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Five
Suggestions
by Lieutenant Andre
Togo
Lieutenant Andre Togo
- Togo was
miraculously (read about it in JAC archives - just search
Togo) involved in The Salvation Army starting in Mali.
To understand the contemporary context of the countries in
which we intend to invent, we must realize how the world
appears today; examine the people characteristics we want to
evangelize. Thus, with regard to the present context of
the world, we notice: The decline of the western domination.
Previously the world was influenced by the western. Example,
at the colonial time in Africa, there was influence of the
western in all things. Today, we’re assisting to a dramatic
socioeconomic change in the Third-world: It is no more
influenced as much by capitalism or Communism. Africa today is
characterized by decolonization. There is an anti-European or
anti-American mind, because most missionaries came from west
and this fact creates serious problem in our efforts of
evangelizing Muslims dominated African countries. If a country
was against missionaries, it had difficulty evangelizing.
Today, this influence of missionaries doesn't anymore exist.
The Arab countries are opposed to Christianity. They are rich,
and put all necessary means to prevent a massive and global
penetration of the gospel in Africa. These Arab countries
consider Africa as theirs in the domain of evangelism. Their
goal is to Islamized Africa. In spite of this intention, the
African Christian must not forget to evangelize the Moslem.
Often our education is badly adapted to the needs of our
countries. The 21st century is thirsty of well
trained and heavily anointed disciples of Christ to claim this
world for Jesus.
We must avoid presenting Christianity like a philosophy, which
means a religion merely and solely spiritual that takes care
only of salvation. Christians in general and Salvationists in
particular must present a convenient Christianity in which
they put in practice Christ's teachings concerning the
spiritual, social and economic life of people. As our
slogan well describe it: “Soup, Soap, and Salvation.”
We must not put aside the utilitarian aspect of the African
religion. Meaning we must take in consideration the
expectations of the people, adapt (if need be) a teaching that
will answer their needs and satisfy their spiritual condition.
To achieve this goal, a meticulous survey of the area is
necessary in identifying the true needs and real expectations
of the populations to be evangelize. They will serve as entry
doors allowing the gospel to take root in the soul of these
populations in a lasting manner. We must especially avoid
uprooting people of their respective cultures. It would
be a vain effort that would block the penetration of the
gospel and the Salvation Army ministries. On the contrary, we
must, follow the example of Apostle Paul describes in 1
Corinthians 9:19-23,
He lives and does like them. This means that he adapts,
incarnates and identifies with them… While coming on earth,
the Lord Jesus-Christ had incarnated himself, i.e. he had
adapted himself to our living conditions before saving us.
Paul wanted to live as these Jews not because their way of
life was good and liked to him, but simply because he wanted
to bring them to a change. To become all things to all men
means, in this context, to become like people whom we want to
help, to do things as they do. For example: to play football
with the children, to draw water like the villagers, to eat
with the hand like them… The Lord Jesus-Christ went to eat in
Zacchaeus’ house;
he accepted that a sinful woman anoints his feet; he washed
the feet of his disciples, etc. (Luc 19:1-10; Luc 7:36-39;
Jean 12:1-8; Jean 13:4-8).
We must integrate their different surroundings in order to win
them to Christ. We must penetrate their cultures with the
Gospel; explain it in their languages, their terms and current
expressions. We must present an African Christianity that uses
God's name in their different languages, in their different
terms and local expressions. We must bring them a Christianity
who’s biblical and theological concepts are explained and
adapted to their thought and understanding.
It must be the subject of a well studied process and must
adapt the teachings level to be given. To this matter, the
Officers Training Colleges and the (SALT) College or any
specialized Army Institutions should prepare adapted
teachings, taking in consideration the negative aspects
identified of the traditional religions doctrines and others.
What we find negative in their beliefs should be explained
slowly and surely. We must not deny in block everything that
is traditional. We don't owe to condemn those that live
according to their ancestral customs of sinners or all
customary practice straightaway of sin.
In our presentation of Christ:
The manner of which Jean the Baptist presented Christ to the
Jewish should inspire us to present Christ in a simple and
clear manner: “look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
of the world.” He is not only presented like the one that
saves from sin, but also as the one that saves all men in
whole , meaning the soul, spirit and body. Many passages of
the New show Him as the one that heals the sick’s, the one
that delivers from demonic possessions, the one that delivers
from corruption and all sorts of pains (Levy, Zackeus), the
one that feeds the starved, etc. Today, the Lord uses the
Salvation Army to heal the sick (parable of the Good
Samaritan), etc.
In our social approach:
It is not enough to encourage people by our presence and
evangelism; we must try to transform them by our involvement.
Such light participates in all human activity; we must try to
introduce men and women to Christ while participating in the
social and economic activities of the in people the community
where the Salvation Army implanted.
In this approach, we present Christ as the one that heals the
sick (parable of the Good Samaritan), attending those crying
(Lazarus death), etc. Today, the Lord makes it through the
social aid the Salvation Army brings to people in the
communities. As it does already in the countries of Africa in
which it works, the Salvation Army should open more and moral
social centers in addressing drastically increased needs in
Africa.
In the social service, we demonstrate God's love. We try to
satisfy the social needs of our likeness. There is not merit
to tell the people we evangelize that God love them if their
circumstances nearly make impossible the experimentation of
that love. "Ever no one is saved when she/he has teeth pains",
said William Booth. The Salvation Army is highly respected
everywhere in the world for his double accent on evangelism
and social service. This social service is accompanied by a
social action. In this one, the Salvationist demonstrates
God's justice. They try to spare the pains and the injustices
that push people to be in needs. To really lead this action,
one should make a previous survey of the social needs of the
community.
In our economic approach:
In the New Testament, Jesus is also presented as the one that
feeds the starved (multiplication of breads). Here it is about
creating good economic conditions of life. it will convenient
, as far as possible, to bestow the converts with a
microcredit loans in order to allow them to create small
units of production according to their needs and the
production capacity of each. This way will encourage self
support in every family; avoid unemployment, poverty, idleness
and parasitism.
In our mission:
The soldiers of the Salvation Army are not called by God to
retire in a private religious world. They don't leave their
community in order to serve the needs of the army. Instead
they remain there: their hearts are given to God, while their
hands are stretched toward the neighbor to serve. The
Salvation Army exists: To serve the community in and for which
it works; to fight against all sort evils, existing within the
community in and for which it works; to make the community in
and for which it works a different place, where it is good
live; to claim the community in and for which it works for
God; The Salvation Army has been raised by God to change the
world. It is for this reason we always believe we must present
Christ as Lord and Savior above all domains of life.
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