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Interview: Lieutenant Andre Mere Bara Togo
Original Publication - JAC #88 , December 2013 – January 2014
JAC: Who are you?
NT: I’m Andre Mere Bara Togo, an Officer of the Salvation Army
with the rank of “Lieutenant”, serving as a Corps officer at
Amanda’s in Concession, Chiweshe Division in Zimbabwe
Territory.
JAC: Where are you from?
NT: I’m from Mali, West Africa.
JAC: What was your upbringing like?
TOGO: Born the seventh of a family of thirteen children, the
life of my childhood was not comparable to that of a child
from a modest family. Although my parents were very dedicated
to properly educate their children, we literally always lived
in extreme poverty. Especially toward the last days of my
father, paralyzed by disease, he could no longer meet the
daily needs of the family. Then I went to the market,
improvising as a carpenter with a hammer at hand to repair the
tables of shop keepers in order to receive in kind or in cash
something to eat for my family. It even happened us of eating
our own dog under extreme pressure of famine. I’m not
exaggerating!
Despite this humiliating life situation, each morning and
evening we had learned to pray on our knees, reciting the "Our
Father" and the "Ave Maria." Poverty had become a virtue in my
family and the life of Lazarus in the Bible was an ideal
reference to relieve our condition. Little by little I began
to love God and even to wanting to serve Him. Finally toward
the age 13 I was admitted to the small seminary as seminarian
in order to become a priest with the Catholic Church.
Unfortunately this adventure ended a year later, following my
unexplained dismissal from the seminary. All my hope had
disappeared; that’s where I began to develop a deep hatred
toward God, the church, and the priests in general.
Resolved of no longer having anything to do with Christianity,
I was now attracted to Satanism, fetishism and regularly
consulting “marabous” or charlatans. It was in this atmosphere
that I met with Mr Gerard de Coursiere, French Astrologer,
with whom I have spent long years of total bewilderment
committing abominable sins. None, neither I nor my poor
parents imagined that this man was an agent of the devil. If I
had known, who he was, I could have never accepted his
proposal of adoption. Later, I finally realized that it was
God’s plan, so that my experiences served as a subject of
glory and testimony.
God is God, He does what He wants, when, how and where He
wants. His sovereignty is expressed above all things and over
all men. Mr Gérard De Coursiere was a famous fortune-teller to
several African heads of State and many business men and women
throughout the world. I was only fifteen when we met for the
first time, in a restaurant owned by an uncle, where my sister
worked. Quickly he made himself known to the restaurant
clients practicing chiromancy in a very attractive manner and
apparently many were amazed of his practice.
My sister run to me and brought me to the white man and him
holding my left hand asked: "Where are your parents?“
I replied: just twelve miles from this town! He wanted
to talk to them, but sister preferred to introduce him to my
uncle, the owner of the restaurant. He asked to see him
immediately; ignoring his intention we led him to my uncle’s
office. After hours of conversation, my uncle visibly subdued
under the power of the mysterious man, pleaded for me to
accept the man’s proposition of adopting me as his son. In
view my age and the situation of extreme poverty of my family,
I found that this was an opportunity not to miss.
I took home his proposal without hesitation, with tears of joy
and at the same time questions without answers sprang off my
head. I was wondering: Who am I to deserve such a favor? Why
me? How is it that a white fortune-teller could be interested
in me? What has he discovered in my hands?
I thought this man was from God to offer me and family
better life. To convince my parents, he promised to take good
care of me. Finally, with his signature on a piece of paper, I
was under his responsibility in all legality.
I therefore followed a person totally unknown to us, for an
unknown destination, leaving my family in joy and doubt,
because nobody knew what would be of my future. But, the fact
that it was a white who had given his word reassured my
parents because generally in Africa we believe, whites people
fulfil always their promises. But this man never honoured his
promises; we were always invited by African presidents,
travelling from country to country and from hotel to hotel
performing evil to maintain them in power. I was trained and
initiated in astrology, chiromancy and all arts of
fortunetelling. Being homosexual he was abusing me for more
than 5 years. At the age of 19, I decided to be independent
and that decision was not without consequences. I got what i
was looking so for many years: to be free, free from Gerard de
Courciere my so-called “father.”
