Role of Indigenous Lay Agents in Ghana: Catechists and the Expansion of Methodism in the Gold Coast

The history of mission has often focused on foreign missionaries with little acknowledgement of the important role of indigenous people. In this book, Dr. James Kweku Gyekye Walton highlights the role of indigenous lay agents in the leadership structure of Ghana Methodism between 1835 and 1950 with a particular focus on catechists, the professional non-ordained assistant ministers. As he outlines the formation of the Methodist Church Ghana, Walton rigorously engages in archival research, literature reviews, and interviews to understand the dynamics of evangelism, discipleship and pastoral care. Proposing a way forward, significant issues from this period are highlighted to provide practical insights for Christian mission today. This profound and timely work will open the eyes of mission practitioners and organisations to the many powerful ways that indigenous people help make Christ-like disciples of the nations.