Missions

Information on missions in Togo is somewhat difficult to find because it is not well documented but there have been active missionaries for many years in the region and missionaries are currently working and active.

Missionary work began in 1847 when German missionaries arrived to minister to the Ewe people in the area that would soon be known as Togo. This first group of missionaries was a catholic group that sent nearly 100 missionaries before Germany colonized Togo. A few years later, missionaries with the John Wesley Methodist Tradition went to the region and began ministering to the people of Togo as well as the Catholic missionaries. They focused more on education for both children and adults. [1]

Photo provided by my sister, Ashley Siler

Muslim missionaries also have a presence in Togo. These missionaries established themselves in the mid 1800s and remain primarily in the northern parts of Togo. They have also focused on education and have built many schools that run by Arab teachers. Some groups of Togolese were forced into Islam following the their conquer by other groups but the missionaries were not responsible for this forceful tactic.[2]

Missionaries in Togo have a unique opportunity due to Togo’s direct need for humanitarian support. Hôpital Baptiste Biblique or Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital is a hospital established in Togo by missionaries to meet the physical needs of the Togolese. [3] While meeting the physical needs of the Togolese, the missionaries are able to help meet their spiritual needs as well and present them the gospel. One particular challenge is the voodoo religion that is traditionally practiced by the tribal people. They tend to be hesitant to receive outside aid out of fear that it will conflict with the spirits. The solution to their problem might be as simple as needing an antibiotic but if they are not willing to receive the cure they will not get better. [2]

Protestant missionaries have been working to establish churches with the hopes that they would raise disciples to go plant more churches. Specifically, ABWE has established a BIble Institute, a BIble Translation and Literacy Program and a Women’s Ministry. There is still much work to be done in Togo but the Holy Spirit is working there.[4]


The following is my sister's video for deputation as she prepares to head to Togo. It provides more information on missions in Togo:
Ashley Siler: Missions in Togo Promo



Sources:
1. "L'Eglise Orthodoxe Du Togo." LEglise Orthodoxe Du Togo. Accessed June 12, 2016. http://egliseorthodoxe-togo.com/en/le-togo/.
2. Some groups of Togolese were forced into Islam following the their conquer by other groups but the missionaries were not responsible for this forceful tactic.
3. "Hôpital Baptiste Biblique." ABWE Togo South Team. 2015. Accessed June 15, 2016. https://abwetogosouth.org/ministries/hbb/.

4. "Discipleship Ministries." ABWE Togo South Team. 2015. Accessed June 15, 2016. https://abwetogosouth.org/ministries/discipleship-ministries/.