At last, been “independent” I established my own
fortunetelling office, in few weeks my service was demanded
from all prominent and influence people of Conakry.
JAC: How did you get saved?
NT: In June 2001, still in Guinea Conakry, I was invited by an
influencial woman to perform a dangerous occult activity. It
was during that evil performance, the Lord appeared to me.
It was a Friday around 9am, I discovered a Bible in the house
where I was. When I opened that Bible, here are the words that
I have read and which have tormented my mind: "Let no one be
found among you interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or
casts spells, or who is a medium or spirits or who consults
the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the
Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your
God will drive out those nations before you. You must be
blameless before the Lord you God." (Dt 18.10 -13). I was
surprised and terrified of the fact that the Bible could
contain such a truth describing my life. Immediately, a
strange conviction of my state of damnation was revealed to
me, and my conscience pitched against me as if an accuser
spoke to me, for the first time in my life, about all my
committed abominations. That day, I had wept bitterly,
confessing all my sins.
Suddenly, a blinding light appeared unto me in the House and,
because of the glamour, I found myself on the ground. A loud
voice called: "Andre! Andre! Andre, today thou shalt know that
you belong to Me! "
Upon hearing the voice, an intense heat began to burn
me from the head to the feet. Oh My God! It was terrible! The
time I came back to my senses, it was about 17:00pm. But, it
was as if the entire scene took place in a fraction of second.
It is difficult for me to describe this spectacle; I’ve run
out of words. What I experienced changed completely my life, I
knew from that day, I’ll never be the same person, being
convinced of the fact, I immediately burned all my books of
astrology and occult.
The very night I was told in a dream to go at specific place
of the town where I would find a certain church named,
“Ministère de la vie nouvelle, Église de Dieu en Christ.”
Meaning“New Life Ministries, Church Of God In Christ.”
Early on Sunday morning as I drove to the place shown to me in
the dream; I found a sign with the name of the very church. I
was choked and as well afraid to get in the church, because I
was convinced that something is going to happen again to me.
Finally I walked in, went and sat at the back, expecting the
next unusual experience with God. And two hours later the
meeting started with a vibrant praise and worship with a
joyful dancing church.
Though also excited, I was seated and carefully observing all
movement. After all protocols observed, there came the time of
preaching. I still remember, the Pastor preached on Acts 9
from 1 to 17; with the topic: “the chosen of the Lord.” While
he was preaching I felt he was just talking to me and me
alone, all his words full of grace and love were going
straight to my heard and all my being. It was just wonderful
something! On that day I have decided to be like the pastor,
preaching and telling the world like Saul what the Lord did
for me. I gave Him my life as a living sacrifice.
After his sermon, the pastor from the pulpit came straight to
me and said: “my brother, you’re the Lord’s chosen.” And I
answered him saying: if you only know what I’m going through
these days! While narrating to the pastor my experience, a
church member came to me and says: “visitor, are you
interested to attend our annual convention at Freetown in
Sierra Leone?” without hesitating I said yes.
To completely break the link with my past, the Lord led me to
Freetown, where I was welcomed and trained at the "New Life
Ministries Bible Institute and Church of God in Christ,
(NLM-COGIC) under the General Overseer named, Reverend
Jonathan Archibald Cole “Daddy”. At the end of my training in
2004, I came in Mali as an ordained Minister of the Gospel
with the New Life Ministries.
I was a stranger to my own people, some could not believe that
I’m now a man of God; I was persecuted and rejected by all
relatives and friends. Being isolated, I was strengthened to
fill my thirst of reaching a largest number of Muslims with
the gospel. Knowing the nature of the battle, there was no
doubt that it is through prayer only that this thirst could be
quenched. I surrendered myself therefore interceding for my
country, particularly for the Muslims in West Africa. It was
in this atmosphere of prayer that the Lord gave me the vision
of The Salvation Army in Mali.
JAC: How did you get sanctified?
NT: After giving my life to the Lord, I immediately understood
by the peace in my soul and spirit, has saved and set me apart
for his service. However, I didn't feel always been accepted
by God and I begun to have doubts and uncertainties about my
position in Christ. My progress and efforts do not seem
obvious. And the peace in me was constantly troubled.
Till finally I understood through the epistles to the Romans,
that what God has done in my life reliant not on me but on
Jesus. Through sanctification I can become more and more pure
and separate from the wrong in my behaviour, putting myself
aside for God. I knew my Christian life begins by the
sanctification of position, through the grace of God. Then, it
is my responsibility to find a practical sanctification which
brings me to be pure, separated from evil and resemble to
Christ.
JAC: For those who haven’t yet heard this famous story, how
did you get connected with the Salvation Army?
NT: It all began in October 2004. In the vision I had, I was
with my mother under a big tree when, suddenly, we saw
thousands of people dressed in white uniforms, each blowing a
trumpet, and they were trying to surround our country (Mali).
The sound coming out of their trumpets was saying: "peoples of
the nations repent for we coming with the Good News of God’s
Kingdom."
After having heard that, I said to my mother: These people
must be Christians, but why are they as soldiers?
My mother said to me: "André, you have to join them, be
like them and have to act with them.”
Being shocked by these words of my mother, I went back
saying: Mom, how can you ask me to join them, to be like them
and be with them when I do not even know them? I do not wear
white clothes like them and I have no trumpet like them? It is
impossible, Mom!'
She said: “My son don’t worry, only obey my order, go and join
them, you will be like them and you will act like them.” From
a halting step, I began going towards them to join the group.
At this moment, somebody of the cohort saw me coming. He
ceased playing his trumpet and made me a sign of hand
encouraging me to join them quickly. I was really encouraged
by his gesture and I advanced so quickly towards them.
He stopped playing his trumpet and gave me a hand sign
encouraging me to join them quickly. I was really encouraged
by his gesture and I advanced quickly towards them.
Just when I approached them, suddenly, I turned and saw that I
had become like them, dressed in white, with a trumpet in
hands. And this time with me in the group, we picked up our
playing, giving the same message.
When I woke up, I just quickly understood that the Lord spoke
to me. Without knowing exactly what was needed to be done, I
abandoned myself in prayer, hoping to have the Lord
assistance, before taking an action.
At first I thought the Lord was asking me to bring the
gospel to the Malian Armed Forces in a special way. But while
meditating deeply, I had a voice clearly instructing me to
surf on the Internet, that I’ll find a clear answer to my
dream. From Google search, by combining several words and
phrases such as: "military evangelism; "Christian activists,
Christian army, etc." I was surprised to discover a movement
called “THE SALVATION ARMY “ whose members called “SOLDIERS “
wear “UNIFORM” , use the ”BAND” as a musical instrument, and
the whole of this military organization exist for a single
purpose: "THE SALVATION OF SOULS". I searched and read
everything I could find on the internet concerning this Army.
I found it! The vision I had was probably divine! I told
myself. But this Army is totally absent in my country. Then, I
began to wonder: "Why do we not have this revolutionary
movement to stimulate our Christianity? Why is it that since
1878, the Salvation Army came to existence and is almost
everywhere in the world, but not in Mali?
At the time these questions boiled in my anxious soul, the
answer seemed to indicate me as being pioneer in the
establishment of this Army in Mali and west French-speaking
countries, as it was shown to me in vision. And I was
determined to do it that way regardless of the consequences,
or the sacrifice it might cost me. I was certain that it was
the Lord's will.
On October 30, 2004, I shared my experience with a certain
Captain Stephen Court (now Major) in an application form for
admission to the 'The War College of Vancouver' in Canada,
which I had discovered on the internet during my research.I
was accepted for the 2005-2007 session at The War College.
Despite all steps undertaken about my trip, I could not secure
a student visa for Canada. Without discouragement, Stephen
linked me with the Regional Facilitation Team based in
Nigeria.
February 26th to March 3rd 2006, this team led by Commissioner
Stuart Mungate, Nigeria Territorial Commander (now retired)
visited Mali for the first time.
We discussed the work of The Salvation Army, its
structure, work methods, doctrine and mission. Back in
Nigeria, Commissioner Stuart Mungate sent me basic textbooks
concerning the training of recruits and soldiers. With these
documents, I started the first class of recruits at
Magnabougou, with about 30 recruits.
