West Africa Bible Institute (IBAO)
SUMMARY
IBAO is dedicated to training leaders to serve the church in Africa’s 22 French-speaking nations. Over thirty graduates are now serving the church in Côte d’Ivoire. Funding underwrites the training that students and current pastors receive to provide effective leadership formation through upgrading the resources center, providing student grants, and adding to the facilities.
COST
The total cost for the project is $5,500 per year.
Project # 42.30131
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
IBAO opened in 2007 and is dedicated to training leaders to serve the church in Africa’s 22 French-speaking nations. IBAO has trained over thirty students to date. Each of the four programs has included three years of course work, followed by a practical internship in a local church or ministry. IBAO seeks to develop future leaders of the church in four specific areas. These are referred to as the “4Cs of IBAO”: content, competence, character and context.
In January 2026, a new group of IBAO students began classes to be trained in ministry.
Vision
Vision
Ninety percent of trained pastors, as well as many other lay leaders in the Church of God in Côte d’Ivoire, have been trained at IBAO. A new group of students is now training to serve the church as it reaches out into new areas and ministries.
Most students come from poor backgrounds without the means to receive a high level of education.
STRATEGY
How can the Church of God in Côte d’Ivoire continue growing and reaching out to neighboring countries with the hope of Christ? IBAO is one way the national church is answering that question, by raising up new leaders to serve across West Africa. And you can be a part by supporting the work of IBAO.
Your contribution trains pastors who bring the hope of Christ in places you might never be able to reach.
“Local church leaders impacting future leaders” is at the heart of IBAO’s mission, as exemplified in the story of Pastor Luc and Pastor Gossé. IBAO is currently sponsoring two IBAO graduates, Pastor Gossé and Pastor Issa, in pursuit of higher-level education to become IBAO teachers. This will enable the institute to be locally led.
The Church of God in Cote d’Ivoire
The Church of God in Cote d’Ivoire
The Church of God in Côte d’Ivoire began informally in 1992 but was officially established in 1997. Larry and LeAnn Sellers began their ministry in Côte d’Ivoire in 1996 and have been a faithful encouragement to the institute for the past 29 years.
Since its beginning, the Church of God in Côte d’Ivoire has been seen as a hub of connectivity for the twenty-two French-speaking countries in Africa. This vision has been voiced not only by missionaries, but also by the leadership of the Church of God.
Since its beginning in 1997, the Church of God in Côte d’Ivoire has grown from 25 to about 2,000 members!
IBAO Today – Becoming Locally Led & Sustained
IBAO is training African leaders to take over more teaching and administrative roles that have been assumed by missionaries since its inception in 2007. Part of this transition includes the naming of Pastor Émile Kwidi (pictured here) as Assistant Director of the institution.
THE PROGRAM
THE PROGRAM
IBAO is currently running intensive modules adapted to meet the needs of leaders in training who have other responsibilities and find it difficult to live full time on campus to pursue a traditional style of education. This approach brings them to campus for two weeks at a time, allowing them the opportunity to continue their other activities or ministries while pursuing studies.
Students contribute to the cost of their education by paying a small portion of their tuition and lodging during the modules. They are also responsible to cover their transport and food costs for each module. In addition, the students’ home churches are encouraged to provide some financial support of their students.
THE ADMINISTRATION
THE ADMINISTRATION
IBAO is administered by a committee of five persons: four missionaries and one African teacher. These include Larry and LeAnn Sellers, Bobby and Jenny Mihsill and KWIDI Tamba Emile. In addition to these five persons who teach at the institute, there are several adjunct professors who teach occasional courses in specific areas. IBAO looks forward to Pastors Gossé and Issa joining the teaching team in the future.
Because of the economic situation of many students and their inability to cover full tuition, room and board, outside funding is essential. This necessary funding is used for personnel costs, upgrading the resources center, providing student grants, and adding to current facilities.
PROJECT FUNDING
PROJECT FUNDING
Though students pay school fees, because of the economic situation of many of the students, on-going funding from outside donors is needed to maintain the school at this time. Outside funds are used for costs such as personnel costs, upgrading the resources center, providing student grants, and adding to current facilities.
The annual cost for these needs is $5,500.
FUTURE PLANS
FUTURE PLANS
Currently, IBAO facilities are located at the Church of God national center in the capital city of Yamoussoukro. As IBAO strives toward self-sustainability, it is exploring ways to generate local income for the longevity of the institute.
Will you join Global Strategy in preparing a path for the next generation of leaders?
Ways to make a difference
- Online—Visit this link.
- Check—Make checks payable to “Church of God Ministries” and specify “Côte d'Ivoire IBAO - 42.30131” in the memo line.
For more information, contact Global Strategy Projects at 800.848.2464 or GSProjects@chog.org.
