n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 3
Togo
We arrived in Togo on Friday for a late dinner at the Rev. Segno Kodjo Ayi’s
home. Katy, his wife, served a superb meal and we were joined by most of their
board members and the other two Togolese ministers, the Revs. Eric Souka
and Ablam Amouzouvi. This provided an opportunity to hear from them how
plans are developing in their country.
Ayi trained at our Theological School in Bryn Athyn and has shown quite a
bit of energy in developing the New Church in Togo. Unfortunately, every time
he was developing a congregation his lease on the rented space for worship
services ran out and he had to move and start again. Fortunately, he has been
able to purchase some land on which to build.
On Saturday we spent the day visiting Eric’s church and Ayi’s new property.
Both of these are located north of Lomé, on the other side of a large lake. They
look somewhat rural, but are actually heavily populated.
Eric’s church in Vogan is coming along nicely. The church structure is
very basic with two rows of concrete blocks at the base, temporary bamboo
walls, and a metal roof. The ground around it was filled with drying concrete
blocks that he and some of his parishioners had made to build its walls. In
their somewhat rural setting, and to provide for them and also help people in
the area, they dug a well. It has been titled “Jacob’s well,” giving natural water
to correspond with the spiritual truths they are also providing.
Ayi’s property is in Togoville. It is covered with brush, which they will
clear away to put up a structure. It is easy walking distance to the lake, which
is safe for swimming and fishing. Ayi wants this to become a center in West
Africa for study of the Heavenly Doctrines. He has a vision of it being a place
for weekend retreats that will generate interest and be a feeder for other
developing New Church congregations in Togo, if not the rest of West Africa.
Later in the afternoon we returned to Lomé for a blessing on a marriage for
Amouzouvi and his wonderful wife, Olga. They wanted to demonstrate to his
growing congregation what a New Church wedding should be, so we crafted it
to be almost identical to our wedding services. Olga wore a spectacular white
wedding gown, and their three lovely and delightful daughters were part of the
service. Afterwards the congregation and guests had an outdoor dinner at a
local park. It was a lovely and useful occasion for all.
The next day, Sunday, we had worship services and the dedication of their
new church building. Amouzouvi, who is also a teacher in a local elementary
school, obtained property in the city and built a church – most of it by himself
and members of the congregation. He even enlisted the children, who were
industriously painting the walls a few days before the service. They are in
process of creating a manse in the back part of the property so they can be
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