Rejoice Liberia
Awakening Hope in the New Generation
Liberia has been ravaged by war for thirteen years. Under the current leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia has undergone a disarming process and entered into a reconstruction phase, internally and externally.
As America's most strategic African ally and a "daughter" country of sorts, Liberia and American's connection to it, is unique, strategic and full of potential and opportunity for the Gospel.
"Rejoice Liberia" is three to five year initiative with a collaboration of ministries, NGOs, American and national churches, to holistically awaken and develop hope in the Liberian people.
Disarming guns is one thing. Disarming the heart is another. The message of hope, reconciliation and forgiveness must be proclaimed and demonstrated throughout Liberia. To heal the land of Liberia, the heart of Liberia must heal. And that is the purpose of "Rejoice Liberia."
History:
Tim Robnet, Palua's international program director and former director of New Generation Alliance (NGA), made two scouting trips with us in March of 2006 and Sept 2007.
His conclusion was threefold:
- This was the most responsive government Palau has ever encountered.
- The country's infrastructure to support a large scale team/event was devastated and in reconstruction.
- It would take someone with a strong mission-logical experience and understanding of NGA to navigate and structure an effective initiative.
Present:
- Based on the above, Tim assigned Mike Parker of All Nations Ministries to the task of spearheading the Liberia initiative.
- Mike Parker served as a missionary in Latvia for 5 years, served with Bridge Builders International for 9 years and now has his own Evangelistic Ministry.
- Mike was the NGA lead on the 2004 initiative in Uganda called "Arise Uganda."
- Mike joined me for our fall Liberia trip in Nov. 2007 and again in April 2008.
April 2008 Trip:
The purpose of this trip was:
- To identify and establish the core Liberian partners for the NGA initiative.
- To discuss and confirm the evangelistic strategy for the NGA initiative.
- Focused on children and youth-equipping churches to function as Christian community centers during the week with Christian youth programming and community development program-agricultural development.
- To establish the "ground rules" for partnership with key partners (Financial accountability training and requirements, etc)
- For OrphanAge to establish a Liberian board and oversight for the King's Arms Academy where Jonathan Stone has served.
Future:
- The hope is that with this groundwork laid, the first NGA/Grace team can go next fall (Fall 2009) and pilot the initiative.
- With a successful coalition of ministries, churches, and NGOs working together, Mike would then make an appeal to the NGA for 15-25 NGA teams to "adopt" an area of Liberia for a 3-5 year initiative called "Rejoice Liberia."
Liberia is a strategic African country. President Bush's visit in spring of 2008 made the news and Bush announced Liberia as America's strongest and most strategic African ally. The church is strong and has undergone a purification process through suffering.
My interest - My Response
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Awakening Hope... through joining a holistic outreach team? |
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Sustaining Hope... through sponsoring a church's youth community outreach center? |
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Investing in Hope... through supporting community development projects and leadership training? |