When Jesus spoke of the Church, He wasn’t talking about one city, one style, or one expression, He was talking about the “ecclesia,” a body of believers. This fall, a team of leaders from VOUS traveled across the world to Togo, West Africa, to experience that family firsthand.

For several years, VOUS has partnered financially with OneHope, an organization committed to bringing God’s Word to every child in every nation. Through biblically based storybooks translated into local languages, OneHope reaches classrooms, families, and entire communities with the message of Jesus.

This year, the door opened for VOUS to deepen that partnership, not just in giving, but in going.

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Why Togo? Why Now?

OneHope’s impact extends far beyond distributing books. Their team works closely with local pastors, helping build bridges between schools and churches so families have a place to belong when they encounter the Gospel.

VOUS had been sowing into this ministry for years, but the invitation to send a team came at the perfect time. The vision was simple:

Bring a group of VOUS leaders to serve, learn, encourage, and strengthen pastors who are reaching their nation village by village.

Each team member was a VOUS Crew or Team Leader: people who are actively discipling others in Miami. The trip became a mutual exchange:

• VOUS encouraged leaders in Togo
• Leaders in Togo inspired VOUS
• Together, the Church was strengthened

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Preparing for the Mission

Because this was VOUS’ first missions trip with OneHope, planning began months in advance. OneHope assigned a liaison from their U.S. team, helping map out every detail—from budgets and safety protocols to lodging and transportation.

VOUS held multiple team meetings, preparing testimonies, leadership content, and ensuring every team member was equipped spiritually and practically. Vaccinations, visas, safety guidelines, room placements, emergency procedures—every detail mattered.

For churches considering a trip like this, the team shared their biggest recommendations:

• Establish clear safety standards early
• Assign a strong point-of-contact on both sides
• Hold multiple team trainings
• Prepare testimonies and leadership content in advance
• Align on expectations for both ministry and cultural exchange
  
  

Partnership doesn’t happen accidentally, it’s built intentionally.

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On the Ground: Worship, Evangelism & the Cheerful Giver

Across Togo, the team visited schools, passed out OneHope books, and witnessed one of the most moving parts of OneHope’s ministry: evangelism nights in remote villages.

With a generator, a projector, and a dirt clearing under the stars, the gospel was preached and churches were planted. Literally.

Anyone who responded to Jesus was invited to a church service that Sunday. It’s simple, beautiful, and bold.

The team also visited new church plants, encouraging pastors who are dreaming, believing, and building with the same hope we carry in Miami. Many of these pastors are praying for VOUS’ South Miami Building Project, believing with us for what God will build.

But one moment surprised the team most: the offering.

In every service, as the offering moment came, the music turned up. People danced—physically danced—to the front to give.

“God loves a cheerful giver” wasn’t a verse on a page. It was alive, active and demonstrated.

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Mutual Encouragement & Lasting Impact

OneHope’s Africa Vice President, Pastor John Walada, shared their vision: to plant a church in every village in Togo within the next 10 years.

A map on the wall marks every village. Every Sunday, they pray and strategize. Their faith inspired the entire team.

When VOUS returned to Miami, the impact was immediate:

• Multiple team members signed up to serve in our Prison Care ministry
• One team member stepped into leadership as a Global Outreach Team Leader
• Everyone returned with a fresh fire to serve our city and nation with renewed intentionality
  
  

Partnership produces passion. Presence fuels purpose.

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What’s Next: Continuing the Partnership

The VOUS and OneHope teams are already planning:

• Supporting the OneHope Togo Team in hosting regular pastors conferences
• Sharing leadership systems and seasonal calendars
• Offering Zoom trainings for leaders throughout Africa
• Exploring future missions opportunities in 2026 and beyond
  

This trip was just the beginning.

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A Resource for Other Churches

If your church is considering partnering with OneHope or exploring international missions, the team offered this advice:

1. Choose partnership over a project.

Look for mutual encouragement, shared vision, and long-term relationship.

2. Prepare your team thoroughly.

Safety, cultural humility, clarity of purpose, spiritual readiness.

3. Embrace a posture of learning.

The global Church has gifts, practices, and faith expressions that will reshape your own.

4. Think long-term.

A missions trip should strengthen local leaders long after you leave.

5. Celebrate every expression of the Church.

God is moving in every language, culture, and corner of the world.

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The Global Church Is Alive

The Togo trip reminded us of this truth: We are part of a story much bigger than our own.

When churches link arms, across oceans, languages, and cultures, we strengthen the body of Christ and accelerate the gospel.

This is the beauty of partnership. This is the power of presence. This is the heart of the global Church.