2 Pennies Constructs A City Upon A Hill In Ghana

December 18, 2014
Innocent Chia
Posted in Interviews

Following worship service on Sunday, Jim and I stood in the lobby area of the First Baptist Church of Elgin discussing the remarkable road traveled by 2 Pennies (2p) Ministry. Jim Reed, upon who was bestowed God’s revelation for the mission and vision of 2p, counted its blessings and achievements. “Can you imagine three years have gone by since we started this effort to support the poultry project,” he marveled. As soft-spoken as Jim is, the excitement is palpable in his eyes as he echoes, almost verbatim, what he had submitted in our formal interview: “We have been surprised and blessed at how God has moved through our ministry. Every step along the way, we have moved by faith, trusting that the Lord would provide EXACTLY what we need. We have found this to be the case.”

In the ensuing interview with DUNIA Magazine, Jim walks us through how God is using willing hands and faithful partners to serve communities in Bawjiase, a suburb of Accra, Ghana.

DUNIA Magazine: On the website of Two Pennies, the story is shared of its Biblical Source of Inspiration – the Widow’s mite. I get it. But please talk to us about the Kodak moment when the idea germinated in your mind and the teaching became actionable.

Jim Reed: So often we get caught up with the idea that if we had a million dollars we could do so much more… Or maybe it’s only a thousand dollars, but whatever it is, it is always more than we have. Christ’s teaching is that we have what we need RIGHT NOW to do his will. We just need to move forward in faith. When I read the widow’s story through her eyes, I realized how much faith that must have taken. What did she do when she got home? Where did she get the resources for her next meal? We don’t know. What we do know is that her gift was greater than ALL THE OTHERS (Christ’s words) because she gave out of her need. What would the world look like if we all did that?

This idea may not have been readily embraced in other churches. Why did you think it would be a perfect fit at First B?

Jim Reed: I can say that I’ve been blessed to have been a part of our church since childhood. I’ve seen the generosity of the congregation for years and understood how willing they are to help – especially when there is a “face” involved. As we saw with Workforce, when people see that other people are in need and can put names and faces to that need, they are moved to help. When it is faceless, it becomes easier to ignore. We’ve gotten to know our brothers and sisters in Ghana and have seen their need. God has put us in a unique position to help and our church has answered the call.

Pastor Greg has referred to the Orphanage the Two Pennies Ministry is undertaking in Ghana as “A City Upon a Hill” – Why is he right in that observation?

Jim Reed: The location for the Love and Care Orphanage is on a hill. Whereas most houses in Ghana are in clusters or down in valleys, the Orphanage rises above the jungle and sits well within sight of a nearby road. The children (12 at the moment) will be raised in a home that only the wealthy could dream of owning. We are excited to be able to provide them with this.

What is your best estimate of how much this has cost in terms of time and finances?

Jim Reed: A year ago we were given an anonymous donation of $100,000. By the time the final touches are added, it will cost almost this whole amount. We began this project in late February and will hopefully finish in a few weeks.

The Story of outreach is also one of personal growth, is it not? There must have been times when you questioned whether you would meet the goals set for this project; there have been times when you have wondered whether all those who are interested in travelling from First B will make it…How have those moments strengthened you?

Jim Reed: The Two Pennies Ministry has been an enormous faith builder for me. I believe the best example of how it has strengthened my faith is in this orphanage. Almost two years ago, after we’d finished building the church in a week, we began looking into building a new orphanage for the Love and Care Foundation. Our Board discussed the idea and had difficulty in coming to grips with the cost. We really didn’t have any money, but decided to proceed with the search for a site and began making plans. A couple months later we suddenly had $100,000 – no questions. A year and a half later, we are able to look back and understand that the Lord provided exactly what we needed. The Lord is looking for willing servants. This doesn’t mean we need to have a safety net in place. It doesn’t mean that we need to have enough money, or a flashy name. It doesn’t mean that we need to do a risk analysis. We just need to say YES. Each step along the way has been like that, but I can only see that when I look back. If we’d waited to say yes until we had everything organized just right, we’d have missed enormous opportunity.

What has been most surprising to you on this journey?

Jim Reed: I have been most surprised that God has used ME. For all my life, I had understood cognitively that God wants all of us to serve him. I’d even served in South America for a time. But I have been astounded that He has used me to lead people. I still tell my wife, I can’t believe that people are willing to follow me across the ocean to spread the gospel. I am humbled that God has allowed me to serve him in this way.

You now have a template for the do’s and don’ts of 2p. Are you ready to begin replicating the idea so more people in respective countries and communities can come to the saving knowledge of Christ through the services of the Two pennies Ministry? If so, what should interested parties be doing and how can they contact you?

Jim Reed: We have always said that the Two Pennies Ministry is not about Ghana. It is not about First Baptist. This is where God decided to begin our ministry and we have been blessed to have a team surround us in our vision. Anyone (or any church) interested in having a Two Pennies Branch in their church or community can send me an email ([email protected]). We have seen a tremendous amount of need and are excited to see where God leads us next. Our mission is to Reflect Christ through Love, Service and Sacrifice. For anyone who is willing to go on this faith journey with us, we’d love to partner with you.

What grade would you give yourself as a teacher in terms of assessing where you started and where the Two Pennies Ministry is as we speak?

Jim Reed: Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed 10,000 times, I have successfully found 10,000 ways that it won’t work.” If I look at my experience with the Two Pennies – then I am enormously successful! Every trip that I go on I learn a little bit more. Every decision our team makes, brings me further down the line of faithfulness. There are things that we’ve done that I would not try again, but wouldn’t take back the experiences of having done them. I am a work in progress. I am a dreamer that is blessed to be surrounded by mature believers, pragmatists and realists. God blessed me with an incredible wife, Stephanie, who helps propel this ministry along in amazing ways. It is with her that the idea was born and continues to mature. God is not finished with us yet and I can’t wait to look back in another three years.

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