After more than two decades of sporadic civil wars, Liberians still remain highly religious. So much so that Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS) students begged to reopen the school soon after things calmed down from the latest fighting.
LBTS President Lincoln Brownell said most people believe Jesus kept them alive during a rebel insurgence that ousted Charles Taylor from his seat as Liberia’s president. While Taylor has left the country, many still carry arms. Areas outside of the capital, Monrovia, are still not safe. More than 12,000 UN peacekeeping soldiers patrol the streets while another 3,000 soldiers were expected in April.
The city is a shell of what it used to be. Most buildings have mortar damage, and gaping holes replace door frames. Churches were not spared from this fate. Most were looted and are missing roofs.
Despite the desperate times, Brownell sees a vast opportunity for his seminary students and Liberian Baptist churches. As far as the Liberian Baptist Convention can tell, about 75 percent of their churches are operating. There is no way to know what the churches up-country are doing. Those churches are still in rebel territory, and the people have yet to be disarmed.
“Sunday church attendance is up,” Brownell said. “And right now, I would estimate about 45 percent of our population (3.3 million) claim Jesus Christ.” However, Brownell is quick to point out that things are far from normal in his country. More than 500,000 people are still displaced from the war.
One of the camps for the internally displaced peoples is at a Baptist school, Ricks Institute. More than 50,000 refugees camp out on the 1,000-acre plot, providing ministry opportunities for seminary students and local pastors.
Bill Bullington, International Mission Board’s (IMB) regional leader for West Africa, visited this war-torn country to evaluate Baptist work. Currently, there are no IMB missionaries working in Liberia. Bullington was impressed with Brownell’s students and their commitment to missions.
“Students have done mission projects in the interior and to refugee camps during their vacation time,” Bullington said. “Some of these students are looking at missions assignments within Liberia and beyond. I was impressed by their dedication.”
Brownell said the missions heart of his students and pastors shine as an example of a seed harvested by the IMB and Southern Baptists.
“The military war is over, but we still have silent weapons. Survival and economic hardship continue to impoverish Liberians,” Brownell said. “But one prime example of peace shines as students and graduates of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary continue to evangelize, pastor and carry out mission work through the local churches around Liberia.”
Share with others: