Togo

Challenges for Prayer

The Church in Togo stagnated between 1960 and 1990. Long-established groups –Catholic, Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Methodist – grew slowly and remained confined to particular ethnicities. From 1980, newer evangelical groups began to grow – AoG, Baptist and Missouri Synod Lutheran. Many new denominations from outside Togo commenced work in the 1990s, and all denominations grew rapidly. The influx of many Pentecostal groups from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso augments the growth sparked by Western mission agencies. False shepherds and unbalanced prosperity teachings are also increasing as the true Church grows. Pray that strong, indigenous congregations and denominations with solid teaching, biblical worldviews and visionary leadership be established.

Leadership development is a great need for the young and quickly growing body of Christ in Togo. The AoG has trained pastors for only half its congregations. Training facilities in Togo are now increasing in number. Baptist (WABAST) and AoG (WAAST) graduate theological schools serve students from all West Africa, and most denominations have colleges or institutes. TEE and lay-training programmes are also increasing. Pray for training and education programmes for full-time ministers and lay people to be effective; pray that they may be formative in raising up leaders for churches in Togo.

     For an additional 9 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.