Missionary Trip to West Africa: Ivory Coast and Togo

I. INTRODUCTION

Context and Objectives

As part of his ongoing commitment to developing the Baptist ministry for students and youth beyond Benin’s borders, missionary Koba Richard undertook a missionary trip to West Africa, covering Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. The trip had two objectives: to participate in the youth camp organized by the Missionary Baptist Church of Côte d’Ivoire in Daloa, and to take part in the National Conference of Baptist Student and Youth Leaders of Togo in Lomé—two strategic events for the expansion of the Baptist student ministry in West Africa.

Team Composition

Missionary Koba Richard made this trip accompanied by the Secretary General of the M2E-Baptist Board of Directors, Brother Sossou Grâce, whom he met in Togo before they continued on together to Côte d'Ivoire.

Dates and Destinations

The trip lasted several weeks and included the following destinations: Lomé (Togo), Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Daloa (Ivory Coast), then back to Lomé (Togo) before finally returning to Abomey-Calavi.
 

II. THE DIFFERENT STAGES

Step 1 — Transit through Togo and departure for Côte d'Ivoire

It was in Togo that missionary Koba Richard met up with Brother Sossou Grâce, Secretary General of the M2E-Baptist Board of Directors. Together, they continued on their way to Côte d'Ivoire, thus beginning a journey that would prove to be rich in encounters and new perspectives.

Step 2 — Abidjan | Friday

As soon as they arrived in Abidjan, doors began to open. The team had the opportunity to meet with the Youth President of the Baptist Missionary Convention of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the Convention’s National President—strategic meetings at the highest level that laid the groundwork for future exchanges and demonstrated the interest in the Baptist student ministry.

Step 3 — Yamoussoukro and Daloa | Saturday

Leaving Abidjan on Saturday, the team stopped in Yamoussoukro to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace—a memorable cultural and spiritual experience—before heading to Daloa, the host city for the youth camp organized by the Missionary Baptist Church of Côte d'Ivoire.

Step 4 — The Sunday before camp | Yamoussoukro

The day before the camp's official opening, the participants visited the site, taking this opportunity to prepare themselves spiritually and as a community for what was to come.

Step 5 — Camp Kickoff and First Meetings | Monday

The camp officially kicked off on Monday. Missionary Koba Richard had the honor of addressing all the participants—students and leaders from all corners of Côte d’Ivoire. That same day, an evangelistic caravan was organized in the area, immediately giving the gathering a missionary spirit.

On the sidelines of the camp, a strategic meeting was held with the First Vice President and the Secretary General of the Union of Missionary Baptist Churches of Côte d'Ivoire—high-level discussions that opened up concrete opportunities for collaboration.

Step 6 — Ministry Training for Students | Tuesday

Tuesday was devoted to a training session led by missionary Koba Richard. The topics covered were both fundamental and practical:

✅ The Definition and Foundations of the Baptist Student Ministry

✅ The Distinction Between Youth Ministry and Student Ministry

✅ The Importance and Necessity of a Denominational Ministry

✅ Possible Structures for a Baptist Student Fellowship—Church-Based, Campus-Based, or High School-Based

✅ Fundraising Strategies to Support This Ministry

A comprehensive, practical training program that was enthusiastically received by the participants, who found concrete tools there to structure and develop their ministry.

Step 7 — End of Camp and Return to Abidjan | Wednesday

At the close of the camp, in a warm and touching gesture of appreciation, the organizers presented missionary Richard and Brother Sossou Grâce with certificates of participation as well as gifts as a token of gratitude for their contribution. It was a heartfelt farewell, befitting the exceptional welcome they had received throughout their stay. The team then set off again for Abidjan.