View to the quick expansion of work, Major Emmanuel
Diakanwa Wante Mapanga, from the Territory of DRC was sent to
Mali assisting me teaching the recruits. At the end of his
stay, the Major wrote his report on the work started in Mali.
In March 19, 2007, Commissioners Amos and Rosemary Makina
(International Secretary for Africa and Zonal Secretary), the
Commissioner Jean Ludiazo Bakidi (Nigeria Territorial
Commander) and Colonel Dick Krommenhoek, (representative of
the General concerning the missions), all came in Mali to
palpate on ground the actual situation of the work, in order
to inform the International Headquarters.
Following this mission, the International Headquarters decided
to appoint the Majors Eugenes and Odile Dikal as Officers in
charge of the freshly started work of The Salvation Army in
Mali. On 26 February 2008 under the registration number
0036/MATCL-DNI the Malian government officially granted the
Salvation Army the status of “a church”, which is exceptional
in a Muslim dominated country. After being farewelled as the
first Soldiers from Mali my wife and I were welcomed as Cadets
in the Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Territory
for Officership in 2008. Upon completion of our training we
were appointed to the Zimbabwe Territory, where we’re still
serving.
I learned that whenever God gives receive a vision, people
will try to persuade you that it is not from Him.
Satan will also try to convince you with troubles and
opposition that God has not spoken to you.The thing we
strongly believed on suddenly becomes uncertain and unsure. It
takes only God’s grace and strong faith to regain our formal
level of assurance.
I believe Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah and Paul, just to
cite a few, went through the same opposition and Jealousy from
family members, colleagues and friends. Now I know, claiming a
divine promise or a specific revelation from God means
struggles, rejection and opposition. “But none of these things
move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I
might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I
have received of the Lord Jesus...”
Acts 20:24
JAC: You are a
married family man. Tell us about that.
NT: By the grace of God, I am a husband and father flourished.
In His faithfulness the Lord gave me the desire of my heart
regarding my wife and son. After my miraculous conversion in
Guinea and pastoral training at New Life Bible Institute in
Sierra Leone, all that was missing in the pursuit of my
calling to serve God, was to marry a woman who shares the same
spiritual values. I was aware that a poor choice of spouse
could affect my call to serve God properly and to help me make
this difficult choice my spiritual father "Daddy" has
guaranteed to find one that best fits this criterion in his
church. He formally discouraged me from thinking of marrying a
Malian girl, because according to him I would never find a
Christian woman in Mali because of the small number of
Christians in this country that is 98% Muslim.
In agreement with Daddy, I began to conquer a soul mate among
the young ladies of the church, of which I was an ordained
minister. It was then that my choice when on a girl named
Elizabeth Cole, sister to “Daddy." Procedure of our engagement
was quickly arranged and I was immediately sent to Mali to
start the ministry.
Once in Mali, convinced that she would join me for the
celebration of our wedding, I hung around my apartment
pictures of her, to serve the members of my church as their
pastor that I had a fiancé and I was not single.
A few months later, to my great disappointment, “Daddy” told
me that my fiancé was not ready for wedding so soon, she plans
to undertake studies of law, which may at least five years
duration . He advised me to forget about her and he is looking
for another. It took me months to forget this adventure.
Meanwhile fully invested by the Lord's work, I devoted all my
time in teaching the Word of God and evangelism.
In 2006, I was invited to preach at the Protestant
Evangelical Church of Hadallaye (Bamako) . Before an audience
of over 1,000, as I saw a circle of light around a young girl
among many others and a voice said “this girl will be your
wife.”
After having delivered my sermon, I was taking to the office
of the Pastor. I did not know what to do or say, because it
was impossible to know who this girl was and besides, I’d
never seen her before. That day, I chose not to say anything
to the Pastor of the church, just not to appear ridiculous.
Because it happened very quickly and I would not be able to
identify the girl in question if the pastor asked me.
Once home, I prayed, Lord, if it is you who have chosen this
girl for me, allows me to meet her again. The next morning,
impressed by the message preached, the assistant pastor came
to share with me his friendship and his desire to work with me
and at the same time he invited me to his upcoming wedding
scheduled in the same church. It was an emotional moment, one
hand I was very happy for him, but the other sad for myself.
