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Liberia: Punks dismantled Gospel crusade stage in Jacob Town. But church quickly reconstructs altar to kick off event 

James Fasuekoi
  • Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
  • John 15:20 “…If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” 

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher
The Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, during His earthly journey at times stressed the ‘danger’ that most Christians preaching the Gospel message would eventually face. And such a warning is quite clear in John 15:20 “…If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” 

True to Christ’s Word, persecution of Christians worldwide can be seen almost daily everywhere today; and one such incident occurred Saturday, as a group of punks descended upon the Jacob Town Community, a suburb of Monrovia, vandalizing a massive stage which parishioners of Christian Evangelistic Ministries had set up to host the church’s annual 2025 Crusade.

Mother Precious JL Dagadu (background far left), gives workers instruction Sunday.

Christian Evangelistic Ministries’ senior pastor, Mother Precious JL Dagadu, announcing the vandalism before her congregation Sunday, and alleged that one “Frank” led the group Saturday morning, and carried out the act at the community’s football field, the site of the crusade, on grounds that his football team had to practice. 

According to Mother Dagadu, the alleged mastermind, “Frank” was unwilling to reason with her in giving in, after she spoke with him via the phone that belonged to one of the church’s workers on the site and vowed, he and his group would “dismantle” the stage and go ahead with their soccer practice.

‘Liberia is a country of LAW, and we will go ahead and dismantle it!’ the reported perpetrator, “Frank,” is said to have declared. It remains unclear Frank’s own understanding of such a declaration!

A seller walked past church members working at the site Sunday.

And sure, “Frank” and his followers went on and “dismantled” the huge altar and had their “Old Timers” “soccer team” host their football practice even though the property, based on information gathered, had been rented to the church for this period to do the crusade.  

The church told this news magazine that its authorities reached out to the nearest police station and reported the attacks/aggression but said the police refused to intervene, rather playing a “hands-off” game and didn’t provide a reason for such action.

Global Ekklesia news team visited the site of the reported vandalism Sunday but found it difficult to reach the police boss in the area.

Dr. Dagadu’s church media booth, mounted in the center of the football field appeared to have been affected too by the vandalism Saturday. On Sunday, technicians raced to set up their equipment before Monday gathering. Dr. Dagadu and wife have not traveled abroad for years to purchase equipment for their church while extensive crusade-travels across Liberia, and such vandalized acts as Saturday’s incident are taking heavy toll on the instruments.

Dr. Dagadu Sr. appeared quite reluctant, when asked Sunday to talk about any damages or losses they may have incurred as a result of the aggression. He and his wife said they won’t press on for charges nor pursue further action to deter such wickedness, saying, “We will leave it to God!  

Mother Dagadu said they engaged the football field and paid for its usage as far back September and were granted greenlight to do so by the property owners or township. She explained this is the normal procedure they go through yearly for staging such meetings or crusades throughout Liberia’s fifteen-counties and law enforcement authorities are duly notified.

Rev. Dr. Dagadu Sr. oversees progress-works at the site Sunday, sending out instructions to his members, as seen in this photo.

After Saturday’s ugly incident, Pastor Dagadu and his wife, Senior Pastor Precious JL Dagadu, appeared upbeat about their crusade, an annual Gospel event that has become quite popular here and usually attended by tens of thousands.

On Sunday, the church called off service much earlier to let most parishioners, including Rev. Dagadu Sr. himself and Mother Dagadu change from their church-attire into ordinary outfits so they could hurry to the site and assist with reconstruction works on the stage before the crusade could start Monday, February 3.

After touring and inspecting progress-works on the site, including the backdrop, both joined hundreds of their church members plus other church parishioners Sunday, and even led a group of women on a clean-up exercise. They removed wastes bins, picked up empty-water bottles, plastic bags, old Soda cans, and litters, left at the site recently apparently by football players and passersby; services this community, nor the reported vandalizers can provide it. 

Moments after inspecting the crusade grounds Sunday, Liberia’s renowned evangelist Rev. Dr. Christian Dagadu Sr. poses here with Ekklesia Editor-Publisher James Kokulo Fasuekoi

The church’s crusade that had been scheduled to begin Monday, February 3, 2025, says renowned evangelist, Rev. Dr. Dagadu Sr., “Will go ahead as planned,” irrespective of setbacks, or distraction the devil may try to bring along.

And true, Crusade 2025 kicked off yesterday evening at sharp 5:00 P.M. as planned, at the Jacob Town Football Field, with hundreds thronging onto the field, and desperately seeking God’s Salvation!

ALL PHOTOS BY JAMES KOKULO FASUEKOI  

JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON! ARE YOU READY?