Liberia: Boakai: “I Will Do What I Am Called to Do”

Joseph Nyumah Boakai, President-elect of the Republic of Liberia, has told his fellow citizens that the time for promises is over and now is time for him to do what he is called to do. 

Boakai said the era of fulfillment is at hand, and there is no more time to tell people to keep hoping.

“This is what I am telling this congregation and the entire nation that this is what I am called to do, and I will do it. For your care and prayers, I want to assure you that the next few years will be a period of fulfillment and not hope anymore,” he said when he attended the regular church service at Effort Baptist in Paynesville.

Boakai is a deacon of the church, and he arrived along with his wife and entourage under heavy security, though he preferred to normally fellowship with his fellow congregants.

He narrated that he became a member of the church in 1993 and, since then, has been and will continue to remain a committed member.

“I believe the Lord called me for this. In February 1993, I became a member of this church, and I remain a member. In 2006, I became the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. And, I remained a member until 2023, thirty years with Effort Baptist, and here I am today as the next President of the Republic of Liberia.”

He thanked his fellow church members for going out and voting during the elections, assuring them and the nation that their votes would not go in vain.

“I want to say thank you to all of you who have gone to vote. You have paid a single attention to an individual because you need development, so I want to say, may God richly bless you for loving me the way you do,” Boakai said amid applause from the congregation.

He emphasized that the church has shown him so much love and that all of its members have, over time, committed to praying for him, most especially in the course of the electioneering period.

He said it is because of the courage he has received from God and fellow worshippers, as well as many people across the country, that he remained steadfast and focused on his mission of winning the presidential election in order to rescue the nation from its under-development and many other challenges.

He reminded them that he was not speaking in the capacity of President, but to honor the calling of God that he has honored all through his life.

“I’d like to say this to the Church that I am not here for the Presidency. I am here to honor the calling of God because He knows what this country has been through; He knows what this Government should do,” Boakai pointed out.

He was particular about ‘sacrifices’ made by many people across the country on the day of the runoff election, especially so that they stayed awake ensuring that their votes were not tampered with.

“God knows what the citizens of this country did on the night of the elections. They turned out to vote and they protected their votes. They didn’t choose not to honor me just to get leadership; they made sure that their country got the leadership it deserves, a better one,” he concluded.

Rev. Trocon Langford, head pastor of Effort Baptist Church, congratulated the President-elect for his consistency to ascend to the Presidency, and winning the elections following the massive support from people across the country.

Langford said the Church will be watching Boakai (its own member) as he has received the popular mandate of the Liberian people to change things around and make the country the better one he has long envisioned.

“I will be at your door. I will be at the door of your office following up on your execution of the plan you have assured the Liberian people. I want this country to develop. I have not been away from this country almost all of my life and I can only wish that the best things happen here so we all can enjoy this great nation,” Langford said.

He addressed the church from Psalms 126 verses 1 through 7. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, and tongues were filledgues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

He was particular about the Israelites who had to suffer many years of calamities but, in the end, God redeemed them and restored their land and gave them dominion over their enemies.

Pastor Langford said the Israelites prayed to God and beseech Him to restore their fortunes.

“Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them,” he continued.

Langford concluded by admonishing the Church and Liberians from all sides and walks of life to seek unity and support peaceful coexistence as the Boakai led government develops the country.

Every member of the Church and all others who visited expressed joy that Boakai is God-fearing and he will do what he has promised to do: develop the country and make citizens happy.