Step 8 — Return to Togo and National Leaders' Conference | August 21–22, 2026

Upon his return to Togo, missionary Koba Richard participated in the 2026 National Conference of Baptist Student Leaders, organized by the Togo Baptist Convention—Department of Youth, Sports, and Culture—through the Federation of Baptist Students of Togo (FEEBT). The conference was held on August 21 and 22, 2026, at the Jehovah Shammah Baptist Church in Lomé-Agoè-Amadenta, with the theme: “Arise, the ministry calls us”—Isaiah 6:8.

Alongside Reverend Adesola Adeyemi, National Coordinator of Baptist Students in Nigeria, missionary Richard had the privilege of teaching at this conference—a wonderful sign of trust and recognition of the expertise of M2E-Baptist in the field of student ministry in West Africa. The conference brought together leaders from all over Togo, united by a shared vision: to rise up and answer the call to ministry.
 

Return to Abomey-Calavi | Saturday, August 22, 2026

At the conclusion of the conference, missionary Koba Richard set out on his return journey to Abomey-Calavi, thus bringing to a close a busy missionary trip that was rich in encounters and held great promise for the ministry among Baptist students in West Africa.
 

III. OVERVIEW AND RESULTS ACHIEVED

This missionary trip achieved significant results in several areas:

✅ Strategic Meetings in Côte d'Ivoire: Meetings with the Youth President and the National President of the Baptist Missionary Convention of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as with the First Vice President and the General Secretary of the Union of Baptist Missionary Churches, opened concrete doors for regional collaboration in student ministry.

✅ Training at the Daloa Camp: The training session led by Missionary Richard provided Ivorian participants with practical tools and a solid foundation for structuring and developing ministry to schoolchildren and college students in their respective contexts.

✅ Teaching at the Togo Conference: Missionary Richard’s participation as a speaker at the National Leaders’ Conference in Togo enhanced the visibility and credibility of M2E-Baptist at the regional level.

✅ Regional Networking: This trip helped forge strong ties with leaders of the Baptist student ministry in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, laying the groundwork for a West African network of Baptist student ministries.

✅ International Recognition: The presentation of certificates and donations by the Ivorian organizers attests to the quality of M2E-Baptist’s contribution and the high regard in which their expertise is held at the regional level.

IV. THANKSGIVING

At the end of this journey, the team expresses its gratitude to God for:

His faithful protection throughout the entire trip, from Calavi to Lomé via Abidjan and Daloa, with no incidents to hinder the mission. Doors were opened at every stop: meetings with the highest-ranking officials of the Baptist Missionary Convention of Côte d'Ivoire, and the opportunity to speak at the Daloa camp and the Lomé conference.

The fraternal appreciation expressed by the Ivorian organizers through their gifts and certificates. The bonds forged with leaders of the Baptist student ministry in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, which open up promising prospects for regional collaboration. The honor of teaching alongside Reverend Adesola Adeyemi of Nigeria at the Togolese conference—a recognition of the expertise and dedication of M2E-Baptist on the regional stage.

V. PRAYERS

The team is presenting the following requests to God and asking for the intercession of the entire M2E-Baptist family:

For the participants of the Daloa camp: May the lessons learned during the camp take deep root in their lives and ministries. May each participant leave with a clear vision and the tools needed to develop ministry among students in their own context.
 

To the leaders trained in Togo: May the Lomé National Conference mark a turning point in the lives of the leaders in attendance. May the theme “Let Us Rise Up, the Ministry Calls Us” not remain merely a slogan, but become a reality lived out in every church, every college campus, and every high school in Togo.
 

For ongoing collaborations: May the bonds forged with the Baptist Missionary Convention of Côte d'Ivoire and the Baptist Convention of Togo translate into concrete actions and fruitful partnerships for spreading the Gospel among college students in West Africa.
 

For missionary Koba Richard: May God continue to strengthen him, inspire him, and open doors for him beyond what he can imagine. May each trip be a new opportunity to spread the vision of the Baptist student ministry even further.

For the M2E-Baptists: May God strengthen and expand the influence of this ministry at the regional level, and may this trip be the starting point for a lasting West African partnership for His glory.