BANTE

An Idol Being Worshiped In Bante (BenniRepublic)

The Location:

The tribe called Bantes are located in the Middle-belt region of the Republic of Benin. It comprises nine towns which are not far from one another. The towns are Boobe, Banon, Yira, Apasi, Ilugba, Ikoko, Aqua, Jabgaho, and Bante. These names are used for each tribe and town. The tribe called Isa shares boundaries with them.

The Targeted Tribe

Our target is the tribe called Bante, from where we plan to have local churches in the nine towns before we can conclude that the work has been accomplished. This tribe accept the worship pattern of catholic. Idolatry, such as the worship of "Sanponna" is another enemy of the Gospel in the land.


Part Of Idols Worshiped In Bante (Benin Republic)

The Commencement of the work

The work among this tribe started in the year 2000. Our research reveals that the language spoken by this people is not different from the dialect spoken in Ile-Ife. If one understands the Ife or Ijesa dialect, then one will understand the Bante dialect. This prompted us to send a team to stage an open-air Crusade. Four months after this, a missionary and his family resumed work at the place. After the open-air crusade, the missionary began the work of follow-up and discipleship. Today local churches of our dream have been planted in five towns out of the nine towns. The churches are in Bante, Ajante[Bante], Ilugba, Apassi, Asaba and Boobe.


One Of The Idols Being Worshiped In Bante (Benin Republic)

The Nature Of The Work

Our works among the Bantes are church planting, discipleship and raising men who will take up the challenges of Leadership and this has brought a great progress to the work. Today, the church in Bante has produced a servant of the Lord who is working among other tribes in Republic of Benin. The work of discipleship is not easy where the source of livelihood is mainly farming, and the number of literates is very minimal. Despite this, we have tried to plant a church in this area and the work is progressing.

The Challenges

One of the major challenges been faced on this land is idolatry which has been modernized in the name of Cultural Revival. The second challenge is how local church will emerge in the remaining towns of Bante, so that we can say that Bante land has been conquered for the Lord. The third challenge is of more labourers; Bante needs more missionaries so that the work can be properly done.