Weather-wise and food-wise, some like it hot. Liberia is just the place for both. This smallish West-African country is part of the “Pepper Coast,” so named for the Malagueta Pepper. It’s prevalent up and down the coast and it’s piping hot! These elongated fire hazards scorch like the November sun sizzling the country. Doesn’t take much at all to burn the tip of your tongue or the back of your throat.
However, we didn’t journey all the way to the West Coast for the weather or the peppers. That being said, it was actually nigh unto impossible to escape the intense heat of either one so we were very thankful for cool fans and cold water! We made the trip to Liberia to make plans with two groups for moving forward with our Mission Outreach efforts in that country: the Confessional Lutheran Church of Liberia (CLCL) and the Royal Family Fellowship International (RFFI). Each its own separate, independent body. Each its own synod. Each has its own official Registration with the Liberian Government.
Since each synod is standing on its own and plan to stay that way, what brought them together as one group during our recent trip? Their burning desire – but not for Malaguetas. Though each of these two established Synods wants to maintain its own identity, they both have a sharp interest in our own Synod, the WELS. The WELS has the cool, refreshing waters of Salvation in Jesus Christ – and that is something that these two groups are intensely passionate about!
Setting their sights on the possibility of a declaration of fellowship with WELS in the future, CLCL and RFFI have been asking loads of questions:
- On what doctrines does the WELS stand?
- To what creeds does the WELS ascribe?
- What sacraments do the WELS administer?
- For what purpose does WELS exist?
- How does WELS view the Scriptures?
These Liberians love to search the Bible. They desire to learn what God says. They want to compare what WELS preaches and teaches to what the Scriptures say and proclaim. They humbly but admirably check to see if what their teachers say is true. Maybe we could refer these Liberians as LIBEREANS! Listen to the glowing commentary about the Bereans that Dr. Luke wrote in Acts 17:11, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” To our dear brothers and sisters in Liberia: “Keep asking, keep checking, keep searching, keeping examining the Scriptures! Your questions are good. All of them!” All of which, quite some time ago, have started to be answered by teachers, professors and pastors of the WELS.
Over the years, a covey of WELS Called workers has been helping this Liberian Mission Outreach by bringing short courses and trainings. What a blessing and what an opportunity to pause and thank the Lord for each one of them for the faithful and hard work they’ve done in Liberia! By God’s grace, the work continues. Because of the November 2019 trip, plans are now in motion for further meetings in March and November 2020 with the purpose of exploring fellowship.
Obviously, this venture is something that takes time, travel and funding. A total of six trips are in the plan. Even though all of this teaching may cover 2+ years, both Liberian groups are ready for this undertaking.
Judging from the looks and sounds of things there will be lots of questions and lots of answers, just like Luther’s Small Catechism contains lots of questions and answers. It is this very book, the Small Catechism, as well as Know the Truth, a book authored by WELS Missionary Dan Kroll, that will serve as the basis for the trainings for all mission outreach groups in Africa – not just Liberia – on the path to fellowship. Missionary Dan Kroll, who is currently living in Malawi, is a member of the One Africa Team (OAT), He is the OAT designated Liaison for Liberia. He and others will be making the trips. Missionary Kroll offers this insightful comment:
“Working in Liberia is like falling into a pot of stew, including the peppers. It does get hot and there is a lot of stirring that happens whenever we meet. People in Liberia are eager to know the gospel and examine regularly how it fits, not only into the culture of the land, but also into their own personal lives. The comfort of knowing – “my sins are forgiven.” The excitement of going – “in the power of the Holy Spirit I can find a way to honor my Lord.” There is work to be done in Liberia – the most exciting work ever: to make people know what a great God we have.”
Missionary John Hartmann, the One Africa Team (OAT) Mission Outreach Leader shares his “heart burn” about the Mission Outreach in Liberia: “Those peppers sure did leave a burn on my tongue! But peppers are not the only thing burning in Liberia. Peoples’ ears are burning to hear the refreshing and comforting message of God’s love and forgiveness found only in Jesus, our Savior! His Gospel is not just a spice, but the staple food that all people need every day. In the Bible, we have the perfect recipe for joy and peace for everyone! Let’s share!”
Missionary John Holtz lives in Malawi
Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa
