Liberia United Methodist Volunteers In Mission

Kokoyah District of the Liberia UMC

2011-06-17T04:52:00.001-07:00

Background Story of the Kokoyah District
Liberia Annual conference
The United Methodist Church
by Shaffa Seward, UMVIM Coordinator Liberia
History
The Kokoyah District at the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church was established in the year 1978 under the Episcopal leadership of Rev. Dr. Bennie D. Warner. Rev. Dinal Gueh was appointed its first district superintendent. Since then, the district has had seven superintendents including the current, Rev. Benedict W. Greene.
Local Churches
The Kokoyah District has 30 local churches along with 9 preaching points. These churches are served by 77 ordained and lay pastors, 17 lay speakers, 7 evangelist and 9 counseling elders, some of who are retired ministries but in active service.

Present membership
The Children population of Kokoyah District is about 2,079 and the youth and young Adults 4,127 while the adults are about 5,026. The total population of Kokoyah district is about 11,232. The demand for high school education is indeed increasing daily in kokoyah area. Kokoyah is also surrounded by other Districts that faced similar situation.
CHALLENGES Education
Since the establishment of this district, there is not a high school constructed to serve the people in that part of the country by the Government or the United Methodist. Notwithstanding, there are few lower secondary public schools constructed. This limitation compels most of these students become early parents. Another factor is their inability to migrate in such of higher secondary education; those who manage to migrate leave the district with less human resource which hampers the growth and development of the Kokayah District.

District HeadquarterWe do not have a headquarter, but thanks to God that loving people of the district have made available land for the construction of a district headquarter that will play host to a church, district offices and parsonage, school, etc.
We remain grateful to Bishop John G. Innis for the kind of leadership he is providing in the propagation of the Gospel, and the holistic development of the people called United Methodist. We also want to appreciate the effort of Bro. F. Shaffa Seward of the Volunteers in Mission for his understanding and support to our ministry.

LUMVIM During 2010

2010-11-03T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church continues to receive volunteers who want to share in our experiences of how we worship, and live. God is GOOD. Since the beginning of this conference year, we’ve had teams from the Illinois Great Rivers, East Ohio, Oklahoma, Indianan, Minnesota, German, the UMC of Norway, Missouri; Colorado and others are expected. Together we have evangelized, trained, assessed, constructed and share the goodness of God.

Kakata Farmington River District enjoys Christian Love in Action

2009-10-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bunny Wolfe cuts ribbon at a Salt Creek waterwell Project in the Kakata farmington River District of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Wonderful things on the Kakata Farmington River District of the LAC

2009-10-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Making Progress in the Gbarnga District of the LAC

2009-10-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

2009-09-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

When people put in their time to utilize gifts, the outcome is always awesome. That is why members of the 2nd Kieyea UMC of the Gbarnga District of the Liberia annual Conference are in one body to achieve such wonderful result.

Sharing in Ministry

2009-08-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

If we can help ourselves by volunteering our services for our church construction, what a great joy we enjoy. Blessings for those prayers and gifts.

2nd Kieyea UMC Construction

2009-08-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

As we strive to do good, the people called United Methodist the world over are in the business of doing good. That is why new construction of all sorth is ungoing. The 2nd Kieyea UMC is a blessing to the Gbarnga District of the Liberia Annual Conference. Let the photos speak out.

Team Work

2009-06-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Transporting lumbers for the roof framing of Tallah UMC and working with them gave a wonderful result(partially).

Explore the Time

2009-06-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it seems to me that now, more than ever before, we humans are beginning to explore the exciting frontiers of God's love. Perhaps more than ever before we are reaching out and experiencing the implications of the radical love of God through Jesus' presence in the world. I see this happening inspite of, perhaps because of, the pain and danger of the world around us. So, as we move beyond our comfort to serve the mission of God, it brings to us greater joy.

We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading of the scripture because no man who skims the Bible and profit thereby. Am saying this because visiting Liberia and not knowing Liberia is an empty vessel. We need to reach out the more in the very little we can to explore the time.

Can We?

