The NC Conference has significant ties to West Africa. Specifically, the Beacon District has “adopted” Liberia as its place where a lot of foreign ministry takes place. The Harbor District Churches are working closely with the Sierra Leone Annual Conference—particularly at Rotifunk Hospital. One of the ways in which we form bonds with both the Liberians and their neighbors the Sierra Leoneans, is to send work teams to West Africa—and to welcome folks from both countries when they come to visit us.
In April 2018, teams will be going to both countries. A team of the Reverends Jaye White, Bill Haddock, and Ed Rutenkroger will be visiting a special Partners Conference in Ganta, Liberia. At about the same time, another team composed mainly of folks from the Harbor District will be working in the Rotifunk community in Sierra Leone. In addition to helping the Rotifunk hospital, partners are helping neighboring schools by training teachers and providing supplies. In addition, work is being done with partners to help the people in that area become more self-sufficient.
Both countries have been beset with challenging situations caused by civil war and the outbreak of Ebola. A mixture of high unemployment among young adults, high poverty rates, poor educational institutions, terrible infrastructure, and a low standard of health care contribute to uneasiness in both countries. Both countries have had recent contentious elections and some violence connected to those contests. But, in the midst of it all, the United Methodist Church is experiencing growth. Bishop Samuel Quire of the Liberia Annual Conference and Bishop John Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference are both providing much needed leadership in those countries. The UM Church in both countries is known for both its spiritual intensity and its work on social justice issues.
If you would like more information about ministry in West Africa, please contact:
Rev. Bill Haddock revbillh@nccumc.org