I am in Liberia this week as a guest of the African Fundamental Baptist Mission (in the process of changing to African Independent Baptist Mission). I have the privilege of being the keynote speaker for their annual conference. This group traces its roots to churches that were started by the work of Baptist Mid- Missions missionaries. The group primarily consists of congregations from Liberia, but we also have churches from Guinea and Sierra Leone that I’ve heard are here. The AFBM is part of the Biblical Baptist Partnership International (https://garbcinternational.org/).

It’s been encouraging to see the fruit of evangelistic efforts. There are scores of churches represented, and all of them are led by national pastors. The only white skinned people here this week, in fact, are the Brittains and me. 

It’s also exciting to see how things are continuing under national leadership. ABWE is a partner agency here assisting the AFBM churches with mobile medical clinics, which they use for evangelistic efforts. They also have a school to train Physician Assistants. The program includes required Bible training.

The GARBC is seen positively here because of both past and current investment. Next week I will get to visit some churches who experienced roof damage during severe weather. The repairs were assisted by funds from Regular Baptist International.

While there may be a need for retooling and renovation ( just like there is in our US churches), I am greatly encouraged by what I am already seeing here in Liberia. God’s blessing is evident in the lives of those I am meeting here. Stories of conversions, shared videos of baptisms, men being trained and sent out to start new churches… There’s much reason to rejoice in what God is doing here.