide for us through His people countless times. Whether it was someone bringing us a bucket of fresh mangoes or staying up all night with us when one of our kids was sick, these acts of kindness were not just neighborly gestures. They were expressions of true familial love, demonstrating that a spiritual family is more than biological ties.

What It Means to Be a Spiritual Family More Than Biological

The Bible is clear about the family of God. We are “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). This isn’t just flowery language. It’s a profound truth about our identity in Christ. When you get saved, you don’t just join a club; you join a family. And this family has brothers and sisters all over the world.

In Ghana, this truth became tangible. We saw people from different tribes, different backgrounds, and different walks of life united by one Spirit, serving one Lord. They lived out what it meant to be a spiritual family more than biological. We learned that the church isn’t a building or a program. It’s a living, breathing organism made up of people who love God and love each other.

This understanding has changed how I view my own life and ministry. It’s not just about preaching sermons or baptizing converts. It’s about building relationships, fostering community, and being a part of God’s global family. My wife Laura and I have poured our lives into this work, and in return, God has blessed us with a family far larger and richer than we could have ever imagined.

If you’ve ever wondered about the depth of Christian fellowship, or what it means to truly belong, look no further than the global church. It’s a place where strangers become family, and where the love of Christ binds hearts together. You can learn more about our journey and the lessons we’ve learned on the field by visiting our About Us page or connecting with us directly through our contact page.

The lessons I learned building a spiritual family in Ghana apply to every believer, everywhere. We all need that deep, Christ-centered connection. It’s a powerful witness to the world, and it’s a source of strength that will carry you through any trial. Keep seeking those connections. Invest in your church family. You won’t regret it. If you want to dive deeper into our mission and the stories from Ghana, I encourage you to check out more articles and resources on our Consford’s blog.

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