LIBERIA: ECC Bishop pays first visit to Liberia
By: Augustine N. Myers – The Bishop of the Evangelical Congregational Church (ECC) the world over at the head of a 4-man high power Team has paid his first visit to the Republic of Liberia to get acquainted with the Church’s activities in the Country.
(Front, L-R) Bishop Bruce D. Hill, and Rev. Randall L. Sizemore;
(Back, L-R) Rev. Matthew T. Gweh, and Rev. Joshua M. Reinders
Rt. Rev. Bruce D. Hill speaking to the press at the close of a week-long visit to Liberia said he was happy to be in the country. “I feel very good, the Liberian people have been friendly, so welcoming, and so generous” Bishop Hill asserted”.
The ECC Bishop said during his visit he noticed that many of the Liberian people are working together for their Nation. Bishop Hill pointed out that they were able to travel freely throughout the country which he described as very good, stressing they felt at home and save.
When asked why would the Bishop of the EC Church come to Liberia, especially at this time, he said: “As Bishop of the EC Church the world over, I do oversee the spiritual care of Christians around the world that are part of the Evangelical Congregational Church and the people of Liberia who are also part of the EC Church are my Parishioners, so I’ve come to meet and interact with them to know each other better”
He said during his visit to Liberia, one of the most impressive moments was the last day of the Annual Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Liberia (ECCOL) which he attended and preached God’s Word to the Congregation.
He pointed out that he also participated in an Ordination Service along with the Field Superintendent of the ECCOL, Rev. Matthew T. Gweh and shared communion with the congregation.
Bishop Hill said the Church still has confidence in the leadership of the Field Superintendent of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Liberia (ECCOL) and will continue to support activities of the church in Liberia, especially in the area of Discipleship.
According to him, it is important for Christians not just to say who they are, but to live and act as Christians (true Christ Followers) in their daily lives. He called on Christians across the country to live according to how Jesus Christ wants them to live, in order to make a difference.
He expressed optimism that the EC Church in Liberia will continue to grow, because according to him the Leadership of the Church has plans to continue to reach out through the Discipleship Ministry across Liberia to bring people to the saving-grace and salvation of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Hill also expressed gratitude to Liberians, saying he appreciates all they are doing for their Country, the work to restore Liberia into a great Nation again and for their hospitality.
The ECC Bishop however prayed that Liberians will continue to work together for the development of their Country, and that God will also continue to bless the EC Church in Liberia to proclaim the special message of Jesus Christ throughout the Nation.
Speaking earlier, a Member of the Team said he was happy to be in Liberia for the 3rd time, expressing his impression on the level of development taking place in the country.
Rev. Randall L. Sizemore, Director of Global Ministries of the Evangelical Congregational Church said the ECC Team was in Liberia to celebrate the work of the Church.
Rev. Sizemore said during their one week visit to Liberia, they participated in the last two days of the Annual General Conference of the EC Church in Liberia, and later traveled to the rural parts of the country to see some of the work of the EC Church there.
He explained that during their tour in the interior, they enjoyed village life by eating food cooked on local fire-place and slept in huts, among others and also experienced the challenges of Liberians, whom he described as peace loving people.
He also described their visit to Liberia as an adventure, stressing they are happy with the work of Rev. Gueh and the Church in Liberia by helping the people not only spiritually, but physically.
He said the EC Church is rebuilding a new foundation, starting with a Discipleship Program to teach people what it really means to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ along with some Education and Practical-Experience Components.
“I think we’ve set a great foundation for the EC Church in Liberia to grow and be stable for many years to come”, Rev. Sizemore said.
The Evangelical Congregational Church through its Global Ministries Commission facilitates Mission Workers, Empowers International Churches and engages the Local Church in the Great Commission
The Global Ministries Commission represents the international arm of the Evangelical Congregational Church.
ECC currently facilitates 53 mission workers ministering in 9 different nations with multiple cooperating sending agencies. The EC Church is unique in that it loans all of its workers to other mission agencies. This according to the Church, is a releasing approach that increases the level of specialization its workers can operate with and recognizes the role of partnerships in the furthering of the Gospel.
God has blessed the EC Church USA by raising up 70,000 members who worship in about 400 churches spread across five nations; Japan, India, Nepal, Mexico and Liberia
