Vision inspires leader to reach the lost in Liberia

Missionaries with Intercede International partner Christ Evangelistic Fellowship Ministries travel to the hinterlands of Liberia – through jungles, across lakes, and along unforgiving roads. Although they face opposition from Muslims and idol-worshippers, they share the Gospel faithfully across this western African nation.

In the mid1980s, Rev. James Cuffee started Christ Evangelical Fellowship Ministries with a vision to reach the lost in Liberia, after receiving a special message from God. “The Spirit of the Lord came upon me in 1985 and revealed to me hell and heaven, where I saw the picture of judgment in which the dead were judged and those that were guilty were thrown into the lake of fire; while those who accepted the Lord Jesus were saved and entered into the Kingdom of Heaven,” Cuffee explains. “The Lord told me to rise up and take the message to the dying world. Without hesitation, I started preaching into the villages, towns and cities of Liberia, spreading the message of the cross.”

Since 1985, CEFM has planted dozens of churches throughout Liberia. Their 24 workers also care for more than 60 orphaned and abandoned children, Ebola survivors, and hundreds of displaced civil war refugees. CEFM endeavours to reach the remaining idol-worshipers in the hinterlands of Liberia and to take the Gospel to areas dominated by Islam.

“Our focus is on the western, northern and central parts of Liberia, which are dominated by Islam,” explains Cuffee. “The three countries that surround Liberia: Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast, are Muslim countries. As a result, they have moved into Liberia very fast, and are building schools, colleges and hospitals, taking care of orphans and abandoned children, and giving assistance to their Muslim brothers. If we don’t do something now, they shall take over the entire country of Liberia. That is why we are determined to put our lives on the line for Christ’s sake to carry the Good News to our people. Please pray for us, so that the Lord’s name will be praised.”

Facing Conflict

Reaching believers of other faiths with the Gospel can sometimes cause conflicts. Back in April 2012, reported Cuffee, “I was called upon by one of our missionaries, Samuel Hne. He was under attack by the chief and elders of the village because of his converting their juju (a West African religion) priest’s wife to Christ. They said he influenced the lady to forsake their tradition, so they asked him to pay some money or else their devil was going to detain him by using their traditional law. So I went there to meet with the elders to resolve the problems, which I was able to do through the help of the Lord.”

Helping Displaced Families

The lengthy civil wars in Liberia (from 1989 till 1997 and then from 1999 till 2003) displaced many families from their homes. More than 3,475 persons, including family heads, refugees, orphans, widows and the elderly have been direct beneficiaries of support from Canadians.

The civil wars also left many children abandoned, deprived of their parents, and desperately needing safe homes. CEFM missionaries nurture abandoned children and provide them with basic needs such as food and clothing. They also teach them the love of Jesus Christ.

The Liberian civil wars and the 2014 to 2015 Ebola crisis brought untold suffering to the lives of Liberians. “The economics of the country have completely broken down, leaving most of our people suffering and without jobs,” reports Cuffee. “There is little food. Many of the people have even died from hunger. The years of civil war in our country took more than 250,000 lives and destroyed millions of dollars of property.”

Obstacles and Rewards

“We are reaching the Muslims with the Gospel,” reports Cuffee. “Our vision is mostly to reach our people on a one-on-one basis, with door-to-door evangelism. We have been having crusades, revival meetings and seminars. In one Muslim community, 35 Muslims got converted and gave their lives to the Lord. But the problem that we face is: most of these people when they come, their families reject them, because they have changed their faith. So our church and ministries look after their needs.”

CEFM missionaries often face many obstacles in their crusade work. On one outreach trip to Maryland and Grand Kru counties, missionaries rented a vehicle that got stuck in the mud for nine hours at night-time. They also ran out of food and water. “But the Lord was with us, and we got the vehicle out of the mud,” reported Cuffee. “We arrived in Maryland. The saints were happy when they saw us.” During those revival meetings, 27 people gave their lives to the Lord, and were baptized by Pastor Cuffee, assisted by Elder Steven of CEFM.

Mobile Health Team

With the help of a vehicle recently provided by God through Intercede, CEFM has started a mobile health team. Five nurses travel to displaced refugee camps and villages in rural Liberia. There, they provide treatment to orphans, abandoned people, elderly, widows, infants and child-bearing mothers.

Many of the cases treated are malaria, stomach pain, fever, diarrhea, and high blood pressure. Emergency cases that cannot be handled by the nurses are quickly transferred to a hospital for medical doctor intervention. The beneficiaries are truly appreciative of the care in taking medication to them for saving lives. Intercede and its supporters have also helped CEFM to set up a 10-room Medical Clinic in the village of Kpanjah. 

“I am proud to report that the Lord has helped us save many lives in the country,” reported Cuffee in an April 2021 Field Report. “We will charge them nothing just to help them and to save lives.”

Saving lives in a spiritual and physical sense is central to the ministry of CEFM. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless and guide CEFM missionaries as they serve Him faithfully amid many challenges.  

INS- Intercede International, Fort Erie, ON