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   ABWE IN TOGO

Population: 4 million

People: Ewe, Mina, Kabye and other tribal  groups

Languages: French and local languages

Predominant religions: animism, Roman Catholicism

Major ABWE ministries: church planting, medical evangelism, blind center, theological education

Date ABWE entered: 1973

    Togo, West Africa is a finger of land slipped between Ghana and Benin. Her boundaries extend from Burkina Faso at the north and dip into the Bight of Benin at the southern tip. The independent Togolese Republic was born in April, 1960. The name Togo dates back to 1884 when a protectorate treaty was signed with the Germans on Lake Togo at Togoville. In 1941, Togo became part of French West Africa.

The population of Togo may be divided into three main geographically arranged groups. In the south are four principal tribes: the Ahoulan, the Ewes, the Mina, and the Ghens. The centrally~ located group is composed of the Ak-posso, the Bedere, and the Bogo-Ahlon. The third division, in the northern and largest sector of the country, is occupied by six chief tribes, among them the Kabyes, the Cotokoli, the Moba, the Konbomba, and the Basari. Although French is the official and trade language, dialects are numerous.

The religion of Togo remains faithful to its pagan ancestry, while at the same time combining the elements of several religions with their paganism. Although Romanism and liberal Protestantism have been in the country for some time, the biblical gospel of the grace of God is almost unknown to the vast majority of the population. Experienced ABWE French-speaking missionaries initiated the ministry in the capital city of Lome, then branched out into the interior. Kpalime became a second center of gospel witness. A blind center has proven to be a unique and fruitful tool for evangelism. The Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital, a medical-surgical-evangelistic work, opened in July, 1985, has opened countless doors of opportunity with many of the different tribal groups of Togo. Six hours north of Lome in the city of Kara, a newly formed congregation is branching out into several new areas, touching people who have no Bible in their language and next-to-no gospel exposure. The north of Togo presents a great need and promises to be a fruitful field--harvesters are needed!

The initiative and industry of the three and one half million people are an asset to the ABWE goal of church planting. ABWE missionaries have found the Togolese people very receptive to the gospel. They are eager to learn and zealous to open new ministries on their own. Church planters are needed to execute the plan to multiply churches in the urban centers.

The Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital needs more staff. There are opportunities for surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel, as well as church planters/disciplers to follow up on hundreds of professions of faith. The Bible Institute ministry has been named as a high priority, and needs additional instructors and administrators. It has been tied with the aviation ministry as we press forward in training Togolese leaders throughout the country. Our spreading work has prompted a serious need for MK teachers on each of our four station councils.

New recruits are needed to assist the veterans in a well-planned strategy for reaching Togo for Christ. The foundation has been laid; new laborers are needed to come alongside and strengthen what has been started, and to move ahead into new frontiers for God.

 ABWE Ministries in Togo:

I. Church planting--about 50 churches established

2. Karolyn Kempton Memorial Hospital at Tsiko--25-bed with large outpatient department

3. Blind Center at Kpalime—50 blind students in residence

4. Bible Institute~Training of pastors and church leaders

5. Camp Currently a three week program each summer for

children and youth

6. Individual and small-group Bible studies and discipleship

7. Visitation and personal evangelism