2025 Pastorial Visit To Cote D'ivoire | Apostolic Faith West & Central Africa

THE APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH

WECA HEADQUARTERS, ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS

PASTORAL VISIT TO COTE D’IVOIRE

MISSION REPORT

INTRODUCTION

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Brothers Johnson Okpo and Yves AHOMIAN were sent by the DS to Côte D'Ivoire for a Pastoral visit. From May 21 to 28, they visited the branches in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro.

The main objective of the mission was to assess the progress of the project related to the purchase of a new land in Cocody for building the headquarters’ Church, the construction of the building in Cocody for investment, and the construction of the church in Yamoussoukro. The other objective was to assess the progress of the work in Côte d'Ivoire after their last visit.

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Brother Johnson (who had arrived in Cotonou from Lagos the day before, May 20) and Brother Yves AHOMIAN boarded a flight at 11:40 a.m. from Cotonou International Airport. They arrived at Abidjan International Airport at 12:05 p.m. local time, where they were received by the Country Overseer of the Apostolic Faith in Cote D'Ivoire, Brother Georges KINTIN, and two of his ministers. They headed to where they were to lodge in a brother’s house.

At 8:00 p.m., the missionaries held a meeting with the Board of Trustees. The Chairman of the Board provided clarifications on the purchase of the newly acquired land and the progress of work on the Cocody site.

Other discussions centered on how to move the gospel forward, policy on land acquisition, legal documentation and project execution. Brother Johnson mentioned the importance of having complete legal papers of all landed properties and Church buildings.

He also shared the steps taken by the DS in advocating for the conversion of undeveloped landed properties into meaningful ventures. Instead of having many acres of lands undeveloped for lack of money, and land grabbers taking them; it would be wise to sell some part of the land and use the money to develop the rest.

DAY 2: THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

In the morning of Thursday, May 22, Brother KINTIN and two members of the Project Management Committee took the missionaries to visit the new land that had been purchased for the church. It is a 10 plots of land located in Cocody Local Government, in an area called Y4, about 30 minutes’ drive from the church in Cocody, Mbadon.

The Cocody Mbadon construction site was the next stop of the visit. A temporary place of worship was built in the basement of the proposed six-storey building.

At 8:00 p.m., a meeting was held with the members of the Church Management and the Project Management Committee. Three items topped discussions with the Board of Trustees: The purchase of the land; the construction project for the Cocody building; and how the money collected from the sale of the two plots sold earlier by the Church was being spent.

Clarifications were given on the ongoing projects. This created an opportunity for restitution as several brothers and sisters were dissatisfied with the management of the projects by the Overseer and three other brothers, with no information to the Saints and neglecting to carry along other members of the project committee formed for that purpose. Brother Johnson's intervention helped calm down fray nerves. The meeting ended with a prayer session.

DAY 3: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025

On Friday morning, a visit was made to the Port-Bouët branch church. Unable to attend, the pastor sent two of his ministers to welcome the visitors. Some corrections were made on the Church building and the areas being affected by rain.

In the evening, there was a Retreat for Pastors and Ministers from Abidjan Zone. The study material used was "REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LANDMARK", presented by Brother Johnson. The following subheadings were considered: 1. What is a landmark? 2. What does the ancient landmark typify for the Church of Christ? 3. What are the consequences of removing the ancient landmark? 4. How can one restore the Old landmarks that have been removed? 5. How can the old landmark be restored? Finally, 6. What are the benefits of retaining the old landmark?

He went further to say, just as the violation of physical landmark causes problems, the violation of spiritual landmark, which are, the doctrines inspired by the Word of God, causes spiritual disaster in the lives of the people. The house was encouraged to jealously guard this spiritual landmark which is, the Sound doctrine. While guarding the spiritual landmark, they were charged to reach out to the dying souls who need this sound Word of God. They were to adopt a new strategy for evangelism if government regulations do not allow for street-work or public school visitations. The meeting ended with fervent prayers unto God for divine help to ensuring that the spiritual landmark is not moved, at the same time asking God to send more labourers into His harvest field.

DAY 4: SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025

The combined Sunday School Teachers' Conference was the only activity of the day, Saturday, May 24. The children's lesson titled “CHRISTIAN MOTHERS” was reviewed by Brother David Oyelade while Brother Stephen Odeniran reviewed the adult lesson titled “THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART TWO”.

