Togo, West Africa

The Togo Project

How It Began

Togo In September 2004, Kaskaskia Baptist Association held an On Missions Celebration. When one missionary canceled at the last minute, we invited one of the Togolese Baptist leaders, John Laba, --who was at that time studying at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama--to be the guest speaker for our Friday evening service.

Laba shared with us the need the Togolese had for Sunday School material and literature as well as for pastoral training for the pastors in small villages who were unable to attend ESBTAO. Also, the Spring of 2005, the Togo Baptist Convention sent a letter of invitation to me to come visit and talk with them about the needs. Some of the pastors in our association were very interested in helping and they asked me to make some inquiries into how we could help with the ministries in Togo.

After a year of discussions, we decided someone needed to make a trip to Togo to see what the real problems were and if there was anything we could do. I also contacted former missionaries to Togo to ask for their advise and help. We decided to make a visit to explore the costs of going to Togo and also to determine housing and living there for two weeks, as well as to speak personally with the Togolese leaders and missionaries.

Our association is capable of some book printing projects or some other small projects. We also have several pastors who are capable and interested in theological education. Because we are a small association, we do not have a lot of resources, but we do have a great missionary spirit and I believe our people are willing to stretch to serve the Lord.