Meet The Team

Espoir Tomenou

Founder & Member

Espoir founded African Future Farmers in 2017 in Mint Hill, NC, USA with a couple of his friends. The initial mission at the time was to promote physical health through sustainable farming education and support.

In 2021, after Espoir visited one of the remote villages in Benin Republic, he learned how a lack of safe and reliable water stands in the way of hope. To honor God and love others, Espoir decided to raise money and complete one water project after hearing of the specific need in that specific remote village in Benin Republic. In 2023, Espoir was fortunate to have Antonio and Tim as AFF board members and the mission was then fine-tuned.

Espoir is convinced that meeting people’s physical needs is the most natural and humble expression of faith that teaches us to love God and serve those who are in need. Espoir is now on the journey of reconciliation with God, self, and others.

Jose Antonio Emes

Board Member

Jose Antonio Emes is a Hispanic pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally from Nicaragua; he is married to Marley and has two daughters Alice and Natalia.

Jose was a fervent and close collaborator of two international retired missionaries in his home church “Providence Baptist church in Harrisburg, NC.” that helped him to discover how to multiply churches and disciples through the biblical principles in the book of Acts. Jose became a local missionary in his city and started to plant simple churches in houses, he felt the Lord calling him to the Ministry and he became a Church Planting missionary.

Jose is actively working to reach the unreached in Charlotte and beyond. He felt the call to help non-believers experience Christ for the first time, and to gather these individuals into new church communities that can multiply themselves over time maximizing the number of people he can collectively reach for the Kingdom.

His goal is to expand God’s Kingdom in cities and nations all over the world.

Tim Younts

Board Member

Tim has been married to his wife Lou Anne for forty-two years. They have two children, daughter Michelle (husband Jon) and son David, and two grandchildren Parker and Salem.

He worked in
manufacturing industries for over forty years as Finance Manager. Tim resides in Concord, North
Carolina.

Tim is active in his home church, Providence Baptist in Harrisburg, NC. He is currently serving as a deacon, grow group leader and active on various other committees.

His passion is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the least and lost, along with bringing the Good News of the Gospel to all people everywhere.

Augustin Bamidele Laourou

Program Officer

Augustin Bamidele Laourou holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Information. At an early age, he understood the importance of agricultural development in developing countries. Augustin is a member of AgribusinessTV, an organization aimed at promoting youth agribusiness entrepreneurs.

ATIYE Maris STELLA PEGGY

Office & Accounts Assistant

Residing in Benin Republic, I am a fervent Christian, deeply committed to my faith and the principles it upholds. My journey in the professional sphere began in 2010 as a medical delegate, a role that has since evolved into a multifaceted career that spans across various sectors. In 2019, I embarked on a new chapter as an entrepreneur and restorer, leveraging my skills and experiences to contribute positively to society.

My passion for serving others is a cornerstone of my professional and personal life. I am an active member of Lions Club International, an organization that aligns with my commitment to community service and global development. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience across different industries, honing my skills and broadening my perspective on how to make a meaningful impact.

In the realm of accounting, my background in healthcare and entrepreneurship provides a unique lens through which to approach financial management. The principles of meticulous attention to detail, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making that are integral to healthcare and entrepreneurship translate seamlessly into the accounting field. My goal is to leverage these skills to contribute to the financial health and sustainability of organizations, ensuring that every transaction reflects the highest standards of integrity and efficiency.

GOMADO Nestor

Children’s Ministry

Hailing from the vibrant city of Lomé, Togo, I am a dedicated missionary with a profound passion for serving others and spreading the teachings of Christianity. My journey in ministry is deeply intertwined with my personal life, as I am married to Viviane Kudesse, and together, we are proud parents to two children: Gomado Anaële and Gomado James. Our family’s faith is the cornerstone of our lives, and we are committed to nurturing our children’s spiritual growth through the ministry of children and evangelism.

My professional background and personal commitment to service have led me to specialize in children’s ministry and evangelism. I am passionate about bringing joy to the hearts of children and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become disciples of Christ.

As a missionary, I am committed to leveraging the resources available to effectively share the gospel with children. In addition to my professional endeavors, I am a multilingual individual, fluent in Ewe, English, and French. This linguistic versatility allows me to reach a wider audience and facilitate more effective evangelism. My personal interests include a love for music, where I play the guitar and drums, and a fondness for sports such as soccer, ping pong, and volleyball. These hobbies not only provide me with relaxation but also serve as a means to connect with others and share the joy of faith through music and sports.

Tevi LAWSON – NOUDO

Youth MIniSTRY

Tevi Lawson-Noudo, born on December 31, 1962, in Lome, Togo, has a rich background in discipleship and sports. With three brothers and two sisters, Tevi married Bernadette Apelite in May 1999, and they have two children, Jemima, 20, and Jonathan, 16.

Tevi completed his Discipleship Training School (DTS) at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Togo from October 1992 to March 1993. Since 1994, he has been dedicated to training others in discipleship, serving as a director of the DTS at YWAM from 1996 to 1998. He also held the position of YWAM Togo national office manager from 1998 to 1999, before moving to Senegal to serve in YWAM Podor, focusing on church planting among the Tukulor people.

In 2009, Tevi founded ASE Togo (Ebenezer Sports Association Togo), a soccer association that continues to thrive with dynamic young players. His approach to discipleship training emphasizes engagement, equipping, and empowering, with a focus on transitioning from soccer to spiritual growth.
Currently, Tevi serves as the national and West Africa francophone region sports movement facilitator, a role previously known as the International Sports Coalition. He also facilitates the Sports Movement Multiply School (level 2) in Togo. Tevi is part of a house church, further demonstrating his commitment to spiritual growth and community.

Abigail Scott

Web Administrator

Abigail is an IT Specialist/Web Design who designs and manages websites. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina Charlotte(UNCC). Her consistent passion for technology and innovation has produced a wide skill set in both Back-End and Front-End Web Development.

Espoir Tomenou

Jose Antonio Emes

Tim Younts

Augustin Bamidele Laourou

ATIYE Maris STELLA PEGGY

GOMADO Nestor

Tevi LAWSON – NOUDO

Abigail Scott

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