Short Term Missions Changes Lives
Over the Easter season in April this year, a Short-Term Missions Team from First Alliance Church in Calgary (supporting church for our International Worker, Janice) went to Ghana. The team was comprised of people ranging in age from 24-72. Sophia, the youngest member of the team, writes the following describing her experience on the trip.
After coming back from a two-week short-term mission trip to Ghana, I was asked the same question by many people: Why did you decide to go? And I wish I had a better story to tell—one that involved hearing the voice of God or some sort of miracle—but it was way simpler than that. I wanted to see Him. I wanted to see Him beyond what I had been able to experience in my day-to-day life. I felt drawn toward Him and His heart—to seek Him more deeply.
So I’m here now to testify that His Word is still true, because I sought, and I did find:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
“Oh Sophia, but how did you find Him?”
Simple. I met His people—and His image was reflected in them...
I had the opportunity to meet the Konkomba tribes in the northern territories of Ghana. They live in very remote and underdeveloped areas, but with a joy more abundant than many people who have “everything they need.” I witnessed people with deeply rooted traditions and customs give all of that up—risking persecution—in order to follow the One we so often take for granted: Jesus.
I saw what it looks like to lay down even the little they had to live a life of full devotion and dependency on the Lord. From something as basic as food, to the rain that makes their crops grow, to the water in the wells they walk long distances to reach—everything is an act of faith and surrender.
I also got to meet those who disciple and walk alongside them. From pastors who bike for up to four hours just to reach the tribes and preach the Good News, to missionaries who give up their dreams and comfort to ensure that the Lord’s Kingdom comes and His will is done—on earth as it is in heaven.
I got to witness what the Great Commission actually looks like. The time and effort it takes to build relationships and trust, while patiently guiding people toward the Lord and the truth.
But the work isn’t done.
There are still tribes and nations who have not heard the truth.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Romans 10:14
God is still working—and He will never stop. So, my question to you, since you’ve made it this far into my letter, is this: Do you want to be a part of it? Or are you content with just watching it happen?
Sophia Slobodcicov
A STM trip to Ghana is tentatively scheduled for July 12-28, 2026. If you are interested in applying or want more information, please email us at contact@cimcanada.org
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To read our International Worker Janice’s blogs.
https://www.cimcanada.org/janice-ministry-updates
Janice and her family are currently in Canada for home assignment until early October. For those who missed Janice and Enoch’s sharing at our main event at Lord’s Love Church in Vancouver, you may view it here. https://www.youtube.com/live/kS8kTehlvcE?si=i5gnwptZbpQMXeO2 (courtesy of Lord’s Love Church)
July Financials 2025
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. The invasion rages on and innocent lives are lost each day. Pray for House of Mercy as they take care of refugees, physically and spiritually. Pray for peace talks and for a ceasefire. There has been much confusion regarding this process. Through it all, people in the Roma villages are still getting baptized and dedicating their lives to Jesus. The challenge for the churches is that many young men are fleeing the country.
Pray for guidance and direction for our next steps for our Roma Ministry. Pray for the planning for the STM team in September as we explore Roma Ministries in North Macedonia and Serbia. The STM trip will be from September 14-October 7.
Pray for the pastors and teachers that we support in Ghana. Pray for fruitful ministry and God’s provision for each pastor’s family needs. Praise God that the tribal conflict in the Nkwanta region where Pastor Gideon oversees has improved. Along with his family, he has moved back to Nkwanta from Kechiebi. They are now encouraging church members who left the area due to the conflict to return.
Pray for Janice as she continues with her ministry as our International Worker in Ghana. Continue to pray for her home assignment. Their sharing has been well received so far. Pray that this will translate in support through prayers, giving, and going.
Pray for the finances of CIM Ministries. The economic situation in Canada may become very unstable with the uncertainty of a tariff trade war with the United States resulting possibly with less donors. Pray for new donors and a healthy general fund to run our ministries. Praise God that our financial situation has improved over the last year. In order to run our ministries effectively, we are currently seeking monthly donors. We encourage donors to give to our General Fund so we can distribute the funds where the needs are the greatest. Click here to donate.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking for an Executive Director and Director of Ministry.