Dear Friends,
This week, please intercede with us for Boye-Nelson Kiamu from Liberia.
Located on the West African coast, Liberia was established in 1822 as a settlement of the American Colonization Society, which supported “repatriation” of free and formerly enslaved African Americans and African Caribbeans under the notion that they would fare better in Africa than in a deeply racist US society. Today, the descendants of these settlers, known as Americo-Liberians or Congo people, make up about 5% of Liberia’s 5.5 million people. After Liberia gained independence in 1847, Americo-Liberians governed the nation until a military coup in 1980, followed by the First (1989-1997) and Second (1999-2003) Liberian Civil Wars. A quarter million Liberians died in these conflicts, which also destroyed infrastructure and devastated Liberia’s economy. An Ebola outbreak (2014-2015), the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russo-Ukrainian War have also taken their toll. Today, Liberia remains among the world’s poorest countries, with over half of its population living below the national poverty line.
Nelson is completing a PhD in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. His research focuses on harnessing media technology, including social media, for youth evangelism and discipleship in Liberia, where 43% of the population is under the age of 15. Watch Nelson preach on faith and technology at Fuller’s 2019 Missiology Lectures Chapel here.
In addition to his studies, Nelson teaches at ABC (African Bible Colleges) University. A pastor of the United Liberia Inland Church, Nelson also leads Liberia Renewal Ministries, which serves vulnerable children, women, and youth in Liberia, as well as in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone. Nelson and his wife Esther are expecting their first child.
Nelson shares the following message:
Esther and I are from the naturally beautiful country of Liberia. Liberia is blessed with beautiful beaches and some of the greenest tropical rainforests. But one of my favorite things about Liberia is the resilience of the Liberian people. After going through more than 14 years of civil unrest, Ebola in 2014-2015, and then COVID-19, we still hope for the best. The turmoil, corruption, and poverty continue to make life difficult in Liberia, but these challenges also fuel a hope for renewal – political, religious, and developmental.
Esther and I are privileged to contribute to this vision of a better Liberia through our work with Liberia Renewal Ministry (LRM) and African Bible Colleges (ABC) University. We provide leadership for LRM, which is involved in youth missions in the Mano River countries of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. LRM also runs an elementary boarding school and a ministry for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
We also teach at African Bible Colleges (ABC) Liberia, training pastors, educators, evangelists, and church leaders. Because of the youthfulness of Africa in general and Liberia in particular, God has used my doctoral studies to help me look at ways that youth evangelism and discipleship can occur in Africa, primarily through online platforms. My doctoral research explores how technology (digital media) affects young people’s view of religion and how youth discipleship can happen online. By God’s grace, I will complete my program in the next few months.
We are incredibly grateful for the financial, spiritual, and academic support and encouragement we have received from Scholar Leaders. It is humbling to know that God has allowed you all to invest in our lives so that we can invest in our home country of Liberia and the continent of Africa. Thank you.
Prayer Requests
You can pray for us in the following ways.
1. We are expecting our first child. Bless God for His gift. We pray that this process will go well. Pray for good health for both the mother and the baby.
2. Pray for peaceful elections in Liberia. Liberia’s elections are happening on October 10, 2023.
3. Pray for wisdom and grace as I complete my dissertation and teach several courses in Liberia this fall.
4. Let’s continue to pray for a revival among young people in Liberia. Please pray that God will continue to raise up young people who are on fire for the Lord and who desire to share the love of God and the good news that only Jesus saves.
Thank you for your prayers. I leave with you these words that have encouraged Esther and me, and I hope they encourage you too.
“I thank my God every time I remember you in all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-6
Boye-Nelson Kiamu