11/05/2020
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
AT A SPECIAL SERVICE OF PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH
TO MARK THE PLANNING OF THE EVENTS TO COMMEMORATE THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH IN 2021
PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH
ASHMUN STREET
MONROVIA, LIBERIA
MARCH 1, 2020
REV. DR. SAMUEL B. REEVES, JR, SENIOR PASTOR; PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH;
REV. JOSEPH J. ROBERTS, ASSOCIATE PASTOR;
OTHER PRELATES HERE PRESENT;
MEMBERS OF THE DEACON BOARD;
THE CHOIR;
MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION;
FELLOW WORSHIPERS;
FELLOW CHRISTIANS;
FRIENDS:
Psalm 122 Verse 1 says “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
And so this morning, I want to tell you that I feel glad to be in this historic house of the Lord, which is as old as our Nation itself. As the Holy Bilble tells us, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told His disciples that he would use the rock in him to build a church. Although He was speaking metaphorically, we took up the charge and built a Nation from a church on a rock.
Now here we are today, nearly two centuries on, recalling the immense contributions of this remarkable church to this great nation.
The history of Liberia can not be told without also recounting the numerous contributions of the country's first church, The Providence Baptist Church. In fact, this church is an embodiment of the history of our great country.
Often referred to as the “Cornerstone of Liberia”, the Providence Baptist Church is the first place of worship that some of our ancestors who returned home after being freed from slavery built after arriving on Providence Island.
It was here in this same edifice that our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to Africa's first independent Republic. This church has been so central to our national life that it even hosted our National Legislature for a period.
MY FELLOW CITIZENS:
The history of Liberia is replete with social and political evolutions. These have sometimes been cited as the basis for the many upheavals this country has witnessed over the past several decades.
Our religious community has always played a pivotal role in bringing about resolutions to some of these intractable crises. We urge you to continue to play that role. For it is often said that the church is the hope of the world.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus instructed us, saying: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Let me now call on the church to shine its light on the Liberian society. While we as Government play our part in the preservation of law and order, we expect the clergy to use the “Power of the Pulpit” for the good of the country.
It is often said that Liberia is all we have. I could not agree more. And that is why we depend on the religious community to bring about social cohesion and harmony.
While our ethnic, religious or political diversity can serve to strengthen our democracy, some have attempted to exploit these divides for selfish political motives. The church can not sit by supinely or become a willing and complicit participant while these things happen.
REV. REEVES, REV. ROBERTS, AND ALL THE CLERGY AND DEACONS AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION OF THIS CHURCH:
Let me now use this opportunity to thank you all for maintaining the Providence Baptist Church so well during the many years of its existence. You have done a wonderful job.
The Government is happy to partner with you for the upcoming bicentennial celebration. We will endeavor to do all that is necessary to ensure a very successful celebration of this critical component of our history.
I understand that the planned activities include a tour of Liberia's historic sites, including the landmark Providence Island, which shares a binding tale with the building we are gathered in today.
This comes at a time when we are taking targeted steps to improve our enormous potential in the tourism sector. I am glad you plan to work with the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism in this regard.
It has been nearly two centuries; that's nearly 200 years of rich history. We anticipate a celebration that reflects the true essence of the Providence Baptist Church, and its role in Liberia.
I share in that rich history, both personally and as President of Liberia. So be assured that I will be a central part of the programs intended to commemorate that historic occasion.
THANK YOU, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
