Baptists want US$50m for William R. Tolbert University

By Naneka A. Hoffman

The President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, Reverend Doctor Samuel Reeves, says over 50 million United States Dollars are needed to fully construct the William R. Tolbert University and get it running with all basic infrastructures to meet international standard.

Speaking in an interview over the weekend after he was inducted in office for a second term during program marking the close of the 109th Convention of the church held at Ricks Institute in the Township of Virginia, outside Monrovia on Sunday, 16 February,  Reverend Dr. Samuel Reeves said the institution is currently open with about 250 students. 

He explains that those elected at the 109^th Convention are Reverend Alphanso Duncan, Senior Pastor of the Bridgeway Baptist Church in St. Paul Bridge, Vice President;   Moriah Wesseh, Director of the Women Missionary; Martin Allen, Director of the Men and Gyers Windberry, Director,  Sunday School, respectively. 

Performing the induction, President Joseph Boakai, a Baptist and Chairman of the Elder Council, said the Baptist Church has gone a long way in contributing to the nation’s building and still has more to do. 

President Boakai challenged the elected leadership of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention to go the extra mile in solving some of the many problems that have engulfed the country. 

During the day of the annual conference on Wednesday, last week,  members of the Providence Baptist Association disrupted the opening session that was presided over by Reverend Dr. Reeves on grounds that he lacked the authority after his license and certificate were revoked. 

According to the PBA, the license of Reverend Reeves was revoked on January 10, 2024, as a result, disagreements erupted between him and moderator of the Providence Baptist Association. 

Information gathered indicates that the confusion erupted in the Baptist Convention because of power, money, and the attempt by Reverend Dr. Reeves to amend the constitution of the church and introduce some financial discipline.

It was rumored that Reverend Reeves had intended to amend some portions of the Baptist Constitution to synchronize the accreditation, licensing, and certification of pastors, deacons, and licentiates and introduce some financial discipline, but this attempt was resisted by the PBA, which is the institution clothed with the authority to accredit,  license and ordain pastors of the Baptist confab. Editing by Jonathan Browne