2009-06-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Africans have a tradition of taking care of their old folks, especially by family members, and we still look forward to doing just that. but as the world around us moves in one direction of a global village, we tend to copy some of those things that make life what it is. So, as we've some time ago discussed the Old Folks Issue in the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, it's becoming a reality. Students of the Alabama University Wesleyan Foundation did commit themselves to initiating a home for our Old Folks. They've worked over the years to get the funding, put in their time and talents for the actualization of this dream. Blessedly, there is a building in the Dwazon Community of Margibi County within the Kakata/Farmington River district of our conference that will pay host to the first of its kind in mission history in Liberia. To God be the glory

Getting Better

2009-05-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

As we continue to work on helping ourselves, the picture is definitely what reveals our strength. Notwithstanding, we did not come this far alone but with your support. So, we bless God for us all. As such, making things work depends on direction of Almighty.

Helping Ourselves

2009-05-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Over the years, we've learned to live, work with others in helping ourselves. As such, taking on the painting of the Central Offices of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has been very necessary at this point. Trespassers will be reduced greatly, security performance enhanced, and properties saved. Through it all, we glorify God. And so is with many of our district.

Who are these??? Volunteers

2009-03-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

It requires a gift of love from God to serve mankind as volunteers. In Africa, the concept is not the same: folks are willing but because of the socio-economic situation, expect to get something that will empowe them to make ends meet. so with you committment to serve and support the ministries volunteers are involved with, change is at hand. What a wonderful world of loving Christian.

What You Do

2009-03-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

You are respected for what you do. This statement is indeed true of the people called United Methodist because we offer our talent, time and gifts in service to the world with no discrimination of race, sex, or religious affiliation; veteran or marital status. So you see how the love of God brings people from all works of life to discuss matters in the interest of the church.

This good nature is an added advantage for us in what we do at various level of the connection.

Keeping The Conversation Alive

2009-03-03T07:43:00.001-08:00

After a long time we've bee out of the conversation but are glad to open up again. Thus far we've had a training session of the local VIM Coordinators of the twenty districts within the Liberia Annual Conference held at the St. John United Methodist Church, Gbarnga District, Gbarnga, Bong County. The Dean and members of Bishop John G. Innis's cabinet graced the ocassion. Also in attendence were folks from the Oklahoma Annual Conference: evelyn Phyffer-Team Leader, Cynthia N. Jones, Marthin Carr, and Jeanie. Phileas Jusu of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference particitated as UMVIM Coordinator for his conference. Rev. Clinton C. Rabb , Assistant General Secretary, Mission Volunteers, GBGM and I served as facilitators. What an excitment for the local coordinators.

The Thomas J. King Memorial UMC Story

2008-03-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

In 2006 when Bunny Wolfe of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference asked Bishop Innis of the Liberia Area of The United Methodist Church where do we start, he said in Edina with T.J.King Memorial UMC. It takes a heart lead by the Spirit of God to believe this. so we started the MISSION.

Oh, please take a look at the inside and get to learn what we are about to experience. All we asked was for God to make this possible. In all of the situation which I will spare you of, the journey began on October 7, 2006 when construction materials needed to achieve this task were supplied. How wonderful to have the first volunteer to be a Baptist and the Mayor of the City of Edina.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission 2008 Schedule for Liberia

2008-02-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Work Teams

Feb 5 to 20
Oklahoma
Evelyn Phyffer, jludee@yahoo.com
Harper, Cape Pamlas District

Feb 10 to 20
Illinois
Bunny Wolfe, bwolfe@igrc.org
Harper, Cape Palmas District

Feb 24 to Mar 5
Illinois
Bunny Wolfe, bwolfe@igrc.org
Monrovia, Monrovia District

Jun 21 to Jul 8
North Carolina
Jim Perry, jimperryassoc@nc.rr.com

Jul 15 to Aug 3
Oregon/Idaho
Beverly walker, Beverly@pdxlive.com
Camphor Mission, St. John River Dist.

