Bopolu United Methodist Mission Station
Inside this issue:
Mission 1
FUMC News 2
Medical Chart 3
School Works 4
Trophies 4
March 2016
Liberia Annual Conference The United Methodist Church
12th & Tubman Blvd. Sinkor
1000 Monrovia 10
F. Shaffa Seward, Pastor-in-Charge
Three years ago
when we gathered
here to dedicate the
First United Meth-
odist Church at
Bopolu, this site
was mostly covered
with bush. Today,
we are here again but not in the midst
of bushes rather, a clean environment
and buildings that are meant to be used
for the spiritual, mental and physical
development of the people in Bopolu,
and, its surrounding towns and villages.
Before going further, let us take a look
at the setting Bopolu. It is referred to
as the oldest district in the history of
Liberia where King Sao Boso reigned
and was buried. It bears this title be-
cause of King Sao Boso involvement in
settling the dispute between the tribes
and the settlers with this famous quote
‘’ having you sold your land and ac-
cepted payment… I will do to you what
I did to King
Long Peter’’ that
brought its recog-
nition.
Today, the Unit-
ed Methodist
Mission is situat-
ed in the predom-
inantly Islamic
oriented Mandin-
go Clan, Bopolu
District, Gbarpolu
Chatting with Mth. Innis, she appreciated the
fact that the locals are working towards the
growth of the mission which shows they are in
partnership with the church. She also
acknowledge the contributions of our brothers and
sisters in the Virginia Conferences and recalled
their time at Harmony UMC.
At a point during the tour, Bishop Innis was so
delighted that John and Laurie Brohlio, along with
their families and friends in the US are strongly
supporting the mission development and, memori-
alizing Eric Scott. But, on the other hand, regretted
the incidence that prevented them including Tom
Gatewood from being a part of this joyous occa-
sion.
L-R: Mth. Seward, Bishop Innis, Mth Innis; Pst
Seward during Easter Celebration at Bopolu
Bishop Innis chats with Pst Seward after tour-
ing of facilities at the Bopolu Mission Station
Front row (R-L): Shaffa, R. Meram, Mth. InnIs,
Bishop Innis, Hon. Paul Kembah , DS Marshall,
Edrick Noah and Bro. Joe Malleh.
Partial view of the Bopolu Mission
A worshiper from the Weamah Preaching
commented that ‘’we look forward to the
day our church will be constructed and dedi-
cated to the glory of God. May God contin-
ue to bless the works of your hands for
bringing light to your own people.’’
Working in Christ’s
vineyard is not all
milk and honey. This was a
mission challenge for our Dis-
trict Superintendent, Rev.
Christopher G. Marshall whose
vehicle had a breakdown some
46 miles from Bopolu.
Thank God for our 4 Runner
and the energy God has given
us to serve. We drove that 46
miles to rescue the District Su-
perintend and the President of
the Young Adult Fellowship,
Bro. Cyrus P. Yieni along
with two young people of the
district who sacrificed to wor-
ship and celebrate with us
God’s goodness in our lives for
the good of the people of Gbar-
polu County.
The Holy Spirit led the FUMC
at Bopolu English and Dialect
Choirs to sing songs of praises
that were touching thereby
moving worshipers to danced
to the glory of God.
The Conference Lay Leader,
Fth. Rudolph Merab, and the
Lay Leader of the Refuge
UMC Bro. Edrick Noah ar-
rived on Easter morning to
identify with this initiative of
the Liberia Annual Confer-
ence.
Our church was a scene of colour-
ful ceremony in observance of
Easter, the church anniversary
and, the dedication of the mission
station.
Members within the parish started
to arrive early Saturday morning
from Moilaquelleh, and Weamah
preaching points but those from
Deegeh could not come because
of the distance. Other United
Methodist congregations nearby:
Nyaforta UMC and Totoquelleh
UMC also came to grace the cele-
bration. Fortunately for FUMC at
Bopolu, the Resident Bishop at
the Liberia Annual Conference,
Rev. Dr. John G. Innis along with
his wife, Mth. Irene Innis arrived
during the early afternoon. Others
who came along with Bishop Innis
include the Associate Director of
Connectional Ministry, Bro. Joe
Malleh; Fth. Julu Swen, West Af-
rica Write Publisher.
Also in Bopolu was the President
of the St. Paul River District
Women, Mth. Theresa Davis and
suit. She encourage women of the
church to do what is best in sup-
porting and sustaining the minis-
tries being involved with by their
actions of participation.
The peak of the occasion was when
Bishop delivered the sermon from
John 3:16-18 under the theme
‘’Jesus Christ, God’s Precious
Gift to the World.’’
In his opening remarks, Bishop In-
nis thanked God for those whose
finances were used, especially John
and Laurie Broglio and, their fami-
lies and friends, to bring this dream
of serving God’s people in Gbarpo-
lu County to fruition. He also rec-
ognized the commitment of Pst.
