150th Anniversary

The Lutheran Church in Liberia celebrated 150 years of ministry under the banner of  “This far by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7) with a five day calendar of events, April 24th to April 28th.

Day one was a day for youth and all as the congregations of Monrovia marched from St Peter’s to the national stadium (about 3 miles) for a day of sports.  The march was about three miles and was a great way to say to Monrovia “We are celebrating!”.  Students from Lutheran schools and parishes competed in short round- robins, the girls playing kick ball and the boys playing soccer.  It was a stadium atmosphere with vendors hawking drinks and snacks and people cheering.  T-shirts and an anniversary print provided the day with festive colors.

Day two centered on thanksgiving and intercessory prayer as the LCL gathered for Sunday worship at St Peter’s Lutheran Church.   Rt. Rev. Dr. Sumoward E. Harris preached a sermon on the Corinthians text insisting that the LCL has come this far “by faith not by sight” and that the LCL will continue to grow as the members continue to strive to live “by faith and not by sight”.   Old Lutheran favorites were sung such as a “Mighty Fortress is our God” and “Now thank we all our God” and a new Lutheran Hymn written by LCL member Dr. Joshua Giddings was sung by the St Peter’s choir.  The service was attended by the President of the Republic of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Day three, we gathered for a panel discussion with the theme, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  Dr Walter T. Gwenigale, member of the LCL and now Minister of Health for Liberia spoke on the Healing Ministry of the LCL.  Dr. Joshua Giddings, now Vice President of Cuttington University in Liberia, and ELCA missionary Bette McCrandall  followed with a look at the LCL’s Teaching Ministry.   Rev. Victor Padmore was the third panelist and spoke on the Preaching ministry of the LCL.  Methodist pastor and Professor at Gbarnga School of Theology spoke about the Ecumenical Ministry of the LCL.  And finally, Bishop Harris gave an overview of future directions for the LCL including remarks on the newly developed 5 year Strategic Plan.

Day four, Tuesday April 27, was a day of site visits and dedications.   In the morning we traveled 20 kilometers up the right bank of the St Paul River to Millsburg, formerly known as Muhlenburg, to a missionary grave site where some of the earliest missionaries laid their children to rest and for some their own lives.  This was an emotional moment as a wreath was laid at the grave site and everyone took full measure of the martyrdom of these early missionaries who went to Liberia “by faith and not by sight.”   We continued from their in convoy to St. Andrew’s in Gaye Town- Monrovia to dedicate a newly built parsonage achieved by the members of St Andrews.   The next stop was Harrisburg.  On the left bank of the St Paul, it lies directly opposite and in view of Millsburg.  Here we worshiped at the newly renovated Day Memorial Lutheran Church.  Destroyed during the war, this historic church built in 1800’s was refurbished by efforts of volunteers and offerings of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA.   Global Mission Program Director for West Africa, Rev. James Gonia gave the sermon.  From there, the caravan continued to Tower Hill south of Monrovia to dedicate the new LCL  retreat center.

Day four wasn’t over. In the evening, we gathered again at St Peter’s for a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lutheran World Federation and the LCL.  The LWF had been carrying out development projects subsequent to the relief efforts they had made in Liberia during and after the war.  This work would now be integrated into the work of the Lutheran Development Services of the LCL.   The LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko was there to sign the memorandum with Bishop Harris.

The 150th Anniversary culminated on the fifth day with a Celebration event at City Hall.   Beginning again with a march from St Peter’s, the day was accompanied by a brass band and the voices of several Monrovia parish choirs.    The Keynote speaker was Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko.   The event was honored by the presence, again, of Liberian President Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.  Ecumenical partners in Liberia and Lutheran partners from other countries were given time to make remarks and present gifts.   Lutheran partners included the Church of Sweden, represented by former Archbishop Rev. K.J. Hammar, the Danish Evangelical Mission, and Mission EineWelt of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone.