Liberia: Churches quarrel over name change; What’s going on at Bethel World Outreach?

John 17:22-23 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity.” 

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher

A new signpost mounted near the compound of what was once “Bethel World Outreach Ministry” located in Congo Town, now reads: We are now: Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral and that’s because the church’s name has been changed by its foreign partners, but not without some resistance.

It comes after a year of internal quarrel over a “name change” between the church’s local branch led by founder Apostle Natt Friday and its overseas partner, Bethel World International Ministries, now Harvest Intercontinental headed by Bishop Darlington Johnson.

In recent times the conflict has escalated so much that the matter has reached court authorities, particularly, “the Supreme Court of Liberia” which according to one Bethel World Outreach pastor, is expected to deliberate the case when it begins its next March term.

One source told this web magazine weeks ago that the court authorities had locked up the doors of the church’s local headquarters in Congo Town as a precaution meant to prevent a possible row between those supporting the name change and members that opposed it.

News of the “lock up” prompted Global Ekklesia to dispatch its photographer to the church’s compound Sunday (Feb. 6/22), during their worship hours, to ascertain the facts but discovered that the church’s doors weren’t shut down or sealed as had been alleged. 

Our photographer who said he was stopped by the church’s private security guard from entering the sanctuary while service went on observed what seemed to be a “packed congregation” and with “many cars” parked outside in the church’s compound.  

An investigation revealed the two church leaders, Apostle Ntt Friday and Pastor Darlington Johnson had years ago, agreed to a merger under “Bethel World Outreach International” after Dr. Friday opted to leave the war-prone nation of Liberia in order to study in the United States. 

The row has created a split among Bethel’s local congregations with one group standing with Bethel founder Dr. Friday, and resisting the “name change”  while the other backs Bishop Johnson and his Harvest Intercontinental Ministries/Cathedral.

But while some local branches including the Gbarnga denomination of Rev. Laihai Sesay have all adopted the new, others prefer to still operate under the church’s original name, Bethel World Outreach. Bethel SKT branch, led by Pastor Osakata Kollie is one of them. 

Pastor Kollie, who spoke with our correspondent in Bong County last Sunday, confirmed the ongoing battle among their branches regarding the “name change” and said the matter has already reached the Supreme Court desk. 

Because of the “legal battle”, he maintained that his SKT congregation in Suakoko, Bong County, no longer use the church building except for their occasional workshops conducted outdoors in the church’s compound.

Many observers find it interesting that the ongoing disagreement between all sides hadn’t come about as a result of financial or doctrinal issues (false teaching) which can be the case in certain places but rather the conflict came from a mere “name change.”

A credible news source close to Bishop Johnson told Global Ekklesia Thursday that the move to change Bethel name to Harvest “wasn’t a unilateral decision at all.”

According to the source Johnson had said “the Lord spoke to him about the name change” and when he put it before Bethel Council of Bishops for review, it was “approved by 97% of the council of bishops” thus allowing Pastor Johnson to proceed with the change of name.

This news medium made several frantic attempts to contact both Dr. Friday and Bishop Johnson for comments but neither could be reached.

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Church history is replete with strife and the Apostle Paul makes no secret of it: 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”

Church, or the Body of Christ, is about love and unity, not confusion. Lord Jesus Christ makes this plain in John 17:22-23 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity.” 

Yet, there’s growing evidence that church leaders of today still find it difficult to deal with strife within their own congregations by reaching a compromise whenever a quarrel arises in the church that threatens the spiritual well-being of the flock. 

We at Global Ekklesia pray that the leaders of all sides work harder to reach a compromise so as to keep God’s people together while at the same time winning many more souls for Christ in these End Times!

Remember that strife can destroy great testimonies of Christ Jesus thereby scattering baby Christians away from the church.

Editor’s note: Patrick Stephen Tokpah and Moses Carter Tamba contributed to this story. Also, this story was updated Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

Our calling at Global Ekklesia is to spread the Good News of the Second Coming of our Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As Ekklesia-meaning, called-out-ones, we practice Interpretative Journalism; publish exclusive news reports, articles and special news features written by experienced and award-winning journalists with passion to work for God’s Kingdom. If you are a Follower of Christ Jesus and have Christian news to share with us from your village, town, or city for publication, you can reach us via email: fasuekoi1@gmail.com or Global Ekklesia, P.O. Box 28321, Minneapolis, MN 55428. Editor’s discretion may apply.