Liberian

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? (Romans 10:14-15)

A H I S T O R Y O F L I B E R I A N M I N I S T E R I E S

The history of Liberia Ministries is wrapped tightly around Shadrach K. Saywon, a native Liberian who grew up in Karmo’s Town, Sinoe County, Liberia. He accepted Christ as his savior in 1986 at the age of sixteen years. Within a year he is organizing the local youth, walking two or more days to share the gospel and then spending one to two months at a time away from home on evangelism trips.

In 1989 rebel forces entered Liberia intent on overthrowing the government. On August 13, 1990 the rebels enter Karmo’s Town, killing many of the people and burn almost every home. Shadrach escapes into the forest with some of his family but is found on August 18^th and sees two uncles and three brothers murdered before he again escaped into the forest. Six days later they are found again and he witnesses a third uncle killed by the rebels. For four months Shadrach lives in the forest eating leaves and roots for food, sleeping on the ground with no shoes and only the clothes he wears.

November 1990 has him finally captured and prepared to be killed. He prays and during the forced walk to the killing field a rebel commander intervenes and frees him. Again in June of 1994 he is captured (leading his church members on a trip) and, upon finding that he is a pastor, told to preach to the captures after which he will be killed. He is freed again.

Shadrach’s mother, living in America as the wife of a former Liberian missionary, finally obtains a VISA for Shadrach to come to the United States after nearly twenty years. Shadrach enrolls in a Bible college in Philadelphia but hears of The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida and transfers there. And this is where the Liberian Ministries takes on its American roots.

Shadrach joins Gulley Springs Baptist Church soon after moving to Florida and, hearing that his fiancée was in Monrovia, sponsored her to come to America. They are married and later have a baby daughter.

Shadrach never forgets what God has done for him and longs to return to Liberia to reach out to the people of his village with the gospel of Christ.

In 2000 Carl Hadley moves to Bonifay, Florida where he meets Shadrach and Gertrude at Gully Springs Baptist Church. Shadrach shares his vision with Carl two weeks later. Carl feels the Holy Spirit is in this vision and joins Shadrach in promoting it throughout northern Florida. Doors begin to open.

In 2001 Shadrach graduates from college. Until Gertrude’s graduation in 2003, Shadrach spends every Sunday promoting the people of Karmo’s Town and his vision of a village to care for the children orphaned by the war and as a base to reach out to the area with God’s love. Support begins to build among the churches of West Florida for Shadrach’s vision. During this time Shadrach returns briefly to Liberia and obtains 100 acres of land at the edge of the village for the Children’s Village.

In May of 2003, after Gertrude’s graduation, they returned with their three year old daughter to begin the ministry. Carol Chambers of West Florida also goes as a perspective missionary.

In order to provide financial accountability the ministry is managed by the Holmes County Baptist Association. A five year plan is developed and, in 2001, the Association votes to send Herb Rushing and Carl Hadley to Liberia for an in-country report. Three hundred people commit their lives to Christ and construction on the temporary school is started during their visit.

March of 2004 sees Donald Hurst, Fred Edwards and Rodney Edwards take a two week trip to review the progress of the ministry, participate in a three day pastor’s conference, gather information for agricultural purposes and review the business enterprises currently underway.

June 2004 has Carl Hadley, Carol Chambers and Tanya Rushing making a two week trip to the Village. Carol will stay for one year as a missionary nurse and teacher. The revival and pastors’ conference has 250 average attendance including forty pastors. Total professions of faith number seventy-nine. Significant work had been completed as the property was cleared, the medical clinic, temporary school, guest house and an open air church were completed.

October 2004 has Gary Wiggins and two others visit the Village and baptize a significant number in a make-shift baptistery formed by digging a hole in the ground and adding water.

A new 20,000 sq. ft. school building is started in January 2005. See photographs of the progress here.

Three trips to Liberia are currently scheduled for 2005. The first leaves March 19^th and is to contain a 3 day revival and pastors’ conference. A documentary film will be produced during this visit for use in future promotional activities, reporting back to current supporters and as a missions’ education tool for churches. The second trip is currently planned for May and we hope to hold the first ever Vacation Bible School for the Children’s Village. Contact Brother Carl Hadley for more information. The final scheduled trip for this year should occur in October and is under the direction of Bro. Gary Wiggins. More pastor training and evangelical work is planned.