Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Amid Ebola, Liberian church celebrates Student Day

For the last five years, United Methodist Student Day brought United Methodist students together in Ganta, Gbarnga or Buchanan. This year, the pomp and pageantry that usually mark the day in Liberia were missing because of the Ebola crisis.

The Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church, however, celebrated on Nov. 30  with the “physically challenged” leading the liturgical part of the Sunday service. Speaking to the congregation from Braille notes, Joshua Shadra of First United Methodist Church called on worshipers to always have hope for tomorrow because the desire to see what tomorrow will bring is what keeps people alive.

Using the story of the “woman with the issue of blood….” Shadra said the woman met Jesus Christ because she did not give up on life. “She was always hoping that one day she would encounter the right doctor and that doctor was Jesus Christ,” Shadra said.

Telling his own life story of how he became blind, Shadra said he did not give up on life, but always hoped for the day that he would serve humanity. “Preaching to you on this unique occasion, the UM Students Day, I want you to know that my hope for this day and days to come will not be a waste,” he said.

Although the students were not brought together this year, the churches were asked to accept offerings and send the money to the Liberia Conference’s Department of General Education and Ministry. The money that was collected at Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church, explained the Rev. Matthew A. Jaiah, will be used for the physically challenged ministry.

The physically challenged participating in the service included the blind and the deaf students reading the scriptures and a group of blind students singing. Many of those attending said they felt the involvement of the physically challenged added a flavor unlike previous Student Day celebrations.

The Rev. Jaiah said the leadership of the S. T. Nagbe church decided to provide the physically challenged the opportunity to experience their human fullness by leading the worship service. “We want them to feel a part of us in this church, not as helpless individuals and beggars who cannot play any important role in the church,” Jaiah said.

He also said funds generated from the Student Day will support physically challenged individuals who are the members of the church and those who are around Monrovia. “The S. T. UMC provides monthly food package for all the physically challenged within Monrovia and its environs,” he added. “The rest is usually spent on scholarship for 12 physically challenged students that the church is supporting in various schools, including United Methodist schools, and weekly transport fare for our physically challenged members to come to and from church every Sunday.”

The director of the Conference Department of General Education and Ministry, Helen Evans-Roberts, said she was not sure whether all churches lifted offerings as required by the Book of Discipline.

At the First United Methodist Church in Monrovia, the associate pastor, the Rev. Julius Y.Z.K. Williams said United Methodist Student Day was not on his church agenda because of the Ebola crisis. The principal of the Gant United Methodist School, Roger Swy Domah, also said Miller McAllister United Methodist Church did not mention the Student Day or take an offering.

*Swen is editor and publisher of West African Writers, an online publication about United Methodist happenings in West Africa and assists the denomination in Liberia with coverage for United Methodist Communications.

News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Theology and Education
A lawsuit over United Methodist control of Southern Methodist University in Dallas has reached the Texas Supreme Court. The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church filed the lawsuit in 2019 after the university’s board of trustees voted to change the university’s articles of incorporation without the jurisdictional conference’s approval. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons.

High court: Church can sue for SMU control

A Texas Supreme Court ruling deals a setback to Southern Methodist University’s move to gain independence from The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference.
Disaster Relief
Community representative Janvier Murhula (left) thanks The United Methodist Church during the distribution of food supplies in Bukavu, Congo. The United Methodist Committee on Relief provided a solidarity grant that supported 100 households in the city. At right is the Rev. Esther Furaha Kachiko, Bukavu District superintendent. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

United Methodists provide vital aid in Congo

The United Methodist Church, with grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is providing food and social support in war-torn eastern Congo.
Mission and Ministry
Members of the Harare (Zimbabwe) Inner-City United Methodist Church’s junior Sunday school class pose with some of their gifts for the local hospital’s pediatric unit. The children and teachers donated medical supplies, stoves and gifts for children. Appliance salesperson Roper Chakava stands second from right. Photo by Chenayi Kumuterera, UM News.

Children team up to help sick kids in Zimbabwe

Youth ages 4-12 at Harare Inner-City United Methodist Church raised $2,500 to provide gifts for children in the local hospital’s pediatric ward.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved