Abstract

Biblical Background

Jesus commands his disciples: “Go, make disciples, teaching….” And in response to that command, in 1821, US free slaves braved the Atlantic Ocean and met the challenges (tropical diseases, death, unwelcoming tribal wars, mistrust, etc.), to return home, to share the Gospel and to be free.

Historical Background

Liberia, Africa’s first black independent nation, was founded by US free slaves. Liberia’s Declaration of Independence (similar to the State of Georgia) was signed on the 26^th of July 1847 in the historic 1821 Providence Baptist Church. Liberia, built on Christian values and a beacon of hope in Africa, has had several international mission groups partnered to evangelize, educate, westernize and collaborate in free trade, resulting in an established democracy.

The Trans-Atlantic Renaissance was Christian in its mission, intellectual, social, industrial and artistic explosion centered in Liberia, West Africa spanning the 1820s to the 1970s. During these times, there were several influencing movements orchestrated by leaders like: Lott Car[e]y, Marcus Garvey, Harriet Tubman, W.O. Carver, Booker Washington, W. E. B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

The movement also included the new African-American cultural expressions across the Atlantic spawning new settlements in Liberia with traditional US names like: Virginia, New Georgia, Louisiana, Greenville, Mississippi, Lexington, among others, of which the state of Maryland in Africa was the largest. The Liberian Trans-Atlantic Renaissance is considered to have been a defining moment for the African-American zest for identity and freedom guided by abiding faith in God, cumulating with the Liberation of Africa.

Between 1979-2015, Liberia was plagued by military coup d’etat, military rule, a senseless civil war, genocide of estimated 250K deaths and 1M+ refugees and internally displaced persons. Since 2006, Liberia experienced relative peace during the first female African president 12-year rule. Regrettably, a 2-year (2014-2016) Ebola Epidemic reversed most of the economic and social gains leaving the country in recession. With the peace and orderly transfer of power to a new democratically elected government, Globe Afrique Report 11^th March 2019 describes “Liberia’s economy in poor shape, ruthless recession looms…” and Liberia’s growth rate of 8% (2013) has declined to -0.4% (2019). Key consequences of this growth slump are: 75% illiteracy, 85% unemployment (4.3 million population) and the most impacted is the 75% of the population below age 30. Base on empirical data, the diaspora support to extended family living in Liberia or displaced in other countries matches 80% of the overall national fiscal budget of $500M.

Challenges

The Liberian Trans-Atlantic Renaissance slowed down beginning 1979 after the effects of the Civil Conflict set in. The military rule and economic downturn led to the departure of prominent Liberians. Consequently, the great gains accomplished during the renaissance, were soon lost with massive brain drain, the mismanagement of natural resources and capital flight. 14 years of horrific experiences saw the decline in 80% of international mission groups/agencies thus creating a vacuum in Christian leadership, health, education and the funding of various ministries. Untrained, unprepared and inexperienced national leaders (Church and state alike) lack the will to live up to institutional mission and vision. Christianity is practiced by 45% of the population, Islam by 10% African Traditional Religion 40% and those with no faith 5%.

Sadly, the traditional churches in Liberia are ill prepared to meet the changing society of syncretism with African Traditional Religion, the charismatic and prosperity Pentecostal movement over-running of the neighborhoods with store front churches, the growing infiltration of Islam and cultural practices of polygamy, witchcraft, sacred societies or post-traumatic stress of 90% of the population.

Opportunities

In the midst of the overwhelming challenges and daunting future, we believe that Christianity in 21^st Century Liberia has the unique opportunity to rally Liberians, both indigenous and diaspora, to equip leaders, evangelize, disciple believers and transform lives. The eager 75% youthful population is our target group in building innovative communities.

In pursuance of these opportunities, I, Dr. Lincoln S. Brownell, Jr., formed Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc. with a vision to connect churches in Liberia with churches and organizations from the US and around the world, to provide training to leaders and lay people and plant and disciple churches in unreached areas. Our mission to serve short-term mission/study teams in travel to Liberia and Africa, and lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and strengthened the local church. Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8, 2:42. We are committed to meet the demands of mission work.

