US-UAME Delegation Visits Liberia
(L-R) US Delegation and 5th Episcopal Dist. Supt. Rev. Jerome Williams and wife far right
-Forms Part of 1st UAME Annual Conference
By Esau J. Farr
A six-member United States (US) delegation of the Union American Methodist Episcopal (UAME) Church is in the country as guests of its 5th Episcopal District in Liberia.
The delegation which is headed by Bishop Adolphus Scott, Jr. is comprised of Bishop Charles Amos, Rev. Ralph T. Lampkins, and Rev. Tracy Scott. The rest of the members are Rev. Sonya Amos and Mrs. Justine Lampkins.
The delegates arrived last week to form part of the first annual conference of the church in Liberia. The annual event was held at the Tower of Grace Church in Paynesville.
At an official welcoming ceremony of the team at Tower of Grace over the weekend, the leadership of the 5th Episcopal District in Liberia warmly welcomed Bishop Scott and members of the US UAME delegation to this year’s conference.
Rev. Jerome Williams said he, along with the leadership and members of the 5th Episcopal District of the UAME Church in Liberia, was glad to receive Bishop Scott and his team members to Liberia.
Delivering a brief exhortation at the official welcoming ceremony at the Tower of Grace in Paynesville, Evang. Afamah Kwennah reminded believers that the harvest of the Lord was indeed ripe, but the laborers were few.
Evang. Kwennah encouraged members of the congregation, believers, and the world over to strive to carry out the great commission of Jesus Christ.
Speaking on the theme, “The Power of Mission” from Matthew 28:18-20, Evang. Kwennah said believers must give their time and services to the works of God if the good news of Jesus Christ must be preached in the uttermost parts of the world.
He informed them that the authority spoken about by Jesus in the text came from God Almighty and that the mandate to execute the task of the mission was upon all believers.
The First Union American Methodist Episcopal Church Soul Clinic Evangelist said those who give their time for the service of God are good soul winners and there lies ahead of them great rewards.
Making brief remarks during the ceremony, the District Superintendent of the 5th Episcopal District of the UAME Church in Liberia said he was glad to see the visiting US guests and their respective wives.
Rev. Williams further emphasized Evang. Kwennah’s message by encouraging all evangelists not to complain in carrying out the mandate of God.
“People ask too many questions these days. How am I going, how will I go, how will it happen, who will give me money, and who will give me this and that,” said Rev. Williams. He urged them to remember that the mandate spoken about came from God and that all should be prepared and ready to go as the word of God has commanded them to do.
“After the exhortation and these meetings, there is nothing left. All the evangelists here just need to go. Go and go,” Rev. Williams concluded.
Bishop Scott, in an interview with journalists, said he and members of his delegation were happy to be in Liberia to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
He said the UAME Church in Liberia is on a mission to impact the lives of people, especially children.
“We are here because we have worked here. We have three churches, a school, an affiliate school, and a couple of other mission schools,” Bishop Scott disclosed.
“Liberians are resilient people. In all that they have gone through, Ebola and COVID-19, they have remained steadfast and through it all, God’s message has been preached over the past 50 years,” the visiting US head of delegation said.
Some members of the church at the First UAME Church during Sunday service
He called on all believers of the Holy Bible to know that Jesus is real, alive, and the only hope for Christians.
“This conference is about planning and searching to move forward,” Bishop Scott stressed.
He recognized the efforts of believers in Liberia saying, “I have never seen people who don’t have the resources available like we have in the United States, and their faith and resilient, willingness and resolved”.
Bishop Amos and Rev. Lampkins all expressed joy and gladness for forming a part of this year’s delegation to Liberia, saying they were all on a missionary journey for Jesus Christ.
They all spoke of their willingness to help their counterparts in Liberia in preparing them to proclaim the good news of the Lord.
For their part, the wives of the three clergymen said they were passionate about working and helping women in ministry to be strong pillars for their husbands in proclaiming God’s words.
Members of the delegations are expected to return to the US this Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with renewed vigor, a rejuvenated spirit, and a thirst for winning more lost souls and making disciples of Christ.
The UAME Church was established in 1805 in the United States, but came to Liberia about 50 years ago.
The team is expected to leave Liberia for the USA tomorrow after a one night of revival at the First UAME Church in the Soul Clinic Community in Paynesville.