Operation Classroom Teams

Dec 27 to Jan 14
North Carolina
Jim Perry, jimperryassoc@nc.rr.com

Feb 24 to Mar 13
Minnesota
Linda Koelman, revlin@earthlink.net

Jun 24 to July 11
Indiana
Ken & Kitty Decker, kitty.decker@prodigy.net
Tubman Gray UMS, Gbarnga District

Oct 9 to 28
Indiana
Lamar & Kay Ziegler, lamar@mthompson.com
Brumskine UMS, Grand Bassa District

January 2009
Indiana
Bishop Coyner and a group of DS’s
Visit work of OC Teams in the LAC

Feb 2009
Holston
Dan Kelly, dbkelly27@knolog.net
Zwedru, Grand Gedeh District

Another conference Year

2008-02-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

As volunteers gather in the city of Harper , Maryland County, to fellowship with the Mount Scott United Methodist Church for the celebration of the 175th Session of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, we pray that all those invited and non invitees be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit to work in the interes of the Church.

No matter what, the Church will remain the Church so we should all rejoice in our hopes, be patient in times of trouble and pray all the time. Not more a word then these. Blessed 175th Conference

Merry Christmas to All Volunteers

2007-12-22T10:06:00.000-08:00

Our dear Volunteers,

At the Liberia Annual Conference, we are trying to integrate the functional areas to attain overall goals and objectives of the church, incorporating the needs of multiple stakeholders, recognizing the dual objectives: Worshiping Gog and serving humanity, and reconciling potential conflict of our need to serve to our service to need.

The bases of all we are saying is found in the New Testament Book of Roman Chapter 3 verse 22 (Good New Bible) “God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all those who believing in Christ because there is no difference at all”.

Therefore, for and on behalf of Rev. Dr. John G. Innis, Resident Bishop of The United Methodist Church of the Liberia Annual Conference, the Coordinator of the Volunteers in Mission Program, Mr. F. Shaffa Seward, wishes to thank the GBGM Web Team for the space allotted to LUMVIM. In subsequent publications, you’ll have information on how God is putting people right through their faith in Jesus Christ to bless the work of the United Methodist Church in Liberia.

With this introduction, kindly allow God to work in you by going through this Christmas message – from a friend as is-as our season’s greetings.

Jesus Love & God's Will

God's Will is for unity, not for division (even in the church). Love through Jesus is the only way to achieve that.

Most people when discussing love will quote in part or total the "love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13. I'm going to do the same thing, but as I do, I will lead us through a correlation I believe greatly typifies "Jesus Love."

You will recognize the love that is God's Will, and maybe the true story I share with you . . .

The morning turned cold and dreary on this icy dawn of February 3, 1943. The S.S. Dorchester, an old ship being used as a troop transport, was pushing through the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic with 900 men aboard. She was bound for Greenland. As she neared her destination, the escort convoy left her. But, they left too soon, and she never reached Greenland. A Nazi submarine had been stalking the convoy for some time, and now moved in for the kill. A launched torpedo struck the S.S. Dorchester amid-ship and exploded in the boiler room.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-3) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

At the instant of explosion many died in the immediate area. Others were trapped below deck. With confusion reigning and terror in every walk way, sleepy soldiers and sailors jolted from their sleep scampered to reach the deck of the dying ship.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-5) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

On deck the men found more confusion and terror. They also found four United States Army Chaplains moving about calming the frightened and helping the injured. The Chaplains directed soldiers to life boats and distributed life jackets with calm precision. The supply of life jackets was soon exhausted, and yet four young men stood, frightened, waiting for jackets. Without hesitation the Chaplains removed their life jackets and forced them on the young soldiers. The four men of God forfeited their only chances for survival.

(1 Corinthians 13:6-7) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The Chaplains were of different faith, but shared a "Jesus Love" that surmounted any theological differences. Clark C. Pulling and George L. Fox were Protestant ministers. John P. Washington was a Roman Catholic priest, and Alexander Goody was a Jewish rabbi. Yet in that moment of decision none of them asked of the young soldiers, "Are you Protestant? Are you Catholic? Are you Jewish?" It simply didn't matter. Before them stood four human beings in need, and their commitment to serve the Will of God as Jesus would.

(1 Corinthians 13:8-10) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

Men rowing safely away in life boats saw the four Chaplains clinging to each other on the rapidly slanting deck of the old ship. Their arms were linked together and their heads were bowed. They were praying to the only God whom each of them loved and served.

(1 Corinthians 13:11-12) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

These four men of God: a country boy from Vermont, a city boy from Washington, a slum kid from Newark, and a preacher's son from New York City, met on the deck of the dying ship. They met with God during the cold winter's dawn on the icy sea, and joined together with voices of love: "Our Father...which art in Heaven . . ."

