TOGO — As part of its thriving Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) audio Scripture ministry (see previous stories), the Bible Society of Togo supplies sets of Scripture cassettes for use in church listening sessions. UBS Media Consultant the Rev Dr Francois Sieberhagen recently attended one of these sessions at an Assemblies of God (AOG) church in Avédji, a suburb of Lomé.

Father and child at a Scripture listening session at an AOG church. Photo: UBS/Francois Sieberhagen (TOG06DJ-20.JPG)

There is a sense of expectation among the 40 or so people who have gathered for the mid-week listening session in this unfinished building.

Poor congregation

“This is a poor congregation,” explains Managuèlé Bafei, the Bible Society distributor for the area. “That’s why this building is not finished. They have to build as they go along, when they have money from working in the markets.

“They don’t follow the suggested format of listening for half an hour and then discussing for half an hour. Instead, they begin by singing and praying, then they start to listen. They stop the cassette from time to time to ask questions.”

Express their joy

Everybody participates in the singing, clearly expressing their joy and excitement. To the accompaniment of drums and other instruments, some dance on the dusty floor.

When the listening begins, it is clear that this small congregation benefits from a very good sound system, despite its limited resources. The words on the cassette — the 14th chapter of Mark’s Gospel in Ewe, a local language — can be heard very clearly.

Soon it is time to discuss the passage, and Pastor Vanla Eyram is bombarded with very perceptive comments and questions. A long time is spent considering why Judas decided to betray Jesus and the role that money played in that decision.