Published February 9, 2017
When Togolese Madjanakou Martouka was ten, he was said to be chosen by the idol that lived in his family’s home to succeed his father in spirit worship.
Madjanakou’s father, who was the family’s representative to the spirit world, would send him early in the morning to find roots, barks, or plant leaves for the sick who would come to their house to seek healing from the idol. This practice of idol worship, which includes various rituals, is known as fetishism. It dominated the Assogba Kope village in Togo, West Africa, where Madjanakou lived.
All prosperity—including the family’s farming success and Madjanakou’s academic achievements—were attributed to the power of the fetish, or idol. The fetish was believed to be protective, but when Madjanakou wondered why they still experienced misfortunes, he found unsatisfying answers.
Madjanakou heard about the Christians’ God when he left his village to go to junior high school. Before long, he knew he had to make a decision.
“The gospel is full of hope; whereas in our fetish worship, I was filled with fear and desperation,” says Madjanakou. “Once I trusted Jesus, my anguish disappeared, and I was filled with satisfaction and no fear for the future.”
Madjanakou describes his conversion as unexpected and unpredictable, and he says he was attracted to the gospel in a way he still cannot fully explain.
Fanning the Flame
An uncontrollable fire was lit inside Madjanakou. Once his two brothers became Christians, they started a church in their village. Madjanakou left junior high school to pursue education in 1999 at the Bible Institute in Thisko, established by ABWE missionary Dr. Robert Cropsey.
A decade later later, Madjanakou had finished junior high, high school and college, and he taught himself English. The fire was still going when he met former Clarks Summit University president Jim Jeffery and ABWE missionary Jim Gerhart, who learned of his interest in theological studies and connected him with Baptist Bible Seminary. Madjanakou chose to enroll at BBS because it was an online program that included one of his passions: languages.
As Madjanakou Martouka continues BBS’ online Master of Divinity program—complete with Greek and Hebrew—he pastors Eglise Baptiste Biblique de Kara Dongoyo, a church of around 200 socially and academically diverse Kabyé people.
Madjanakou explains his education simply. “People make great sacrifices to achieve temporary goals. Why shouldn’t I, as God’s messenger, strain myself to provide quality service to the King of the universe?” said Madjanakou. “I decided to do what needs to be done to become a faithful and efficient preacher of the gospel.”
Global Impact
Madjanakou is just one of many students who are ministering around the world even before they graduate. Clarks Summit University mobilizes students to serve while they study, through online learning programs and hands-on internships. Online programs allow students like Martouka to engage deeply in ministry and impact their communities while studying.
Dr. Darryl Meekins, associate professor in the Intercultural Studies program, helps prepare students for cross-cultural ministry as part of their education experience. “CSU has for many years sought to make a global impact. When I met Martouka, it was clear we were doing just that,” says Meekins. “I hope we are able to see many more Martoukas in the future throughout Africa and the world.”
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