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Our largest outreach sharing the love of Jesus in 2025 was in the country of Liberia. People ask me about Liberia out of concern because they know I go there. It is usually because they are thinking of Nigeria. That is a very dangerous country currently so their concern is understandable.
The Christian emphasis in Liberia started with the first voyages from America in the very early 1820’s. Christian ministers traveled with the earliest settlers sent by the American Colonization Society (ACS) in 1820. The early settlers included Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterians planning to establish Biblical traditions. Daily prayer, schooling, and preaching became central to settlement life. In 1822 the new town of Monrovia was founded and the first simple chapels were built shortly afterward. Denominations included Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Congregational groups.
The Christian emphasis in Liberia started with the first voyages from America in the very early 1820’s. Christian ministers traveled with the earliest settlers sent by the American Colonization Society (ACS) in 1820. The early settlers included Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterians planning to establish Biblical traditions. Daily prayer, schooling, and preaching became central to settlement life. In 1822 the new town of Monrovia was founded and the first simple chapels were built shortly afterward. Denominations included Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Congregational groups.
Baptist missionary Lott Carey, a formerly enslaved Virginian, led some of the earliest churches . He was a major figure in evangelism, farming, medical assistance and established strong relations with local leaders. He died in 2028, but his work laid important foundations for Baptist missions.
The first churches in Cape Palmas, Bassa and Sinoe focused on literacy, Bible translation, Medical care and Agriculture. Schools were established and became centers of both evangelism and providing practical training.
In 1833 the first Methodist churches organized schools for boys and girls. In the 1840’s as Liberia expanded inland, missionaries began reaching Bassa, Vai, Kru and Grebo. Liberia’s independence in 1847 helped solidify the legal protection of mission work.
In the 1850’s missions built the first formal medical clinics providing care during malaria, smallpox and yellow fever outbreaks. New mission schools were founded, many of which later became prominent Liberian institutions. The 1860’s and 70’s saw the growth of Lutheran, Episcopal (Anglican) churches and Catholics began limited activities. These groups focused on agricultural training, teacher preparation and the translation of Christian texts into Bass, Grebo and Kru. On to the 1880's to 1900 included a deepening of evangelism and training of indigenous leaders and Liberia pastors and teachers.
During these years missions expanded into interior settlements, including market towns and river regions. Churches became key centers for literacy, community leadership, social organization, and agricultural and trade education.
Christian Missions were influential because:
Early Liberia’s Christian missions shaped the nation in several ways:
- Education: Many of the first schools were mission-founded.
- Health: Mission clinics provided the earliest organized medical care.
- Language: Missionaries produced grammars, dictionaries, and Scripture translations in regional languages.
- Governance: Many early Liberian leaders were mission-educated.
- Faith Life: Missions strengthened Liberia” identity as a Christian leaning nation.
We help continue the rich Christian tradition in Liberia.
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Perhaps a great way to Praise God is to report the effectiveness of our global partners during 2025 as reflected in this short recapitulation.
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For the Month of December have the family read one chapter every day for 24 days the Book of Luke in the Bible.
There are 24 chapter so you will finish on Christmas Eve ~ the day before Christmas and know why we celebrate Christmas.
There are 24 chapter so you will finish on Christmas Eve ~ the day before Christmas and know why we celebrate Christmas.
Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas
It is already past the 1st this year but you can start anywhere but it is best to start at chapter one (1). Read two chapters a day until you catch up so you end on Christmas eve.
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A highlight of the November team visit was the formal launch of the station attended by a huge crowd representing Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia of course. The station high on a hill reaches the Kissi people and as we visited three churches on Sunday in Sierra Leone we were accepted and asked to stay and join them.
My greeting and emphasis to the church was,
'the station is theirs not ours, it's yours"! I shared about giving and receiving. This is our gift to them. They are to use it as the gospel is offered that can make life changing impact on many of the three million audience in the broadcast path in the three countries. The station is a uniting instrument to the English and French speaking audience.
