When Etienne planted The Way of Christ Church in 2021, his ministry took off quickly. Known for his bold preaching and tireless evangelism, Etienne was the kind of church planter we often pointed to as an example. People were coming to faith, and on the outside, everything looked like success.

But behind the pulpit, Etienne’s home was crumbling. His wife, Irene, wanted nothing to do with him or his ministry. The distance between them grew so deep that when we invited pastors and their wives to a retreat in September 2024, Irene told us she wouldn’t attend if Etienne were going.

They both came – but separately. And that broke our hearts.

That moment forced us to face a sobering truth: Gospel impact cannot be measured solely by the growth of churches. It has to start with whole leaders, grounded in healthy families, who can then lead healthy churches.

So we prayed. We walked alongside them. Naka and others from our team began mentoring Etienne and Irene, offering encouragement, practical tools and a safe space to be honest about their struggles at home. And little by little, healing began to take root.

In June 2025 at a gathering of pastors’ wives, Irene stood up with a smile on her face and joy in her voice:

“I thank God for giving me a great husband.”

That same week, Etienne shared with us that he now sees his family as his very first disciples. He’s begun leading regular devotions at home and investing intentionally in Irene and their children.

We never could have scripted this. But it’s exactly what Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20 – God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”

What happened in Etienne and Irene’s marriage has reshaped our vision. True gospel saturation isn’t just about filling villages with church buildings. It’s about raising up flourishing leaders with flourishing families who plant flourishing churches that transform entire communities.

Be Part of More Stories Like This

Every village in Togo needs more than a church. It needs a healthy church, led by a whole leader, rooted in a flourishing family, living out the gospel in everyday life.

You can join us in that vision:

• Pray for pastors and their families to walk in wholeness and health.
• Give to fund retreats, mentorship, and discipleship for leaders across our networks.
• Send workers and coaches who can walk closely with leaders like Etienne and Irene.

Thank you for helping restore leaders, renew families, and transform villages with the hope of Jesus. Let’s keep going – together.