By Oluwagbenga Bankole
The Missions Department of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, has reaffirmed its commitment to missionary work and the advancement of the Gospel across West Africa following a successful apostolic visitation and missionary assessment tour of mission fields in the Republics of Benin and Togo.
The apostolic tour, led by the Missions Director, Pastor C. S. Fasuyi, took the delegation through eight mission stations across Northern, Central and Southern Benin Republic and Togo. The visit focused on strengthening local churches, encouraging missionaries, assessing the state of mission fields and identifying pressing needs to enhance the church's missionary efforts.
Accompanying the Mission Director were wife of Missions Department, Mrs. Titilayo J. Fasuyi, Mission Board members Pastor I. D. O. Akinpelu, Pastor Ebenezer Adefidipe and Pastor Abimbola L. O. A.; Regional Mission Pastors Pastor G. O. Alagbe, Pastor Onipede Sunday Sophia Ajayi, Pastor J. A. Olumehin Babajide, Pastor Olu Olorunpomi and Pastor Ebenezer Jegede; alongside Pastor Ebenezer Adedigba, Evangelist Wale Adewumi, Mrs. Juliana Adisa, Brother Biodun Moses and Evangelist Samuel Adenowo.
The delegation departed Ibadan, Oyo State, travelling through the Chikanda Border into Benin Republic before visiting CAC assemblies at Shumaru, Kusnoperu, Parakou, Kilibo, Ogunpete, Cotonou and Église Apostolique du Christ congregations in Bé-Kpota and Kpalimé, Togo.
Throughout the tour, the team ministered to congregations comprising diverse ethnic and linguistic groups, including Baruba, Yande, Sabe, Ifon and French-speaking believers. Worship attendance across the various assemblies ranged from 62 to 91 members.
At Shumaru and Kusnoperu in Northern Benin, Pastor Fasuyi encouraged members to remain steadfast in their faith and continue growing in evangelism and discipleship despite prevailing challenges.
In Parakou, the team commended the commitment of the resident missionary, Evangelist Monsia Fabrice, who continues to oversee the church without financial support from the church payroll. Special prayers were offered for divine provision, strength and encouragement for his ministry.
The visit to Kilibo highlighted the steady expansion of the mission field, where the church now oversees five branches in Araromi, Ekpa, Toui, Pedekpo Village and Agbooro-Kombon. During the service, Pastor Fasuyi delivered a message titled, "Wonders," encouraging believers to remain expectant of God's miraculous power.
One of the most remarkable moments of the apostolic tour occurred at CAC Ajelemide, Ogunpete, where the team received the testimony of a former leader of idol worship whose conversion to Christianity and miraculous healing from severe physical and spiritual afflictions sparked a revival within the community. His testimony has since led to the planting of five daughter churches in Ijipe, Agaba, Ajabata, Ede and Ajelemide, with the congregation now recording about 91 worshippers.
In Togo, the delegation worshipped at Église Apostolique du Christ, Bé-Kpota, under the leadership of the National Coordinator, Pastor Oyetoro, where revival prayers were held for the church and the nation.
The team also visited the mission field at Kpalimé-Kpodzi, where church activities have declined following the prolonged illness of the resident missionary. Intensive prayers were offered for his healing, the revival of the congregation and the restoration of effective ministry, while discussions were held on providing additional missionary support.
The final leg of the tour took the delegation to the Cotonou Mission Assembly, where a thanksgiving service was held to appreciate God for His faithfulness throughout the journey. Pastor Fasuyi later ministered on the theme, "Be Careful Not to Labour in Vain," from 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, urging believers to remain faithful and fruitful in God's service. Special prayers were also offered for the successful completion of the ongoing church building project at the assembly.
The missionary assessment identified several urgent needs across the mission fields, including the construction of pastors' residences in Shumaru and Kusnoperu, repairs to church facilities, completion of the church building at Kpalimé, financial support for the Cotonou church building project, provision of musical instruments and increased support for missionaries serving in remote and challenging environments.
Speaking at the conclusion of the tour, Pastor Fasuyi expressed gratitude to God for journey mercies and the spiritual impact recorded across the eight mission stations. He called on members of the church and mission partners to sustain the missionary mandate of the church through fervent prayers, generous giving and active participation in taking the Gospel to unreached communities across West Africa.
The tour, according to the Missions Department, strengthened existing churches, encouraged missionaries labouring under difficult conditions and renewed the church's resolve to fulfil the Great Commission through sustained missionary engagement.
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