My greeting and emphasis to the church was,
'the station is theirs not ours, it's yours"! I shared about giving and receiving. This is our gift to them. They are to use it as the gospel is offered that can make life changing impact on many of the three million audience in the broadcast path in the three countries. The station is a uniting instrument to the English and French speaking audience.
The remote Foya area requires solar power to operate the station.
The staff from VOX radio in Marshall (Monrovia) Liberia will lead the station operations and train the local staff during the next months.
The 100 foot tower on the 300 foot tall hill will reach 3 million people in three countries with not only gospel programs but music, news and sports programming all tailored to the local audience.
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Planning, good thorough planning leads to avoiding unintended consequences.
When asked to help with designing a new radio station for Liberia. It would be a sister station that if you follow these BLOGS will know that VOX Radio Liberia went on the air almost eight years ago now on Thanksgiving day 2017.
Check August 2025 for the KiOO radio report.
Knowing how funding such a project puts significant demands on ministry operations, my recommendation was to build the station in three phases. Design did include all three phases but the decision was made to build it all at one time. Construction started in early 2025 and a November 2025 target was set to complete the building and go live.
I accepted the invitation to attend the dedication of the station building I designed and the first live on-air broadcast will be November 13, 2025.
I accepted the invitation to attend the dedication of the station building I designed and the first live on-air broadcast will be November 13, 2025.
I have never had reservations about international travel . . . until now. First my flight is from Palm Springs CA (PSP) to Chicago (ORD) then on to Brussels (BRU) then Freetown (FRN) ending at Monrovia (ROB). Here is one of the reasons. Perhaps by my November 7th departure the Air Traffic Controllers will all be back on the job and there will not be a delay at one of the busiest airports in America, Chicago.
More of what I meant, “until now”. Here is the news we got; I say we because Sharon makes all of my travel arrangements; she is amazing. The new radio station building to be dedicated and first broadcasting is in the far North of Liberia near the boarder of Sierra Leone and Guinea. Sharon wanted to know about housing and here is the report confirming her research, “Foya is an extremely remote area, and there are no hotels listed online. Over the past few months, our local Kioo Radio team has been working to secure a local guesthouse for our stay. We’ve purchased all the bedding and toiletries needed, and thankfully, Eva will be helping to prepare meals for us during our time in both Monrovia and Foya.”
The international team gathering for this dedication are from the USA, Canada, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. We will be staying five nights in Foya. Reason number three, “until now”; when in Liberia I have always stayed sleeping under a net to protect from insects that like to eat me.
Looking forward to the trip and the joy to see one of my designs and meet the new staff and team that is making all this happen.
More of what I meant, “until now”. Here is the news we got; I say we because Sharon makes all of my travel arrangements; she is amazing. The new radio station building to be dedicated and first broadcasting is in the far North of Liberia near the boarder of Sierra Leone and Guinea. Sharon wanted to know about housing and here is the report confirming her research, “Foya is an extremely remote area, and there are no hotels listed online. Over the past few months, our local Kioo Radio team has been working to secure a local guesthouse for our stay. We’ve purchased all the bedding and toiletries needed, and thankfully, Eva will be helping to prepare meals for us during our time in both Monrovia and Foya.”
The international team gathering for this dedication are from the USA, Canada, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. We will be staying five nights in Foya. Reason number three, “until now”; when in Liberia I have always stayed sleeping under a net to protect from insects that like to eat me.
Looking forward to the trip and the joy to see one of my designs and meet the new staff and team that is making all this happen.
A November post related to KiOO Radio and Planning will follow.
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We receive blessings beyond measure when we get reports from our global partners about how people respond to hearing about Jesus, the Son of God. Sometimes for the first time.
In Turkey the report includes, “13 new worship songs were recorded and four of them are a part of regular radio broadcasts”. People listening seek to know more about Jesus.
In Indonesia on Sumba Island the new tower helps the station to now reach half of the island population. The station at the Waikabubak Orphanage property is enjoying their newly dedicated building.
