Changed Lives in Togo: An Interview with Rev. Pierre
by Darrell Bustin – May 2025
For almost 20 years, Rev. Pierre Ayawo Adossi has been serving as a pastor in the nation of Togo, a small country of less than 10 million people in West Africa. He began pastoring his first congregation in 2006, and since September 2021 has been President of Togolese Baptist Convention (CBT), giving direction as the denomination made some significant decisions about its future direction. With Rev. Pierre’s term as President winding down, he took the time to reflect on the partnership that was formed during his tenure, and his hope for the future.
Darrell: To help us better understand the situation in Togo, what are some of the biggest challenges that the church and the country are facing at the present time?
Rev. Pierre: One of the biggest challenges people face is poverty. This includes both financial hardship and limited opportunities, which can shape how individuals see their future. In some regions, insecurity remains a concern due to the presence of armed groups, particularly in the northern part of the country, creating fear and instability for communities. Access to clean water is also a significant issue, especially in rural villages where people often struggle to find reliable sources. Education presents another challenge – We don’t have as many schools as we need, so young children must walk long distances to attend, which can be a barrier to learning.
Within the church, issues such as differing views on autonomy and leadership can lead to tension and disconnection. Another ongoing challenge is helping people see the value of community development as part of the church’s mission. While there is strong support for pastoral training and church planting, some may question activities like tree planting or other development work, seeing them as unrelated to spiritual ministry. For some, the concept of Integral Mission – where spiritual and practical work go hand in hand – is still unfamiliar. Bridging this understanding is an important part of our work.
D: How did the partnership between CBT and CBM begin?
P: Dr. Josè da Silva (a long-time CBM consultant in theological education) has visited Togo for many years. He was often invited to teach at the Baptist seminary here in Lomé by Joseph Agenu, the Academic Dean of the seminary. In March 2022, during one of his visits, Josè suggested to Joseph that CBT should consider forming a partnership with CBM. So, the two of them came to visit me and then we had a meeting with the board. After that, we did some research to find out more about Canadian Baptist Ministries. When I welcomed Andre Sibomana and John Chan to Togo in August of that same year, both organizations were ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. So, in November 2022, a training on Integral Mission was led by Josè and in 2023 we began a community farming project involving fruit trees as a cash crops.
D: You have mentioned a couple of ways in which we have worked together. Can you tell us some other joint efforts CBT and CBM have partnered in so far?
P: Certainly.
- We have drilled bore holes for wells in three communities.
- We have conservation agriculture projects going on in five communities. Through those trainings, more than 50 of our church members as well as many others living in those communities are having their lives significantly impacted.
- We have trained more than 200 leaders in Integral Mission. And we have a team of trainers who are being prepared so that we can move forward and train all our pastors. In the future, we wish to have Integral Mission in the curriculum of our seminary.
- In one of the villages where we helped with a well and conservation agriculture training, we hope this year to plant a church.
D: That is quite a variety of things we have done together in less than three years. What are some of the ways that our work together has made a difference in the lives of individuals, congregations and communities?
P: That’s a very good question. First, we can say that we as leaders have been very blessed – me especially, because it was during my term as President that we began this partnership with CBM. We have also realized that it opened our eyes as individuals to Integral Mission. That’s a very important point.
When we go into the communities where we are doing conservation agriculture, some of the members of our congregations are widows. When they are given the opportunity to be trained in conservation agriculture and apply the techniques, they realize that their farms work very well. What they have learned has made a great difference. They have only been practicing conservation agriculture for two years. But already, when you see those women testifying, they are celebrating because that has greatly increased their income. They are very grateful for the impact it has had on their lives.
With our congregations, when they see the various projects and initiatives taking place, they know it is due to the efforts of the Convention working with its partners. This has helped them understand that the Convention is not there to take from them but rather to bring blessing to them. So now we meet many people who express their thanks and gratitude. They say, “Now we know that you remember us, and you are not just there in the capital Lomé doing your own thing. Now you come to us and help us to have some blessing from CBT.”
And because the wells which have been put in are not only for the church members but for all the people in the community, those people now know that it happened through the Baptist church. They say, “We had a problem with water, and you came and helped us with a well. You brought us water!” Since the well is the responsibility of the community, you’ll see the leaders of the community expressing a lot of gratitude. Not only are they happy; they’re also greatly surprised. They know that the government has not been doing anything, but the church came and wanted to help them. It’s a great thing for the church to be visible and to be having such an impact on the lives of people in the community.
D: Rev. Pierre, your term as President of CBT is winding down. When you think about the future, what gives you hope?
P: When I think about the days to come, my hope is that the Church is for the Lord, and I know that the Lord will take care of his Church. What also gives me hope is our leaders.
It’s true that I am finishing, but we have another President and another team, and I know that they love the Lord. As we have been learning, we need to be committed to Integral Mission, and I trust that they have that commitment and that things will go very well. Going forward, we pray for continued unity. We need that.