For information on Dr. Brownell, visit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsbrownelljr-liberia/

Achievements

12 Years Achievements include: A consortium of 28 mission churches, rebuilding from the ashes of war one theological seminary, 2 Technical Vocational Academies, training 780+ church leaders serving 200+ local churches in the Body of Christ; construction of 10 water wells, facilitating peacebuilding programs with local (Liberia Council of Churches, UN Missions in Liberia, waring faction leaders) and regional leaders (ECOWAS, African Union) to end the civil conflicts. We also fundraised, purchased, reconstructed and maintained an international missionary Atlantic Scenic residential compound, hosting 500+ international volunteers mainly from the USA.

Transformation

Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA Inc. has piloted the process and is fine-tuning our organization to train teachers, pastoral leadership and the laity to go and make disciples. We remain committed to sacrifice, scale and respond better to the growing demands of the future generation of Liberia. Going with the Gospel, we believe we can leave an institution that will last after our generation.

For the last five months, we have been rebranding Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc. to move to the next level of evangelism, transforming wholistic lives, equipping leaders for sustaining innovative communities. We envision meeting the growing training needs for going and spreading the gospel. It is our hope to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the people. The organizational structure will be Christ-people centered.

About the Founder & CEO

As a fourth descendant of Indigenous West Africans, US freed slaves and missionaries, I, Dr. Lincoln S. Brownell, Jr. was taught the values of: family, faith, honesty, education, hard work and serving in mission. Over the past 42 years, I have passionately studied and achieved my US doctoral degree in Divinity/Christian Education which have enable me to teach and work in both the US and Liberia, as a public-school teacher, visiting university scholar, college professor, missionary, clinical pastoral counselor/caregiver and peace builder. Consequently, I excelled to the distinguished position of first Liberian President of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. I was privileged to take study-tours to 12+ countries with a focus on global education and mission. With 29-year track record of US and West African theological education experiences, I started Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc., a US Christian base non-profit organization, to trail blaze difficult terrains to meet and serve the unreached people groups of Liberia. We seek to win the lost, disciple by teaching, transforming lives and building the body of Christ for new innovative communities of love.

Come and Help Us: A Call

Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc. invites you to partner with us to realize the following significant goals planned for the next five years:

Stabilize 40% of Christianity growth rate within Liberia;
Train 400 Christian Leaders in personal soul-winning and discipleship to Muslims and African Traditional Worshippers;
Impact 250,000 Liberians over a 3-yr period (through 24 churches, 200 schools – strategic locations within Liberia);
Complete needs assessment, teachers’ survey, registration; data for teacher training and teacher accreditation plan;
Equip and empower 1,400 teachers in: (a) Early Childhood Education; (b) Leadership Qualities and (c) “C” Certificate Training Programs;
Benchmark and Baseline Teacher Training Program;
Develop and build the Sarpawean Village School, as well as Community development plan for a model village in Margibi County Liberia, impacting 1,000 villagers;
Collaborate in the development of Strategy and Plan for the Go Ye Leadership Center of Excellence.

Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc. extends the CALL to you to come and help us in this significant undertaking. We need you engage to help develop strategic programs and passionately lead in the spreading of the Gospel. Train a teacher, save a child; train a pastor save a soul, train a leader transform a community!

Love, Care and Share (LOCASHA), Jesus’ command is: “Go Ye and make disciples of all nations teaching…” Matthew 28:19-20.

We invite you to visit our new website: www.goyeministriesliberiausa.org and get involve by serving as a volunteer stateside and/or going on one of our upcoming mission trips.

Thank you as we unite as co-laborers with Christ Jesus.

Truly yours,

Lincoln S. Brownell, Jr. (Dr.)
Founder & CEO, Missionary, Go Ye Ministries Liberia USA, Inc.

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