New mission station dedicated in Liberia

The United Methodist Church in Liberia dedicated a mission station in Gbarpolu County in northwestern Liberia on March 27.

With three churches and three preaching points, the Bopolu Mission Station is the denomination’s fifth mission station in Liberia. The other four are Gbarnga in Bong County, Ganta in Nimba County, Weala in Margibi County, and Diecke in the Republic of Guinea, a provisional conference of Liberia.

United Methodist Bishop John Innis said the mission station was the church’s way of showing love for the people of Gbarpolu County and all those who will benefit from the facilities.

“We are now demonstrating our love for the people of Gbarpolu, especially the children who are now attending the school and will become future leaders of Liberia,” Innis said.

“This mission station is now providing jobs for residents of Bopolu City and individuals from other parts of the county,” lay pastor Shaffa Seward said, noting more than 80 percent of the mission station staff are indigenous people from Gbarpolu County.

The 3.6 acre station includes a school, clinic, church and parsonage. The $150,000 station was funded by several overseas partners, including churches in the United Methodist Virginia Conference.

Swen is communicator for The United Methodist Church in Liberia.

News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]


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
Mission and Ministry
Engineer Sabin Mulang, director of the Development and Projects Office for the South Congo and Zambia Episcopal Area, inspects corn crops at an agropastoral site in Kingandu, Congo. Vast fields of corn and soybeans are at the heart of The United Methodist Church’s initiative to combat food dependency in southern Congo. Photo by Christian Kasweka, UM News.

Church farms combat food insecurity in Congo

With financial support from the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, United Methodists in southern Congo have launched a series of farming projects.
Mission and Ministry
Women of Substance members sing during a Mountain Prayer Program at Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens in Harare, Zimbabwe. The group comprises single, divorced and widowed church members who participate in training in income-generating projects, prayer retreats and other excursions. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Single church members find support in sisterhood

United Methodist women in Zimbabwe’s Harare East District are discovering new ways to connect with God and each other through a partnership with the Indiana Conference.
Social Concerns
Young people march through the streets of Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 10 holding signs reading, “Even lemurs want water and electricity,” referring to the popular primates that are native to the country. The message highlights growing frustration among youth over the country’s persistent water and power shortages. Photo by Diary Andrian.

Church responds to crisis in Madagascar

United Methodists are calling for prayer and faithful action as the Indian Ocean nation experiences political and social upheaval.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved