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The Truth Sets Them Free

Earl Cooper, Togo

A class at Mathetes Baptist Bible College starts with a hymn.

There is nothing that brings me greater joy than teaching God’s Word and watching the Holy Spirit make radical changes in people’s lives. I have never experienced this more than when teaching a course at the Mathetes Baptist Bible College in Ghana, West Africa. The students, who are pastors of local churches, specifically requested that an entire semester’s study (thirty hours of class time) be focused on the doctrines of angels, demons, and Satan, a study rarely delivered with such detail in America.

In order to ensure good class discussion, the students completed pre-course work, which laid the groundwork for interaction. Although most had to study under an oil lamp and often outdoors, their enthusiasm was undaunted. I, however, was ill-prepared for the nature of the discussions as the class began.

As more pastors shared their worldviews, it became apparent that parts of the African traditional religion still shaded their beliefs. They said they face the power of evil spirits daily, and bear the frustration of their church people turning back to “appeasing the spirits” whenever challenges arise. One student spoke of a village celebrity who turned into a fish, swam out to the ocean, completed a world sea tour, and returned to share his adventures. Another student spoke of a man in his village who terrorized folks by turning into a flying bear and raising havoc. Yet another pastor was invited by a fetish priest to meet at the elders’ tree for a confrontation. The pastor fearfully declined the invitation when the priest threatened that the spirits would kill him.

Together, we studied each text of Scripture and related truths about angels, demons, and Satan. We discussed the deceptive power of Satan and his host, and I shared the implications of accepting God’s truth over generations of superstition and tradition. But it wasn’t until we reached our final text for discussion that the Lord opened the eyes of these men. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14–15). For the first time, the pastors understood the limits of Satan’s power and that Satan does not hold the sword of death, but only the sword of the fear of death.

In testimony of Christ’s words, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32), the men began to urge one another on with Bible truths, saying, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4), and that Christ alone has “the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18).

The light of liberty shone in their eyes, and as I listened to them, I was uniquely blessed. They completed their study and eagerly returned to their villages, free from the bondage of fear and ready to share their newfound freedom with their churches. 

Dr. Earl Cooper, a missionary appointed by ABWE Canada, has served for three years in West Africa. He and his wife Kathi are involved in leadership training, teaching, and curriculum development.

If any of you lacks wisdom...

During a recent visit to Togo, missionary Bob Cropsey sat around the dinner table with a group of pastors and asked them, “What is the greatest need that we can pray for in your life?”

“Wisdom is the thing I need the most to help my church grow.”

“I’m praying for God to give me wisdom to know how to be a better pastor, father, husband, and work a second job.” 

“I need wisdom to know how to disciple new believers who have just trusted Christ in a village filled with idolatry and witchcraft where we are starting a new church.” 

As he listened to the heartbeat of these godly men, his heart was stirred and humbled. The pastors spoke of how God has blessed their churches; many reported that their churches were filled to overflowing and praying for either more room to expand or for the money to purchase land. Almost every pastor was helping to start two or three other daughter churches in nearby villages with very little outside help.

The joy of the Lord was evident on the faces of these young pastors who have given their lives and energy to serve and who daily live by faith to meet even their most basic needs. We know that the Bible makes it very clear that the wise and content person is he who follows wholly after God. And His Word says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally...” (James 1:5).