Tag Archive for: Liberia

The Liberia Plan

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This article originally appeared in the One Africa Team blog. Subscribe to future updates from Africa at oneafricateam.com.

On February 7-16, 2026, Missionaries Dan Witte and Dan Kroll visited a group of Christians in Buchanan, Liberia. The One Africa Team has been working with a church there called Lamb of God. Three years ago, Lamb of God left another local group that was teaching false doctrine. They are currently a single congregation due to their unwillingness to compromise on doctrinal matters. Missionary Dan Kroll shares an update:

The building site of Lamb of God’s new school

Making progress one step at a time

Lamb of God has been making slow but steady progress for quite some time. We expect more congregations to form in the near future. We have reviewed extensively Luther’s Small Catechism as well as the Lutheran Confessions. We have seen our Liberian brothers make progress in securing property. They are now building a school in a developing area of Buchanan. This is very likely to bring opportunities for outreach to the community. We have also developed some excellent relationships here and have made inroads into the unique culture of Liberia.

Many groups of Christians approach WELS with a request to join our fellowship. For eight years, the One Africa Team has been using a process to evaluate these requests. In Liberia, under the guidance of Pastor Toye Barnard, we started with what has become known as “The Liberia Plan.” The plan includes a requirement that new groups join the TELL online Bible school. They must also submit monthly reports via the internet and send weekly sermon notes for evaluation and revision.

This week, we reviewed the Constitution of Lamb of God Lutheran Church. We also did a bit more in-depth review of their “Statements of Faith.” This allowed the congregation to show that they are united with WELS in their understanding of the Holy Scriptures. We discussed at length the ministerial practices of the congregation. We saw that these teachings are not just words but are effective for building God’s Kingdom here in Liberia.

Partnering with TELL

In an effort to train lay leaders, we spent two days studying the TELL (Think. Evaluate. Learn. Lead.) method. This method offers a clear template of questions that fit well with any Scripture narrative. Pastor Barnard has been using the TELL method for many years. TELL is his go-to method for Bible studies and sermons. Three of his members are currently enrolled in the TELL program. Our Liberian brothers can see the TELL program in action. They are able to use it for any outreach and home visits they make in the area. It has been a very busy week in Liberia!

Next week, the One Africa Team Outreach Committee will review Lamb of God’s constitution and statements of faith. The One Africa Team will pass on Lamb of God Lutheran Church’s official documents to the WELS’ Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR). Please join us in thanking God for using the Liberia Plan to bring Lamb of God closer to fellowship with WELS!

Written by Rev. Dan Kroll, One Africa Team missionary




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Still building on an age-old tradition

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For more than 100 years, WELS congregations have been operating Christian elementary and secondary schools. Many WELS members grew up learning Bible history and the teachings of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism right along with reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as social studies and science. In the 21st century, more than 400 WELS congregations operate early childhood educational centers to foster our children’s relationship with their Savior.

While understanding the world around us is important, the understanding of eternal life supersedes it all. We understand that life-learning starts early, and the earlier the better. The age of 2 or 3 is not too soon to introduce our children to the teaching of salvation.

The One Africa Team is working with a group of Christians in Buchanan, Liberia, that understands the importance of educating children in the truths of Scripture. Lamb of God Lutheran Church is hoping to start with ABC Kindergarten. Their hope is that the kindergarten will quickly grow into a primary school and even a secondary school within just a few years. Pastor Toye Barnard, Lamb of God’s leader, expresses confidence that the program will grow fast.

Pastor Barnard

Lamb of God Lutheran Church broke away from another group the One Africa Team had studied with for several years. That group had decided to hold to the Pentecostal teachings of its leaders, which included a refusal to baptize infants, among other misunderstandings. Pastor Barnard and his members endured many false accusations from that other group when Lamb of God agreed to hold to the truth of Scripture and to continue studying with the One Africa Team. A benevolent group of WELS Christians in California continues to support this budding ministry, which is focusing much attention on building a school as a foundation for their congregation.

Currently, 44 adults and 22 children worship at Lamb of God. The congregation owns three quarters of an acre on which to build a small school near the edge of town. Pastor Barnard, together with several members who are also teachers, is confident they will be able to build a large school and even a church building. They will need more land and more funds to actualize the plan. They will also need the Lord of the Church to put his hand of blessing on this effort, so that his church may grow in Liberia. Your prayers and support are hugely appreciated!

Written by Rev. Dan Kroll, world missionary on the One Africa Team




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