Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. These features on members of our NAB family also provide great opportunities to pray for them as we get to know more of their story. This week, we hear from Nana Amponsah, associate pastor at Southwest Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta.
What’s your story?
I grew up in Ghana in a loving Christian home, the fifth of six children. Church life was the rhythm of our family—choirs, youth groups, Sunday school—but even with all the activity, I remember feeling a deep emptiness inside. I could talk about God, yet I didn’t really know him.
Everything changed in November 1992 when I was twelve. My older brother sent me a letter describing heaven and hell, and somehow those simple words pierced my heart. That night, I fell to my knees in tears and surrendered my life to Christ. Not long after, I publicly confessed my faith at a local crusade in our community. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of grace and transformation.
During my university years, my faith deepened through campus ministry. I had the joy of being part of several vibrant student fellowships that were passionate about sharing the Gospel. Over time, I found myself helping to lead our campus evangelism ministry, serving among fellow students in the Inter-Hall Christian Fellowship, part of International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and later supporting the chaplaincy team as Vice-Chaplain of the university. Those years were formative—they taught me the joy of serving, listening, and depending on God’s Word to guide young hearts like mine.
Meanwhile, my academic path took me into chemical engineering—a field that eventually led me across Denmark, France, the US, Scotland, and now Canada. Through every move, I sensed God shaping both my mind and my heart.
In 2018, after settling in Edmonton, Alberta, with my wife Amma and our two children, we found a home at Southwest Community Church. It became a place of spiritual renewal and belonging. Then, in 2023, after years in government and corporate work, God interrupted my carefully planned path. I had just accepted a new position with ExxonMobil in the US, when Pastor Ken invited me to consider serving with him in ministry.
What followed was a season of deep wrestling, prayer, and surrender. We honestly thought it would take us months to come to a decision—this was a huge step, after all—but in just a few weeks, God softened our hearts in ways we could not have planned. We didn’t have every answer, and we weren’t completely certain of how everything would unfold, but we were certain of the One calling us. So, with trembling but joyful hearts, Amma and I said yes.
What’s ministry like for you?
Today, I serve as associate pastor at Southwest Community Church in Edmonton—a diverse, growing congregation that loves Jesus and seeks to serve our city. I partner closely with our lead pastor, Ken MacDonald, in preaching and teaching, while also leading our young adult’s ministry and supporting both our men’s and women’s ministries.
Ministry here is both deeply relational and beautifully ordinary. It’s in conversations after Sunday service, prayers whispered over coffee, and the laughter of volunteers setting up chairs before worship. One of the special rhythms in our church life is that we share lunch together almost every Sunday after service. It’s become one of the best ways to connect—gathering around food, stories, and laughter as we grow in faith and community.
Our desire is simple: to see people encounter the living Christ and be transformed by his grace. Our community is filled with stories of newcomers, immigrants, and lifelong believers learning to walk together as one family. It’s a beautiful, sometimes messy picture of the Church—a reminder that ministry is not about perfection but presence, not about performance but faithfulness.
What are you learning?
The greatest lesson I’m learning is dependence. Coming from an analytical, structured background in engineering and policy, I was used to solving problems with logic and data. However, ministry calls for something deeper—it calls for trust. I’m learning that real fruit only comes when I let go of control and allow the Spirit to lead.
I’m also learning the emotional weight of shepherding. Walking with people through joy and sorrow has stretched my heart in ways I never imagined. There are days I feel inadequate, but those are the days I sense God’s presence most strongly. He keeps reminding me that he didn’t call me because I was ready—he called me so that he could make me ready.
Above all, I’m learning to rest in the truth that the Gospel itself is unstoppable. My prayer is that through our ministry at Southwest we would continue to see lives changed—not by clever programs or polished sermons, but by the quiet, powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
What a blessing it is to be part of the great North American Baptist Conference community. Would you please take a moment to pray for Pastor Nana Amponsah, as well as Southwest Community Church?