FOUNDER, HOPE OF GLORY MINISTRIES, BURKINA FASO
Though one of few Burkinabé born into a Christian family, it was when he was 12 years old that Maurice Sawadogo heard these words of Jesus for the first time at his church’s summer camp. He immediately accepted Christ, and on returning home, called his neighbors together to hear the gospel. This first of hundreds of evangelistic meetings bore much fruit, including the formation of a preaching and worship team that ministered throughout the nation for many years.
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Traveling long distances to witness to villagers, follow up previous contacts, and oversee and encourage HGM village missionaries, Maurice’s once-dependable motorcycle can no longer be repaired. A sturdy new one costs $2500. |
When I met Maurice, he had received much training in Bible and for missions. Many Western organizations had offered him positions, but he wanted to be independent of foreign control. Well-known and highly esteemed by the Burkina Christian community, Maurice proudly told me of the 72 churches he planted and turned over to local denominations, following the procedures he had learned. Periodically he would take two weeks, visiting each one briefly. This was his only understanding of missionary work.
With 77% unemployment and few natural resources, landlocked Burkina Faso is the third poorest country in the world.
- Literacy rate is 18%.
- Only 17% of the land is arable. • Sixteen million Burkinabé barely survive by subsistence farming, which is vulnerable to periodic drought.
- Slightly over 50% are Muslim.
- Political and economic power is in the hands of this Islamic majority. Lybian leader Moammar Khadafy is highly influential.
- Less than 7% are born-again believers, most of whom have no missionary vision.
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When next I visited him, Maurice had completed Africa School of Missions’ leadership training. Christian Aid supports ASOM which provides training exclusively for independent indigenous African missionaries. His whole view of his life and ministry was radically changed. In his words, “I never understood discipleship. I didn’t even know what a church is.”
Maurice learned that “church is neither a building nor a meeting, but men who have the life of God and come together to share that Life as part of the body of Christ. God speaks to and through His people, and they carry out the work of making Him known according to His plan for them. Discipleship is simply following Jesus through the life of the cross by ‘denying yourself daily’ (Matthew 16:24) so that Christ can be formed in you, and then leading others to that same Life. Making disciples is the work of the church.”
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Maurice’s wife’s medical training opens doors for witnessing in villages like this one, where HGM has established a strong cell group of eight disciples. |
Now Maurice’s vision for his nation is focused. Since returning from ASOM, he has trained his wife and eight ministry workers in the principles he learned. They have begun to spiritually map the country and survey the villages of the initially-targeted tribes, the Toussian, Dyan, and Karaboro.
Future plans include five strategically located centers for discipleship and missions. They will train church planters to accomplish the task of establishing a witness for the Lord in all 8000 villages of Burkina Faso.
Maurice’s home is always open to many who come for counsel, both believers and unbelievers. His mission, Hope of Glory Ministries, teaches and trains members of local churches, as requested. There are inquirer’s meetings every week in different locations throughout towns and villages for those who desire to know more about the Lord.
Each missionary is praying for regular monthly support and equipment for the work. A computer/printer costs $1500; Bibles, $15, and a video projector, $1000. Funds are needed for literature, cassettes and audio visual aids.