Life and Ministry of Pastor Thomas Traoré, Former President of the C&MA of Burkina Faso

The elders of the central church of the Christian Alliance of Ouagadougou visited and prayed for Rev. Thomas Traoré on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He died of cancer only a few days later, on August 15.

Rev. Traoré received the elders with the humor and the joy he was known for. They prayed for him. At the end of the visit, he walked them to the door and shook their hands. It was for the last time. Rev. Traoré died of cancer on August 15, 2022. Thousands attended the funeral, including many high-ranking government officials. Pray that many would turn to Christ, especially in these days of difficulty in Burkina Faso.

Born on February 24, 1961, in Bourasso in a Christian home, Rev. Traoré did his pastoral studies at the Maranatha Bible Institute in Bobo-Dioulasso. He began his pastoral ministry in the district of Banfora, and people quickly noticed his qualities as a good preacher, evangelist, and singer. During his ministry in Banfora, the church experienced a great revival and the planting of new churches.

In 1987, Rev. Traoré went to the Emmaüs Institute in Switzerland where he obtained a Certificate in Pastoral Theology. After his return to Burkina Faso, he was assigned to launch the young church of the Christian Alliance in the capital Ouagadougou, which was made up mainly of students.

Rev. Traoré returned to Switzerland in 1991 for a second advanced training in Theology. In 2001, he enrolled at the Faculty of Theology of the Christian Alliance (FATEAC) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and obtained a master’s degree in Biblical Theology in 2006.

Elected president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Burkina Faso in March 2013, Rev. Traoré served for two consecutive terms. During this time, he received a decoration from the government of Burkina Faso. At the end of his term, he returned to Ouaga as head of the organization responsible for sending missionaries, a position he held until his passing.

Rev. Traoré was an exemplary leader, close and available to all, and led thousands to Christ. He will be greatly missed.

Please pray for comfort and peace for his wife Dina and their four children.

Rest in peace brave soldier of Christ!