2025 Report of Rev. John Musgrave & Wife Visit to Benin | Apostolic Faith West & Central Africa

Report on the Visit of Rev. John Musgrave and his wife to Benin

(AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 1^st)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025

The visiting team included Rev. John and Rodica Musgrave, Rev. Isaac and Stella Adigun, Bro. Okpo and Kemi Johnson, Bro. Bode Odulaja, Bro. Emmanuel Ajobiewe, and Bro. Akin Agunbiade. They were received by the Country Overseer, Rev Marcellin A. Kploka and some ministers at Semè Border.

The team visited the Headquarters Church of Jéricho at 6 p.m. where there was a warm a warm reception at the entrance by the saints. One of the highlights was a short but delightful presentation by the Sunday School children who, after a wonderful recitation both in French and English, presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Rev Musgrave.

Rev. Marcellin Kploka presented a progress report on the work in Benin Republic. The WECA District Superintendent, Rev. Isaac Adigun, encouraged the saints, and charged them to strengthen their faith in the Lord. He assured them of victory concerning the challenges they face, reminding them of God’s mighty hand in the building of the Tabernacle at Igbesa, and affirming that the same God will help them complete their own Tabernacle. He concluded with a heartfelt prayer and encouraging words, reminding the saints that when the trumpet sounds, we shall all be raptured to be with Jesus forever.

Rev. Musgrave, conveyed warm greetings from the Superintendent General, Rev. Sola Adesope, as well as the saints in Portland and expressed his joy for being among the brethren in Benin. He testified of God’s wonderful power in all the projects on the Portland campground, letting the attendees know that the secret behind it all was prayer, and faith in God. He encouraged the saints that God can do the same in Benin Republic. He also shared valuable strategies for engaging young people in the work of the Lord. The ceremony ended with prayer, and a dinner with the leaders of the Church in Benin.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025

The team, the Country Overseer and some ministers departed from Calavi in a boat for the lakeside town of Sô-Ava via Ganvié. A guide was inside the boat explaining to them facts concerning Ganvié, Sô-Ava and other lakeside villages.

Two boats filled with choir members welcomed the team with hymns and instrumentation on water at the entrance of Sô-Ava. A short welcome programme was held in Sô-Ava church, which was under construction around 11:41 a.m. After a short choir prelude, a congregational song and the opening prayer, the Sunday school children welcome the team with songs and recitations. The pastor of Sô-Ava, in his speech, gave a history of the church and presented the challenges they face (completion of the new church and the acquisition of boats for evangelism). The District Superintendent, thanked the members, and assured them that through prayers and faith, Jesus Christ will see them through on the various projects they have on hand. He exhorted everyone to always keep their hope and focus on the Heavenly City.

Rev. Musgrave began his address with Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." He conveyed greetings from Rev. Sola Adesope, the Superintendent General of the Apostolic Faith work worldwide, and the Portland Saints, and expressed the joy he felt to be in a Church that is in a lakeside town. Giving the example of brethren in Mozambique, he encouraged the saints to be prayerful and to abide in the faith, so that Jesus Christ could work wonderfully to complete the construction of the tabernacle. He concluded by blessing the people.

After this sweet fellowship and group photographs, they went back to Ganvié for lunch in Hotel Saint Germain, a floating hotel.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025

In the Prayer Room, the Country Overseer introduced the delegates to the workers. The presence of God filled the prayer room, when Rev. Isaac Adigun and Rev. Musgrave blessed the attendees.

The Sunday School service started at 9:00 a.m. Lesson 34, Book 3 “JOSEPH’S UNJUST IMPRISONMENT” was taught in French language by Brother Phidias Medessou. There were many other classes: Gungbe, Fongbe, Adja, Yoruba and English.

During Sunday School, Rev. Isaac Adigun and Rev. Musgrave visited the site. The Sunday School children were full of joy when the team visited them. Clarifications were requested on the administrative documents of the Pk14 site, the future construction of the tabernacle, the transportation means of the Sunday school children and so on.

The Devotional Service started at 10:40 a.m. and was conducted by the Regional Director of Africa, Rev. John Musgrave. He began the sermon with Psalm 66:16, "Come, listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done to my soul." Referring to the testimony of Brother Clarc, of the Apostle Paul before Agrippa, of the shepherd boy, David, before King Saul when the whole army of Israel was trembling before Goliath, and his own testimony, he emphasized on “THE POWER OF PERSONAL TESTIMONY”. God showered untold blessings on the 2,330 people who attended the service. There was joy in the camp.

After a group photograph and lunch, the District Superintendent had a counselling session with some people.

In the evening, from 6 p.m to 8p.m, Rev. Isaac Adigun and Rev. John Musgrave held a meeting with Rev Marcellin KPLOKA and the Heads of Infrastructure and Administration Departments. They talked on different projects, especially the construction of the Tabernacle on the Campground. The team made some recommendations to the Rev. Kploka and others. It was a fruitful meeting.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

At 10 a. m, the DS and Rev. Musgrave met with the leaders of Sô-Ava church and the Country Overseer. A short history, the number of lakeside town that have an Apostolic faith Church (3 – Sô-Ava, Sô-Zounkô and Dèkin), the number of Sunday School Centers (4 – Zonugômè, Ahômey-Gblon, Gbessou and Kintô) and some AVS Centers were brought to the knowledge of the missionaries. They also spoke of their need to complete the church building and to have boats for evangelism. The team said it will be good to have a motorboat (which can be used as a taxi when the Church is not using it) and two canoes. They were advised to divide the work of building the church into several stages, starting with the roof. Suggestions were made on income-generating activities. Rev. Musgrave, said he will submit the report of the visit to the SG and the saints in Portland and advised them to continue praying God to Whom all things are possible. “La Place de l’Amazone” and the “Fridjrossê beach” were visited.

In the evening, at 11.55pm, Rev John Musgrave and his wife Rodica left Cotonou Airport for Paris.

The delegation of Rev. Isaac Adigun was accompanied to the Benin-Nigeria border on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, by the Country Leader, Rev. KPLOKA, his wife and some members of his staff.