I lived in a room with two of my friends who were already Christians.One of them, Noëlle, invited me to church, but I always found a reason not to go there.Each Sunday Noëlle would not stop talking (“Cassais les Oreilles”) about her stories from church.
So one Sunday I went to church with her so she would finally leave me alone.After entering in the meeting place, a woman was at the door.When she saw me, she held me tight in her arms with a beautiful smile.This surprised me, because she did not know me.I thought to myself that it was just to welcome me, but after the service, she repeated the same thing, speaking to me with sweet and gentle words.
The next Sunday I went to church only because of this very nice woman.When she saw me, she smiled at me and held me tight in her arms.Every Sunday after that, I went to church telling myself that after seeing me so much she will get tired of smiling at me and stop holding me in her arms.But on each of my visits she showed the same kindness.
I ended up staying in this church, and that is where I met Jesus Christ as my Savior. I accepted and received Him in my heart.Today I am born again and the Lord Jesus Christ lives in my heart.If today, I’m a Christian, it is due to the kindness, the smile and the love of a woman – the wife of Pastor King.She helped me discover the love that is pure and true - from the Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be given all the glory.Amen.
Note: Caroline first came to Grace Baptist Church in 1997 when we met in our home. Today Caroline is heavily involved in her church and this year she entered the Bible Institute to further her understanding of God’s Word.
Picture: Caroline (on the right) is the choir director of her church
TOUGNON, Bertin
In 1997 my wife Agnès and I were among the first people to attend the Baptist church which met on the porch ofPastor Steve King and his wife, Gayle.
In March we were with the first 15 to become baptized and then members. Each week I went on visitation with Pasteur King and other men, and we gradually saw the church grow.
Believing that God was calling us to the ministry, I registered with the Baptist Theological Institutein San-Pedro. It was there that I received training and later knew that God was calling me to be a missionary.
In 2002 Pasteur Touplé Lazare became pastor of Grace Baptist Church. Our daughter Herveline was baptizedafter she put her faith in Jesus-Christ, and she was voted as a member in 2003. In 2005 I received my diploma from the Bible Institute and became the assistant Pastor at Grace Baptist Church for two years.Our family used their talents for the Lord in the service of the church.
Besides being an assistant pastor, I served as a deacon for 4 years, oversaw the children’s Sunday School ministry, did evangelization and preached. My wife Agnes was an active member of the church, serving as treasurer in the ladies group and helping others. My daughter became an assistant teacher to the children’s Sunday School for two years. We also began a bible study in our home during the week which resulted in many accepting Christ and who now are still attending the church.
After much prayer and with the support of my wife and family, we have taken the step of faith to go out as missionaries to a town called Divo, which is approximately 185 miles from San-Pedro. In October 2007 we were sentout by Grace Baptist in San-Pedro.
I am ministering as a Missionary-Pastor with the help and counsel of the Kings. We have a good group of 6 members and 21 others who are attending faithfully. A new church is not without its challenges. We are meeting in a school classroom, but the government does not want churches to meet in public schools. So we are praying for a new meeting place.
Emmanuel GUEU
I am Emmanuel GUEU and my wife is Eunice. We have 5 children. We have both been in pagan families, following the roots of our parents in fetishism. With our fetishism, there was no peace in our family. Then in December 1997, we lost a son. In light of the reality of this death, we decided to prepare ourselves mystically.
With this in mind, we went to the village of my brother-in-law (the husband of my oldest sister). This mystical sacrifice cost us a large sum of money (25,000 cfa or $55.00). Ignorance led us in a way which we esteemed to be good, but which was actually worse. We began to panic. Through it all, the force in me that kept me going was the love of my wife. That was what strengthened me.
In September of 1998, we were invited to church by a student at the Baptist Theological Institute. I asked has my wife to take the first step by going alone. Three weeks later, I followed. That is how we both started going to Grace Baptist Church. We both truly accepted the Lord in 2001. The desire to know the true GOD and his Word was my burden.
Then, the most difficult trial came when I lost my employment in November 2001. It was during this trial, while reading my Bible I discovered the passage in Isaiah 41: 10 which strengthened me.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Gradually, we separated ourselves from our old ways - sorcery and fetishes. The loss of my job was the door which the LORD opened for me to begin my education at the Bible Institute. With the encouragement of the pastors and brothers in CHRIST, I continued the courses at the Institute. The Holy Spirit convinced me to remain until the end of my training.
Lastly, the LORD continues to work marvelously with my family. The peace we so much longed for is ours. Since September 2005, we have been serving the LORD full-time at the Baptist Theological Institute (as a professor) as well as ministering whenever needed in our church.
