04/07/2018: From Witchdoctor to Friendship Evangelist

From Witchdoctor to Friendship Evangelist

A former witchdoctor reaches people for Christ.

When I first met Paca at an evangelistic meeting in Togo, West Africa, he was training to be a “powerful witchdoctor” in his local village. Since that day in 2009, he has made an incredible transformation. He now works with Pastor Agamah as a Bible Worker, using the power of the gospel and friendship evangelism to win people to the truth.

One day, as these eager soul-winners distributed literature in their village, they met a man from one of the largest Baptist churches in the area, Pastor Simliwa. He had a keen interest in Bible prophecy, and they began visiting his home, leaving truth-filled material behind. As they got to know him and his family, they soon found themselves fast friends. Not long after, Pastor Simliwa confessed that he had accepted the truth. They were filled with elation, and then deep surprise as he revealed that he was the Senior Pastor, overseeing all the Baptist churches in the northern part of Togo.

Pastor Simliwa carefully weighed his position. He knew if he joined the Seventh-day Adventist church he would lose his handsome salary, his influence, and many friendships. But after much prayer and study, he took his stand for the truth.

When the Baptist church administration realized he would not yield, they knew they faced losing many of their key members. They immediately stripped him of his position and salary, hoping these stern measures would deter others from following his example. But many of Pastor Simliwa’s former church members had noticed the new joy that filled his heart. They began to visit him, asking about his new beliefs, and why he had been cut off from his church. He would then share the material he had studied, and challenge them to search the Bible with him. Soon many of his friends were convinced that he was on the right path.

Do you desire to be a better soul winner? Proverbs gives us specific instruction. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” Proverbs 18:24. Every one of us can make friends. Even Jesus made connecting with others a priority so that He could share His message of hope. He accepted invitations to dine with the noble and learned, the poor and afflicted. “He was social in His nature.” Desire of Ages, 150. If we follow His example, we will reap the same results — a vibrant church, and new souls who are much more likely to stay in the church and stay closely connected to the Lord!

“It should ever be manifest that we are reformers, but not bigots. When our laborers enter a new field, they should seek to become acquainted with the pastors of the several churches in the place. Much has been lost by neglecting to do this. If our ministers show themselves friendly and sociable and do not act as if they were ashamed of the message they bear, it will have an excellent effect and may give these pastors and their congregations favorable impressions of the truth. At any rate, it is right to give them a chance to be kind and favorable if they will.” Evangelism, 143

Please pray for Pastor Simliwa, Pastor Amagah, Paca, and others as they minister to remote villages, where the gospel has never been heard.

“In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes, 11:6.

Author:
Mike Bauler
Mike is the director of Mission Projects International.

How You Can Help:
Pray for the Pastors and Bible workers in the small African country of Togo.

Donate:
Funds are needed to help support the Bible Workers who are faithfully sharing the gospel message. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause mark your donations “Togo Workers.”