We Pray, We Teach, We Develop....
Our goal: Improve life in Africa. Our method; gather groups of the impoverished, disenfranchised and vulnerable believers, who through a grassroots movement solve neighborhood and community problems.
We encourage the formation of neighborhood groups of individuals, "Torches," to solve local problems through prayer, education, training, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and activism in their communities. Torches are the grassroots movement to transform Africa from the inside out and the bottom up.
We found that by creating groups of believers who, with a little outside help are able to improve life in Africa, thereby revealing the glory of God as they demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ to change lives and transform communities.
We teach and provide seed capital so that families and communities can experience the benefits of transformational development. We educate our Torch groups how to achieve locally initiated and owned project that are contextual, holistic, and sustainable. We seek to leverage the available human, natural and financial resources.
Prior to taking his present position as a professor of physics at the College of the Ozarks in Branson, MO, Dr. Niboh, a native to Cameroon, worked as a nuclear physicist. Dr. Njamnshi is one of two practicing neurologists in Cameroon, his native home as well. Both men have devoted myriads of hours volunteering to strengthen the church in Africa through Christian community development.
Torchbearer Foundation for Missions, Reconciliation and Development is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with international headquarters in Branson, Missouri USA, where it is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the state of Missouri, and national headquarters in Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon, where it is registered as a non-governmental organization with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, under N .0054/RDA/JO6/BAPP.
About Us
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The vision of Torchbearers began with the hopes and dreams of two African men, Dr. Martin Niboh and
Dr. Alfred Njamnshi.
Our Vision....
We see a movement of
Humanitarian Entrepreneurs
who use the power of freedom,
free-enterprise, education,
and gospel of Jesus Christ to
build people from the inside
out and to build nations from
the bottom up.
Our general areas of focus include, but not limited to, investing in:
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Human Capital – Education and Training: We see self-sustaining and integrated schools, community college, libraries, health facilities, institutes, universities,businesses and community groups in the villages, townships, and cities of Africa. These are world-class, bible-based, Christ-centered, and self-sustaining. These must meet international standards and produce the intellectual, economic, cultural, civic, social, and religious leaders that Africa needs.
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Civil Society: We see civil society in Africa serving all economic groups, especially the poor. We see civic and religious groups serving the poor, building bridges of reconciliation and moving towards a more united Africa in which her people are guaranteed basic human rights, including but not limited to, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit meaning.
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Infrastructure: We see Africans equipped with the character and competences necessary to build the infrastructure for energy (electricity, gas, solar, etc), information technology, public transportation, water, sanitation and waste disposal.
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The Church: We see the church in Africa becoming a more thoughtful communicator of the gospel, a powerful advocate for love-laced, Christ-centered, and bible-based reconciliation, and a champion for peace and justice in Africa.
Our Strategy.....
Our strategy is grassroots participatory development, in which the young and old, male and female at the grassroots participate in our Torches (small community groups), sustainable Torch projects, education, training and employment.
We love our people by training them in holistic community development, so that they can establish networks of integrated, self-sustaining projects designed to encourage, equip, empower and mentor both the young and old, male and female at the grassroots.
What constitutes grassroots Participatory Model of Development?
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Grassroots Participation in Evaluation: Local people are encouraged to give feedback and evaluation during and after the implementation of our self-sustaining and integrated projects and programs.
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Grassroots Participation in Benefit: Our self-sustaining and integrated projects and programs are intended for the benefit of all in need in our local community and beyond.
We see our grassroots movement becoming the premier instrument for demonstrating the power of the love of Jesus Christ to transform individuals from the inside out and to build communities from the bottom up.
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Grassroots Participation in Decision-Making: Local Torchbearers come up with project ideas and initial plans for self-sustaining and integrated projects and programs. Ideas, programs and projects from our leaders are implemented after the local people have “bought into” those ideas, programs and projects
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Grassroots Participation in Implementation: Local people participate in the implementation of our self-sustaining and integrated projects. They do so as individuals or as a community group (called a Torch) or a group of Torches. Non-locals are brought in only when local talent isn’t available.
Our Motto:
Sustainingly and integratively transforming the individual from the inside out and then building the nation from the bottom up.
