June 1, 2010

Believers with one of the few simple churches in Togo.

Have you ever pondered what our greatest need as a people is today? How can we be through with this sinful world and be at home with our Redeemer? The stage is set for the fulfillment of the final prophecies; the world is inundated with sin and evil, and we are privileged with greater light than any previous generation; what more is needed? The gospel must go to the world, but how? The same way it went previously. “And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:48, 49. It was only through the baptism of the Spirit that the disciples could possibly hope to surmount the task of taking the gospel to the world in a single generation, and the same is true today. “It is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that the churches need today. There are backslidden church-members and backslidden ministers who need re-converting, who need the softening, subduing influence of the baptism of the Spirit, that they may rise in newness of life and make thorough work for eternity.” Bible Training School, April 1, 1906. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is our great need as a people today. This alone will give us the power and ability to reach the 6.8+ billion inhabitants of this world. How can we receive this greatest of all gifts? Only by deep heart work. “If selfishness and pride and vanity and evil surmising were put away, we would become strong in God, and the door of our heart would be open for the entrance of Christ; the baptism of the Holy Ghost would fall upon us, and we should be filled with all the fullness of God.” Review & Herald, April 22, 1890. May we seek the Lord earnestly that this most needed blessing may fall upon us.

One country in which the brethren are praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to bless their labors is the small West African country of Togo. The work has grown largely due to the evangelistic fervor and dedication evidenced by these faithful laymen. In the past few years, over twenty new churches have sprung up from their efforts. Not only are the brethren sharing, but they are becoming better trained to do a broader work. Every three months the leaders from the various churches gather together to study the distinctive features of the Adventist faith and methods of evangelistic work. Through these meetings, it is the hope that the leaders and then the believers will be more firmly grounded in the Three Angels’ Messages and be better equipped to give the message with power. One particularly helpful tool in their endeavors has been the tabloids published by Cornerstone Publishing (Earth’s Final Warning, Behold He Cometh, etc.).

Pastor Agamah distributing literature

The brethren have received several container loads and distributed hundreds of thousands of these truth-filled publications. As they distribute these materials, they begin to talk to the people, beginning Bible studies, leading to baptisms and starting new churches. Pastor Agamah, who leads out in the training, is also very active in public evangelism. Once a quarter, he travels to new areas, holding meetings and sharing the message with the multitudes. Once churches are formed, they begin worshiping wherever they can—around a tree, under a palm-leaf canopy or in a believer’s shack. They are eager to worship their God, even though they have no permanent place. We are hoping to be able to help them build simple church buildings that will give them a place to worship without fear of sun or rain and give them an impetus in their evangelistic labors. If you would like to help these faithful brethren in Togo, please pray and mark your donation “Togo Churches.”

Yours in prayer for the baptism of the Spirit,

Cody Francis