Even If It Kills Me: Afi’s Courageous Choice to Follow Jesus
In the village of Sengor, Togo, a young woman named Afi is choosing Jesus at great personal cost. Her journey is one of resilience, redemption, and unshakable faith – and it reminds us why the Gospel must go to the hardest places.
Afi first heard about Christ through the women of Grace Church, who faithfully shared the hope of the Gospel each week in her community. Drawn by their message, she began attending church and, in 2024, publicly declared her faith through baptism.
But following Jesus came at a price.
Afi’s family are devoted practitioners of voodoo and ancestral worship – traditions that shape much of life in Togo with fear, obligation, and intimidation. From the moment Afi turned away from these practices, she faced rejection and relentless pressure to return.
Her family told her over and over:
“Your life is hard because the spirits are angry. If you want peace, you must go back to them.”
The message was clear: abandoning voodoo meant inviting punishment – even death.
The weight became overwhelming. In the months after her baptism, Afi drifted from her church community. Confused, distressed, and spiritually exhausted, she disappeared for a time.
Then, in June 2025, Afi returned. Standing before her brothers and sisters in Christ, she made a bold declaration:
“I’m tired of trying to satisfy the spirits. Even if it kills me, I choose to follow Jesus.”
Her words silenced the room – but they also strengthened the church.
Afi’s road ahead is not easy. She is pregnant, and the father of her child is one of the most powerful voodoo leaders in the region. The spiritual warfare, cultural pressure, and family dynamics surrounding her are immense. Yet Afi has placed her hope in Christ. She is stepping back into discipleship, choosing to walk forward as a new creation, no matter the cost.
Why Afi’s Story Matters
Stories like Afi’s are unfolding across West Africa, where following Jesus often means standing against generations of tradition and spiritual bondage. Local churches need our prayers and support as they walk alongside courageous believers like her.
You can be part of her story:
Pray for Afi – to stand firm, experience healing, and find strength in her church family.
Pray also for Pastor Roger and Celestine of Grace Church, as they disciple her with wisdom and grace.
Give to equip local churches to support new believers facing immense pressure and persecution.
Send workers who can strengthen Gospel movements in villages where voodoo still holds sway.
The cost of following Jesus is real. But Afi’s life reminds us of a deeper truth: Christ is greater. His love is worth everything – even when it costs everything.