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.
