The Repentance Baptist Fellowship in the Todee District of West Africa dedicated its new church on Sunday, Jan. 29. Rev. G. Larque Vaye, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Monrovia, Liberia, delivered the dedicatory message, calling on members to humble themselves, pray, and seek the face of God.

Speaking on the topic “Dedicating the Church of God: Our Duties and God’s Blessings,” Pastor Vaye said the purpose of a church building is not for God to live in, but for the members to worship in and serve Him. The church, he said, will not be fully utilized until the members come and make use of the facilities.

The program that brought together churches from Monrovia, Bong Mine, and the Todee area, was well attended, with more than 300 people. Pastor Elvis Dissee, the missionary pastor and founder, related the history of the church, noting that the fellowship started with family devotions in his home. As the devotions continued, the six family members were joined by 10 more people. And from that point, they decided to organize themselves into a fellowship and started to worship under the orange tree in front of the Dissees’ house.

Rev. Moses Kpah, pastor of Repentance Baptist Church in Monrovia, mother church to the Todee fellowship, thanked those who helped support the new church. Pastor Disee thanked everyone who has supported the church, particularly Calvary Baptist Church, whose support continues to sustain his family.

Making special remarks at the dedication of the new church was Rev. Jerry Saywah, former pastor of Repentance Baptist Church, during whose term the fellowship began. The church now has more than 100 members, including 63 who have been baptized.

Pastor Dissee is one of the 10 rural pastors who Calvary Baptist Church is supporting. In the early 2000s he resigned his position as food security officer of Action Contre La Faim (Action Against Hunger, a UN organization) to minister. He is also the director of the Bong Mines Theological Institute, an affiliate of Jake Memorial Baptist College in Monrovia.

Prayer Requests                                   

Church planting in post-war Liberia is a great challenge. Among some of the challenges are inadequate support for pastors and church planters, lack of construction materials to erect new church building, and transportation.

The following are current needs of the pastor and the fellowship:

  1. One motor bike. As the rainy season approaches, coupled with the bad condition of the bush road, Pastor Dissee will need a new motor bike to replace his old one.  One good motor bike costs $1,000 USD.
  2. Funds to support the pastor and his family
  3. Zinc to roof one of the new branches

Calvary Baptist Church Association
Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa