- Missions
Bernadette and Marie, two young girls in Togo’s capital, have embraced life as disciples who make disciples in the West African nations of Togo and Benin, where voodoo has created much darkness.
“The light is seeping through (their lives),” said Ashley Freeman, a global worker on the 6 Degree Initiative (6DI) team, which serves people in these least-reached nations.
The 6 Degree Initiative is asking God for 190,000 disciples in the voodoo capital of the world. To achieve that, the nine-person team prays, plants churches and develops transformational leaders and congregations.
“We’re focused on making sure there is a church planted within walking distance of every person in the voodoo capital of the world,” Josh Freeman said.
God is hearing his people’s needs — and meeting them
One essential prayer for that mission has been answered for Amitefe, a teacher of Deaf students in Aného, Togo. He wanted to start the first all-Deaf church in his city but needed a place to gather. So, the 6 Degree Initiative prayer team started praying earlier this year, and God supplied the pastor with a home.
“A Deaf church is going to be planted because of that answered prayer,” Josh Freeman added. “We’re excited to get to be a part of helping launch the first church plant for the Deaf in Aného.”
Togolese disciples are becoming strong leaders
The initiative team pursues gospel saturation by developing transformational leaders and churches. A network of 50 Togolese pastors, youth and children’s workers and key leaders collaborate to influence hundreds more of God’s servants.
“We’re really focused on the transformational leaders who create transformational churches,” Josh Freeman said.
That’s the destiny of Bernadette and Marie as they keep growing as apprentices of Christ. Ashley Freeman prioritizes discipling them and many others in the next generation.
“Since coming to Togo, the goal has been to raise up young national leaders to be able to run the kids ministry,” Ashley Freeman said. “[Bernadette and Marie] have identified some of the older kids they see as up-and-coming leaders. They are moving toward starting to have discipleship relationships with them.”
Converge is asking God for a gospel movement among every least-reached people group – in our generation. Learn how we are playing a role in accomplishing the Great Commission and how you can be involved.