(1 Corinthians 13:13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The S.S. Dorchester sank beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic, and with 600 brave souls, the four heroic Chaplains were buried in their watery graves in February, 1943.

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In this season of love, let us not forget what Christmas is all about. Everywhere I go these days I see signs saying "Jesus is the reason for the season" and "Christ is first in Christmas." You see them too. I would differ with these messages a little. You see, Jesus isn’t just the reason for the season – He is the season!! And, Christ isn’t just first in Christmas – He is Christmas.

This Christmas, as never before, let’s praise and worship our King, our Savior, our Lord, our Jesus!! And, let’s share Jesus’ love with the whole world!!

Praying God’s Best for You and Yours,

Shaffa Seward
Coordinator,LUMVIM

Just a few words for IGRC

2007-12-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

Many times people do things they want to talk about but few times they don't want to talk. But talk or not, God knows what you've done to change the lives of others where you've been. IGRC folks always touch lives where they go. This church, Thomas J. King Memorial UMC in Edina City, Grand Bassa County on the Grand Bassa District is the first effort of IGRC. In December, this church hosted the district conference with Rev. Samuel E. NeSmith (retired) of Richmond, Virginia serving as conference speaker on invitation of DS Clerisa Robertson. The conference was well attended with hundreds of conferees. Thanks to Bishop Innis for the connection with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

IGRC Volunteers

2007-12-22T09:36:00.001-08:00

IGRC Volunteers

2007-12-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

A Time To Coordinate

2007-10-23T05:34:00.001-07:00

We have been trying to organize ourselves for the overall goals and objectives of the Church to the World. Most often THE MONEY FACTOR stands in our way thereby denying the spread of good for the good of all people. As we go to the next quadrennium, it is hoped that we will live, understand and work as a global village thereby allowing all to participate in global events at equal opportunity in practice not words. Notwithstanding, the gap between the richer and poorer nations will continue to exist but these nations are to help organize and sustain us for a while.

IGRC TEAM SCHEDULE THIS OCTOBER

2007-10-23T05:34:00.000-07:00

Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Work Teams Schedule in the Liberia Annual Conference
The United Methodist church
October 24 – November 4, 2007

Team ‘A’ Loyee Clinic Project Team ‘ B’ Camphor Staff Bld Project
Tappita District St. John River District
1. Bunny Wolfe 1. Thomas Houghton
2. Carolyn Andrew 2. Charles Bush
3. Ross Brewer 3. Guy Goodman
4. Billy Hans, Jr. 4. Rebecca Kiefer
5. Donna Hans 5. Thomas Rinkach
6. James Hans 6. Deborah Smith
7. Sharon Hans 7. Marvin Smith
8. Christopher Komorech
9. Sharon Rose
10. Steven Schonert

October 2007
24 Arrival on SN Brussels flight 235 at 1750 GMT
25 Visitation: The United Methodist University
Monrovia First UMC
Tubman Memorial UMC
26 Both teams travel to Camphor United Methodist Mission Station, St. John River District, Grand Bassa County
Team ‘A’ returns to Monrovia
27 Team ‘A’ travels to Loyee Clinic Project
31 Team ‘B’ returns to Monrovia

November
1 Teams ‘A’ and ‘B’ travels to Ganta United Methodist Mission Station, Gompa District, Nimba County; tour mission station
2 Visit the United Methodist School on the mission compound
Both teams travel back to Monrovia
3 Visitation: St. Matthew UMC – Logan Town
James E. Marshall UMC – Gardnersville Township
New Hope UMC – Paynesville
4 All worship at First Church Monrovia
Stop at Bishop Judith Craig Children Village
Departure on SN Brussels flight 236 at 1950 GMT

a volunteer at work

2007-09-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Liberian Volunteers at the Old Folks Project

2007-09-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

Why Are We Volunteers?