DAY 5: SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2025

On Sunday, regular worship activities were held. The workers gathered at 7:30 a.m in the prayer room to prepare for worship. Elementary Sunday school began at 8:30 a.m. Brother Armel NOUKPO taught the children's class. The junior and adult Sunday school began at 9:00 a.m. Brother Stephen ODENIRAN taught the lesson, combined. Brother Joseph KONAN handled the review.

The devotional service was preceded by another prayer room service at 10:40 a.m, then followed by Choir renditions. The Country leader, Bro Kintin Goerge gave the announcement. The Scripture reading was taken from the book of Matthew 7:13-14.

Brother Johnson gave the devotional sermon titled "STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE". Reading from the book of Saint Luke 13:23, 24, he gave examples of how people strive to achieve certain goals which are temporal and the importance of striving to enter in at the “Strait Gate” which is Jesus for heavenly reward, which is eternal. He went on to encourage all to strive lawfully, for many will want to enter the kingdom but will not be able. At the end of the sermon, there was an altar call made and many rushed to the altar to seek the face of God

In the afternoon, at 2 p.m., there was a Saint’s meeting where important issues were discussed for the progress of the work in Cocody. At the meeting, the Financial Secretary gave an update of all that has been spent on the ongoing projects (the purchase of a new land for church building, and all materials purchased for the construction of the other building meant for investment). This information shared with all workers calmed every nerve and all those who were dissatisfied and those who had doubts about the way the church funds were being spent were satisfied.

A Special Revival and Evangelistic Service followed immediately after the meeting. Brother Yves Ahomian gave a short sermon titled "REVIVAL IN MIZPEH." When the altar call was made, an intense prayer session followed and many were blessed.

DAY 6: MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025

On Monday morning, at 9:00 a.m., the Missionaries, accompanied by the Country Overseer and a minister, left Abidjan for Yamoussoukro. They arrived in Yamoussoukro at 1:00 p.m. A group of ministers and members of the tabernacle construction management committee were present to welcome them. After lunch, a tour of the site was conducted.

At 5:00 p.m, Pastors and Ministers of Yamoussoukro Zone had a Retreat. Drawing inspiration from the study document "FIT ROR THE MASTER’S USE" as extracted from the pastoral epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy his beloved son in the Lord, Brother Johnson encouraged the Ministers to stand for God by moving to higher consecration to be fit. This they must do if they want to remain a peculiar treasure and vessel unto honour in the hand of the Master. He went further to say, “daily consecration gives the guarantee of continuous acceptance of our person and integrity of our service with God.” The Retreat ended with a prayer session.

At 8:00 p.m. same day, a special revival service followed. Brother Johnson preached a sermon titled "REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS". He took his Bible reading from the book of Mark 5: 25-29, 34. He said “Everybody has Issues”, but if we can take a step of faith and touch Jesus in prayer for the salvation of our souls and other blessing we need; just as the woman with the issue of blood did, we shall have a better testimony to tell. Altar call was made at the end of the sermon, many prayed fervently and were blessed.

DAY 7: TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025

After breakfast, the Missionaries returned to Abidjan.

In the evening, a final meeting was held with the members of the Church Management and the Project Management Committee. The various sub-committees were introduced and strengthened with new members. New directives for the smooth running of the work were given before the closing prayer. The Committee in charge of land documents was charged to get all the land documents belonging to the church for proper filing at the headquarters. Other committee members handling different assignment were advised to always make themselves available when needed, and to cooperate with the Leader for the smooth running of the work of God.

DAY 8: WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025

In the afternoon of Wednesday, May 28, the Missionaries boarded a flight back to Cotonou.

Brother Johnson returned to Nigeria the following day, May 29.

STATISTICS:

Peak attendance: 278

Blessings recorded 19

CONCLUSION

The Lord Jesus, who is Himself the greatest Missionary, has prospered the work of His servants. Brethren in Côte d'Ivoire have vowed to start on a new foundation. The work there is enormous and they are saying, “Come over to Cote D’Ivoire and help us”.

The two Church buildings at the headquarters in Cocody and that of Yamoussoukro require our prayers. May the Lord send help to them from His Sanctuary. Amen

PICTURES GALLERY