Worship Matters In Liberia

An update from Dyonah Thomas, our key leader in Liberia, and lead pastor of GraceLife…

Our April residence was very encouraging once again, with 48 students present from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. These brothers serve as either lead pastors, associate pastors or are preparing to plant a new church, and each of them is enrolled in the three year Gracelife ‘Pastoral Ministry and Church Planting’ program. 

We gather five times a year, for 14 days at a time and unpack two courses until the program is over, and one of the highlights of each residence is the chapel service in the Gracelife Center, the Local church that is hosting the program . Each residence we have a focus for the chapel services, unpacking a biblical topic and exegeting an area of scripture. This April just gone, our focus was on Worship in the Local church, and we were very honoured to have Bob Kauflin speak to us, for two days in Chapel. 

It was such a a blessing and so encouraging. Bob drew our attention to the fact that Worship is not about out Satisfaction, but instead we sing to glorify the Lord, and so our songs should be scripture based and Christ exalting. This was really really good for the learning environment, because Bob confirmed in an in-depth way some of the practices that Gracelife College and Seminary hold to. And in addition, students were amazed to see so clearly from scripture what they have mostly overlooked in preparing for and leading worship for the Glory of God. 

One student said, “I am so sorry that I have mostly looked for songs that just make me feel good. This has opened my eyes to so much more, and I want to find out more...” So I directed them to Bob's two text books in our School library, and the Worship Matters Website. Another student, who is a lead pastor, said that he did not know prior to this week, that part of his responsibility was ensuring that the local worship was Biblical and Christ Centered.  

Without doubt then, our students have been very thankful for this time. I honestly think that these two days of have stirred a thirst and begun a search for many. Everyone is now looking on Worship Matters and signing up for the blogs and checking out the music. A conversation has started, and we are so thankful for that.

Thanks Bob for Serving us so well.