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EMAUSA would like to introduce you to Moses Gwole, pastor of the International Church of Monrovia located on the ELWA campus.
Pastor Moses’s personal story is one of sinfulness, remorse, sorrow, and finally an awakening to God’s call on his life. Moses was born in Maryland County, in Liberia, West Africa, in September 1956. Because his father served as a pastor, Moses was exposed to the gospel at an early age. His father’s death at age 14 affected Moses deeply. He strayed from his Christian teachings. He started to hang out with a bad set of friends. He got deeply involved in drugs and alcohol and resorted to crime to support his drug habits. Moses’s older brother tried to help Moses by getting him a job in the Bong Mines in Bong County. But Moses left the mines and headed to Monrovia in search of “freedom.” In Monrovia Moses was blessed by his marriage to Ida in 1983. Sadly he continued his bad habits. Moses has said that his wife would have been justified to leave him, but she chose to pray for him every day. Clearly the Lord was at work in both Ida’s and Moses’s lives. About 4 years after his marriage Moses was working at a rice and cement depot. Missionary Daniel Scott came to the depot and asked Moses if he was saved. Moses said yes because he had grown up in a Christian home. Daniel explained to Moses that it is important to read the Bible and follow its teachings. For the next two days Daniel came to the depot to speak to Moses more about biblical teachings. These conversations with Daniel Scott became a turning point in Daniel’s life, for he felt guilty, filthy, and ashamed. He broke down in tears and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior on November 16, 1987. Daniel continued to guide Moses in his Christian walk. Despite the interruptions in his ministerial training caused by the Liberian civil war, Moses persevered. During the ceasefire in 1992, he began attending the International Church of Monrovia (ICM). He attended the Evangelical Bible Training Center and got a diploma in biblical studies in 1996. However, the civil war resumed in April of that same year, and most people left Monrovia and went upcountry into the bush. Later that same year Moses and his family returned to the Monrovia area. In 2008 ICM called Moses to serve as the Senior Pastor. Moses enrolled in the Monrovia Bible College and graduated years later with a BTh. Degree. Today Moses continues to serve as the Senior Pastor at ICM. He and his wife are blessed with 5 children all of whom are serving the Lord. He also provides counseling and prays for patients at the ELWA Hospital. The Evangelical Seminary of West Africa (ESWA) is now just 18 months old under the leadership of Dr. Rick Calenberg. The seminary is located near ELWA junction, only a few miles from the ELWA campus in Paynesville. ESWA’s objective is to offer a complete graduate school program of theological studies leading to the students receiving a master’s degree in divinity (MDiv). Rick hopes that ELWA will serve the English-speaking students in West Africa for many years and will provide them with the theological training that is needed to serve their congregations. ESWA’s challenges are many. Rick and his team are raising the funds to build the campus. In addition, the administrators are setting up administrative systems to manage this graduate school. At the same time, there are now about 40 students enrolled at the seminary. The 1st graduation is now scheduled for June 2021. The quote shown here represents the enthusiasm and the desire of the students in pursuing their studies at ESWA.
ESWA Student Testimonial "In a very short space of time, my personal and ministry life is taking a definite shape. ESWA (Evangelical Seminary of West Africa) is the best thing that is happening right now in the Liberian Christian Community. I have never been involved in a very high intensity study culture as compared to the time I have spent in ESWA. The seminary is not just featuring highly credentialed lecturers but also a balanced gospel view with a high view of Scripture. I can say without a reservation that my soul has found a theological home. I am becoming a better pastor because of what you are doing with us at ESWA. I am grateful." The ambition and drive of these Liberian divinity students motivates the EMAUSA Board to support the construction of the ESWA campus. In our 2020 fundraising goals EMAUSA pledged to raise ($50,000) to assist in building its campus. Wouldn’t you like to participate in this program to encourage these divinity students and to assist in the construction of the ESWA campus? ESWA's vision “To glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by producing Godly servant-leaders for West Africa; to serve the church, fulfill the Great Commission and transform the world. (Matthew 28:18-20).” ESWA is the only interdenominational, evangelical graduate seminary in Liberia. Lee Sonius, EMAUSA Director, recently visited Liberia in person to provide guidance on the construction of the new ELWA radio tower. The existing tower, standing 350 feet high, is about 60 years old and in poor condition. Before the new radio tower can be erected, the cement foundations must be laid and the cement cured. Lee partnered with Kyle Shropshire whose family has constructed radio towers in the United States for many years. EMAUSA, with Kyle's expert assistance, expects to complete the tower's construction in late 2021 or early 2022. In addition to seeing the tower foundation completed, Lee visited with ELWA missionaries and saw all the ministries we support. This included the hospital Malnutrition program, ELWA Academy where we sponsor 60 full scholarships, the radio station and the progress on the building of the new International Church of Monrovia on the ELWA campus. Lee said, "The Covid-19 pandemic slowed projects down but they running full speed at ELWA now." While in Liberia, Lee was able to see the progress on the construction of the new sanctuary being built for the International Church of Monrovia (ICM). This new church will provide new and needed space for the Evangelical Church of Liberia (ECOL) staff to congregate and have their meetings.
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