On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, Oklahoma Wesleyan University student Kossi Gaglo was sworn in as a U. S. Citizen at a Naturalization Oath Ceremony in Owasso, Oklahoma. Kossi was born and raised in Togo, West Africa. His journey from Togo to Oklahoma is inspiring.
While on a trip to the U. S. visiting a cousin in Georgia, Kossi became acquainted with a missionary from Gospel for Asia, whom he then helped to sponsor. As a follow-up to their introduction, Kossi received a Voice of the Martyrs magazine in the mail. VOM is a non-profit, interdenominational organization with a vision for aiding Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
Among the pages of the magazine was an advertisement for Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The mission of OKWU really resonated with Kossi and after much prayer and consideration, he applied for admission. He moved to Oklahoma in 2004 and enrolled as a ministry major, graduating in December 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry/Biblical Studies.
While a student at OKWU, Kossi worked for Campus Security for which, among other duties, he opened every building by 7:00 a.m., seven days a week, no matter what the weather or occasion. He took part in short-term mission trips to Haiti, Nigeria, and France during summer and Christmas breaks rather than traveling home.
Dr. Mike Fullingim, OKWU’s specialist professor of Intercultural Studies and Linguistics, became deeply involved in Kossi’s education. “The first time I met Kossi, I was immediately impressed with his multi-lingual skills (fluent in several languages of West Africa, as well as French and English) and a strong desire to pursue his God-given calling of ‘serving people’ in some type of ministry capacity—be it in Togo, Nigeria, Haiti, or here in the United States. In all my years of teaching, I can think of no student who was more serious about his (or her) studies, maintained a more diligent work ethic, or who projected a greater attitude of respect to everyone—and I do mean everyone—around him.”
Kossi now plans to return to Togo in March to pursue his dream of purchasing land and building an orphanage and clinic. He is looking for an area big enough to raise crops and livestock to support his efforts.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a four-year, Christian university of the liberal arts and sciences that is fully accredited by the North Central Association. OWU also receives professional accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). It is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities as well as the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Association of Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities.
Randy Thompson
