[Togo] "I will report to the President that this event be designated as a national event"

▣ Christmas seminar and cantata for the citizens of Lomé

Good news Togo Lomé Church held the ‘Christmas Seminar’ and Cantata for the citizens of Lomé at the National Directorate from December 22nd to 24th to celebrate Christmas. It was a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as so many citizens attended that there were not enough seats for 3,000 seats.

Prior to this event, God gave the word of promise from Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” However, through Astrovision installed in downtown Lome, which has the highest floating population and traffic, (which we had never thought of before), gave us the grace to advertise for free for three weeks.

▣ Appeared live on TVT’s popular talk show “Nectar”

On December 21st (Wednesday), the day before the event, an interview was conducted by inviting Pastor Deokman Yang, a lecturer, on “NEKTAR,” the talk show of TVT’s state broadcasting station.

Announcer AICHA vividly remembered the interview with Good News Mission founder Pastor Ock Soo Park, who visited Togo last year, and asked, “At the time, Pastor said Togo was the center of the world, but is that really possible?” The castles were nothing more than 'the land of Cabul', that is, a useless land, but Galilee, seen through Jesus, was the most valuable land. Even though Togo is only a poor and hopeless small country from the outside, Togo seen through the eyes of God is the world's most valuable land. It is the center, and Togo will lead the world in the future,” the hosts smiled broadly and promised that they would definitely attend this Cantata, saying that they would like to share that vision as well.

▣ Interview with the Minister of Culture and Tourism

Also, during the Christmas event, interviews were conducted with people from all walks of life. In particular, we requested a school permit to start a Saesori Music School in Togo, so we requested a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Tourism several times before, but it was not possible. However, through the Christmas Cantata, we had the sudden opportunity to meet with the Minister.

Along with the introduction of Pastor Deok-Man Yang's mind lecture, the songs of the Togo Saesori Boys and Girls Choir were presented. The minister, who opened his heart wide, said that he would help with everything necessary from now on, and that he would issue a permit so that a music school could start at any time in Togo. We are grateful when we think that this incident will lead to the establishment of the first music school in Togo, planting dreams and hopes in the hearts of many students and spreading the gospel together.

▣ Mind Education for Middle and High School Students

The best scene stealer at this Christmas event was the mind lecture held in the afternoon. For two days on the 22nd and 23rd, there was mind education for middle and high school students on the topics of “Health” and “Value”. Despite school classes being held, many schools sent their students, and about 1,500 students were able to receive education at the National Theater. “Just as a knife is neither good nor bad, but depending on whose hand it is held, it can either be used to kill or save people. Through the story, “God has already accomplished salvation and all powers within,” many students escaped from their thoughts and received salvation.

In addition, after the lecture, many teachers and school officials who attended with the students made requests to give lectures at their own schools, so we plan to visit all schools in the future to continue mind lectures and evangelism.

▣ Christmas Seminar and Cantata

For this event, about 100 brothers and sisters, staff, and 80 members of the Togo Saesori Boys and Girls Choir gathered and prepared for the event three months ago. There were difficulties in the process of preparation, but God gave new strength to each person and left many testimonies.

The event was attended by people from all walks of life. In particular, on the 24th, the curtain was opened with a welcome speech by Governor Romesh, who had a long relationship with the Togo branch, and the Sunday school students' Little Santa performance and the Righteous Stars' cultural dance captivated the audience.

Afterwards, returning to Bethlehem in Judea 2,000 years ago, the audience shouted Amen and responded with applause as they watched Jesus born to forgive our sins. Then, in the Christmas carol medley performance by the Togo Saesori Boys and Girls Choir, everyone, adults and children, sang along as one and were happy saying that it was the best Christmas present.

Pastor Deok-Man Yang, who came to the next stage, said in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” When he shouted that we were no longer a sinner, 3,000 spectators responded with one voice, “Amen.”

The Acting Minister of Culture and Tourism, who came up for a congratulatory speech at the end, said, “I have never seen a performance of this quality in Togo. I will report it to the President right away so that as many people as possible can see and be happy with this performance by designating it as an annual national event in Togo. It was the best performance and message of my life.” In addition, many people from all walks of life who attended the event sent messages of thanks through social media, saying that “Togo really is the center of the world.”

▣ Celebrating the New Year 2023

Through this Christmas seminar and performance, we finished the year 2022 with happiness and wishes, and at the same time, it was a precious time to have expectations towards 2023 and hope for how God will work. We give glory to God, believing that the promise given by the servant to Togo, “Togo will be the center of the world,” will be fulfilled.