Liberia was founded in West Africa by freed slaves who sought to establish a nation in which man was not owned but free. Though it is the oldest republic in Africa, a national identity has only started to take shape after two civil wars. Blanketed with rainforests and valuable hardwood trees, Liberia is richly blessed in natural resources such as timber, iron ore, gold, and diamonds. It’s temperate climate also fosters productive agriculture.

Almost half of Liberia’s five and a half million people are under the age of fifteen. Sex trafficking is widespread, and many of the victims are children. An estimated 84% of the population live on less than $1.25 a day. Only about 47% of adults and 54% of youth are literate. Emotional and psychological scars of war and disease plague Liberia. The first civil war (1989-1996) claimed over 200,000 lives. The second (1997-2003) caused the death of an additional 100,000 people. These wars demolished the nation’s economic system and traumatized its people. Sadly, Liberia was forced to fight yet another battle when Ebola struck in 2014. By 2016 the horrific disease had killed over 4,000 people. Many farmers fled their lands, leaving fields unplanted and without a harvest. In addition to a lack of crops, only a quarter of the population has access to safe drinking water.

In the midst of these tragedies, Liberians celebrate freedom of religion. Approximately 42% follow ethnic religions, 40% claim Christianity, and 16% are Muslim. Islam is growing at a faster rate than Christianity. The Church is mostly located in the city, while much of the population lives in rural areas without access to sound Biblical teaching. Many doors have opened for the spread of the Gospel throughout Liberia, including the Ebola crisis which provided countless opportunities to share the love of Jesus through tangible medical care. But the false teachings of the prosperity Gospel have also gained influence in many regions. May the Holy Spirit motivate Liberians to reach the unreached with His love and give them a desire to introduce their own people to Jesus, their only Savior.