Finding hope despite persecution in Togo

One displaced Christian was prevented from providing for his family. But your support has helped him stand strong.

When Thessakpe* became a Christian in 2017, his choice wasn’t too costly. He lived in an animist community in Togo, near the border with Burkina Faso, and his new faith was tolerated. He lived and worshiped freely in the community.

But that changed when Islamic extremists from Burkina Faso crossed the border into Thessakpe’s part of Togo. The extremists began to attack the area where Thessakpe lived. So Thessakpe and his family were forced to flee in late 2023. The move was extremely difficult because of Thessakpe’s disability that affects his ability to use one of his legs, but the family made it out safely.

Unfortunately, this situation is not unique in this part of Togo. Cross-border attacks from Burkina Faso have increased. Just this year, according to the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dussey, Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM)—an insurgent group in West Africa with ties to Al Qaeda—has been responsible for 15 attacks in northern Togo and killed at least 54 civilians.

According to Open Doors local partners, Christians are not currently the primary target of the extremist attacks, but are deeply affected by the instability.

According to Pastor Marcel*, a local partner, thousands of Christians have fled high-risk areas, abandoning their homes, livelihoods and places of worship. “Churches have also closed their doors,” he says. “With congregants displaced, many churches have shut down due to lack of attendance. Christian communities have been forced to abandon farming, trade and livestock activities to survive.”

He adds that displaced Christians, especially women and children, have witnessed disturbing violence, leading to long-term emotional and psychological distress. The country currently does not have formal displacement camps.

“Displaced Christians rely on host families, many of whom struggle to provide adequate resources for the many extra mouths,” Pastor Marcel adds.

This explains why, after they fled, Thessakpe and his family lived in a precarious situation. However, because of his disability, he benefited from a tapestry and upholstery apprenticeship from an
international charity for the disabled. The only catch? The business owner where he did his apprenticeship was a Muslim and forbade Thessapke to go to church on Sundays.

Thessapke continued to attend church anyway … and after his apprenticeship was over, his boss wouldn’t let him use any equipment, even though it was subsidized by the charity. Then, Thessakpe was
refused space to set up his business because he insisted on openly practicing his faith.

“After I did my apprenticeship, I struggled to open my own workshop,” says Thessakpe. “Many organizations didn’t support me because of my faith in Christ.”

Thanks to your gifts and prayers, Open Doors local partners came alongside Thessakpe and provided him with some seed money. The support enabled him to buy the necessary equipment and open his
workshop. He and his family also received financial support to buy food and clothes.

With the financial boost, Thessakpe was able to get the necessary materials to start work despite the persecution he encounters. Today he has his own upholstery business, generating an income that helps him support his family.

He’s so grateful for your support. “Christian brothers and sisters have been very helpful where I am now, and I thank them very much,” he says. “I didn't find any help until I found brothers and sisters in Christ who helped me. That's why I thank them so much. They helped me a lot, and they also helped me with material. Today I'm working, and I manage to provide for my family. May God bless them.”

Thank God for sustaining Thessakpe and his family and enabling him to start his business!