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ELWA Ministries Association USA P. O. Box 1 Warrenville, IL 60555 Contact Us Download printable brouchure HERE |
Growing up in Liberia, I was shaped by sports programs led by faithful missionaries: Uncle Pete Ackley, Uncle Elsworth Balzer, and Uncle Bill Thompson. Through volleyball, basketball, baseball, and prayer meeting, these men modeled Christ and used sports as a way to teach biblical values, build community, and share the Gospel. These programs welcomed all children – missionary kids, Liberians, and even children of diplomats.  In 2004, I returned to Liberia with my “foster siblings”, the Children of Bill Thompson, and observed many Liberian children running around with nothing to do. Witnessing firsthand the deep need for structured activities and discipleship for local youth, and burdened to make a difference, I returned to the US determined to raise awareness and funds to revive the impactful programs that had meant so much to me as a child in Liberia. My prayer was simple yet bold: that God would raise up individuals who love Jesus and desire to reach youth through sports and discipleship. Today, we celebrate that what began as a hope and dream is now a reality. Praise the Lord! Since its founding, YDM has:
A few weeks ago, I visited Liberia and toured the newly completed sports court. All six basketball hoops and backboards are installed and in use. I also met with the local leadership team to plan future ministry programs: youth leagues, summer camps, and Vacation Bible School. Looking ahead to 2025 and early 2026, the goal is to organize leagues across community schools, creating opportunities to compete and, more importantly, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. None of this would be possible without your faithful prayers and financial support. Your generosity helps continue the legacy started by Uncle Pete, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Elsworth – a legacy of using sports as a powerful tool to change lives for Christ. We invite you to continue partnering with us! Your donations directly help disciple the next generation, providing not only athletic opportunities but also life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ. Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we are reconnecting youth in Liberia to faith, hope, and community through sports. We sing praises to Your name, O most High;to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. Ps 92:1-2 A Hope and Dream is now a reality. The ELWA campus needed an onsite sports facility that would benefit the both children on the ELWA campus as well as the children from surrounding communities. During one of his trips to Liberia, Meanu Kayea met with decision makers. An outdoor open top basketball facility was discussed and determined that it was important for the Youth Discipleship Sports Ministry Program. While the court was still in the design stage Meanu and his team determined that a multipurpose court would be a better option than just a basketball court. So, for the last year the court has been used for sports, including pickle ball, and tennis, etc. This week the basketball hoops were installed adding another sport option to this amazing new sports area. Thank you for your faithful giving. This is your project, and the Youth Discipleship program has another way to attract young people so they can hear about Christ. Currently there is a critical need for Missionary Housing
There are several ELWA missionaries who are scheduled to join ELWA staff, but at this time there is no housing available for them. Several houses that were built in the 1950s have fallen into disrepair. These homes must be renovated to accommodate these missionaries. ELWA Missionary Housing Repairs: $40,000 needed Power House The power house project is still ongoing, and is also a critical need. The current building is falling apart and the generators do not fit in the current building. Power House Repairs: $50,000 needed Please join us in supporting these important projects. Thank you! As we conclude 2023 and move into a new year, there are many issues on the world stage that cause deep concern for all of us. In our ministry in Liberia there is reason to rejoice. More of the kids that we have supported on scholarships have finished their schooling and training. Now they are getting jobs as nurses and technicians. The ELWA radio tower is now complete and broadcasting the gospel. New projects are taking shape. As we cast our vision onto the landscape of the new year, the Board envisions 3 new goals. We plan to expand our footprint in Liberia with new partners. We will complete the basketball court begun in late 2023. This new court enables an expansion of Meanu Kayea’s Youth Discipleship Ministry for the youth in Liberia. The ELWA Hospital will have the ability to serve the Paynesville community near to the ELWA campus with an ambulance. Finally, we continue to support our program called Students in Business through scholarships and investments in new businesses. The Board of ELWA Ministries wishes to thank all of our donors for your support over the past year. We could not function without your generosity. For the past year our total donation exceeded donations for the prior year by 40%. In addition to your support there are many little things that happen in a year’s time that make it possible for our ministry