‘Failure to thrive’ is the term doctors use to describe malnourished children struggling to grow in times of famine. Give these children good, nourishing food and the transformation that follows is amazing!
The Kanris long to see a similar transformation in Togolese churches; they too often fail to thrive because pastors lack access to sound theological training and books.
Togo is a French-speaking, West African country. There is little overseas support for the rapidly growing Togolese church because the Protestant church in more affluent French-speaking countries is very small. Many churches in Togo are theologically weak because pastors are often not able to effectively refute errors of syncretism or the prosperity ‘gospel.’ Numerous pastors have never received in-depth, sound biblical training, nor do they possess the books and resources needed for their study and ministry. Tyrannus Bible Institute is a multi-phased project that will make good Bible teaching and nourishing, sound Christian books available to pastors and ordinary believers.
The building strategy
In 2022 God provided the means for the EGCT churches to buy a plot of land to expand their evening Bible training classes into an accredited Bible training institute. Discussions and prayer amongst the EGCT elders followed as to how to best make use of this plot of land for the cause of the gospel in Togo. It was during these discussions that they came in touch with Sola Printing in Niger and heard about the possibility of locally printing affordable, multi-lingual, theological books and resources via an ‘ondemand’ printing system. It was decided that incorporating a print shop and a conference facility into the Institute building plan would enable them to strategically address the theological famine of Togo.
Project Tyrannus
The project encompasses three phases: Phase 1: a conference venue; Phase 2: an on-demand print shop; and Phase 3: on the second floor of the conference centre, classrooms for the Bible Institute with a well-equipped Christian library and student accommodation. Completing the first two phases will lay a good foundation for the growth and expansion of the Bible Institute. Not only will both ministries be sources of much-needed revenue, but they will also enable the EGCT churches to place sound theology and gospel-centred resources in the hands of a large number of Togolese Christians. We pray that exposure to sound theology through the conferences promoting the books will, in time, lead many of them to desire to study further and enrol at the Tyrannus Bible Institute. Find out more here.
Building Update: March 2025
The building work is progressing well, with foundations dug, boundary and outer wall erected. We give thanks for the progress made. Once a month, Alex and Wijneke provide a meal for the laborers, creating an opportunity for the elders to preach and share God’s Word.
Labour is intensive and mostly done by hand
The labourers take a break from building in the heat to hear Alex preach
Please support us by praying – apart from the required funds we pray for God to provide the right workers and staff for the Institute.
If you feel led to partner with us financially, please select ‘Alex and Wijneke Kanri – Works Project’ on the UFM donation form here.
Alexandre and Wijneke Kanri serve l’Eglise de la Grâce en Christ du Togo (EGCT), a Christ-centred, Word-based denomination of 10 churches in Togo, West Africa.