With a nod towards fingering photo of Elisabeth still hanging
on the wall, I said: it is her I was about to marry, but at
the last minute she preferred to study than to marry me. He
replied saying,
''when you preached yesterday, the Lord showed me a girl on
fire in the church that I know personally named Fatouma
Dougnon , She is an academic and studied civil law.'' So I
told him about my experience of seeing a girl with a circle of
light. The assistant pastor replied, "It should be about the
same girl, because the Lord never contradicted, moreover, when
you come to my wedding I would show you the girl I’m talking
about." After have prayed together, he went away.
One week later, I attended the funeral of the mother of the
senior pastor from the same church. For those who know West
Africa, especially Mali, popular means of transportation is
motorcycles. That day there was a multitude of motorcycles in
parking cemetery. To my surprise, after the funeral I found
this very girl sitting on my bike with her female friend to
the parking lot. In front of her, I said, the bike on which
you’re sited is mine and she immediately got up saying, ''I'm
sorry, Pastor I did not know it was yours.” The same voice
said to me: ''Is it not an opportunity for you to ask her
name'' Without hesitation I asked he: Mademoiselle, could I
know your name? She replied: ''Nana Fatouma Dougnon.” Thank
God, bless you, I said with a big smile.
After having recovered my bike, I was a man filled with joy.
Once again the Lord has done a miracle in my life. It's true
it was the same girl that I saw in the church that the Lord
revealed to the Assistant Pastor. To top it in beauty , when I
came to the wedding of the assistant pastor, he went to the
girl and led her me saying: ''Here , this is the girl I told
you, she is called Nana Fatouma Dougnon.'' I said, you're
right, we met already.
A year later, May 5, 2007, we got married in the same church
where I saw her for the first time.
Many Christians limit God in their lives, believing that He
cannot offer them what they desire. The Bible says, “delight
in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart." In
my case, I trusted my spiritual father instead of believing
the world.
JAC: What languages do you speak?
NT: I speak: French, English, Creole, Dogon, Bambara, Malinke,
Sousou, Lingala, Dioula and now learning Shona.
It is important to note that I spoke English overnight,
exactly as describe in Acts chapter 2 verses 4. Because of
time I’ll not be able to explain it here.
JAC: What are the challenges of fighting the salvation war in
a different culture?
NT: Our mandate to preach the Gospel everywhere in the world
does not leave us the choice to remain in our comfort zone. As
always the one who announces the gospel and lives by this
message is in the grip of the enemy, in permanent conflict
with relatives and persecution on the part of those for which
we had chosen to suffer in order to save those who can be.
One of the main challenges we’re still facing in this fight is
syncretism among those so-called Christian countries, due to
cultural beliefs and structures. Cultures are different and
varied especially in Africa. In order to approach these
various realities and situations of various people, with the
salvation war, in addition to our qualities (as preachers),
the strategies which enable us always (my wife and me) to
penetrate in the communities, are be identified with people
and to be integrated in their community. The example of Paul
in1 Corinthians 9:19-27 inspire us. It is summarized in three
words, namely: adaptability; suppleness; flexibility.
JAC: What are some of the best things God is doing and has
done in your midst?
NT: This an amazing question! They are so many and all best
things that it is difficult to mention few and leave the
others. David
says: many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The
things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to
speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. We
just repeat as David says:
not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the
glory, because of your LOVE and FAITHFULNESS. Only His love
and faithfulness can explain it.
JAC: You have written a few books. Tell non-French readers
about them, please.
NT:
1.
Pourquoi dois-je donner? (why should I give): a
meditation on offerings and tithing
2.
J’ai gaspillé ma vie (I wasted my life): a collection
of mediations guiding to young people to learn from life
mistakes.
3.
Quand Dieu appelle (when God calls): a book narrating
my life.
4.
Decouver l’Armee du Salut (Discover The Salvation
Army): starting of work in Mali; presenting to
non-Salvationists the history, structures, doctrines and ways
of the Salvation Army.
5.
Les batisseurs (community builders): a help manual for
God's servants working as facilitator of socio-economic
development in the communities
6.
Standing on God’s ground: a motivational book (I’m
still working on, it is in English)
JAC: What one thing about God and His ways, if embraced,
would/ will make the biggest impact in our lives and warfare?
NT: I believe our submissionto His ways of doing things, if
embraced and understood will make the biggest impact not only
in our lives and warfare but also will transform the world
we’re tirelessly claiming for Jesus.
We have been doing are own things for long as Martha
and wanting the Lord’s approval on them. It is now high time
to appropriate His new ways in this changing era to impact our
generation.
JAC: You have lived amongst extreme poverty, war, and some
oppression from a dominant world religion- what are the
difficulties of following Jesus in this context?
NT: This remind me of my arrival in Sierra Leone (Freetown)
just before the formal cessation of the civil war in January
2002. This civil war has caused approximately 120,000 deaths.
Several thousands of people have been intentionally mutilated,
notably by the amputation of hands to keep them out of work
and particularly to vote. More than 2 and a half million
people (one third of the population) were displaced, caused by
an armed group is called RUF (Revolutionary United Front),
with its head Foday Sankoh.
At the head of a team of evangelization, we visited a camp of
mutilated for the good news. But soon we were driven out of
the camp by occupants in anger against us; here's what they
said: ''We do not want to hear about your Jesus, where was He
when the rebels were burning our homes, raped, killed our
women and children. Look here all we had no hands or feet!
Where was your Jesus?
That day, we did not resist them. These people blame God for
their spells. They did not want to hear about God. Not knowing
how to reach them, the Lord inspired us to change the name of
the camp “Amputed camp" to "restoration camp." We approached
the camp manager, with our intention to change the name of
camp, which was a reminder of the bad memories of their past.
This was the entry door and over 100 amputees have given their
lives to the Lord. It was not an easy task but the Lord in His
faithfulness honored His word of love and grace that we
preached.
JAC: What are your expectations of The Salvation Army?
NT: They are not different from what the Lord raised it for.
We all believe that God raised The Salvation to meet the
suffering humanity needs and bring their souls to Jesus. Even
after many years of existence, this purpose should not change.
I’m expecting the Army to be rooted in mission and
mission focus, using our uniqueness as divine privilege and
opportunity to fulfil its mission. I’m expecting the Army to
make use of the spirit of internationalism as a way of sharing
and learning from different territories and centers within the
Army, in order to reinforce or change some of our war
strategies.
JAC: Who are your heroes? (why?)
NT: The retired commissioner Sadrac Diakanua from Democratic
Republic of Territory and the retired Commissioners Hope and
Stuart Mungate from Zimbabwe Territory. Those people are
living testimonies and real servants of God. They taught me
how to love my oppressors, to serve God in all humility facing
challenges and opposition from their lives’ examples.
JAC: What books have influenced you? (why?)
NT: Obviously none can stand the Bible influence in my life.
However, “The Spiritual Man” of Watchman nee; “Experiencing
God” of Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King and Samuel Logan
Brengle’s books played key role in my spiritual growth.
JAC: General Cox has invited youth to answer questions by
video to him. While this is not video and you aren’t ‘youth’
anymore, what would you want him to know?
NT: First, I would want him to know that he is not alone in
bearing the heavy responsibility of leading the worldwide Army
as General, but that there are millions of Salvationists,
officers and the Army lovers around the world praying and
support him in this task of his.
Secondly, I would want him to listen only God and godly people
in making decisions who could promote the one Army, one
message and one mission vision of the retired General Linda
Bond that he has decided to continue with.
Thirdly, identify and appoint called, anointed, sanctified,
potential and visionary officers around the world no matter
their ages or rank to leadership positions in the Army
structures.
Last but not the least, I would want the General to use
informal training centers’ experience and success in recruits
potential candidates for Officership such as The War College,
through which I was brought to The Salvation Army.
JAC: If you could speak directly to Salvationists around the
world, what would you say?
NT: We’re all part of a God raised movement of Salvation
around the world, enrolled under blood and fire to invade the
world for Jesus. When God invests in someone He trusts him,
gives him His power and assures him protection. Are you that
man or woman that God has found that He has chosen as a
Salvationist? If so, you are not alone in the fight; the Chief
of the Army promised His presence and power of the Holy
Spirit. Rise up, be on fire to win world for Jesus. God bless
you all!
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