Shaffa Seward and his family who
graciously accepted to be in minis-
try with him for and during the im-
plementing this task of mission
development. Also, Bishop Innis
thanked the government through the
offices of the superintendent and
development superintendent for
providing a conducive environment
to operate.
He reminded worshipers that God
so love the world that He gave His
only begotten Son to die on the
cross for the redemption of human
kind. This action brinks salvation
at our doorsteps: as many as are
willing to confess their sins and
accept Jesus Christ as their Lord
and Savior.
He concluded by thanking all those
who, in their least effort contributed to
what was being celebrated: the Bopolu
United Methodist Mission Station.
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The newly constructed mini
clinic (two consultation rooms,
a lab and dressing, drug sup-
ply , and two short stay) at the
Bopolu United Methodist Mis-
sion Station, valued at
$25,000.00 measures 60 ft. by
28 ft., is named in honour of
Eric Scott.
During the cutting of the
ribbon, the Development
Superintendent, Hon. Kem-
bah, said he was so happy
that the Liberia Annual
Conferenced has
brought this clinic to
Bopolu to help the
only hospital in the city.
Then he offered thanks
to God and asked that
God bless the hands of
those whose resources
made this possible and
that the church should
go into the villages to
help in meeting the education
and water needs affecting major-
ity of the population in the coun-
ty by construction safe drinking
water facilities: hand dug water
The Conference Lay Leader, Rudolph Merab
thanked Bishop for an inspiring message and
elaborated saying God’s love is giving and
purposeful– to rescues and give life.
The Development Superintendent, Hon. Paul
Kembah, in remarks thanked Bishop Innis and
The United Methodist Church for allowing one of
their sons, Pst. Shaffa Seward, to spearhead de-
velopment of this nature that will bring relief,
especially the facilities of the church, school and
clinic, to the residents of Bopolu City and its sur-
rounding towns and villages. He further assured
the church that he will do all in his power to facil-
itate the acquisition of additional land needed for
mission work.
Prior to the sermon, there was baptism of 9 new converts,
and 24 confirmation. Others rededicated their lives for
Christian living.
Bishop Innis, during the sermon, presented few cardinal
points :
A day of merriment since it was the rebirth anniver-
sary of the FUMC Bopolu, and dedication of the mis-
sion
God sent Jesus to redeem humankind because man
sin and broke relations with God
Gift is given willingly as exemplified by God
Listening to God’s instruction for God’s people
Jesus our Lord is risen.
He closed by saying we should, at all times and in all forms,
give gifts for the mission work without preconditions of
personal reward in the our service as well as our presence.
Cutting of the ribbon. L-R: DS Christopher G. Mar-
shall, Conference Lay Leader Rudolph Merab, Bish-
op Innis, Development Superintendent Paul Kem-
bah, and Mth Irene Innis
Members of the confirmation class
Eric Scott Memorial
United Methodist Clinic
View of worshiper dancing to praise songs
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Though we have at the top of our priority spir-
itual , mental and academic development, we
also consider play time which is also an essen-
tial part of the mental development of students at
Eric Scott. Indeed, our physical education pro-
gram has paid off so very by our boys and girls
lifting bot male and female trophies in a tourna-
ment sponsored by the
Young Life initiative. All
of the games were held on
a field nearby the properi-
ty on which the mission is
located on the Farwen
Town Road in Bopolu City.
These trophies are dedicat-
ed to the memory of Eric
Scott.
Eric Scott Team First Trophies
During the month of March, the campus of
Eric Scott was the venue of the Liberia Na-
tional Student Union, LINSU. Gbarpolu
Chapter President, Joseph Mulbah, encour-
age participants from the Bopolu Central
High School, Bopolu Bible Mission, and
our boys and girls. This is the parent organization
that represents all students groupings across the
country.
Also, we had the Young Life, a Christian youth
based organization that is working towards mixing
the learning environment with Christian work,
while relaxing at play. During the one day event
that included a sporting component (kickball and
football), the students actually had fine time. Food
and water was available while good music was
being played. At the end of both boy and girls
games, the BRONCOS of Eric Scott won in both
trophies.
Girls above with
team captain, Com-
fort Mulbah holding
the trophies while
students join in with
the boys team as
they lift their trophy
on the right
Mth. Innis , Bishop and I took time to have a photo
with a cross section of the student population and they
(students) were so delighted to have had this oppor-
tunity to see and have a photo with the spiritual head
at the Liberia Annual Conference The United Method-
ist.. Student Kolako Mara, standing between Bishop
and Mth. Innis said she is blessed to have being in that
position.
As a matter of fact, Bishop was pleased that he visited
and worshiped with us to see first hand the smiles on
the faces of these beautiful boys and girls who are be-
ing serviced by the mission and ministries of the
church in Liberia as the Body of Christ.
In conclusion, he admonish them to take your lessons
serious and study hard because you are the future
leaders of the church and the world in which you live.
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