A man named Faro Faro accompanied his daughter-in-law on the four-hour drive to Hôpital Baptiste Biblique (HBB) in Tsiko, Togo. Upon arrival, the proper care was given, and, as with all patients at HBB, Faro Faro and his daughter-in-law were presented with the truth of the gospel. They heard, they believed, they accepted the truth, and they returned to their village as Christians.
Every evening afterwards, Faro Faro’s family would gather to sing and pray. Their praises and prayers attracted the attention of other villagers who began to attend the gatherings. In two weeks’ time, they formed a small church. Understanding they would need to be fed spiritually by mature Christians, Faro Faro returned to the hospital to speak with the chaplains to see if they could help. The chaplains agreed to come and pray with them.
The church is small and growing but has no regular pastor. The chaplains from HBB travel to the village to preach each Sunday. Recently, the leaders from a neighboring village began asking Faro Faro and other church leaders to come and begin a church for them in their own village. The leaders desire to see this happen, but do not feel adequately prepared to begin a new church at this time.
This is not a unique case within the country’s borders. Churches being planted may not thrive or maintain health for long because of a lack of mature leadership. Christ is continuing to build his church in West Africa.
Editor’s Note: You can help village churches like Faro Faro’s by partnering with ABWE Togo’s Leadership Training Program, which strives to raise up strong, mature church planters and pastors who are answering God’s call to go and make disciples.