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The temperature hovered around 80 degrees earlier this week in Togo, a West African country situated between Ghana and Benin. Just over 7,000 miles away, Togo native Pastor Zephyrin Kossi Amegble trudged through the snowdrifts of Spokane Valley, talking about the warmth of his friends in the Inland Northwest.
Amegble first visited Washington in November 2004 as part of a trip to raise funds and awareness for his church in Togo. When he arrived in Spokane, the pastor was greeted by his friend Don Russell, founder of Spokane Valley Christian Outreach Center.
Russell first became aware of Amegble’s ministry in 1999. Along with prayers of support, Russell sent bibles and donations to the church in Togo. The congregation that began with 10 people in 1992 has now grown to nearly 300.
“We asked each other for guidance and insight,” said Russell who had just started up the Outreach Center around the same time he met Amegble.
When Amegble arrived in the U.S., Russell wasn’t sure if he could coordinate the sort of effort that would generate funds to purchase land for a church in Togo. To that point, services were being held in Amegble’s home, the church’s sixth gathering place in 12 years.
“I didn’t think I was smart enough to do this,” Russell said. “But God was right there the entire time.”
Amegble attended a number of churches in the Spokane area during his stay. One of the people he met along the way was Ross LeMaster who attends Redeemer Lutheran church in Spokane Valley.
“We were impressed with his outlook,” LeMaster said. “Pastor Zeph is a genuine Christian. He has real love and respect for people.”
LeMaster and his family continue to support Amegble’s mission on a monthly basis. Other neighbors have also pitched in to help. Two years ago, LeMaster visited Togo and gained increased appreciation for the people and their dedication to the church.
“There was no color barrier,” he said. “We were brothers and sisters.”
Russell, who publishes a daily online Christian newsletter called the Arrow Epistle, has been back to Togo twice, including a two-week trip last month. He said the experience of contributing to Amegble’s ministry and seeing the resulting joy of the people has had “a life-changing effect” on him.
“It’s helped me know who I am and what I’m capable of,” Russell said. “I’ve learned so much about faith in the last few years.”
In addition to buying land for a church, donations from the Spokane have helped members of Amegble’s church begin business ventures such as animal farming.
Like Russell, LeMaster said the faith and enthusiasm of those they met goes beyond simply attending services.
“They really take care of each other,” he said.
Amegble talks about a comprehensive approach to living the gospel, one that includes reaching out to people of other faiths. During the Muslim observance of Ramadan, parishioners of Amegble’s church brought rice and oil as a gift to a neighboring mosque.
Russell said the example of his friend from West Africa has taught him to “see the amazing grace and love that God has for all his people.”
Amegble continues to travel throughout the country, sharing his message of faith. He talks to people on a daily basis who may not be wealthy by worldly standards, but have a richness to their lives that goes beyond any bank account.
“Despite the conditions, you see them happy,” he said. “They’re grateful to God for what they have.”
Want to help?
Those interested in supporting Pastor Zephyrin Kossi Amegble’s Christian fellowship in Togo can call Spokane Valley Christian Outreach at 999-6090.
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By
Craig Howard
