IVORY COAST PARTNERSHIP
IM first sent missionaries to Ivory Coast in 1958 and maintained missionaries there through 2013. Churches were planted all along the eastern side of the country, in the largest city, Abidjan, and in the centrally located city of Bouaké, center of the country. Besides making disciples and organizing them into local churches, IM started a Medical Center in the early 1960s and a Bible Institute in 1987. After the National Association in Ivory Coast assumed full responsibility for the work in 2013, they have expanded into other areas of the country, as well as the neighboring countries of Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso. Despite not having resident missionaries there now, IM maintains a partnership agreement with the Association of churches.
The FWB work in Ivory Coast is experiencing steady growth, with the latest count at 187 churches and attendance of upward of 13,800 people. Some of the projects that we are assisting the association with are:
- An expansion of their leadership training program with the creation of three training levels: basic, Bible Institute, and Bible college. The later program began this year and has 63 students enrolled.
- Opening up new areas in the country for church-planting in the north, northwest, west, and southwest.
- Starting churches in the neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo.
- Church roof project, where IM makes grants to needy churches that have started construction and need help to put the roof on.
- The building of a Christian school in Bondoukou.
- Upgrade of the installations, equipment, and personnel training of the medical center in Doropo.