2007-09-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

The understanding that "we are called" and "we are sent" is at the foundation of our faith. The scriptures are full of stories of persons who responded to a call and were sent on mission for God. Abraham and Sarah, our parents in the faith, met God in the desert and entered into a covenant that from that moment claimed a people dedicated to God's mission. Miriam heard the call and was sent to care for her baby brother. Moses heard the call coming from a bush that was burning but not consumed and was sent to lead his people out of captivity. Isaiah had a vision of God in the Temple and heard the voice of the Lord saying "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"; and Isaiah answered "Here am I, send me!" (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Jesus spent his ministry calling persons and sending them on God's mission (Andrew and Peter, the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha and Lazarus, the woman at the well, the paralyzed man by the pool, Zacchaeus in the tree, etc.) Jesus understood himself to be called and sent when he announced to his hometown synagogue in Nazareth that "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus summed up the Christian lifestyle in a simple formula - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30) When asked by a lawyer to explain who was his neighbor, Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritan was a good neighbor because he had compassion and was able to cross culture and religious boundaries to help someone who was obviously hurting and in need of help. And then Jesus said, "Go and do likewise!" (Luke 10:25-37)
The New Testament instructs those who would be followers of Jesus to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, heal the sick, care for the widows, and nurture the children. We are told that Jesus came in order that we might be able to tear down walls of hostility that divide and to build bridges of understanding. We are called, wherever we are in the world, to love all of God's creation and to demonstrate that love with action.
Therefore, putting our faith into action is at the very heart of our Christian calling and not just something that we do in our spare time after we have reached our personal goals. Through volunteers in mission every person in the church has the opportunity to serve and to live their calling and their lives more faithfully. And when we reach out in this way, using what God has given us in the service of others, we have "life-transforming" experiences.
The gift of hospitality is another recurring theme running throughout the scriptures. In the Hebrew Scriptures giving shelter to the traveler, helping the sojourner in our midst, and sharing with each other are what God expects. Jesus introduces us to a God of grace who offers unconditional hospitality to all who will come. Provisions are made for all, with a special place reserved for those who are among the marginalized. We are instructed in the Book of Hebrews, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:1-2)
Our neighborhood has expanded. Today we are a global neighborhood and our neighbors are everywhere. There is no place on this planet where we are not called to go if there is a need. There is no place on this planet where we do not have the opportunity to receive those who understand themselves to have been sent. We have discovered that when those of us from more affluent countries and congregations work alongside those who are poor or oppressed, we are blessed in profound ways. As we move into different cultures and experience the reality of other contexts, we begin to live our lives with greater sensitivity, understanding, and compassion. This kind of living and understanding can be life energizing and church energizing.
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. "Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree... You only need a heart full of grace...a soul generated by love."

We all are called, we all are sent, we all are to offer the gift of hospitality to others. We remain grateful to the General Board of Global Ministries Mission Voluntees section for the level of awareness and opportunities. But to help volunteers in Africa fully realize their desire to serve, we need to convert the surplus in the developed world to survival in the developing world by encouraging more orientation opportunities for coordinators and volunteers.

Liberia Annual Conference venue 2008

2007-07-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken in April of 2007 so don't consider the date shown on it.

This is the Mt. Scott United Methodist Church located on Maryland Avenue in Harper City, Maryland County. This city is about 466 miles from Monrovia and happens to be the home of the 18th President of the Republic of Liberia, William V. S. Tubman. Cape Palmas and Garray Districts will pay host to the 175th Session of the Liberia Annual Conference in February 2008. There is still more to do inorder to get it ready come February. As such, we will appreciate every gift toward this project. Your gifts may be directed through the Mission Volunteer Section at the General Board of Global Ministeries to the Volunteers in Mission of the Liberia Annual Conference: Mt. Scott UMC Project.

Auburn Wesley Foundation and LUMVIM begin Construction on Old Folks Home

2007-07-28T12:10:00.001-07:00

About 3 weeks ago, a team of volunteers from Auburn University in Auburn, AL, arrived in Liberia to begin construction on a home for Old Folks. They were invited by Reverend Isaac Chuckpue Padmore, who had made a friend while attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. This friend came to serve at the Auburn Wesley Foundation as an intern where he shared his story of Reverend Padmore and his vision for an old folks home in Liberia. After this, news spread at the Wesley Foundation and volunteers signed up and began raising the funds necessary to undertake the project. Today this dream has come to fruition as we have begun the construction on the old folks home, making good progress. The team from the Auburn Wesley Foundation has been working side by side with Liberian volunteers and this has been such a blessing to see and experience. Their photo is shown above. God blessed the dream of the young people while we reclaim the future.