to succeed. So, again, the entire Board says: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! For the 2024 year our verse is: “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage another.” (Hebrews 10:24). By encouraging each other, we will find new means of serving each other and serving the people of Liberia who need our help and support to strengthen their communities and their families. Ogden (Clip) Kniffin EMAUSA Founder and Board Chairman Meet Meanu Kaeya  Meanu Kayea (right) and his brothers Last month we shared about our Basketball Court & Youth Discipleship fundraising campaign. Meet Meanu Kayea. . The Youth Sports Program at ELWA had a huge impact on his life 40 years ago. Meanu’s passion is to see this program continue to impact and shape children’s lives today. Meanu's dad was an ELWA radio host who passed away when Meanu was only 5 years old. As a hurting kid growing up in Liberia, the Youth Sports Program at ELWA changed his life. Monday nights were open gym nights for volleyball and Wednesday nights were prayer gatherings. Friday nights were basketball nights and baseball and softball games filled Saturdays. When Meanu showed up each evening, he played with kids from the community. Three ELWA missionary men, affectionately called Uncle Pete Ackley, Uncle Elsworth Balzer, and Uncle Bill Thompson, played crucial roles in Meanu's life. Throughout this ministry, Meanu and his friends were exposed to more than just sports – Jesus was at the center of all of it. The kids shared prayer requests at the Wednesday night prayer gatherings, watched God answer prayers and learned the value of praying for others. But it wasn't just at prayer nights that Jesus came up in conversation. When Meanu wanted to join the baseball team, Uncle Pete challenged Meanu to recite a Bible verse and share it with the team. And it was about more than volleyball, baseball, or basketball. The kids learned how to be the best teammate on and off the field through learning scripture. As Meanu grew up, God provided the opportunity for Meanu to come to the States for high school and college. Meanu grew spiritually while attending Judson College: he played on their soccer team, went on their mission trips, and worked at Riverwoods Christian Camp as a counselor. Meanu later moved to North Carolina to play on the Charlotte Eagles Soccer team. He is currently the Director of the Recreation Soccer Programs for the Charlotte Soccer Academy and continues to enjoy mentoring young people. Meanu is ready to bring back this experience for other kids in Liberia. And it's needed more than ever. Since the civil war ended in Liberia 20 years ago, many impoverished young people have resorted to stealing and joining street gangs. But you can change that.
This is where the Basketball Court & Youth Discipleship Program comes in. Our goal is to raise $50,000. With this program, the young people of Liberia will find a safe place to gather and build community while playing basketball, volleyball, and kickball as well as participate in regular Bible study. Our $50,000 goal will cover the construction costs of the multi-sport court and all essential equipment and cover maintenance staff compensation for the first year. Construction begins THIS October, and we hope to open the court in November to the kids! This is where you come in. Whether you give $50 or $5,000, every little bit helps. You can make your financial gift online or by check. Thank you for your generosity!
Meet the McKnight Family This month, we would like to introduce you to Gary & Elizabeth McKnight. Did you know the African church is the largest growing church in the world? However, there is a severe shortage of trained pastors. This is where the McKnights come in. Gary and Elizabeth move to Liberia this August to serve at ESWA (Evangelical Seminary of West Africa). They will live on the ELWA compound, in the old Schindler house, which was just remodeled. Gary & Elizabeth are eager and passionate to train pastors at the seminary. Not only that, they hope to use their home to strengthen relationships with the ESWA students. They look forward to times of meaningful conversations, meals, and fellowship in their new home. We are thankful to provide housing for families like the McKnights. So we launched our "Missionary Housing" campaign. Our goal is to raise $40,000 to support and care for more families like the McKnights. Also, we have some exciting news! Any financial gift given to our "Missionary Housing Campaign" will be a MATCHED donation. If you would like to support more missionaries like the McKnights with missionary housing, please click "Give Now" button below. You can give one-time or recurring. Basketball Court & Youth Discipleship Update We are excited to share the "Basketball Court & Youth Discipleship" fundraising campaign is now underway! Meanu Kayea, who grew up on the ELWA compound and who's dad was an integral part of ELWA, has a passion for sports ministry and building a new basketball court, as an outreach to the community. In June, we met with contractors, scoped out locations, and researched available supplies. We plan to build one regulation-size court with 6 hoops that will accommodate two 75% basketball courts! Our current plan is to have the courts ready to use this year. We are excited about the impact of this ministry for the youth of Liberia. |
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