LIBERIA: International Church Leaders END Visit To ECCOL
By: Augustine N. Myers – In an effort to reaffirm their support to the leadership of the Bishop and Field Superintendent of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Liberia (ECCOL), and following an end to the internal crisis which rocked the E.C Church of Liberia for almost two year, Foreign partners of the E.C Church have ended a week-long visit to Liberia as guests of the Church to reiterate support for the incumbent Bishop of the Church, Rev. Matthew T. Gueh.
- Bishop Gueh leading a Parade on the Somalia Drive
The International guests include Rev. Randy Sizemore, Director of Global Ministries – E.C Church-USA/of the World, Bishop Lalrosiem Songate – E.C Church of India, Bishop Elias Martinez Osorio – E.C Church of Mexico, and Rev. Salvador Cadozo-Pastor Highland Chicago ECC of USA.
They are in Liberia as guests of the E.C Church of Liberia, and to equally participate in the International Annual Conference of the Church.
Speaking to Newsmen last Monday in Gardnersville at the start of the Conference which convened at the St. Paul E.C Church in Iron Factory, Gardnersville, Rev. Randy Sizemore of the USA said they are happy to be in Liberia as part of their partnership with the ECCOL for about 40 years now.
According to him, they as a Church recently went through an unfortunate period in the E.C Church of Liberia thereby bringing about division, but said their presence in Liberia is to pledge support to Bishop Gueh and the Leadership Team.
He disclosed that he was mandated by the Bishop of the E.C Church of the United States to request Bishop Gueh and his leadership team to remain as leaders of the E.C Church of Liberia for the next five, as they continue the process of restoration. He said their goal is to win more souls to the Kingdom of Christ.
Rev. Sizemore further disclosed that the decision is a global one, as evidenced of their presence representing the United States, Mexico and India.
He said the global leadership of the Church recognizes Bishop Gueh and will continue to support his Administration to continue their good job in Liberia.
He pointed out that he is very impressed being in Liberia, especially for the second time and for the worm reception the people of Liberia have given his team.
- Preparing to hoist the Various Flags
Speaking on the internal crisis which rocked the E.C Church of Liberia for the past two years, Rev. Sizemore said they were disappointed that some elements had to breach the rules and spiritual values of the Church, thereby bringing God’s Saints to public disrepute.
According to him, for the next five years, they will be meeting and discussing about the restoration of the E.C Church of Liberia, with the partnership of all the E.C Churches around the world.
He noted that there is a way out to the recent internal crisis that divided the E.C Church in Liberia by exhibiting forgiveness and commitment to move forward. He also called for unity and team work with in the E.C Church of Liberia.
He said one of the things they are going to be doing is to partner with the Church in Liberia to focus on discipleship and evangelism. He promised to return and solicit support to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the Liberian people, especially ECCOL members.
- Local & Int’l E.C Officials Post for photo
For his part, Bishop Lalrosiem Songate of India said he was happy to be in Liberia, and that he will return with a message that there is an exerting opportunity of expending God’s Kingdom in Liberia.
According to him, E.C Churches around the world will join hands with their brethrens in Liberia to champion the spread of the gospel.
Bishop Songate said they are however saddened by the recent crisis in the Church in Liberia and will support Bishop Gueh in every way, especially in planting more Churches.
Also speaking, Bishop Elias Martinez Osorio of the E.C Church of Mexico equally denounced acts he referred as being against Christian norms, intended to bring disgrace to the Church. He also pledged his support to the leadership of Bishop Gueh.
The Visit of the 4-member International Team marks the start of the 42nd International Annual Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Liberia (ECCOL), which is taking placing at the St. Paul E.C Church in Iron Factory, Gardnersville.
In his opening statement at the start of the Convention Monday, the Bishop of the E.C Church of Liberia, Rev. Matthew T. Gueh called on the congregation to remain focused, and continue to depend on God for guidance and protection.
Bishop Gueh also challenged Liberians to remain focused, and desist from envy and hatred all because of power struggle.
For his part, The General Secretary of the E.C Church of Liberia, Rev. G. Abraham Powell said the on-going International Conference is a further manifestation of their willingness to remain focused in the things of the Lord.
Rev. Powell said the Conference will enhance the spiritual growth of E.C members, and build their capacity to serve the Lord and humanity.
The International Annual Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Liberia took place under the theme: “Restoration 2011, You will get it all back” from First Samuel 30. It brought together local delegates from across Liberia, together with the 4-member International Team from America, India, and Mexico.
Meanwhile, the E.C Church of Liberia has reached several decisions at the close of its 42nd International Conference which ended Sunday.
Reading the resolutions reached at the Conference, the Secretary General of the E.C Church of Liberia, Rev. G. Abraham Powell said the Conference decided to re-claim its Churches seized by the break-away group. The Conference also decided that all licenses of Pastors or Ministers of the E.C Church of Liberia be invalid, and that a new license has been provided and will be given to all Pastors and Ministers presently under the E.C Church of Liberia. According to the Conference, all licenses that do not carry the signatures of Rev. Sizemore of USA and Bishop Gueh of Liberia, will not be valid.
The Conference further said 20 Disciples have been trained and commissioned to take control of various E.C Churches that break-away Pastors have abandoned, to immediately take over this February.
It also said the E.C Church of Liberia has established a web site and all information pertinent to the Church can be seen. According to the 42nd Annual International Conference of the E.C Church, 15 Ministers have also been commissioned and ordained to serve as Pastors, local Gospel Ministers and Coordinators to work in Grand Bassa, Rivercess, and Nimba Districts, respectively to take control of facilities of the E.C Church of Liberia.
