11/09/25 GBTF Moves Into Restricted Access Nations

Since 2022, our 10 year plan has included holding theological training for pastors and church leaders in all 54 African countries. We are over the halfway point to that goal, and we are beginning to have open doors into restricted access nations. 

In October, James Togba, GBTF African Field Representative and At Large Board Member, traveled to one of those restricted access nations.    Even though the local pastors and church leaders granted permission to use the photos, we have decided, out of an abundance of caution, to withhold the name of the country.  We are entering a new era of danger as an organization.  We want to protect our trainers as well as locals.   But the story is so amazing, we want to share it!  

James writes:

On the 13th of October I was told by our GBTF African Director of GBTF that he couldn’t secure a visa for **** and that I could prepare to go instead since indeed a Liberian does not need a Visa to go to ****. I was left with no alternative but to quickly get ready to go, since the class was already arranged to be held.

Even though we are all West African, I have never read a lot on ****.  But two nights before my travel, I googled and read that the country was 99% Muslim and that there are three different groups of rebels and also the military government that made me intensify my prayers and leave the rest in the hands of the Lord. 

Nothing can stand in the way of the Great Commission even if that will mean going to places that one may not be comfortable going. In my prayers I asked the Lord that He should smooth the arrangements so that I will make the trip in time. And that is exactly what He did. I got to **** on time and the training was to begin on the 20th to the 24th. On the first day of training I realized that the class will not start as planned. Though all of us are from West Africa, I still needed a cultural lesson, especially **** being 99% Muslim. The dress code and the food was so different and language was French. I started recalling the French I learned in highschool 40 years ago. And I got a very good interpreter. 

In the church yard where I was teaching, there were about 75 to 100 Muslim young women and a  few Christian women that were learning how to sew and work with their hands in quest for a career. 

I was privileged to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with these women.  They need our prayers so that the Lord will give the increase and bring about the conviction needed. 

Because of the nature of the country, the attendance at our pastor’s training was low, but we had a great class. 

Another dramatic event that occured while I was teaching was that a Western Missionary was kidnapped few yards away from where our class was ongoing. (Note: This GBTF class was held outside due to the extreme heat, so they all witnessed the kidnapping!) It was so fearful but our Lord was in control even though the Missionary was kidnapped and taken away, none of us got harmed during the process. 

Please keep the Missionary in prayer and also for his family.

Once again thanks so much for your prayers, I’m now back home in Liberia.
May the Lord strengthen the work of GBTF in Africa.

This kidnapping has been in the news recently.  We certainly have a burden for this missionary and his wife and ask you to pray for them. Also pray for the believers and churches in ****.   They are already planning for the next courses.  We also have a burden for our GBTF National Trainers.    As you can see from this report, they are willing to go places where Westerners (especially white Westerners) would be in great danger.   If you would like to be part of GBTF as we move into more of these difficult nations, please visit www.globaltrain.org.   

Bruce and Grace Snavely

Global Baptist Training Foundation

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