More than five thousand attended this year’s Republic of Benin camp meeting, held July 20-27 at the PK14 Porto Novo campground in Djeffa. Delegates came from every region in Benin as well as Gabon, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Togo.

Preceding the camp meeting, a workers’ conference was held on “Good Stewardship” based on text from Numbers 7:1-9, which speaks of the princes of Isreal bringing their offerings to the Temple. Five ministers led sessions on such topics as “worldly entertainment,” “political activity,” and “relationships.”  

The opening day began with Sunday school, including a children’s presentation that featured songs, recitations, and a skit. Then, while the younger students learned about Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, the adults discussed Jesus’ first miracle.

The devotional service highlighted the camp theme: “Come, Let Us Rebuild the Altar of the Lord,” based on 1 Kings 18:30. Okpo Johnson, who is the Missions Director for Western and Central Africa, preached on “Time to Rebuild the Broken Altar.” Taking his text from 1 Kings 18:24, he emphasized the need for every Christian to have an intimate relationship with God. He said a relationship that has grown cold needs to be reestablished. When this is done, the blessings of God will follow.

In the evening, the annual concert was held. It began with the orchestra playing the national anthem. Then the choir sang “Almighty.” Throughout, several vocal and instrumental soloists were featured. The concert closed with a brief exhortation from the Benin worship leader, Hervé Djossou, and prayer.

The week continued with morning teachings, afternoon youth services, and evening evangelistic meetings. This year’s teaching topics included “The New Birth and Sanctification,” “The Power for Work,” “The Glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ,” and “Brotherly Love.” Fervent prayer meetings followed the services, and many victories were won. By the close of the week, 564 had been saved, 309 sanctified, 171 baptized with the Holy Spirit, 385 re-anointed, and 231 healed.

Throughout the services, many testified of God’s goodness. Among them, one man said he broke his leg and the doctors planned to install iron in it, but Jesus intervened and healed him. Another thanked God for sparing his life. He said that due to an illness that lasted several months, his tongue swelled and became very large. At one point, he lost consciousness and people around him thought he was dead. However, God was with him. While unconscious, he saw the Kingdom of God and then was restored to life, completely healed. A woman praised God for protecting her during an accident that could have taken her life. A couple thanked God for delivering them from masked robbers who tried to take their motorcycle by attacking them with machetes. Miraculously, they received no injuries, and the thieves did not get the motorcycle.  

On Saturday morning, everyone rejoiced as 537 candidates were baptized in water. Then, in the evening, nearly 400 took communion and participated in foot washing. The next day, the final message of the camp meeting was given by Marcellin Kploka, the Benin District Superintendent. He spoke on “The Christian and the World,” drawing from James 4:4 and other verses to exhort all to remain separated from the world upon their return home.