Sharon is with the children and staff of the Poguwatu Leprosy Village waving at the DRONE as it takes a video of them. See if you can find it in the middle of the photo. I’m not the pilot of the DRONE that we gave them but I did take the photograph. In the background beside the building that serves as the first school in the village the blue water tank was dedicated that day. It collects runoff water from the buildings metal roof for their daily use.
In Turkey the report includes, “13 new worship songs were recorded and four of them are a part of regular radio broadcasts”. People listening seek to know more about Jesus.
In Indonesia on Sumba Island the new tower helps the station to now reach half of the island population. The station at the Waikabubak Orphanage property is enjoying their newly dedicated building.
Sharon is with the children and staff of the Poguwatu Leprosy Village waving at the DRONE as it takes a video of them. See if you can find it in the middle of the photo. I’m not the pilot of the DRONE that we gave them but I did take the photograph. In the background beside the building that serves as the first school in the village the blue water tank was dedicated that day. It collects runoff water from the buildings metal roof for their daily use.
Do you see the drone in the picture?
Mercy Indonesia wanted a drone for their use so we took one for them. The operator showed it to the children at the first school in the village we helped provide for them and I took this photo.
And the report from Liberia, station KiOO 98.1 FM construction is on schedule and planning is underway to begin broadcasting in mid November from their new building in Foya. It will reach not only Liberia but Sierra Leone and Guinea sharing the hope that only Christ can give. Pray with us as I have been invited for the dedication of the building and station. It will be the day before my birthday this year.
Slowly but surely it is taking shape.
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Followup to the June BLOG below.
A note from friend Dave Pasechnik of the SonSet Solutions ministry that is a huge help to the technical operations of the new KiOO radio station.
"Looking ahead, VOX TransMedia is preparing to launch Kioo Radio (98.1 FM), a station dedicated to serving the Kissi people along with the minority Fulani and Mandingo communities in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
With this new initiative, they are trusting God for an even greater impact, made possible through strategic ministry partnerships. Their unwavering mission remains: to make the gospel accessible to all."
It is refreshing to know that supporters other than our ministry do not stand alone, we are part of a strong ministry partnership.
A note from friend Dave Pasechnik of the SonSet Solutions ministry that is a huge help to the technical operations of the new KiOO radio station.
"Looking ahead, VOX TransMedia is preparing to launch Kioo Radio (98.1 FM), a station dedicated to serving the Kissi people along with the minority Fulani and Mandingo communities in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
With this new initiative, they are trusting God for an even greater impact, made possible through strategic ministry partnerships. Their unwavering mission remains: to make the gospel accessible to all."
It is refreshing to know that supporters other than our ministry do not stand alone, we are part of a strong ministry partnership.
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We spent our short honeymoon years ago at Idyllwild and attended a movie at the local theater. We visited there and asked the staff if they knew what was playing on June 21, 1963. Of course they had no idea, it was before they were even born. It was Alfred Hitchcocks, "the BIRDS"
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We spent the day in the mountains near our home where we spent our short honeymoon in the 1960's. We visited the local theater and asked them what was playing on June 21st in 1963. Of course it was before the staff was born ~ so they had NO IDEA. The movie was Alfred Hitchcocks, "the Birds". When we left the theater to walk over to our cabin there were birds swarming around in the night sky.
Yesterday we celebrated the 249th year of the USA.
Each year festivities are held at the senior community where we live.
Emanuel shares an update about the NewService.
In May 2024 David shared the importance of radio stations connecting with their audience with local and regional news. Including the introduction of the new KiOO sister radio station in the far North of of Liberia Emanuel shares their tanks for the training from last May
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When in May last year I met with Liberian President Joseph Boakai he shared a desire for his people in the far North to benefit from Christian radio like the station, VOX Radio 97.5 fm. Less than a year later the tower is installed and construction is underway for the modified plans I designed for CRAF radio some 20 years ago in a restricted county.
Ministry reunion time
In May this year the annual gathering of friends and co-workers was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Family Time
A highlight for David was the "Oh Joy!" photo of great granddaughter Samantha opening her birthday card on her second birthday. Yes she got a $2 bill along with the card.
