When I look at these two photos, I think of four stories all connected to one grand theme.
Voodoo follower becomes church planter
In the top photo, Kudjo is pictured at his baptism. He comes from a voodoo background, but the gospel has changed his life. He has repented and given himself fully to God. Kudjo is now planting a church in an area where there are no other churches, and he has more than 20 people who regularly attend. Not only that, Kudjo is already a grandfather in the faith because one of the boys he led to the Lord has led someone else to the Lord. His is a story that so many around this baptistry share.
Related: “A major prayer movement is beginning across Converge”
Tossing idols to follow the One True God
Remi is pictured in the bottom photo. He lives in a village close to New Life Church, where these photos were taken. Like Kudjo, he also practiced voodoo, but because of the faithfulness of the leaders at New Life Church, Remi heard the gospel, and it changed everything for him. He told the story of how he had to throw his idols into the lake after meeting Jesus because now he will only follow the One True God.
Related: From idol worship to gospel movement
The next generation of Converge global workers keeps building God’s Kingdom
The third story is that of Converge global workers. One who has been deployed for 14 months and is now baptizing a couple of men he didn’t lead to Christ. Another who, although he started this ministry over 12 years ago, is standing to the side humbly and joyfully snapping the photo. As part of the next generation of Converge global workers, I am incredibly humbled to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before me. I am thankful for our seasoned Converge global workers and other incredible leaders in Converge who continually find ways to lift up people who will continue to build God’s Kingdom.
Related: How is an 8-year-old making an eternal difference in West Africa?
Pastor Jonas’ legacy continues
The fourth story is my favorite story of them all. It’s the story of someone who isn’t even in these photos because, in November 2020, he went to be with the Lord. Pastor Jonas is the one who should be in this water baptizing these two men because he is the one who shared Jesus with them and discipled them. He is the one who influenced every single person in this photo, and the beauty of him not being in this photo is that his incredible Christ-centered legacy continues. It continues with each person in this photo and many more who are not pictured.
Related: How Converge is reaching West Africa
The grand theme that ties all of these stories together is Jesus. No one would be where they are today without the gospel penetrating and changing their heart and life. It is his story that is weaved throughout all of the rest.
- It is why Kudjo is planting a church.
- It is the reason Remi threw out his idols.
- It is why Converge global workers move to unreached areas.
- It is why Jonas is in heaven, and his legacy continues today.
These stories are Christ’s story.
Converge International Ministries’ 6° Initiative team is asking God for 190,000 disciples from 10 unreached people groups in Togo and Benin, West Africa. We need your help to make this a reality. Learn how you can get involved.